Guam :: Australia-Oceania
Introduction
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.
Geography
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 references:
Oceania
Area:
total:
544 sq km
land:
544 sq km
water:
0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 194
Area - 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.)
arable land:
1.9%
(2011 est.)
/
permanent crops:
16.7%
(2011 est.)
/
permanent pasture:
14.8%
(2011 est.)
forest:
47.9%
(2011 est.)
other:
18.7%
(2011 est.)
Irrigated land:
2 sq km
(2012)
Population distribution:
no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo
Natural hazards:
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December)
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
Geography - note:
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago and the largest island in Micronesia; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
People and Society
Population:
168,485
(July 2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
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.)
Age structure:
0-14 years:
27.22%
(male 23,748/female 22,122)
15-24 years:
16.08%
(male 14,522/female 12,572)
25-54 years:
36.65%
(male 31,880/female 29,871)
55-64 years:
10.5%
(male 9,079/female 8,610)
65 years and over:
9.54%
(male 7,504/female 8,577)
(2020 est.)
Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:
52.4
youth dependency ratio:
36.4
elderly dependency ratio:
16.1
potential support ratio:
6.2
(2020 est.)
Median age:
total:
29.4 years
male:
28.7 years
female:
30.2 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Population growth rate:
0.2%
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Birth rate:
18.9 births/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Death rate:
6 deaths/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Net migration rate:
-11 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
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
(2020)
rate of urbanization:
0.92% annual rate of change
(2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
147,000 HAGATNA (capital)
(2018)
Sex ratio:
at birth:
1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years:
1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years:
1.16 male(s)/female
25-54 years:
1.07 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
(2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total:
10.8 deaths/1,000 live births
male:
10.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
10.8 deaths/1,000 live births
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
77 years
male:
74.6 years
female:
79.6 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Total fertility rate:
2.84 children born/woman
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Drinking water source:
improved:
total:
100% of population
unimproved:
total:
0% of population
(2017 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban:
89.8% of population
(2015 est.)
rural:
89.8% of population
(2015 est.)
total:
89.8% of population
(2015 est.)
unimproved:
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:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Education expenditures:
NA
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:
29.4%
male:
29.7%
female:
28.9%
(2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Government
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
Dependency status:
unincorporated organized territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the federal government under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
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)
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
Legal system:
common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply
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
elections/appointments:
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 on 3 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 on 3 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)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, a proa or outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; the proa is sailing in Agana Bay with the promontory of Punta Dos Amantes, near the capital, in the background; the shape of the central emblem is that of a Chamorro sling stone, used as a weapon for defense or hunting; blue represents the sea and red the blood shed in the struggle against oppression
note: the US flag is the national flag
National symbol(s):
coconut tree; national colors: deep blue, red
National anthem:
name:
"Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians)
lyrics/music:
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)
Economy
Economic 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 $3444.1 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.
GDP real growth rate:
0.4%
(2016 est.)
0.5%
(2015 est.)
1.6%
(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1%
(2017 est.)
0%
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
GDP (purchasing power parity) - real:
$5.793 billion
(2016 est.)
$5.697 billion
(2015 est.)
$5.531 billion
(2014 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.793 billion
(2016 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$35,600
(2016 est.)
$35,200
(2015 est.)
$34,400
(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:
NA
industry:
NA
services:
58.4%
NA
(2015 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:
56.2%
(2016 est.)
government consumption:
55%
(2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital:
20.6%
(2016 est.)
investment in inventories:
NA
(2016 est.)
exports of goods and services:
19.4%
(2016 est.)
imports of goods and services:
-51.2%
(2016 est.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scores:
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:
NA
Labor force:
73,210
(2016 est.)
note: includes only the civilian labor force
country comparison to the world: 183
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:
0.3%
industry:
21.6%
services:
78.1%
(2013 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4.5%
(2017 est.)
3.9%
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Population below poverty line:
23%
(2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:
NA
highest 10%:
NA
Budget:
revenues:
1.24 billion
(2016 est.)
expenditures:
1.299 billion
(2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
21.4% (of GDP)
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-1% (of GDP)
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Public debt:
22.1% of GDP
(2016 est.)
32.1% of GDP
(2013)
country comparison to the world: 184
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
Exports:
$1.124 billion
(2016 est.)
$1.046 billion
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Exports - partners:
Palau 13.6%
(2017)
Exports - commodities:
transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, foodstuffs and beverages
Imports:
$2.964 billion
(2016 est.)
$3.054 billion
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Imports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Imports - partners:
Singapore 41.7%, Japan 30.6%, Hong Kong 10.6%
(2017)
Debt - external:
NA
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Energy
Electricity access:
electrification - total population:
100%
(2020)
Electricity - production:
1.722 billion kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - consumption:
1.601 billion kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
560,000 kW
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
94% of total installed capacity
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
6% of total installed capacity
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
(1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
14,000 bbl/day
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Refined petroleum products - imports:
13,500 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m
(1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
2.214 million Mt
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions:
70,639
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
42.01
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total subscriptions:
181,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
113
(July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Telecommunication systems:
general assessment:
integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers
(2020)
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
(2019)
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)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
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
Internet users:
total:
135,073
percent of population:
80.51%
(July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Transportation
Airports:
5
(2013)
country comparison to the world: 179
Airports - with paved runways:
total:
4
(2017)
over 3,047 m:
2
(2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m:
1
(2017)
914 to 1,523 m:
1
(2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total:
1
(2013)
under 914 m:
1
(2013)
Roadways:
total:
1,045 km
(2008)
country comparison to the world: 184
Merchant marine:
total:
3
by type:
other 3
(2019)
country comparison to the world: 171
Ports and terminals:
major seaport(s):
Apra Harbor
Military and Security
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:
none
