Question: What country is Guam governed by?

[Anonymous]

I notice they declared a state of emergency (sounds like the US)and was wonderring what country was Guam from or are they their own country? I know we have a base and an NWS there but wonder who owns the rest of the country.

[senorpepr]

It's all-American. Their president is George W Bush. They also have a local state governer like our states have.

[Cyclone Runner]

I notice they declared a state of emergency (sounds like the US)and was wonderring what country was Guam from or are they their own country? I know we have a base and an NWS there but wonder who owns the rest of the country.

Jekyhe32210,

Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

[Anonymous]

I notice they declared a state of emergency (sounds like the US)and was wonderring what country was Guam from or are they their own country? I know we have a base and an NWS there but wonder who owns the rest of the country.

Jekyhe32210,

Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

So its basically like Puerto Rico, correct?---just as bad as if Puerto Rico got hit---they are us?

[Cyclone Runner]

I notice they declared a state of emergency (sounds like the US)and was wonderring what country was Guam from or are they their own country? I know we have a base and an NWS there but wonder who owns the rest of the country.

Jekyhe32210,

Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

So its basically like Puerto Rico, correct?---just as bad as if Puerto Rico got hit---they are us?

Technically Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth in association with the United States. Therefore while there are some technical differences in the status of Guam and Puerto Rico (incorporated vs unincorporated-such as in matters of taxation), for all intent and purpose on a day-to-day governance level, they have a very similar status to each other. Although technically it should be easier for Puerto Rico as a Commonwealth to become a state than Guam.

[GalvestonDuck]

Kentucky is a Commonwealth also, as is Virginia, Massachuessetts, and Pennsylvania.

However, those four are also considered states of the Union and, therefore, US citizens who live in those four Commonwealths are allowed to vote in Presidential elections, are under the Internal Revenue Code (must pay federal taxes), and have representation in Congress.

Those who live in Puerto Rico and Guam are also US citizens who are allowed serve in the armed services, can receive federal assistance, and they must pay social security. They just can't vote, have Congressional representatives, and don't have to pay taxes.

[cycloneye]

Kentucky is a Commonwealth also, as is Virginia, Massachuessetts, and Pennsylvania.

However, those four are also considered states of the Union and, therefore, US citizens who live in those four Commonwealths are allowed to vote in Presidential elections, are under the Internal Revenue Code (must pay federal taxes), and have representation in Congress.

Those who live in Puerto Rico and Guam are also US citizens who are allowed serve in the armed services, can receive federal assistance, and they must pay social security. They just can't vote, have Congressional representatives, and don't have to pay taxes.

You said it all correct about Puerto Rico GD

[DoctorHurricane2003]

Those who live in Puerto Rico and Guam are also US citizens who are allowed serve in the armed services, can receive federal assistance, and they must pay social security. They just can't vote, have Congressional representatives, and don't have to pay taxes.

Incorrect....now I'm not sure about Puerto Rico, but I know for sure that Guam has a representative in the U.S. House.....she's a Democrat, but I can't remember her name.

[Aslkahuna]

Guam is a Territory of the US and could conceivably become a state by vote of Congress. Puerto Rico would have vote for Statehood and then go through the Constitutional procedures before becoming a State. Guam was ceded to the US by Spain following the Spanish-American War. The Northern Marianas eventually came under control of Japan and was Japanese territory at the outbreak of the Pacific War. The Northern Marianas including Saipan and Rota now have Commonwealth Status with the US like Puerto Rico. Tinian, of course, is where the Enola Gay took off from on it's run to Hiroshima.

Steve

[tomboudreau]

Isn't Maryland as a commonwealth?

[Lutrastorm]

no, Maryland is a state not a commonweath

[clearwater]

but I know for sure that Guam has a representative in the U.S. House.....she's a Democrat, but I can't remember her name.

Guam's "representative" is actually a non-voting "delegate."