Guam
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 because 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 from 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 US 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.
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, D.C.
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
29.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 13% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 14.8% (2023 est.)
forest
52.4% (2023 est.)
other
18% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
2 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
no large cities exist on the island; 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
People and Society
Population
total
169,532 (2024 est.)
male
87,345
female
82,187
Nationality
noun
Guamanian(s) (US citizens)
adjective
Guamanian
Ethnic groups
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 46.1% (Chamorro 32.8%, Chuukese 6.7%, Palauan 1.4%, Pohnpeian 1.4%, Yapese 1%, other Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 2.8%), Asian 35.5% (Filipino 29.1%, Korean 2.2%, Japanese 1.4%, Chinese (except Taiwanese) 1.3%, other Asian 1.5%), White 6.8%, African descent or African-American 0.9%, Indigenous 0.1%, other 0.6%, mixed 10% (2020 est.)
Languages
English 43.3%, Filipino 24.9%, Chamorro 16%, other Pacific Island languages 9.4%, Asian languages 6.5% (2020 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
26.4% (male 23,139/female 21,632)
15-64 years
62.7% (male 55,591/female 50,741)
65 years and over
10.9% (2024 est.) (male 8,615/female 9,814)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
59.4 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
42.1 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
17.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
5.8 (2024 est.)
Median age
total
30.5 years (2025 est.)
male
29.6 years
female
31.1 years
Population growth rate
0.08% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
17.9 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-10.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
no large cities exist on the island; large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo
Urbanization
urban population
95.2% 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
15-64 years
1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over
0.88 male(s)/female
total population
1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total
10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male
11 deaths/1,000 live births
female
10.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population
78 years (2024 est.)
male
75.6 years
female
80.5 years
Total fertility rate
2.7 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.31 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
40.4% (2020 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
freshwater scarcity; reef damage; inadequate sewage treatment; rapid proliferation of the non-native brown tree snake
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
29.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 13% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 14.8% (2023 est.)
forest
52.4% (2023 est.)
other
18% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
95.2% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization
0.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
1.819 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
1.819 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
141,500 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
17.9% (2011 est.)
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"), was changed to Guam in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, when 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
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 Hagatna is derived from the Chamorro word haga, meaning "life's blood" and referring to the town's role as the center of government for the island
Legal system
common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply
Constitution
history
effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution)
Citizenship
see United States
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)
head of government
Governor Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019)
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature
election/appointment process
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, but they can 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)
most recent election date
gubernatorial: 8 November 2022
election results
2022: Lourdes LEON GUERRERO reelected governor; percent of vote - Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 55%, Felix CAMACHO (Republican Party) 44%; Josh TENORIO (Democratic Party) elected lieutenant governor
2018: 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 governor
expected date of next election
gubernatorial: 3 November 2026
Legislative branch
legislature name
Legislature of Guam (Liheslaturan Guahan)
legislative structure
unicameral
number of seats
15 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
2 years
most recent election date
11/8/2022
parties elected and seats per party
Democratic Party (9); Republican Party (6)
percentage of women in chamber
40%
expected date of next election
November 2024
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices)
judge selection and term of office
justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Guam legislature; justices appointed for life but 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
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Republican Party
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (territory of the US)
International organization participation
AOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU
Independence
none (territory of the US)
National holiday
Discovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521)
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 (outrigger canoe with sail), and a palm tree; the word GUAM in red is centered in the ellipse; the proa is sailing in Agana Bay with the promontory of Puntan Dos Amantes in the background
meaning: blue stands for the sea and red for the blood shed in the fight against oppression; the central emblem is shaped like a Chamorro sling stone (a weapon for defense or hunting)
meaning: blue stands for the sea and red for the blood shed in the fight against oppression; the central emblem is shaped like a Chamorro sling stone (a weapon for defense or hunting)
National symbol(s)
coconut tree
National color(s)
deep blue, red
National anthem(s)
title
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
lyrics/music
Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH
history
official anthem, as a US territory; played before "Stand, Ye Guamanians"
Economy
Economic overview
small Pacific island US territorial economy; upper income, tourism-based economy; hard-hit by COVID-19 disruptions; relaunched many industries via vaccination tourism; domestic economy relies on multiple military bases; environmentally fragile economy
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
5.1% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021
2.1% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2020
-10.5% (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2016
$35,600 (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2015
$35,200 (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2014
$34,400 (2014 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$6.91 billion (2022 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
Labor force
77,700 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024
5.6% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
5.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022
5.5% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total
13.7% (2024 est.)
male
13.3% (2024 est.)
female
14.1% (2024 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
34.6% of household expenditures (2021 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
1.3% of household expenditures (2021 est.)
Budget
revenues
$1.24 billion (2016 est.)
expenditures
$1.299 billion (2016 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2013
32.1% of GDP (2013)
Exports
Exports 2022
$545 million (2022 est.)
Exports 2021
$193 million (2021 est.)
Exports 2020
$379 million (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
Taiwan 42%, Hong Kong 12%, Philippines 11%, Italy 8%, Australia 6% (2023)
Exports - commodities
scrap iron, scrap copper, trunks and cases (2023)
Imports
Imports 2022
$4.421 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021
$3.662 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2020
$3.388 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Singapore 52%, Japan 15%, Malaysia 6%, Taiwan 4%, Greece 4% (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, trunks and cases, gas turbines, flavored water (2023)
Exchange rates
the US dollar is used
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity
525,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption
1.715 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
90.023 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
92.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
7.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2019
150.555 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
70,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
43 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
98,000 (2009 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
62 (2009 est.)
Broadcast media
about a dozen TV channels, including digital; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations
Internet country code
.gu
Internet users
percent of population
81% (2017 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
3,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
2 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
N
Airports
3 (2025)
Heliports
2 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
3 (2023)
by type
other 3
Ports
total ports
1 (2024)
large
0
medium
1
small
0
very small
0
ports with oil terminals
1
key ports
Apra Harbor
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Guam Police Department (GPD); Guam (US) National Guard
Military - note
the US military maintains thousands of active-duty uniformed personnel and several bases and installations on the island