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.

geography

location

13.28° N, 144. 47° E
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

area

544 sq km
land
544 sq km
water
0 sq km

land boundaries

0 km

coastline

125.5 km

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

lowest point
Pacific Ocean
0
highest point
Mount Lamlam
406

natural resources

  • aquatic wildlife supporting tourism
  • fishing; largely undeveloped

land use

arable land
1.9 %
permanent crops
16.7 %
permanent pasture
14.8 %
forest
47.9 %
other
18.7 %

population distribution

no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo

people

population

  • 168,485
  • 186
    global rank

nationality

  • Guamanian(s) (US citizens)
    noun
  • Guamanian
    adjective

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 %

languages

  • English
  • Filipino
  • Chamorro
  • other Pacific island languages
  • Asian languages
  • other

religions

Roman Catholic
85 %
other
15 %

birth rate

  • 18.9
    per 1,000 population
  • 80
    global rank

death rate

  • 6
    per 1,000 population
  • 163
    global rank

urban population

94.9 %

major urban areas

  • Hagatna
    pop. 147,000

life expectancy

  • 77
    total population
  • 86
    global rank
74.6
male
79.6
female

government

country name

    conventional

  • none
    long form
  • Guam
    short form

    local

  • none
    long form
  • Guahan
    short form

government type

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

capital

Hagatna (Agana)
13.28 N, 144.44 E

independence

national holidays

  • Discovery Day
    first Monday in March

legal system

common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply

age of suffrage

18

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

national colors

  • deep blue
  • red

national anthem

"Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians)

economy

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.

GDP

5,793,000,000 USD
2016

agriculture products

  • fruits
  • copra
  • vegetables
  • eggs
  • pork
  • poultry
  • beef

poverty level

23%
2001

budget

  • 1,240,000,000
    revenue (USD)
  • 1,299,000,000
    expenditures (USD)

communications

telephones

    fixed lines

  • 68,000
    total subscriptions
  • 151
    global rank

    mobile cellular

  • 181,000
    total subscriptions
  • 185
    global rank

broadcast media

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

internet

.gu
country code

    users

  • 135,073
    total
  • 80.51
    % of population
  • 177
    global rank

energy

electricity access

100%
2016

transportation

air transport

    airports

  • 5
    total
  • 4
    paved

roadways

1,045 km
total length

military

This entry doesn't have any available military data.