2019 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; they also constitute the island’s most important source of income and economic stability.

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

Highest Point

Mount Lamlam 406 m

Lowest Point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

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

Agricultural Land

33.4% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

1.9% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

16.7% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

14.8% (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

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 Rural

99.5% of population

Improved Total

99.5% of population

Improved Urban

99.5% of population

Unimproved Rural

0.5% of population

Unimproved Total

0.5% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved 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.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

11.8 deaths/1,000 live births

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

Male

73.9 years

Total Population

76.4 years (2018 est.)

Major Urban Areas Population

147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018)

Median Age

Female

29.9 years

Male

28.4 years

Total

29.1 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Guamanian

Noun

Guamanian(s) (US citizens)

Net Migration Rate

-11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 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 Rural

89.8% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

89.8% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

89.8% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

10.2% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

10.2% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

10.2% of population (2015 est.)

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.08 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.15 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

1.06 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

1.05 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.87 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.07 male(s)/female

Total Population

1.06 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.92 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

28.9% (2011 est.)

Male

29.7%

Total

29.4%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

0.92% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

94.9% of total population (2019)

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

Amendments

amended many times, last in 2015 (2017)

History

effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution)

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 federal government 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 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

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 Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019); Lieutenant Governor Josh TENORIO (since 7 January 2019)

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

Government Type

republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government

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)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

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

Name

"Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians)

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 "Kin" PEREZ] Republican Party [Jerry CRISOSTOMO]

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

1.299 billion (2016 est.)

Revenues

1.24 billion (2016 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

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

Debt External

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

the US dollar is used

Exports

2015

$1.046 billion

2016

$1.124 billion

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

Services

58.4% NA (2015 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

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

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2014

$34,400

2015

$35,200

2016

$35,600

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2014

$5.531 billion

2015

$5.697 billion

2016

$5.793 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2014

1.6%

2015

0.5%

2016

0.4%

Imports

2015

$3.054 billion

2016

$2.964 billion

Imports Commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

Imports Partners

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

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

0%

2017

1%

Labor Force

73,210 (2016 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

2013

32.1% of GDP

2016

22.1% of GDP

Taxes And Other Revenues

21.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2016

3.9%

2017

4.5%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

2.214 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

100% (2016)

Electricity Consumption

1.601 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

94% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

560,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

1.722 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

14,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

13,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadcast Media

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

Internet Country Code

.gu

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

77% (July 2016 est.)

Total

125,328

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 (2018)

General Assessment

modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers (2018)

International

country code - 1-671; major landing points for Atisa, HANTRU1, HK-G, JGA-N, JGA-S, PIPE-1, SEA-US, SxS, Tata TGN-Pacific, AJC, GOKI, AAG, AJC and Mariana-Guam Cable submarine cables between Asia, Australia, and the US (Guam is a transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

42 (July 2016 est.)

Total Subscriptions

68,000

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

113 (July 2016 est.)

Total Subscriptions

181,000

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 (2018)

Total

3

Ports And Terminals

Apra Harbor

Roadways

1,045 km (2008)

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Disputes International

none