← The 2006 CIA World Factbook, Volume 2
Gwp (part 15)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: the United Arab Emirates is a destination
country for men, women, and children trafficked from South and East
Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East for involuntary
servitude and for sexual exploitation; an estimated 10,000 women
from sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, South and East Asia, Iraq,
Iran, and Morocco may be victims of sex trafficking in the UAE;
women also migrate from Africa, and South and Southeast Asia to work
as domestic servants, but may have their passports confiscated, be
denied permission to leave the place of employment in the home, or
face sexual or physical abuse by their employers; men from South
Asia come to the UAE to work in the construction industry, but may
be subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude as they are
coerced to pay off recruitment and travel costs, sometimes having
their wages denied for months at a time; victims of child camel
jockey trafficking may still remain in the UAE, despite a July 2005
law banning the practice; while all identified victims were
repatriated at the government's expense to their home countries,
questions persist as to the effectiveness of the ban and the true
number of victims
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - UAE is placed on the Tier 2 Watch
List for its failure to show increased efforts to combat trafficking
in 2005, particularly in its efforts to address the large-scale
trafficking of foreign girls and women for commercial sexual
exploitation
Illicit drugs:
the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its
proximity to Southwest Asian drug producing countries; the UAE's
position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money
laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal
banking remains unregulated
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@United Kingdom
Introduction United Kingdom
Background:
As the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century,
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland played a leading
role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing
literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched
over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th
century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars
and the Irish republic withdraw from the union. The second half
witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself
into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five
permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of
NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to
foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its
integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to
remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being.
Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The
Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the
Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter
is suspended due to wrangling over the peace process.
Geography United Kingdom
Location:
Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the
island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North
Sea, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates:
54 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 244,820 sq km
land: 241,590 sq km
water: 3,230 sq km
note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Ireland 360 km
Coastline:
12,429 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in
accordance with agreed upon boundaries
Climate:
temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North
Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast
Terrain:
mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in
east and southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: The Fens -4 m
highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m
Natural resources:
coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin,
limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate,
arable land
Land use:
arable land: 23.23%
permanent crops: 0.2%
other: 76.57% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,700 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
winter windstorms; floods
Environment - current issues:
continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has met Kyoto
Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and intends to
meet the legally binding target and move toward a domestic goal of a
20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the government aims to reduce
the amount of industrial and commercial waste disposed of in
landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and to recycle or compost at
least 25% of household waste, increasing to 33% by 2015; between
1998-99 and 1999-2000, household recycling increased from 8.8% to
10.3%
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:
lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France
and linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily
indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters
People United Kingdom
Population:
60,609,153 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17.5% (male 5,417,663/female 5,161,714)
15-64 years: 66.8% (male 20,476,571/female 19,988,959)
65 years and over: 15.8% (male 4,087,020/female 5,477,226) (2006
est.)
