Map of Guam | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide1989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025 | More stats

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Background: Spain ceded Guam to the US in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installations on the island are some of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific; they also constitute the island’s most important source of income and economic stability.


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Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 47 E

Map reference: Oceania

Area
Total: 544 km²
Land: 544 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 195
Comparative: three times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 125.5 km

Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate: tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain: volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south

Elevation
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

Natural resources: aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)

Land use
Agricultural land: 33.4% (2011 est.)
Forest: 47.9% (2011 est.)
Other: 18.7% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land: 2 km² (2012)

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards: frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December)

Geography
Note: largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago and the largest island in Micronesia; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean


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Population
Distribution: no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo: 167,772 (July 2018 est.)
Rank: 186
Growth rate: 0.23% (2018 est.)
Growth rate rank: 179
Below poverty line: 23% (2001 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens)
Adjective: Guamanian

Ethnic groups: Chamorro 37.3%, Filipino 26.3%, white 7.1%, Chuukese 7%, Korean 2.2%, other Pacific Islander 2%, other Asian 2%, Chinese 1.6%, Palauan 1.6%, Japanese 1.5%, Pohnpeian 1.4%, mixed 9.4%, other 0.6% (2010 est.)

Languages: English 43.6%, Filipino 21.2%, Chamorro 17.8%, other Pacific island languages 10%, Asian languages 6.3%, other 1.1% (2010 est.)

Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)

Demographic profile

Age structure
0-14 years: 27.48% (male 23,893 /female 22,207)
15-24 years: 16.4% (male 14,692 /female 12,816)
25-54 years: 37.18% (male 32,170 /female 30,207)
55-64 years: 10.05% (male 8,627 /female 8,236)
65 years and over: 8.9% (male 6,947 /female 7,977) (2018 est.)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 52.3 (2015 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 38.8 (2015 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 13.6 (2015 est.)
Potential support ratio: 7.4 (2015 est.)

Median age
Total: 29.1 years (2018 est.)
Male: 28.4 years
Female: 29.9 years
Rank: 127

Population growth rate: 0.23% (2018 est.)
Rank: 179

Birth rate: 19.4 births/1000 population (2018 est.)
Rank: 81

Death rate: 6 deaths/1000 population (2018 est.)
Rank: 164

Net migration rate: -11 migrant(s)/1000 population (2018 est.)
Rank: 217

Population distribution: no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo

Urbanization
Urban population: 94.9% of total population
Note: (2015-20 est.)
Rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change

Major urban areas
Population: 147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018)

Environment
Current issues: fresh water scarcity; reef damage; inadequate sewage treatment; extermination of native bird populations by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

Air pollutants

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
Total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate
Total: 11.9 deaths/1000 live births (2018 est.)
Male: 11.8 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 12.1 deaths/1000 live births
Rank: 115

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 76.4 years (2018 est.)
Male: 73.9 years
Female: 78.9 years
Rank: 86

Total fertility rate: 2.92 children born/woman (2018 est.)
Rank: 57

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source
Urban: 0.5% of population
Rural: 0.5% of population
Total: 0.5% of population (2015 est.)

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 10.2% of population (2015 est.)
Rural: 10.2% of population (2015 est.)
Total: 10.2% of population (2015 est.)

Hiv/Aids
Adult prevalence rate note: NA
People living with hivaids note: NA
Deaths note: NA

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures
Note: NA

Literacy

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment


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Country name
Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Guam
Local long form: none
Local short form: Guahan
Abbreviation: GU
Etymology: the native Chamorro name for the island Guahan (meaning we have or ours) was changed to Guam in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, whereby Spain relinquished Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the US

Government type: republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government

Capital
Name: Hagatna (Agana)
Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E
Time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time): etymology: the name is derived from the Chamoru word 'haga,' meaning 'blood', and may refer to the bloodlines of the various families that established the original settlement

Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US)

Dependent areas

Independence: none (territory of the US)

National holiday: Discovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521)

Constitution
History: effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution)
Amendments: amended many times, last in 2015 (2017)

Legal system: common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply

International law organization participation

Citizenship: see United States

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017)
Head of government: Governor Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019); Lieutenant Governor Josh TENORIO (since 7 January 2019)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature
Electionsappointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of electors chosen from each state to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms); election last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022)
Election results: Lourdes LEON GUERRERO elected governor; percent of vote -  Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 50.7%, Ray TENORIO (Republican Party) 26.4%; Josh TENORIO (Democratic Party) elected lieutenant governor

Legislative branch
Description: unicameral Legislature of Guam or Liheslaturan Guahan (15 seats; members elected in a single countrywide constituency by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms)
Elections: last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)
Election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, Republican Party 5; composition - men 5, women 10, percent of women 66.7%: note: Guam directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegate last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020); election results - seat by party - Democratic Party 1; composition 1 man

Judicial branch
Highest courts: Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are referred to the US Supreme Court
Judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Guam legislature; justices appointed for life subject to retention election every 10 years
Subordinate courts: Superior Court of Guam - includes several divisions; US Federal District Court for the District of Guam (a US territorial court; appeals beyond this court are heard before the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit)

Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Joaquin 'Kin' PEREZ]Republican Party [Jerry CRISOSTOMO]

International organization participation: AOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (territory of the US)
From the us: none (territory of the US)

Flag description:

National symbols: coconut tree; national colors: deep blue, red

National anthem
Name: Fanohge Chamoru (Stand Ye Guamanians)
Lyricsmusic: Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN: note: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as 'Guam Hymn'; as a territory of the United States, 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' which generally follows the playing of 'Stand Ye Guamanians,' is official (see United States)

National heritage


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Economy overview: US national defense spending is the main driver of Guam’s economy, followed closely by tourism and other services. Guam serves as a forward US base for the Western Pacific and is home to thousands of American military personnel. Total federal spending (defense and non-defense) amounted to $1.988 billion in 2016, or 34.2 of Guam’s GDP. Of that total, federal grants and cover-over payments amounted to $3,444 million in 2016, or 35.8% of Guam’s total revenues for the fiscal year. In 2016, Guam’s economy grew 0.3%. Despite slow growth, Guam’s economy has been stable over the last decade. National defense spending cushions the island’s economy against fluctuations in tourism. Service exports, mainly spending by foreign tourists in Guam, amounted to over $1 billion for the first time in 2016, or 17.8% of GDP.

Real gdp purchasing power parity:
Rank: 174

Real gdp growth rate:
Rank: 192

Real gdp per capita:
Rank: 56

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 56.2% (2016 est.)
Government consumption: 55% (2016 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2016 est.)
Date: (2016 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 19.4% (2016 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -51.2% (2016 est.)

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Services: 58.4%
Note: NA (2015 est.)

Agriculture products: fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef

Industries: national defense, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles

Industrial production growth rate
Note: NA

Labor force:
Rank: 184
By occupation agriculture: 0.3%
By occupation industry: 21.6%
By occupation services: 78.1% (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate:
Rank: 64

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line: 23% (2001 est.)

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget
Revenues: 1.24 billion (2016 est.)
Expenditures: 1.299 billion (2016 est.)
Surplus or deficit: -1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 78

Taxes and other revenues: 21.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Rank: 139

Public debt:
Rank: 184

Revenue

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

Inflation rate consumer prices:
Rank: 52

Central bank discount rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

Stock of narrow money

Stock of broad money

Stock of domestic credit

Market value of publicly traded shares

Current account balance

Exports:
Rank: 157
Partners: Palau 13.6% (2017)
Commodities: transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, foodstuffs and beverages

Imports:
Rank: 150
Commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Partners: Singapore 41.7%, Japan 30.6%, Hong Kong 10.6% (2017)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Debt external: NA (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

Exchange rates: the US dollar is used


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Electricity
Access electrification total population: 100% (2016)
Production: 1.722 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Production rank: 141
Consumption: 1.601 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Consumption rank: 146
Exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Exports rank: 143
Imports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Imports rank: 155
Installed generating capacity: 560,000 kW (2016 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 143
Generation sources fossil fuels: 94% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 46
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 101
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 175
Generation sources other renewable sources: 6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 98

Coal

Petroleum
Petroleum total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 144
Crude oil exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 132
Crude oil imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 135
Crude oil proven reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 140

Crude oil

Refined petroleum
Products production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products production rank: 152
Products consumption: 14,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Products consumption rank: 153
Products exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products exports rank: 161
Products imports: 13,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products imports rank: 141

Natural gas
Production: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Production rank: 140
Consumption: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Consumption rank: 153
Exports: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Exports rank: 115
Imports: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Imports rank: 133
Proven reserves: 0 m³ (1 January 2014 est.)
Proven reserves rank: 142

Carbon dioxide emissions
From consumption of energy: 2.214 million Mt (2017 est.)
From consumption of energy rank: 157

Energy consumption per capita


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Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 68,000
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (July 2016 est.)
Fixed lines rank: 151
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 181,000
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (July 2016 est.)
Mobile cellular rank: 182

Telephone system
General assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers (2018)
Domestic: three major companies provide both fixed-line and mobile services, as well as access to the Internet; fixed-line 42 per 100 and 113 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2018)
International: country code - 1-671; major landing points for Atisa, HANTRU1, HK-G, JGA-N, JGA-S, PIPE-1, SEA-US, SxS, Tata TGN-Pacific, AJC, GOKI, AAG, AJC and Mariana-Guam Cable submarine cables between Asia, Australia, and the US (Guam is a transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Broadcast media: about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations

Internet
Country code: .gu
Users total: 125,328
Users percent of population: 77% (July 2016 est.)
Users rank: 174

Broadband fixed subscriptions


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Military expenditures

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 5 (2013)
Rank: 179
With paved runways total: 4 (2017)
With paved runways over 3047 m: 2 (2017)
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1 (2017)
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2017)
With unpaved runways total: 1 (2013)
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Heliports

Pipelines

Railways

Roadways
Total: 1045 km (2008)
Rank: 178

Waterways

Merchant marine
Total: 3
By type: other 3 (2018)
Rank: 168

Ports and terminals
Major seaport: Apra Harbor


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Disputes international: none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs