Australia-Oceania :: Guam (territory of the US)

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## Introduction ::Guam

Background:
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.

## Geography ::Guam

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
Area:
total: 544 sq km country comparison to the world: 195 land: 544 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
125.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
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
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources:
aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)
Land use:
arable land: 1.85% permanent crops: 16.67% other: 81.48% (2011)
Irrigated land:
2 sq km (2011)
Natural hazards:
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to 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 and Society ::Guam

Nationality:
noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) adjective: Guamanian
Ethnic groups:
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)
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)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)
Population:
160,378 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.4% (male 21,806/female 20,480) 15-24 years: 16.9% (male 13,961/female 13,156) 25-54 years: 39.5% (male 32,312/female 30,962) 55-64 years: 9.1% (male 7,325/female 7,273) 65 years and over: 8.2% (male 5,950/female 7,153) (2013 est.) population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 29.7 years male: 29.2 years female: 30.2 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.34% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Birth rate:
17.23 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Death rate:
4.95 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Net migration rate:
-8.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Urbanization:
urban population: 93% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
HAGATNA (capital) 153,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.61 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 176 male: 6.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.66 years country comparison to the world: 50 male: 75.62 years female: 81.89 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.41 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
66.6% note: percent of women aged 18-44 (2002)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 98% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 2% of population total: 1% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Education expenditures:
NA
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1990 est.)

## Government ::Guam

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:
NA
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:
common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply
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 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 the World 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
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6 note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 1
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices) note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are heard by 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 [Carlo BRANCH] Republican Party [Mike BENITO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Guam Commission on Decolonization Guam Federation of Teachers' Union Guam Waterworks Authority Workers We Are Guahan
International organization participation:
IOC, PIF (observer), 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, 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
National symbol(s):
coconut tree
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 ::Guam

Economy - overview:
The economy depends largely on US national defense spending, tourism, other services. Total US grants, wages and salaries, and procurement outlays amounted to approximately $1.6 billion in 2010. Over the past 30 years, tourism has grown to become the largest income source following national defense.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.6 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.6 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.3% (2002-10 average est.) country comparison to the world: 155
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$28,700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Labor force:
69,390 country comparison to the world: 184 note: this number is for the civilian labor force only (2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.3% industry: NA% services: NA% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Population below poverty line:
23% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $942.6 million expenditures: $1.082 billion (FY10/11 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
20.5% of GDP (FY10/11 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-3% of GDP (FY10/11 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Agriculture - products:
fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Industries:
national defense, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Exports:
$44 million (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Exports - commodities:
transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products
Imports:
$901 million (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Imports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September

## Energy ::Guam

Electricity - production:
1.755 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Electricity - consumption:
1.632 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
553,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
14,490 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Refined petroleum products - imports:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
1.451 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

## Communications ::Guam

Telephones - main lines in use:
65,500 (2010) country comparison to the world: 158
Telephones - mobile cellular:
98,000 (2004) country comparison to the world: 192
Telephone system:
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 transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations (2009)
Internet country code:
.gu
Internet hosts:
23 (2012) country comparison to the world: 220
Internet users:
90,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 163

## Transportation ::Guam

Airports:
5 (2012) country comparison to the world: 184
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2012)
Roadways:
total: 1,045 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 184
Ports and terminals:
Apra Harbor

## Military ::Guam

Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 38,358 females age 16-49: 36,869 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,701 female: 1,608 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US

## Transnational Issues ::Guam

Disputes - international:
none

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