Median age: total: 39.3 years male: 38.2 years female: 40.4 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.28% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
10.71 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
10.13 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.08 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 5.67 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.54 years
male: 76.09 years
female: 81.13 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.66 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
51,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural)
adjective: British
Ethnic groups:
white (of which English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern
Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed
1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census)
Religions:
Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist)
71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1%
(2001 census)
Languages:
English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish
form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of
schooling
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government United Kingdom
Country name:
conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland; note - Great Britain includes England, Scotland,
and Wales
conventional short form: United Kingdom
abbreviation: UK
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: London
geographic coordinates: 51 30 N, 0 10 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
England: 47 boroughs, 36 counties, 29 London boroughs, 12 cities
and boroughs, 10 districts, 12 cities, 3 royal boroughs
boroughs: Barnsley, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolton,
Bournemouth, Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, Bury, Calderdale,
Darlington, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Halton, Hartlepool,
Kirklees, Knowsley, Luton, Medway, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes,
North Tyneside, Oldham, Poole, Reading, Redcar and Cleveland,
Rochdale, Rotherham, Sandwell, Sefton, Slough, Solihull,
Southend-on-Sea, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport,
Stockton-on-Tees, Swindon, Tameside, Thurrock, Torbay, Trafford,
Walsall, Warrington, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton
counties (or unitary authorities): Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire,
Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon,
Dorset, Durham, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire,
Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Lancashire,
Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire,
Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire,
Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire,
West Sussex, Wiltshire, Worcestershire
London boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent,
Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney,
Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon,
Hounslow, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge,
Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham
Forest, Wandsworth
cities and boroughs: Birmingham, Bradford, Coventry, Leeds,
Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Salford, Sheffield,
Sunderland, Wakefield, Westminster
districts: Bath and North East Somerset, East Riding of Yorkshire,
North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Somerset,
Rutland, South Gloucestershire, Telford and Wrekin, West Berkshire,
Wokingham
cities: City of Bristol, Derby, City of Kingston upon Hull,
Leicester, City of London, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth,
Portsmouth, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, York
royal boroughs: Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames,
Windsor and Maidenhead
Northern Ireland: 24 districts, 2 cities, 6 counties
districts: Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge,
Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Down,
Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Moyle,
Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane
cities: Belfast, Londonderry (Derry)
counties: County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County
Fermanagh, County Londonderry, County Tyrone
Scotland: 32 council areas: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus,
Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee
City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East
Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar (Western Isles),
Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian,
Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and
Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South
Lanarkshire, Stirling, The Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire,
West Lothian;
Wales: 11 county boroughs, 9 counties, 2 cities and counties
county boroughs: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Conwy,
Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon
Taff, Torfaen, Wrexham
counties: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Denbighshire, Flintshire,
Isle of Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, The Vale of
Glamorgan
cities and counties: Cardiff, Swansea
Dependent areas:
Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin
Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat,
Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena and Ascension, South Georgia and the
South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands
Independence:
England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the
union between England and Wales, begun in 1284 with the Statute of
Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an Act of Union; in
another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland agreed to
permanently join as Great Britain; the legislative union of Great
Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of
the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the
Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland; six
northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as
Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in 1927
National holiday:
the UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday
Constitution:
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
Legal system:
common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental
influences; has nonbinding judicial review of Acts of Parliament
under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir
Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948)
head of government: Prime Minister Anthony (Tony) BLAIR (since 2 May
1997)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition is usually the prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament comprised of House of Lords (consists of
approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary peers and 26 clergy) and
House of Commons (646 seats since 2005 elections; members are
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms unless the House is
dissolved earlier)
elections: House of Lords - no elections (note - in 1999, as
provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House
of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain
there; elections are held only as vacancies in the hereditary
peerage arise); House of Commons - last held 5 May 2005 (next to be
held by May 2010)
election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party -
Labor 35.2%, Conservative 32.3%, Liberal Democrats 22%, other 10.5%;
seats by party - Labor 356, Conservative 197, Liberal Democrat 62,
other 31; note - as of 10 February 2006 party by seat in the House
of Commons: Labor 353, Conservative 196, Liberal Democrat 63,
Scottish National Party/Plaid Cymru 9, Democratic Unionist 9, Sinn
Fein 5 (but cannot vote), other 11
note: in 1998 elections were held for a Northern Ireland Assembly
(because of unresolved disputes among existing parties, the transfer
of power from London to Northern Ireland came only at the end of
1999 and has been suspended four times the latest occurring in
October 2002); in 1999 there were elections for a new Scottish
Parliament and a new Welsh Assembly
Judicial branch:
House of Lords (highest court of appeal; several Lords of Appeal in
Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life); Supreme Courts of
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising the Courts of
Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the Crown Courts);
Scotland's Court of Session and Court of the Justiciary
Political parties and leaders:
Conservative and Unionist Party [David CAMERON]; Democratic
Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Rev. Ian PAISLEY]; Labor Party
[Anthony (Tony) BLAIR]; Liberal Democrats [Sir Menzies CAMPBELL];
Party of Wales (Plaid Cymru) [Dafydd IWAN]; Scottish National Party
or SNP [Alex SALMOND]; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland) [Gerry ADAMS];
Social Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (Northern Ireland) [Mark
DURKAN]; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Sir Reg EMPEY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of British
Industry; National Farmers' Union; Trades Union Congress
International organization participation:
AfDB, Arctic Council (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C,
CBSS (observer), CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5,
G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,
OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), UN, UN
Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL,
UNMIS, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,
WToO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David G. MANNING chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 588-6500 FAX: (202) 588-7870 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Dallas, Denver, Miami, Orlando
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert Holmes TUTTLE embassy: 24 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A 1AE mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040 telephone: (0) 20 7499-9000 FAX: (0) 20 7629-9124 consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh
Flag description:
blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of
England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of
Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on
the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland);
properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union
Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been
the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth
countries and their constituent states or provinces, and British
overseas territories
Economy United Kingdom
Economy - overview:
The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the
quintet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the
past two decades, the government has greatly reduced public
ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs.
Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by
European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than
2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil
reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one of
the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services, particularly
banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the
largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in
importance. GDP growth slipped in 2001-03 as the global downturn,
the high value of the pound, and the bursting of the "new economy"
bubble hurt manufacturing and exports. Output recovered in 2004, to
3.2% growth, but fell in 2005, to 1.7%. Despite slower growth, the
economy is one of the strongest in Europe; inflation, interest
rates, and unemployment remain low. The relatively good economic
performance has complicated the BLAIR government's efforts to make a
case for Britain to join the European Economic and Monetary Union
(EMU). Critics point out that the economy is doing well outside of
EMU, and public opinion polls show a majority of Britons are opposed
to the euro. Meantime, the government has been speeding up the
improvement of education, transport, and health services, at a cost
in higher taxes and a widening public deficit.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.818 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.228 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.9% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$30,100 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.5% industry: 23.7% services: 75.8% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 30.07 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 19.1% services: 79.5% (2004)
Unemployment rate:
4.7% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
17% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 28.5% (1999)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.8 (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
16.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $881.4 billion
expenditures: $951 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
43.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry; fish
Industries:
machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment,
railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and
parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals,
coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing,
textiles, clothing, other consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate:
-1.9% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
369.9 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 73.8% hydro: 0.9% nuclear: 23.7% other: 1.6% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
346.1 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
3 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
5.1 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
2.393 million bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
1.722 million bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
1.498 million bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:
1.084 million bbl/day (2003)
Oil - proved reserves:
4.5 billion bbl (31 December 2004)
Natural gas - production:
102.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
95.15 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
15.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
2.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
628.6 billion cu m (31 December 2004)
Current account balance:
$-57.61 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$372.7 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco
Exports - partners:
US 15.1%, Germany 10.5%, France 8.9%, Ireland 7.3%, Netherlands
5.5%, Belgium 5%, Spain 4.4% (2005)
Imports:
$483.7 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Germany 12.8%, US 8.7%, France 7.1%, Netherlands 6.6%, China 5%,
Norway 4.7%, Belgium 4.6%, Italy 4% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$48.66 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$7.107 trillion (30 June 2005)
Economic aid - donor:
ODA, $7.9 billion (2004)
Currency (code):
British pound (GBP)
Currency code:
GBP
Exchange rates:
British pounds per US dollar - 0.55 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125
(2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001)
Fiscal year:
6 April - 5 April
Communications United Kingdom
Telephones - main lines in use:
32.943 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
61.091 million (2004)
Telephone system:
general assessment: technologically advanced domestic and
international system
domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and
fiber-optic systems
international: country code - 44; 40 coaxial submarine cables;
satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3
Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat;
at least 8 large international switching centers
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 219, FM 431, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios:
84.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
228 (plus 3,523 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:
30.5 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.uk
Internet hosts:
6,064,860 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
more than 400 (2000)
Internet users:
37.6 million (2005)
Transportation United Kingdom
Airports: 471 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 334 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 149 914 to 1,523 m: 86 under 914 m: 58 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 137 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 112 (2006)
Heliports:
11 (2006)
Pipelines:
