Guam

Guam is the southernmost and largest island of the Marianas Island Archipelago in the North Pacific. With Magellan's landing on Guam in 1521 Spain's reign began which lasted almost 4 centuries. In 1898 America claimed the island from Spain as part of the prizes in the Spanish-American War. 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.
The economy of Guam depends on tourism, US military spending, and the export of fish and handicrafts.

other Micronesian countries: Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau

related countries: Japan, Spain, USA

Official Name:
Territory of Guam
short form: Guam
local form: Guahan (Guåhan)

ISO Country Code: gu

Time:
Timezone: Chamorro Standard Time
Local Time = UTC +10h

Country Calling Code: +1 671

Capital City: Hagåtña (formerly Agana)

Other Cities: Agat, Merizo, Yigo

Government:
Organized, unincorporated territory of the US.

Geography:
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and north of Papua New Guinea.
Area: 549 sq km (212 square miles)
Terrain: volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs, low hills in center, mountains in south.

Climate: Tropical marine; warm and humid with little seasonal temperature variation, dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December.

People:
Nationality: Guamanian(s)
Population: 160 000
Ethnic Groups: Chamorro 37%, Filipino 26%, white 10%, Asian and other 27%
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, other 15%
Languages: English, Chamorro, Japanese
Literacy: 99%

Natural resources: Fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism.

Agriculture products: Fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef .

Industries: US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles.

Exports partners: Japan 55.4%, South Korea 27.3%, Singapore 7.1% (2004)

Imports partners: Singapore 43%, Japan 20.6%, South Korea 16%, Hong Kong 9.8% (2004)

Currency: US Dollar $ (USD)