Guam Geography - 2024

Location

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Map references

Oceania

Area

total: 544 sq km

land: 544 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

three times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

125.5 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

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

Terrain

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

Elevation

highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)

Land use

agricultural land: 33.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 16.7% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 14.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 47.9% (2018 est.)

other: 18.7% (2018 est.)

Irrigated land

2 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo

Natural hazards

frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December)

Geography - note

largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago and the largest island in Micronesia; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean