World Country Guide

General Information

Area
549 sq km (212 sq miles).

Population
159,547 (official estimate 2002).

Population Density
290.6 per sq km.

Capital
Hagta. Tamuning is the commercial centre. Population: 1122 (2000) in Hagta and 10,833 in Tamuning.

Geography
Guam is the largest and most southerly island of the Marianas archipelago. It is a predominantly hilly island and its northern end is a plateau of rolling hills and cliffs rising 152m (500ft) above sea level. The cliffs are tunnelled with caves. The island narrows in the middle, with the southern half widening into a land of mountains and valleys cut by streams and waterfalls. The most sheltered beaches are on the western coast.

Government
US External Territory (Unincorporated). Gained internal autonomy in 1982. Head of State: George W Bush since 2001. Head of Government: Governor Felix Camacho since 2003.

Language
English is the official language; Chamorro is the local language. Japanese is also spoken - particularly by the older generation who were alive during the Japanese occupation.

Religion
Christian; 90 per cent Roman Catholic.

Time
GMT + 10.

Electricity
120 volts AC, 60Hz.

Communications

Telephone
Overseas telecommunications facilities are available in Hagta. Country code: 671. Outgoing international code: 001.

Mobile telephone
GSM 1900 network exists. Main provider is Guam Wireless Co LLC (website: www.hafatel.com).

Fax
Many hotels have facilities.

Internet
Main ISPs are Guam.Net (website: www.guam.net) and IT&E (website: www.ite.net).

Post
The Hagta and Tamuning branches are open Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0930-1200. The Guam Main Facility branch is open Mon-Fri 0930-1700, Sat 1300-1600.

Press
The English-language daily newspaper is The Pacific Daily News.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.