Guam
Territory of Guam
organized, unincorporated territory of the USIndependence none (territory of the US)
Guam as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 82 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about | three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
15 fieldsLocation
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Climate
- tropical marine;
- generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds;
- dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December;
- little seasonal temperature variation
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-rising hills in center, mountains in south
- lowest point:
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
- highest point:
- Mount Lamlam 406 m
Environment
- current issues:
- NA
- natural hazards:
- frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August)
- international agreements:
- NA
Geographic note
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Male · female(1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- NA male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- NA male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- NA male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- NA male(s)/female
- all ages:
- NA male(s)/female
Government
Organized, unincorporated territory of the US; President (of the United States) William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Governor Carl GUTIERREZ (since 8 November 1994) and Lieutenant Governor Madeleine BORDALLO (since 8 November 1994) were elected for a four-year term by popular vote
20 fieldsLegislature, 21 seatsone dot, one seat
Legislature, 1 seatsone dot, one seat
Type of government
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President (of the United States) William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
- head of government:
- Governor Carl GUTIERREZ (since 8 November 1994) and Lieutenant Governor Madeleine BORDALLO (since 8 November 1994) were elected for a four-year term by popular vote;
- election last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998);
- results - Carl GUTIERREZ (Democrat) defeated Tommy TANAKA (Republican) with 54.6% of the vote
- cabinet:
- executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature
Legislature
- elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1996);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (21 total) Democrats 14, Republican 7
US House of Representatives
- elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1996);
- Guam elects one delegate;
- results - Robert UNDERWOOD was reelected as delegate;
- seats - (1 total) Democrat 1
Judicial branch
Federal District Court, judge is appointed by the president; Territorial Superior Court, judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor
Political parties and leaders
Democratic Party (controls the legislature); Republican Party (party of the Governor)
Flag
- 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, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters;
- US flag is the national flag
Economy
The economy depends mainly on US military | spending and on revenues from tourism.
20 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 300,000 kW
Economic overview
The economy depends mainly on US military spending and on revenues from tourism. Over the past 20 years, the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones. Visitors numbered about 900,000 in 1992. The slowdown in Japanese economic growth has been reflected in less vigorous growth in the tourism sector.
About 60% of the labor force works for the private sector and the rest for government. Most food and industrial goods are imported, with about 75% from the US. Guam faces the problem of building up the civilian economic sector to offset the impact of military downsizing.
Industries
US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Exports
$34 million (f.o.b., 1984)
- commodities:
- mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products
- partners:
- US 25%, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%, other 12%
Imports
$493 million (c.i.f., 1984)
- commodities:
- petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
- partners:
- US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%
Economic aid
- recipient:
- although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive large transfer payments from the general revenues of the US Federal Treasury into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes;
- under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam
Transportation
5 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 4 in all
Networkskm
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to US and Japan
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Guam.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/guam/1996.