Guam

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 installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific.

• 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

• 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

noun:

Guamanian(s) (US citizens)

adjective:

Guamanian

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:

0.84 male(s)/female

total population:

1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

conventional long form:

Territory of Guam

conventional short form:

Guam

local long form:

Guahan

local short form:

Guahan

name:

Hagatna (Agana)

geographic coordinates:

13 28 N, 144 44 E

time difference:

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

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

chief of state:

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)

head of government:

Governor Eddie CALVO (since 3 January 2011); Lieutenant Governor Ray TENORIO (since 3 January 2011)

cabinet:

heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)

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 a four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full term before running again);
• election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2014)

election results:

Eddie CALVO elected governor with 50.6% percent of vote against 49.4% for Carl GUTIERREZ; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor

• Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president);
• Supreme Court of Guam (hears appeals from Superior Court - judges appointed by governor);
• Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor)

• 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;
• blue represents the sea and red the blood shed in the struggle against oppression

note: the US flag is the national flag

name:

"Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians)

lyrics/music:

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

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)

agriculture:

NA%

industry:

NA%

services:

NA%

agriculture:

26%

industry:

10%

services:

64% (2004 est.)

lowest 10%:

NA%

highest 10%:

NA%

general assessment:

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

domestic:

digital system, including mobile-cellular 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)

• about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels;
• multi-channel cable TV services are available;
• roughly 20 radio stations (2009)

males age 16-49:

38,358

females age 16-49:

36,869 (2010 est.)

male:

1,701

female:

1,608 (2010 est.)