2018 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2018 Archive (Wayback Machine)

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Countries

268

Data Records

69,324

Guam

2018 Edition · 228 data fields

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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

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

0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean
note: 406 highest point: Mount Lamlam

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

Geographic Coordinates

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Geography Note

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

Irrigated Land

2 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

arable land: 1.9% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 16.7% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 14.8% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 33.4% (2011 est.)
forest: 47.9% (2011 est.)
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)

Population Distribution

no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo

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

People and Society

Age Structure

0-14 years: 27.48% (male 23,893 /female 22,207)
15-24 years: 16.4% (male 14,692 /female 12,816)
25-54 years: 37.18% (male 32,170 /female 30,207)
55-64 years: 10.05% (male 8,627 /female 8,236)
65 years and over: 8.9% (male 6,947 /female 7,977) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

19.4 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death Rate

6 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

elderly dependency ratio: 13.6 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 7.4 (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 52.3 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 38.8 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 99.5% of population

rural: 99.5% of population

total: 99.5% of population

unimproved: 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

Hiv Aids Deaths

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

Infant Mortality Rate

female: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 11.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
total: 11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 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.)

Life Expectancy At Birth

female: 78.9 years (2018 est.)
male: 73.9 years (2018 est.)
total population: 76.4 years (2018 est.)

Major Urban Areas Population

147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018)

Median Age

female: 29.9 years (2018 est.)
male: 28.4 years
total: 29.1 years

Nationality

adjective: Guamanian
noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens)

Net Migration Rate

-11.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Population

167,772 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

0.23% (2018 est.)

Religions

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

Sex Ratio

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.92 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

female: 28.9% (2011 est.)
male: 29.7% (2011 est.)
total: 29.4% (2011 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 94.8% of total population (2018)

Government

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

note: see United States

Constitution

amendments: amended many times, last in 2015 (2017)
history: effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution) (2017)

Country Name

abbreviation: GU
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Guam
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
local long form: none
local short form: Guahan

Dependency Status

unincorporated organized 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

note: none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

note: none (territory of the US)

Executive Branch

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature
chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017)
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; note - the new governor takes office in Janaury 2019
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)
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

presidential democracy; a self-governing unincorporated territory of the US

Independence

none (territory of the US)

International Organization Participation

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

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)

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 10, Republican Party 5; composition - men 5, women 10, percent of women 66.7%
elections: last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)
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 in November 2020)

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 [Joaquin "Kim" PEREZ]Republican Party [Victor CRUZ]

Suffrage

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

Economy

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

expenditures: 1.299 billion (2016 est.)
revenues: 1.24 billion (2016 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Debt External

note: NA

Economy 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.

Exchange Rates

note: the US dollar is used

Exports

$1.124 billion (2016 est.)

$1.046 billion (2015 est.)

Exports Commodities

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

Exports Partners

Palau 13.6% (2017)

Fiscal Year

1 October - 30 September

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services: 19.4% (2016 est.)
government consumption: 55% (2016 est.)
household consumption: 56.2% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services: -51.2% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2016 est.)
investment in inventories: NA (2016 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture: NA
industry: NA
services: 58.4% NA (2015 est.)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$5.793 billion (2016 est.) (2016 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$35,600 (2016 est.)

$35,200 (2015 est.)

$34,400 (2014 est.)

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$5.793 billion (2016 est.)

$5.697 billion (2015 est.)

$5.531 billion (2014 est.)

Gdp Real Growth Rate

0.4% (2016 est.)

0.5% (2015 est.)

1.6% (2014 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA

Imports

$2.964 billion (2016 est.)

$3.054 billion (2015 est.)

Imports Commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

Imports Partners

Singapore 41.7%, Japan 30.6%, Hong Kong 10.6% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

1% (2017 est.)

0% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

73,210 (2016 est.)
note: includes only the civilian labor force

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture: 0.3%
industry: 21.6%
services: 78.1% (2013 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

23% (2001 est.)

Public Debt

22.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

32.1% of GDP (2013)

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment At Home

(31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

21.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment Rate

4.5% (2017 est.)

3.9% (2016 est.)

Energy

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: 77% (July 2016 est.)
total: 125,328 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

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 (2016)
general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers (2016)
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) (2016)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (July 2016 est.)
total subscriptions: 68,000 (July 2016 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (July 2016 est.)
total subscriptions: 181,000 (July 2016 est.)

Transportation

Airports

5 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017)
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 2 (2017)
total: 4 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

total: 1 (2013)
under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Merchant Marine

by type: other 3 (2017)
total: 3 (2017)

Ports And Terminals

major seaport(s): Apra Harbor

Roadways

total: 1,045 km (2008)

Military and Security

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues

Disputes International

none