World Facts Index
Guam was ceded to the US by Spain 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 of Guam
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Location:
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Oceania, island in the
North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the
Philippines |
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Coordinates:
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13 28 N, 144 47 E |
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Area:
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total: 549 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 549 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
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three times the size of
Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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125.5 km |
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive economic zone:
200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical marine; generally
warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from
January to June, rainy season from July to December; little seasonal
temperature variation |
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Terrain:
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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 |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m |
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Natural resources:
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fishing (largely
undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan) |
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Natural hazards:
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frequent squalls during
rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons
(June - December) |
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Environment current issues:
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extirpation of native bird
population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an
exotic, invasive species |
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Geography - note:
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largest and southernmost
island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western
North Pacific Ocean
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Population of Guam
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Population:
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175,877 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 29% (male 25,703/female 23,903)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 56,020/female 53,894)
65 years and over: 6.7% (male 5,391/female 6,108) |
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Median age:
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28.6 years |
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Growth rate:
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1.43% |
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Infant mortality:
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6.81 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 78.58 years
male: 75.52 years
female: 81.83 years |
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Fertility rate:
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2.58 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Guamanian(s)
adjective: Guamanian |
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Ethnic groups:
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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% |
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% |
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Languages:
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English, Chamorro, Japanese |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read
and write
total population: 99%
|
Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Territory of
Guam
local long form: Guahan |
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Dependency status:
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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 |
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Capital:
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Hagatna (Agana) |
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National holiday:
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Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521) |
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Constitution:
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Organic Act of 1 August 1950 |
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Legal system:
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modeled on US; US federal laws apply |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal; US citizens,
but do not vote in US presidential elections |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the
US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January
2001)
head of government: Governor Felix P. CAMACHO (since 6 January 2003); Lieutenant
Governor Dr. Michael W. CRUZ (since 1 January 2007)
cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the
consent of the Guam legislature
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 four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait
a full term before running again); election last held 7 November 2006 (next to
be held in November 2010). |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve two-year terms)
Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives |
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Judicial branch:
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Federal District Court (judge is appointed
by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by
the governor) |
Economy
The economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism. Total US
grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to $1.3 billion in
2004. Over the past 30 years, the tourist industry has grown to become the
largest income source following national defense. The Guam economy continues
to experience expansion in both its tourism and military sectors.
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GDP:
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$2.5 billion (2005 est.) |
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GDP per capita:
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$15,000 |
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GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 0%
industry: 15%
services: 85% |
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Labor force:
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62,050 |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 26%
industry: 10%
services: 64% |
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Unemployment:
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11.4% |
|
Budget:
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revenues: $340
million
expenditures: $445 million |
|
Industries:
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US military, tourism,
construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and
publishing, food processing, textiles |
|
Agriculture:
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fruits, copra, vegetables;
eggs, pork, poultry, beef |
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Exports:
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mostly transshipments of
refined petroleum products; construction materials, fish, food and
beverage products |
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Export partners:
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Japan 62%, South Korea 11.3%, Singapore 10.7%, UK
4.4% |
|
Imports:
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petroleum and petroleum
products, food, manufactured goods |
|
Import partners:
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Singapore 51.7%, South Korea 18.7%, Japan 14.5%,
Hong Kong 4.8%, Philippines 4.1% |
|
Currency:
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US dollar (USD) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |