World Factbook
Guam
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
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
Capital
name
Hagatna (Agana)
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
time difference
UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
13 28 N, 144 44 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
note: Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Citizenship
see United States
Constitution
history
effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution)
Country name
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
abbreviation
GU
local long form
none
local short form
Guahan
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Guam
Independence
none (territory of the US)
Legal system
common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply
Government type
unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Judicial branch
note
note: appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are referred to the US Supreme Court
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices)
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)
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
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature
chief of state
President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)
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
head of government
Governor Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019)
most recent election date
gubernatorial: 8 November 2022
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)
expected date of next election
gubernatorial: 3 November 2026
National holiday
Discovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521)
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
National color(s)
deep blue, red
Political parties
Democratic Party Republican Party
Legislative branch
note
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
term in office
2 years
number of seats
15 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Legislature of Guam (Liheslaturan Guahan)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/8/2022
expected date of next election
November 2024
percentage of women in chamber
40%
parties elected and seats per party
Democratic Party (9); Republican Party (6)
National anthem(s)
title
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
history
official anthem, as a US territory; played before "Stand, Ye Guamanians"
lyrics/music
Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH
National symbol(s)
coconut tree
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (territory of the US)
International organization participation
AOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU