Guam
unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-governmentIndependence none (territory of the US)
Guam as the 2023 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 133 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Guam was settled by Austronesian people around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including the Micronesians in the first millennium A.D., and island Southeast Asians around 900. Society was stratified with higher classes living along the coast and lower classes living inland. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN was the first European to see Guam in 1521, and Spain claimed the island in 1565 as it served as a refueling stop for ships between Mexico and the Philippines.
Spain formally colonized Guam in 1668. Spain’s brutal repression of the Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population from more than 100,000 to less than 5,000 by the 1700s. Spain tried to repopulate the island by forcing people from nearby islands to settle on Guam and preventing them from escaping.
Guam became a hub for whalers and traders in the western Pacific in the early 1800s. During the 1898 Spanish-American War, the US Navy occupied Guam and set up a military administration. The US Navy opposed local control of government despite repeated petitions by the Chamorro. Japan invaded Guam in 1941 and instituted a repressive regime. During the US recapture of Guam in 1944, the island’s two largest villages were destroyed.
After World War II, political pressure from local Chamorro leaders led to Guam being established as an unincorporated organized territory in 1950 with US citizenship granted to all Chamorro. In a referendum in 1982, more than 75% of voters chose closer relations with the US over independence, although no change in status was made because of disagreements on the future right of Chamorro self-determination. The US military holds about 29% of Guam’s land and stations several thousand troops on the island. The installations 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.
Geography
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
17 fieldsLand useshare of 544 sq km
Location
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 (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
Population distribution
no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo
Natural hazards
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December)
Geography - note
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago and the largest island in Micronesia; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
People and Society
29 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2023 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2023 est.)
Male · female
Ethnic groups(2010 est.)
Religions(2020 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.)
Population distribution
no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.07 male(s)/female
- 0-14 years:
- 1.07 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.09 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.87 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.06 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
- total:
- 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
- male:
- 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births
- female:
- 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Environment
7 fieldsLand use(2018 est.)
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
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
Urbanization
- urban population:
- 95.2% of total population (2022)
- rate of urbanization:
- 0.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually:
- 141,500 tons (2012 est.)
- municipal solid waste recycled annually:
- 25,258 tons (2011 est.)
- percent of municipal solid waste recycled:
- 17.9% (2011 est.)
Government
Unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Governor Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019)
21 fieldsGuam Legislature, 15 seats, elected 8 November 2022one dot, one seat
Composition: men 5, women 10, percent of women 66.7%
Country name
- 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
Government type
- unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government;
- republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches
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, Washington, DC
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)
- 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
Constitution
- history:
- effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution)
- amendments:
- amended many times, last in 2015
Suffrage
- 18 years of age;
- universal;
- note - Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021)
- 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);
- gubernatorial election last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2026)
- election results:
- Lourdes LEON GUERRERO reelected governor;
- percent of vote - Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 55%, Felix CAMACHO (Republican Party) 44%;
- Josh TENORIO (Democratic Party) elected lieutenant governor
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);
- Guam directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as the delegate to the US House of Representatives;
- note - the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote
- elections:
- Guam Legislature - last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held on November 2024); delegate to the US House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held on November 2024)
- election results:
- ; Guam delegate to the US House of Representatives - Democratic Party 1 (man)
- Guam Legislature - 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%
Judicial branch
- highest court(s):
- 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)
Political parties and leaders
Democratic Party [Anthony "Tony" M. BABAUTA]; Republican Party [Juan Carlos BENITEZ]
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 Puntan 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
National anthem
- 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)
Economy
30 fieldsTrading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP · (2016 est.)
Budget(2016 est.)
Economic overview
- small Pacific island US territorial economy;
- upper income, tourism-based economy;
- hard-hit by COVID-19 disruptions;
- relaunched many industries via vaccination tourism;
- domestic economy relies on multiple military bases;
- environmentally fragile economy
Industries
national defense, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Exports - commodities
scrap iron, scrap copper, boring/sinking machinery, leather handbags, rubber, scrap aluminum (2021)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, trunks/cases, cars, insulated wire, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Energy
11 fieldsElectrification% of population · (2021)
Installed generating capacity, 455,000 kW(2020 est.)
Coal
- production:
- 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
- consumption:
- 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
- exports:
- 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
- imports:
- 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
- proven reserves:
- 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum
- total petroleum production:
- 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
- refined petroleum consumption:
- 2,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
- crude oil and lease condensate exports:
- 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
- crude oil and lease condensate imports:
- 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
- crude oil estimated reserves:
- 0 barrels (2021 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
Natural gas
- production:
- 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
- consumption:
- 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
- exports:
- 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
- imports:
- 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
- proven reserves:
- 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
1.828 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
- from coal and metallurgical coke:
- 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
- from petroleum and other liquids:
- 1.828 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
- from consumed natural gas:
- 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Communications
7 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(2009–21 est.)
Telecommunication systems
- general assessment:
- Guam’s telecommunications companies provide important services that allow other businesses on island to operate;
- Guam plays a larger, and growing role, in global telecommunications infrastructure, the submarine fiber optic cables that land on Guam benefit island residents and the local economy;
- in the Asia-Pacific region the demand for 4G, 5G, and broadband access is rapidly increasing;
- the 11 submarine cables that currently land on Guam, connecting the U.S. to the Asia-Pacific region, are some of the more than 400 cables that are the backbone of global telecommunications, providing nearly all of the world’s internet and phone service (2021)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscriptions 41 per 100 and 62 per 100 mobile-cellular subscriptions in 2004 (2020)
- 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)
Broadcast media
- about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels;
- multi-channel cable TV services are available;
- roughly 20 radio stations
Transportation
7 fieldsAirports - with paved runways
4
note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature;
paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
1
note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length;
airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control
Military and Security
Guam National Guard (US Army)
2 fieldsMilitary - note
defense is the responsibility of the US; the US military maintains over 6,000 personnel on Guam, including an air base, an air wing, and a naval installation command (2023)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Guam.” The World Factbook 2023. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/guam/2023.