ARCHIVE // GU // 2009
Guam
2009 Edition — territory
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Communications
Internet country code
[time series]
.gu
Internet users
(Internet hosts)
[time series]
23 (2009)
Internet users
[time series]
85,000 (2008)
Broadcast media
(Radio broadcast stations)
[time series]
AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2005)
Telecommunication systems
(Telephone system)
[time series]
general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers domestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile 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 trans-Pacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - fixed lines
(Telephones - main lines in use)
[time series]
65,500 (2008)
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
98,000 (2004)
Broadcast media
(Television broadcast stations)
[time series]
3 (2006)
Economy
Agricultural products
(Agriculture - products)
[time series]
fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $319.6 million expenditures: $427.8 million (2002 est.)
Debt - external
[time series]
$NA
Economic overview
(Economy - overview)
[time series]
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.
Electricity - consumption
[time series]
1.644 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - exports
[time series]
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports
[time series]
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - production
[time series]
1.767 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Exchange rates
[time series]
the US dollar is used
Exports
[time series]
$45 million (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities
[time series]
transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$2.773 billion (2001)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
(GDP (purchasing power parity))
[time series]
$2.5 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
(GDP - composition by sector)
[time series]
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Real GDP per capita
(GDP - per capita (PPP))
[time series]
$15,000 (2005 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
(GDP - real growth rate)
[time series]
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
[time series]
$701 million (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities
[time series]
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
NA%
Industries
[time series]
US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
2.5% (2005 est.)
Labor force
[time series]
82,950 (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
[time series]
agriculture: 26% industry: 10% services: 64% (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
[time series]
0 cu m (2008 est.)
Natural gas - exports
[time series]
0 cu m (2008)
Natural gas - imports
[time series]
0 cu m (2008 est.)
Natural gas - production
[time series]
0 cu m (2008 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
[time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
Oil - consumption
[time series]
9,227 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Oil - exports
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - imports
[time series]
14,230 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - production
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Oil - proved reserves
[time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
Population below poverty line
[time series]
23% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate
[time series]
11.4% (2002 est.)
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 544 sq km land: 544 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
[time series]
three times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
[time series]
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
Coastline
[time series]
125.5 km
Elevation
(Elevation extremes)
[time series]
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Environment - current issues
[time series]
extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
13 28 N, 144 47 E
Geography - note
[time series]
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
Irrigated land
[time series]
NA
Land boundaries
[time series]
0 km
Land use
[time series]
arable land: 3.64% permanent crops: 18.18% other: 78.18% (2005)
Location
[time series]
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Map references
[time series]
Oceania
Maritime claims
[time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
[time series]
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June - December)
Natural resources
[time series]
aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)
Terrain
[time series]
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
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
none (territory of the US)
Capital
[time series]
name: Hagatna (Agana) geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
[time series]
Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: Territory of Guam conventional short form: Guam local long form: Guahan local short form: Guahan
Dependency status
[time series]
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
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
none (territory of the US)
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) 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) election results: Felix P. CAMACHO reelected governor; Dr. Michael W. CRUZ elected lieutenant governor; percent of vote - NA
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
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, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag
Government type
[time series]
NA
Independence
[time series]
none (territory of the US)
International organization participation
[time series]
IOC, SPC, UPU
Judicial branch
[time series]
Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor)
Legal system
[time series]
modeled on US; US federal laws apply
Legislative branch
[time series]
unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, Republican Party 5 note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 1
National holiday
[time series]
Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party [Philip J. FLORES] (controls the legislature)
Political parties
(Political pressure groups and leaders)
[time series]
Guam Federation of Teachers' Union; Guam Waterworks Authority Workers other: activists; indigenous groups
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal; US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Introduction
Background
[time series]
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.
Military
Manpower fit for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 37,563 females age 16-49: 36,083 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
[time series]
male: 1,677 female: 1,581 (2009 est.)
Military - note
[time series]
defense is the responsibility of the US
People
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 27.8% (male 25,651/female 23,904) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 59,304/female 56,995) 65 years and over: 7% (male 5,786/female 6,790) (2009 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
18.22 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Death rate
[time series]
4.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
NA
Ethnic groups
[time series]
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% (2000 census)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
[time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
[time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 6.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Languages
[time series]
English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census)
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 78.01 years male: 74.97 years female: 81.23 years (2009 est.)
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1990 est.)
Median age
[time series]
total: 29.1 years male: 28.8 years female: 29.4 years (2009 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) adjective: Guamanian
Net migration rate
[time series]
NA
Population
[time series]
178,430 (July 2009 est.)
Population growth rate
[time series]
1.365% (2009 est.)
Religions
[time series]
Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
2.54 children born/woman (2009 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 93% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
none
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
5; note - 2 serviceable (2009)
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways
[time series]
total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Ports
(Ports and terminals)
[time series]
Apra Harbor
Roadways
[time series]
total: 1,045 km (2007)