Merizo, Guam
| Merizo Malesso' |
|
|---|---|
| Village | |
 Location of Merizo within the Territory of Guam. |
|
| Country | United States |
| Territory | Guam |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ernest T. Chargualaf (R) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,850 |
| Time zone | ChST (UTC+10) |
Merizo (Chamorro: Malesso'), is the southernmost village in the United States territory of Guam. Cocos Island (Chamorro: Islan Dåno) is a part of the municipality. The village's population has decreased since the island's 2000 census.
During the first Spanish missionary efforts on Guam, Merizo was the site of resistance encouraged by Choco, a Chinese resident of the village. The parish of Merizo was the second established by the Spanish on Guam. A large population of Chamorros from the Mariana Islands were relocated to the village during Spanish rule.
The village covers an area of 6 square miles (16 km2) and is located on the shore below the volcanic hills of southern Guam. Places of interest for visitors include Southern Comfort Ranch and Merizo Pier where ferries can be taken to Cocos Island (Guam) Resort. Several popular dive sites are located off Merizo's coast.
Officials from the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Coast Guard announced findings of major polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in the Cocos Lagoon on February 20, 2006 and warned people not to eat fish caught there. The contamination is believed to have come from a United States Coast Guard station which operated on Cocos Island from 1944-1963.
Guam Public School System serves the island.
Merizo Martyrs Elementary School in Merizo and Inarajan Middle School in Inarajan serve Merizo.
Southern High School in Santa Rita serves the village.
Guam Public Library System operates the Merizo Library at 376 Cruz Avenue.
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