ARCHIVE // GU // 2012

Guam

2012 Edition — territory

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations (2009)
Internet country code [time series]
.gu
Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]
23 (2012) country comparison to the world: 220
Internet users [time series]
90,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 163
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers domestic: digital system, including mobile-cellular 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 (2010) country comparison to the world: 158
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
98,000 (2004) country comparison to the world: 192
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.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-3.9% of GDP (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
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.
Exchange rates [time series]
the US dollar is used
Exports [time series]
$45 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Exports - commodities [time series]
transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products
Fiscal year [time series]
1 October - 30 September
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.) country comparison to the world: 185
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.) country comparison to the world: 86
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.) country comparison to the world: 186
Imports - commodities [time series]
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
2.5% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Labor force [time series]
82,950 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 26% industry: 10% services: 64% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line [time series]
23% (2001 est.)
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
11.5% of GDP (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Unemployment rate [time series]
11.4% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
1.451 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Electricity - consumption [time series]
1.632 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
553,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Electricity - production [time series]
1.755 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
14,490 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 544 sq km country comparison to the world: 195 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]
2 sq km
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 to 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 Eddie CALVO (since 3 January 2011); Lieutenant Governor Ray TENORIO (since 3 January 2011) cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) 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 a four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full term before running again); election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2014) election results: Eddie CALVO elected governor with 50.6% percent of vote against 49.4% for Carl GUTIERREZ; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor
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, 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; blue represents the sea and red the blood shed in the struggle against oppression note: the 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, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU
Judicial branch [time series]
Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Supreme Court of Guam (hears appeals from Superior Court - judges appointed by governor); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor)
Legal system [time series]
common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply
Legislative branch [time series]
unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6 note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 1
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
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)
National holiday [time series]
Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
National symbol(s) [time series]
coconut tree
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Democratic Party [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; note - Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Introduction
Background [time series]
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 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: 38,358 females age 16-49: 36,869 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]
male: 1,701 female: 1,608 (2010 est.)
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the US
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 26.8% (male 22,117/ female 20,670) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 53,326/ female 51,229) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 5,722/ female 6,850) (2012 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
17.5 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Death rate [time series]
4.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
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: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 175 male: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 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: 78.5 years country comparison to the world: 50 male: 75.46 years female: 81.73 years (2012 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1990 est.)
Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]
HAGATNA (capital) 153,000 (2009)
Median age [time series]
total: 29.6 years male: 29.1 years female: 30 years (2012 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) adjective: Guamanian
Net migration rate [time series]
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Population [time series]
159,914 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Population growth rate [time series]
0.24% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Religions [time series]
Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 98% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 2% of population total: 1% of population
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: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
2.45 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 93% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Airports [time series]
5 (2012) country comparison to the world: 179
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 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2012)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
Apra Harbor
Roadways [time series]
total: 1,045 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 184