2012 Edition

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 installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific.

Area

544 sq km 544 sq km 0 sq km

total

544 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

three times the size of Washington, DC

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

Coastline

125.5 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m Mount Lamlam 406 m

highest point

Mount Lamlam 406 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

2 sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

3.64% 18.18% 78.18% (2005)

arable land

3.64%

other

78.18% (2005)

permanent crops

18.18%

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)

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

Age structure

26.8% (male 22,117/ female 20,670) 65.4% (male 53,326/ female 51,229) 7.9% (male 5,722/ female 6,850) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

26.8% (male 22,117/ female 20,670)

15-64 years

65.4% (male 53,326/ female 51,229)

65 years and over

7.9% (male 5,722/ female 6,850) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

17.5 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

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)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

5.7 deaths/1,000 live births 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

5.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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)

Life expectancy at birth

78.5 years 75.46 years 81.73 years (2012 est.)

female

81.73 years (2012 est.)

total population

78.5 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (1990 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (1990 est.)

male

99%

total population

99%

Major cities - population

HAGATNA (capital) 153,000 (2009)

Median age

29.6 years 29.1 years 30 years (2012 est.)

female

30 years (2012 est.)

male

29.1 years

total

29.6 years

Nationality

Guamanian(s) (US citizens) Guamanian

adjective

Guamanian

noun

Guamanian(s) (US citizens)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Population

159,914 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

0.24% (2012 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99% of population rural: 98% of population total: 99% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 2% of population total: 1% of population

rural

2% of population

total

1% of population

urban

1% of population

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.07 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.45 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

93% of total population (2010) 1.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

93% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

none (territory of the US)

Capital

Hagatna (Agana) 13 28 N, 144 44 E UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 144 44 E

name

Hagatna (Agana)

time difference

UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950

Country name

Territory of Guam Guam Guahan Guahan

conventional long form

Territory of Guam

conventional short form

Guam

local long form

Guahan

local short form

Guahan

Dependency status

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Executive branch

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) Governor Eddie CALVO (since 3 January 2011); Lieutenant Governor Ray TENORIO (since 3 January 2011) heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature 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) Eddie CALVO elected governor with 50.6% percent of vote against 49.4% for Carl GUTIERREZ; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor

cabinet

heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature

chief of state

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)

election results

Eddie CALVO elected governor with 50.6% percent of vote against 49.4% for Carl GUTIERREZ; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor

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)

head of government

Governor Eddie CALVO (since 3 January 2011); Lieutenant Governor Ray TENORIO (since 3 January 2011)

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; blue represents the sea and red the blood shed in the struggle against oppression the US flag is the national flag

Government type

NA

Independence

none (territory of the US)

International organization participation

IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Judicial branch

Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Supreme Court of Guam (hears appeals from Superior Court - judges appointed by governor); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor)

Legal system

common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6 Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 1

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6

elections

last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012)

National anthem

"Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians) Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN 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)

lyrics/music

Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN

name

"Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians)

National holiday

Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)

National symbol(s)

coconut tree

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party [Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party [Philip J. FLORES] (controls the legislature)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Guam Federation of Teachers' Union; Guam Waterworks Authority Workers activists; indigenous groups

other

activists; indigenous groups

Suffrage

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

Agriculture - products

fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef

Budget

$319.6 million $427.8 million (2002 est.)

expenditures

$427.8 million (2002 est.)

revenues

$319.6 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.9% of GDP (2002 est.)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

The economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism. Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to $1.3 billion in 2004. Over the past 30 years, the tourist industry has grown to become the largest income source following national defense. The Guam economy continues to experience expansion in both its tourism and military sectors.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$45 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition by sector

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$15,000 (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

NA%

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.773 billion (2001)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.5 billion (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$701 million (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2005 est.)

Labor force

82,950 (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

26% 10% 64% (2004 est.)

agriculture

26%

industry

10%

services

64% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line

23% (2001 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

11.5% of GDP (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.4% (2002 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.451 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

1.632 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

553,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

1.755 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

14,490 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations (2009)

Internet country code

.gu

Internet hosts

23 (2012)

Internet users

90,000 (2009)

Telephone system

modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers digital system, including mobile-cellular service and local access to the Internet country code - 1-671; major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a trans-Pacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

domestic

digital system, including mobile-cellular service and local access to the Internet

general assessment

modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers

international

country code - 1-671; major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a trans-Pacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

65,500 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

98,000 (2004)

Airports

5 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2012)

over 3,047 m

2

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2012)

total

1

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Ports and terminals

Apra Harbor

Roadways

1,045 km (2008)

total

1,045 km (2008)

Manpower fit for military service

38,358 36,869 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

36,869 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

38,358

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

1,701 1,608 (2010 est.)

female

1,608 (2010 est.)

male

1,701

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Disputes - international

none