2015 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

land

544 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

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

arable land 1.9%; permanent crops 16.7%; permanent pasture 14.8%

agricultural land

33.4%

forest

47.9%

other

18.7% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

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

0-14 years

25.47% (male 21,189/female 20,017)

15-24 years

17% (male 14,267/female 13,241)

25-54 years

39.23% (male 32,315/female 31,159)

55-64 years

9.4% (male 7,655/female 7,560)

65 years and over

8.89% (male 6,552/female 7,830) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

16.82 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Death rate

5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

13.3%

potential support ratio

7.5% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

52%

youth dependency ratio

38.7%

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 (2015 est.)

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

female

4.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

5.81 deaths/1,000 live births

total

5.41 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

female

82.21 years (2015 est.)

male

75.94 years

total population

78.98 years

Major urban areas - population

HAGATNA (capital) 143,000 (2014)

Median age

female

30.7 years (2015 est.)

male

29.6 years

total

30.1 years

Nationality

adjective

Guamanian

noun

Guamanian(s) (US citizens)

Net migration rate

-6.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Population

161,785 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

0.54% (2015 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 (2015 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.01 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 (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.34 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

28.9% (2011 est.)

male

29.7%

total

29.4%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

94.5% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

none (territory of the US)

Capital

geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 144 44 E

name

Hagatna (Agana)

time difference

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

Citizenship

see United States

Constitution

effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution); amended many times, last in 2015 (2015)

Country name

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

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the 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 reelected governor; percent of vote - Eddie CALVO (Republican Party) 64%, Carl GUTIERREZ (Democratic Party) 36%; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor

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 4 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2018)

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; 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

Government type

NA

Independence

none (territory of the US)

International organization participation

AOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are heard by 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)

Legal system

common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply

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)

election results

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

elections

last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held on 8 November 2016)

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 2012 (next to be held on 8 November 2014)

National anthem

lyrics/music

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

name

"Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians)

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 holiday

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

National symbol(s)

coconut tree; national colors: deep blue, red

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

expenditures

$1.188 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$1.147 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.9% of GDP (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

US national defense spending is the main driver of Guam’s economy, followed by tourism and other services. Total federal spending (defense and non-defense) amounted to $1.973 billion in 2014, or 40.4% of GDP. Service exports, mainly spending by foreign tourists while on Guam, amounted to $651 million in 2013, or 13.3% of GDP. In 2013, Guam’s economy grew 0.6%. 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, its other major income source. Guam serves as a forward US base for the Western Pacific and is home to thousands of American military personnel. Federal grants amounted to $373.3 million in 2013, or 32.6% of Guam’s total revenues for fiscal year.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$828 million (2013 est.)

$795 million (2012)

Exports - commodities

transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, foodstuffs and beverages

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

17%

government consumption

64.9%

household consumption

63.7%

imports of goods and services

17% (2013)

investment in fixed assets

5.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$30,500 (2013 est.)

$29,800 (2012 est.)

$28,600 (2011 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

0.6% (2013 est.)

1.8% (2012)

-0.3% (2011)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.6 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.882 billion (2013 est.)

$4.756 billion (2012 est.)

$4.562 billion (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$2.501 billion (2013 est.)

$2.438 billion (2012)

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)

1.8% (2014 est.)

4% (2011 est.)

Labor force

70,490

note

this number is for the civilian labor force only (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

0.3%

industry

21.6%

services

78.1% (2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

23% (2001 est.)

Public debt

32.1% of GDP (2013)

35.8% of GDP (2012)

Taxes and other revenues

24.9% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

8.4% (2013 est.)

8.2% (2010 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.775 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)

Electricity - consumption

1.566 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

552,000 kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

1.566 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

12,510 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

15,620 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2012 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 users

percent of population

67.0% (2014 est.)

total

107,800

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2005)

Telephone system

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 - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

42 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

67,400

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

62 (2004)

total

98,000

Television broadcast stations

3 (2006)

Airports

5 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

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

major seaport(s)

Apra Harbor

Roadways

total

1,045 km (2008)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

36,869 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

38,358

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

1,608 (2010 est.)

male

1,701

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Disputes - international

none