World · permanent entity record · GU

Guam

Thirty-second orientation

Guam at a glance

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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Population: total: 169,532 (2024 est.) male: 87,345 female: 82,187; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Area: total : 544 sq km land: 544 sq km water: 0 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Nationality / demonym: noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) adjective: Guamanian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Government: unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Languages: English 43.3%, Filipino 24.9%, Chamorro 16%, other Pacific Island languages 9.4%, Asian languages 6.5% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05

Claims are attributed · classifications are dated

Claims and contested status

Maintained classification

Dependency or area of special sovereignty

United States

U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

A claim’s appearance records that the cited source reports it. It does not constitute an Almanac ruling on sovereignty.

Maintained profile

Classification: Dependency or area of special sovereignty; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31Federal classification and wording follow the current State Department register.
Sovereignty or administration: United States; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31
Administrative center: Hagåtña; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-05 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

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.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Geography17 fields

Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 47 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Map references: Oceania; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Area: total : 544 sq km land: 544 sq km water: 0 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Area - comparative: three times the size of Washington, D.C.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land boundaries: total: 0 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Coastline: 125.5 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Elevation: highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural resources: aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 29.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 14.8% (2023 est.) forest: 52.4% (2023 est.) other: 18% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Irrigated land: 2 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population distribution: no large cities exist on the island; large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural hazards: frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Geography - note: largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago and the largest island in Micronesia; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

People and Society23 fields

Population: total: 169,532 (2024 est.) male: 87,345 female: 82,187; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Nationality: noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) adjective: Guamanian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Languages: English 43.3%, Filipino 24.9%, Chamorro 16%, other Pacific Island languages 9.4%, Asian languages 6.5% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Religions: Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 94.2%, folk religions 1.5%, Buddhist 1.1%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 1.7% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Median age: total: 30.5 years (2025 est.) male: 29.6 years female: 31.1 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population growth rate: 0.08% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Birth rate: 17.9 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Death rate: 6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Net migration rate: -10.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population distribution: no large cities exist on the island; large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 95.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Major urban areas - population: 147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78 years (2024 est.) male: 75.6 years female: 80.5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.31 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Drinking water source: total: 99.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.3% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Sanitation facility access: total: 99.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.8% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 40.4% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Environment6 fields

Environmental issues: freshwater scarcity; reef damage; inadequate sewage treatment; rapid proliferation of the non-native brown tree snake; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 29.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 14.8% (2023 est.) forest: 52.4% (2023 est.) other: 18% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 95.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.819 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.819 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 141,500 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.9% (2011 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Government21 fields

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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Government type: unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Legal system: common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Constitution: history: effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Citizenship: see United States; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal note: Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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 note: Guam directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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) note: appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are referred to the US Supreme Court; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Political parties: Democratic Party Republican Party; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (territory of the US); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
International organization participation: AOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Independence: none (territory of the US); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National holiday: Discovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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) note: the US flag is the national flag; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National symbol(s): coconut tree; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National color(s): deep blue, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand, Ye Guamanians) lyrics/music: Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN history: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as "Guam Hymn" _____ 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"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Economy19 fields

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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 5.1% (2022 est.) 2.1% (2021 est.) -10.5% (2020 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Real GDP per capita: $35,600 (2016 est.) $35,200 (2015 est.) $34,400 (2014 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $6.91 billion (2022 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Agricultural products: fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Industries: national defense, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Labor force: 77,700 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Unemployment rate: 5.6% (2024 est.) 5.4% (2023 est.) 5.5% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 13.7% (2024 est.) male: 13.3% (2024 est.) female: 14.1% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Average household expenditures: on food: 34.6% of household expenditures (2021 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.3% of household expenditures (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Budget: revenues: $1.24 billion (2016 est.) expenditures: $1.299 billion (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Public debt: 32.1% of GDP (2013); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports: $545 million (2022 est.) $193 million (2021 est.) $379 million (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports - partners: Taiwan 42%, Hong Kong 12%, Philippines 11%, Italy 8%, Australia 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports - commodities: scrap iron, scrap copper, trunks and cases (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports: $4.421 billion (2022 est.) $3.662 billion (2021 est.) $3.388 billion (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports - partners: Singapore 52%, Japan 15%, Malaysia 6%, Taiwan 4%, Greece 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, trunks and cases, gas turbines, flavored water (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exchange rates: the US dollar is used; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Energy5 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 150.555 million Btu/person (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 70,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 98,000 (2009 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62 (2009 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Broadcast media: about a dozen TV channels, including digital; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Internet country code: .gu; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 81% (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 3,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Transportation5 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: N; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Airports: 3 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Heliports: 2 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Merchant marine: total: 3 (2023) by type: other 3; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Ports: total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 0 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Apra Harbor; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Military and Security2 fields

Military and security forces: Guam Police Department (GPD); Guam (US) National Guard; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military - note: the US military maintains thousands of active-duty uniformed personnel and several bases and installations on the island; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

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