

Topic: Photos of Guam

Topic: Introduction
Background: 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.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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
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
Area - comparative: three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 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: highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)
Land use: agricultural land: 33.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 16.7% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 14.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 47.9% (2018 est.)

other: 18.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 2 sq km (2012)
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
Map description: Guam map showing the island and its major population centers in the North Pacific Ocean.Guam map showing the island and its major population centers in the North Pacific Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 169,086 (2022 est.)
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: Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 94.2%, folk religions 1.5%, Buddhist 1.1%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 1.7% (2020 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.22% (male 23,748/female 22,122)

15-24 years: 16.08% (male 14,522/female 12,572)

25-54 years: 36.65% (male 31,880/female 29,871)

55-64 years: 10.5% (male 9,079/female 8,610)

65 years and over: 9.54% (2020 est.) (male 7,504/female 8,577)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 52.4

youth dependency ratio: 36.4

elderly dependency ratio: 16.1

potential support ratio: 6.2 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 29.4 years

male: 28.7 years

female: 30.2 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.16% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 18.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.03 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -10.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 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
Urbanization: urban population: 95.1% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: 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: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 11.46 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 11.49 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.5 years

male: 75.07 years

female: 80.08 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.78 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 99.7% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 89.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 89.8% of population (2015 est.)

total: 89.8% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 10.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 10.2% of population (2015 est.)

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
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Literacy: total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 29.4%

male: 29.7%

female: 28.9% (2011 est.)

Topic: Environment
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
Land use: agricultural land: 33.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 16.7% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 14.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 47.9% (2018 est.)

other: 18.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 95.1% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 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.)

Topic: Government
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
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: history: effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution)

amendments: amended many times, last in 2015
Legal system: common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply
Citizenship: see United States
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); 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 governorPresident Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021)
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 3 November 2020 (next to be held on 5 November 2022)
delegate to the US House of Representatives - last held on 3 November 2020 with runoff on 17 November (next to be held on 5 November 2022)

election results: 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%
Guam delegate to the US House of Representatives - Democratic Party 1 (man)
Judicial branch: 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)
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Joaquin "Kin" PEREZ]
Republican Party [Jerry CRISOSTOMO]
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: embassy: 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)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: US national defense spending is the main driver of Guam’s economy, followed closely by tourism and other services. Guam serves as a forward US base for the Western Pacific and is home to thousands of American military personnel. Total federal spending (defense and non-defense) amounted to $1.988 billion in 2016, or 34.2 of Guam’s GDP. Of that total, federal grants and cover-over payments amounted to $3444.1 million in 2016, or 35.8% of Guam’s total revenues for the fiscal year. In 2016, Guam’s economy grew 0.3%. 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. Service exports, mainly spending by foreign tourists in Guam, amounted to over $1 billion for the first time in 2016, or 17.8% of GDP.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.793 billion (2016 est.)

$5.697 billion (2015 est.)

$5.531 billion (2014 est.)
Real GDP growth rate: 0.4% (2016 est.)

0.5% (2015 est.)

1.6% (2014 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $35,600 (2016 est.)

$35,200 (2015 est.)

$34,400 (2014 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $5.793 billion (2016 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2017 est.)

0% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: 58.4% (2015 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 56.2% (2016 est.)

government consumption: 55% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2016 est.)

investment in inventories: (2016 est.) NA

exports of goods and services: 19.4% (2016 est.)

imports of goods and services: -51.2% (2016 est.)
Agricultural 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: 73,210 (2016 est.)

note: includes only the civilian labor force
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.3%

industry: 21.6%

services: 78.1% (2013 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.5% (2017 est.)

3.9% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 29.4%

male: 29.7%

female: 28.9% (2011 est.)
Population below poverty line: 23% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 1.24 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures: 1.299 billion (2016 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Public debt: 22.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

32.1% of GDP (2013)
Taxes and other revenues: 21.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Exports: $1.124 billion (2016 est.)

$1.046 billion (2015 est.)
Exports - partners: South Korea 31%, Hong Kong 27%, Taiwan 18%, Philippines 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities: scrap iron, electric batteries, gas turbines, scrap copper, beauty products (2019)
Imports: $2.964 billion (2016 est.)

$3.054 billion (2015 est.)
Imports - partners: Singapore 33%, Japan 21%, South Korea 18%, Hong Kong 9%, Malaysia 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, trunks/cases, cars, insulated wire, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Debt - external: NANA
Exchange rates: the US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: Installed generating capacity: 455,000 kW (2020 est.)

Consumption: 1.683 billion kWh (2019 est.)

Exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

Imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 85 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: Fossil fuels: 96% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Solar: 4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (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 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

Crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/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
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 13,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
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.)
Energy consumption per capita: 152.767 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 70,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 98,000 (2009 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62 (2009 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; Echo and Bifrost will support further growth for hundreds of millions of people and millions of businesses; 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: three major companies provide both fixed-line and mobile services, as well as access to the Internet; fixed-line subscriptions in 2018 were 42 per 100 and 62 per 100 mobile-cellular subscriptions in 2004 (2019)

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)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations
Internet country code: .gu
Internet users: total: 135,509 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 81% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 3,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: N
Airports: total: 5 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 1,045 km (2008)
Merchant marine: total: 3

by type: other 3 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Apra Harbor

Topic: Military and Security
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: nonenone