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.

NOTE: The information regarding Guam on this page is re-published from the 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Guam Introduction 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Guam Introduction 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.