Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13 28 N, 144 47 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 544 sq km
country comparison to the world: 195
land: 544 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
125.5 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 1.85%
permanent crops: 16.67%
other: 81.48% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 sq km (2011)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Guamanian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%, white 6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%, mixed 9.8% (2000 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
160,378 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 26.4% (male 21,806/female 20,480)
15-24 years: 16.9% (male 13,961/female 13,156)
25-54 years: 39.5% (male 32,312/female 30,962)
55-64 years: 9.1% (male 7,325/female 7,273)
65 years and over: 8.2% (male 5,950/female 7,153) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 52.3 %
youth dependency ratio: 39.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 12.3 %
potential support ratio: 8.1 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 29.7 years
male: 29.2 years
female: 30.2 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.34% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.23 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.95 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-8.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 93% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
HAGATNA (capital) 153,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5.61 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 176
male: 6.02 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 78.66 years
country comparison to the world: 50
male: 75.62 years
female: 81.89 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.41 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
66.6%
note: percent of women aged 18-44 (2002)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (1990 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 29.4%
country comparison to the world: 27
male: 29.7%
female: 28.9% (2011)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Territory of Guam
conventional short form: Guam
local long form: Guahan
local short form: Guahan
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Hagatna (Agana)
geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territory of the US)
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
effective 1 July 1950; amended many times, last in 2012 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal; note - Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor Eddie CALVO (since 3 January 2011); Lieutenant Governor Ray TENORIO (since 3 January 2011)
cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: 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 ticket by popular vote for a four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full term before running again); election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2014)
election results: Eddie CALVO elected governor with 50.6% percent of vote against 49.4% for Carl GUTIERREZ; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
elections: last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6
note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 1
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices)
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Democratic Party [Carlo BRANCH]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Guam Commission on Decolonization
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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; 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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coconut tree
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The economy depends largely on US national defense spending, tourism, other services. Total US grants, wages and salaries, and procurement outlays amounted to approximately $1.6 billion in 2010. Over the past 30 years, tourism has grown to become the largest income source following national defense.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.6 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.6 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.3% (2002-10 average est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$28,700 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
national defense, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
69,390
country comparison to the world: 185
note: this number is for the civilian labor force only (2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 0.3%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $942.6 million
expenditures: $1.082 billion (FY10/11 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.5% of GDP (FY10/11 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-3% of GDP (FY10/11 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 October - 30 September
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$44 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$901 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US dollar is used
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.734 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.635 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
552,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 138
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14,490 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,579 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 145
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.103 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
67,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 157
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
98,000 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 193
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers
domestic: digital system, including mobile-cellular service and local access to the Internet
international: country code - 1-671; major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations (2009)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.gu
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 219
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
90,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 163
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 182
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
under 914 m:
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,045 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 185
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Apra Harbor
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 38,358
females age 16-49: 36,869 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 1,701
female: 1,608 (2010 est.)
Military:
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of the US