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 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.

• 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

• 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

noun:

Guamanian(s) (US citizens)

adjective:

Guamanian

at birth:

1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years:

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years:

1.16 male(s)/female

25-54 years:

1.07 male(s)/female

55-64 years:

1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

0.87 male(s)/female

total population:

1.06 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

improved:

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

Guam

local long form:

none

local short form:

Guahan

abbreviation:

GU

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

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

name:

Hagatna (Agana)

geographic coordinates:

13 28 N, 144 44 E

time difference:

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

etymology:

the name is derived from the Chamoru word "haga," meaning "blood", and may refer to the bloodlines of the various families that established the original settlement

history:

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

amendments:

amended many times, last in 2015

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

chief of state:

President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017)

head of government:

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

cabinet:

Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature

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)

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

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)

• 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

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:

58.4% NA (2015 est.)

agriculture:

0.3%

industry:

21.6%

services:

78.1% (2013 est.)

lowest 10%:

NA

highest 10%:

NA

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

total:

3

by type:

other 3 (2019)