Dededo, Guam

The origin of the village name Dededo (), may have come from measuring the original village using fingers, as the Spanish word for finger is . Another possibility is the word dededo comes from the word , "heel of the foot," or , "to walk on tiptoes." == History ==

Before World War II, the main portion of Dededo was at the bottom of Macheche Hill. Dededo grew into a major village after the war when the U.S. Navy constructed housing for displaced Guamanians, and for laborers from off-island helping Guam's development. Following Typhoon Karen in 1962, Kaiser Subdivision in Dededo was constructed for islanders displaced by the storm. Further housing subdivisions were constructed increasing the village's population. The first McDonald's in Guam was opened in the village on June 10, 1971. In 1984, the Northern Community Health Center opened. In addition to traditional health services provided by village clinics, the center offered communicable disease control, dental health, chronic disease care, and crippled children services. In October 1988, the island's first large-scale and fully enclosed shopping mall, Micronesia Mall, opened in Dededo. U.S. military installations in the village include Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Guam, and portions of Andersen Air Force Base, including Northwest Field. == Demographics ==

The U.S. Census Bureau has the municipality in multiple census-designated places: Dededo, Astumbo, Finegayan Station, Liguan, Machanao, Machananao East, Machananao West, Macheche, Mogfog, Ukudu, Wusstig, Y Papao, and Y Sengsong. == Economy ==

Micronesia Mall is the largest shopping mall in Guam and serves as a cultural and recreational venue as well, with movie theaters and an amusement park. There is also a popular weekend flea market in town which attracts large crowds of vendors. There are many small commercial businesses near the village center. == Geography ==

Dededo is situated on a relatively flat limestone plateau in the northern part of the island. Tourist sites in Dededo include the Ritidian Unit of the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, the Micronesia Mall, Two Lovers Point, as well as parks, trails, and beaches. Beaches include Tanguisson Beach, Shark Cove Beach, Haputo Beach, and Urono Beach. Haputo and Urono Beaches are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. == Climate ==

Dededo has several public and private schools to accommodate the growing number of residents of the island's most populous village including Guam Department of Education institutions. The village is served by six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. • Astumbo Elementary School • Finegayan Elementary School • Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School • Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School • Wettengel Elementary School • Liguan Elementary School • Vicente S. A. Benavente Middle School • Astumbo Middle School • Okkodo High School In regards to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Dededo is in the school transportation zone for Andersen Elementary and Andersen Middle School, while Guam High School is the island's sole DoDEA high school. Private schools: • Santa Barbara Catholic School • St. Paul's Christian School • Pacific Christian Academy == Government ==

Wettengel Rugby Field and GFA National Training Center are located in Dededo. Guam Track and Field Association is also located in the village. == Notable people ==

• Joe Duarte, mixed martial artist • Ping Duenas, politician • Louise Borja Muna - Guamanian singer, radio host, and politician. • Anthony Paulino, soccer player • Ray Robson, chess grandmaster • Regine Tugade, sprinter • Rain Valdez, actress == Gallery ==

File:SantaBarbaraSchoolDededoGuam.jpg|Santa Barbara School File:UlloaESDededoGuam.jpg|Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School in Dededo == References ==