Australia-Oceania :: GUAM

- ## 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 installations on the island are some 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
  land: 544 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 195
  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:
  agricultural land: 33.4%
  arable land 1.9%; permanent crops 16.7%; permanent pasture 14.8%
  forest: 47.9%
  other: 18.7% (2011 est.)
  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 37.3%, Filipino 26.3%, white 7.1%, Chuukese 7%, Korean 2.2%, other Pacific Islander 2%, other Asian 2%, Chinese 1.6%, Palauan 1.6%, Japanese 1.5%, Pohnpeian 1.4%, mixed 9.4%, other 0.6% (2010 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.)
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)
  Population:
  161,785 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 25.47% (male 21,189/female 20,017)
  15-24 years: 17% (male 14,267/female 13,241)
  25-54 years: 39.23% (male 32,315/female 31,159)
  55-64 years: 9.4% (male 7,655/female 7,560)
  65 years and over: 8.89% (male 6,552/female 7,830) (2015 est.)
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 52%
  youth dependency ratio: 38.7%
  elderly dependency ratio: 13.3%
  potential support ratio: 7.5% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 29.9 years
  male: 29.4 years
  female: 30.4 years (2014 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.54% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Birth rate:
  16.82 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 110
  Death rate:
  5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Net migration rate:
  -6.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 205
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 94.5% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 1.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  HAGATNA (capital) 143,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.04 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 (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 5.41 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 5.81 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 4.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 78.98 years
  male: 75.94 years
  female: 82.21 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 50
  Total fertility rate:
  2.34 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 99.5% of population
  rural: 99.5% of population
  total: 99.5% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0.5% of population
  rural: 0.5% of population
  total: 0.5% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 89.8% of population
  rural: 89.8% of population
  total: 89.8% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 10.2% of population
  rural: 10.2% of population
  total: 10.2% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 29.4%
  male: 29.7%
  female: 28.9% (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 25

- ## 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 (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521)
  Constitution:
  effective 1 July 1950; amended many times, last in 2012 (2013)
  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: 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 4 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2018)
  election results: Eddie CALVO reelected governor; percent of vote - Eddie CALVO (Republican Party) 64%, Carl GUTIERREZ (Democratic Party) 36%; Ray TENORIO 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)
  elections: last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2016)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6
  note: Guam directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; 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; election of delegate last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014)
  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:
  AOSIS (observer), 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; 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 symbol(s):
  coconut tree; national colors: deep blue, red
  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:
  US national defense spending is the main driver of Guam’s economy, followed by tourism and other services. Total federal spending (defense and non-defense) amounted to $1.973 billion in 2014, or 40.4% of GDP. Service exports, mainly spending by foreign tourists while on Guam, amounted to $651 million in 2013, or 13.3% of GDP. In 2013, Guam’s economy grew 0.6%. Despite slow growth, Guam’s economy has been stable over the last decade. National defense spending cushions the island’s economy against fluctuations in tourism, its other major income source. Guam serves as a forward US base for the Western Pacific and is home to thousands of American military personnel. Federal grants amounted to $373.3 million in 2013, or 32.6% of Guam’s total revenues for fiscal year.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $4.882 billion (2013 est.)
  $4.756 billion (2012 est.)
  $4.562 billion (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $4.6 billion (2010 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  0.6% (2013 est.)
  1.8% (2012)
  -0.3% (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $30,500 (2013 est.)
  $29,800 (2012)
  $28,600 (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 63.7%
  government consumption: 64.9%
  investment in fixed assets: 5.8%
  exports of goods and services: 17%
  imports of goods and services: 17% (2013)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: NA%
  industry: NA%
  services: NA%
  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%
  Labor force:
  70,490
  note: this number is for the civilian labor force only (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 0.3%
  industry: 21.6%
  services: 78.1% (2013)
  Unemployment rate:
  8.4% (2013 est.)
  8.2% (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Population below poverty line:
  23% (2001 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $1.147 billion
  expenditures: $1.188 billion (2013 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  24.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -0.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Public debt:
  32.1% of GDP (2013)
  35.8% of GDP (2012)
  Fiscal year:
  1 October - 30 September
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1.8% (2014 est.)
  4% (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Exports:
  $828 million (2013 est.)
  $795 million (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Exports - commodities:
  transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, foodstuffs and beverages
  Imports:
  $2.501 billion (2013 est.)
  $2.438 billion (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 182
  Imports - commodities:
  petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
  Debt - external:
  $NA
  Exchange rates:
  the US dollar is used

- ## Energy :: GUAM

- Electricity - production:
  1.566 billion kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Electricity - consumption:
  1.564 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 154
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  552,000 kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  100% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 16
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 182
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 121
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 151
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  12,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 182
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  6,579 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  1.775 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153

- ## Communications :: GUAM

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 67,400
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 98,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62 (2004)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  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)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2005)
  Television broadcast stations:
  3 (2006)
  Internet country code:
  .gu
  Internet users:
  total: 107,800
  percent of population: 67.0% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168

- ## Transportation :: GUAM

- Airports:
  5 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 4
  over 3,047 m: 2
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 1
  under 914 m:
  1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 1,045 km (2008)
  country comparison to the world: 186
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): 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