Guam
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry name - conventional long form : Territory of Guam
Country name - conventional short form : Guam
Country name - local long form : Guahan
Country name - local short form : Guahan
Government type : NA
Capital - name : Hagatna (Agana)
Capital - time difference : UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
Population : 175,877 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality - noun : Guamanian(s) (US citizens)
Nationality - adjective : Guamanian
Languages : English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census)
Currency (code) : US dollar (USD)
Currency code : USD
Guam is located Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines. The climate is 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. The terrain is 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.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.Background : 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.
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