Quick Facts (Adapted from the New Ben’s Guide to Government)
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| Capital City: | Hagåtña (or Agana) |
| Languages: |
English and Chamorro |
| Motto: | “Where America’s Day Begins” |
| Origin of Territory’s Name: |
Guam comes from the ancient Chamorro word “Guahan” which means “we have.” |
| Location: | Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines |
| Land Area: | 212 sq. mi. |
| Largest City: | Dededo |
| Territory’s Bird: | Marianas Rose Crown Fruit Dove (Tottot) (Ptilinopus roseicapilla) |
| Territory’s Flower: | Bougainvillea spectabilis / Puti Tai Nobiu |
| Territory’s Tree: | Ifit (Intsia bijuga) |
| Territory’s Song: | Stand Ye Guamanians |
| E-mail Your Delegate: | U.S. House: 111th Congress Or look up your Delegate in the Congressional Directory database! |
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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.
Government
conventional long form: Territory of Guam
conventional short form: Guam
local long form: Guahan
local short form: Guahan
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
NA
name: Hagatna (Agana)
geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
none (territory of the US)
none (territory of the US)
Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950
modeled on US; US federal laws apply
18 years of age; universal; US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
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
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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; percent of vote - 50.6%; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor
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
Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor)
Democratic Party [Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party [Philip J. FLORES] (controls the legislature)
Guam Federation of Teachers’ Union; Guam Waterworks Authority Workers
other: activists; indigenous groups
IOC, SPC, UPU
none (territory of the US)
none (territory of the US)
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
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)
Military
males age 16-49: 37,983
females age 16-49: 36,469 (2010 est.)
male: 1,687
female: 1,597 (2010 est.)
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
none
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