2014 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 installations on the island are some 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 (2011)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

1.85% 16.67% 81.48% (2011)

arable land

1.85%

other

81.48% (2011)

permanent crops

16.67%

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% (male 21,520/female 20,279) 16.9% (male 14,109/female 13,164) 39.3% (male 32,285/female 31,058) 9.3% (male 7,483/female 7,411) 8.2% (male 6,228/female 7,464) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

26% (male 21,520/female 20,279)

15-24 years

16.9% (male 14,109/female 13,164)

25-54 years

39.3% (male 32,285/female 31,058)

55-64 years

9.3% (male 7,483/female 7,411)

65 years and over

8.2% (male 6,228/female 7,464) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

17.01 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

66.6% percent of women aged 18-44 (2002)

Death rate

5.04 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

52.1 % 39.3 % 12.8 % 7.8 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

12.8 %

potential support ratio

7.8 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

52.1 %

youth dependency ratio

39.3 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99.5% of population rural: 99.5% of population total: 99.5% of population urban: 0.5% of population rural: 0.5% of population total: 0.5% of population (2012 est.)

rural

0.5% of population

total

0.5% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0.5% of population

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.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

5.51 deaths/1,000 live births 5.91 deaths/1,000 live births 5.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

5.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

5.51 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

78.82 years 75.78 years 82.05 years (2014 est.)

female

82.05 years (2014 est.)

total population

78.82 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 urban areas - population

HAGATNA (capital) 169,000 (2011)

Median age

29.9 years 29.4 years 30.4 years (2014 est.)

female

30.4 years (2014 est.)

male

29.4 years

total

29.9 years

Nationality

Guamanian(s) (US citizens) Guamanian

adjective

Guamanian

noun

Guamanian(s) (US citizens)

Net migration rate

-7.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Population

161,001 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.44% (2014 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 89.8% of population rural: 89.8% of population total: 89.8% of population urban: 10.2% of population rural: 10.2% of population total: 10.2% of population (2012 est.)

rural

10.2% of population

total

10.2% of population (2012 est.)

urban

10.2% of population

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.03 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 (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.38 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

29.4% 29.7% 28.9% (2011)

female

28.9% (2011)

total

29.4%

Urbanization

93.2% of total population (2011) 1.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

93.2% of total population (2011)

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

effective 1 July 1950; amended many times, last in 2012 (2013)

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

Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices) note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are heard by the US Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Guam legislature; justices appointed for life subject to retention election every 10 years 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)

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)

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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014) 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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014); 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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014)

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 [Carlo BRANCH] Republican Party [Mike BENITO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Guam Commission on Decolonization Guam Federation of Teachers' Union Guam Waterworks Authority Workers We Are Guahan

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

$942.6 million $1.082 billion (FY10/11 est.)

expenditures

$1.082 billion (FY10/11 est.)

revenues

$942.6 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3% of GDP (FY10/11 est.)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

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.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$44 million (2011 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 of origin

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$28,700 (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.3% (2002-10 average est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.6 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.6 billion (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$901 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4% (2011 est.)

Labor force

69,390 this number is for the civilian labor force only (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

0.3% (2004 est.) NA% (2004 est.)

agriculture

0.3%

industry

(2004 est.)

services

NA% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line

23% (2001 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.5% of GDP (FY10/11 est.)

Unemployment rate

8.2% (2010 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.103 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

1.635 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

552,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

1.734 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

14,490 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,579 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 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 transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)

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 transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

67,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

98,000 (2004)

Airports

5 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

2

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

total

1

Ports and terminals

Apra Harbor

major seaport(s)

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