The volcanic island of Guam lies at the southern end of the Mariana Archipelago in the Pacific. Its tropical climate has encouraged tourism, although it lies in a region where typhoons are common. Guam's indigenous Chamorro people, who comprise just under half the population, dominate the island's political and social life. They are famous for a set of facial expressions, called "eyebrow," which virtually constitutes a language of its own. Although English is the official language, Chamorro is commonly spoken, and in 1998 the spelling of the capital was changed from Agaña to the Chamorran Hågatña.

The US military base, covering one-third of the island, has made Guam strategically important to the USA. Military spending and tourism revenues have failed to benefit all islanders and 23% live below the poverty line. The influx of US culture has also threatened to upset Guam's social stability. Greater independence has been an issue since the early 1980s, with a series of referenda since 1982. A draft Commonwealth Act was rejected by the US Congress after nearly 15 years of deliberation.