Guam

Territory of GuamGuahan

NAIndependence none (territory of the US)

Guam as the 2008 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 111 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalHagatna (Agana), UTC+10

Position13 28 N, 144 47 E

Area541.3 sq km

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

Populationas each edition published it

175,877 people July 2008 est. · 141,039 in 1990

Population growth% a year

1.373% 2008 est. · 2.53% in 1993

Median ageyears

28.9 years 2008 est. · 25.2 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

78.93 years 2008 est. · 74.29 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

2.55 children per woman 2008 est. · 3 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

6.55 deaths per 1,000 live births 2008 est. · 12 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$15,000 2005 est. · $14,000 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

Not in this edition 1.3% in 2013

Introduction

1 field

Background

Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific.

Geography

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

17 fields

Land useshare of 541.3 sq km

arable land 3.64%permanent crops 18.18%other 78.18% (2005)

Area

541.3sq km

land: 541.3 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmthree times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

125.5km

land boundaries: 0 kmterritorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Highest point

406m

Mount Lamlamlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Map references

Oceania

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

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

Natural resources

aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)

Irrigated land

Natural hazards

frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)

Environment - current issues

extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

Geography - note

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

People

20 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2008 est.)

5,801

65 and over7%

6,588

58,034

15-6464.8%

55,900

25,644

0-1428.2%

23,910

MaleFemale

Population

175,877

(July 2008 est.)growth rate: 1.373% (2008 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2008 est.)

Birth

18.37Death

4.65

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2008 est.)78.93

75.86 · 82.19Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)6.55

7.22 · 5.84

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1990 est.)99%

99% · 99%Median age years (2008 est.)28.9

28.7 · 29.2

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups(2000 census)

Chamorro 37.1%Filipino 26.3%other Pacific islander 11.3%white 6.9%other Asian 6.3%other ethnic origin or race 2.3%mixed 9.8% (2000 census)

Net migration rate

NA (2008 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population:: 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.55 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS - deaths

Nationality

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

Religions

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

Languages

English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census)

Education expenditures

Government

NA; President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Governor Felix P. CAMACHO (since 6 January 2003)

19 fields

Legislature, 15 seats, elected 7 November 2006one dot, one seat

Republican Party 8Democratic Party 7

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

Government type

Capital

name:: Hagatna (Agana)
geographic coordinates:: 13 28 N, 144 44 E
time difference:: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

none (territory of the US)

Independence

none (territory of the US)

National holiday

Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)

Constitution

Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950

Legal system

modeled on US; US federal laws apply

Suffrage

18 years of age;
universal;
US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch

chief of state:: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)
head of government:: Governor Felix P. CAMACHO (since 6 January 2003); Lieutenant Governor Dr. Michael W. CRUZ (since 1 January 2007)
cabinet:: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature
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 four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full term before running again);
election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2010)
election results:: Felix P. CAMACHO reelected governor;
Dr. Michael W. CRUZ elected lieutenant governor;
percent of vote - NA

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)

elections:: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2008)
election results:: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Democratic Party 7

note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2008); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 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 [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party [Philip J. FLORES] (controls the legislature)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Guam Federation of Teachers' Union; Guam Waterworks Authority Workers; other: activists; indigenous groups

International organization participation

IOC, SPC, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of the US)

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, 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 largely on US military spending and tourism.

38 fields

GDP, purchasing power parity

$2.5billion

(2005 est.)official exchange rate: $2.773 billion (2001)

GDP per capita, PPP

$15,000

(2005 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

2.5%

(2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.4%

(2002 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

67.2%

Japan

14%

11.6%

Singapore

50%

South Korea

21.4%

4.8%

Hong Kong

4.6%

Exports $45 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)Imports $701 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)(2006)

Budget

Revenues

$319.6 millionExpenditures

$427.8 million (2002 est.)

Electricity

Electricity production

1.789 billion (2006 est.)Electricity consumption

1.664 billion (2006 est.)

Economy - overview

The economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism. Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to $1.3 billion in 2004. Over the past 30 years, the tourist industry has grown to become the largest income source following national defense. The Guam economy continues to experience expansion in both its tourism and military sectors.

GDP - real growth rate

NA%

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture:: NA%
industry:: NA%
services:: NA%

Labor force

62,050 (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:: 26%
industry:: 10%
services:: 64% (2004 est.)

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

98,000

(2004)

Internet users

(2008)

Fixed lines

65,500

(2003) · country code .gu

Telephone system

general assessment:: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers
domestic:: modern digital system, including cellular mobile service and local access to the Internet
international:: country code - 1-671;
major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a trans-Pacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia);
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)