condensate 565 km; condensate/gas 6 km; gas 21,575 km; liquid
petroleum gas 59 km; oil 5,094 km; oil/gas/water 161 km; refined
products 4,444 km (2006)
Railways:
total: 17,156 km
standard gauge: 16,814 km 1.435-m gauge (5,384 km electrified)
broad gauge: 342 km 1.600-m gauge (in Northern Ireland) (2005)
Roadways: total: 387,674 km paved: 387,674 km (including 3,523 km of expressways) (2004)
Waterways:
3,200 km (620 km used for commerce) (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 449 ships (1000 GRT or over) 11,049,317 GRT/11,731,680 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 24, cargo 54, chemical tanker 50, container
146, liquefied gas 17, passenger 9, passenger/cargo 65, petroleum
tanker 33, refrigerated cargo 17, roll on/roll off 26, vehicle
carrier 8
foreign-owned: 215 (Australia 3, Denmark 46, Finland 1, France 4,
Germany 76, Greece 7, Ireland 1, Italy 4, Netherlands 3, Norway 36,
NZ 1, South Africa 5, Spain 1, Sweden 15, Switzerland 3, Taiwan 1,
Turkey 2, US 6)
registered in other countries: 368 (Algeria 13, Antigua and Barbuda
7, Argentina 4, Australia 2, Bahamas 69, Barbados 5, Belgium 2,
Bermuda 9, Brazil 1, Brunei 8, Cape Verde 1, Cayman Islands 10,
Cyprus 6, Denmark 1, Finland 1, French Southern and Antarctic Lands
1, Georgia 4, Gibraltar 4, Greece 9, Hong Kong 43, India 1,
Indonesia 2, Italy 3, South Korea 2, Liberia 41, Malta 8, Marshall
Islands 12, Morocco 1, Netherlands 19, Netherlands Antilles 3,
Norway 6, Panama 37, Papua New Guinea 6, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 13, Singapore 9, Slovakia 1, Spain 1, Thailand 2, Tonga
1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Hound Point, Immingham, Milford Haven, Liverpool, London,
Southampton, Sullom Voe, Teesport
Military United Kingdom
Military branches:
Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force
Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; women serve in military services, but are excluded from ground combat positions and some naval postings (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 14,607,724
females age 16-49: 14,028,738 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 12,046,268
females age 16-49: 11,555,893 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$42,836.5 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
2.4% (2003)
Transnational Issues United Kingdom
Disputes - international:
in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to
reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement between the UK and
Spain; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in
talks between the two countries; Spain disapproves of UK plans to
grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the
Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former
inhabitants since their eviction in 1965; most Chagossians reside in
Mauritius, and in 2001 were granted UK citizenship but no right to
patriation in the UK; UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by
Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim
in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim
and partially overlaps Chilean claim; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland
dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf
extends beyond 200 nm
Illicit drugs:
producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic
precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin
American cocaine, and synthetic drugs; money-laundering center
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@United States
Introduction United States
Background:
Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776
and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of
America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and
20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the
nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a
number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences
in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great
Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II
and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most
powerful nation state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low
unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.
Geography United States
Location:
North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the
North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico
Geographic coordinates:
38 00 N, 97 00 W
Map references:
North America
Area:
total: 9,631,420 sq km
land: 9,161,923 sq km
water: 469,497 sq km
note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia
Area - comparative:
about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of
Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger
than Brazil); slightly larger than China; almost two and a half
times the size of the European Union
Land boundaries:
total: 12,034 km
border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska),
Mexico 3,141 km
note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and
is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 28 km
Coastline:
19,924 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified
Climate:
mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in
Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River,
and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter
temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in
January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes
of the Rocky Mountains
Terrain:
vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in
east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged,
volcanic topography in Hawaii
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Death Valley -86 m
highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m
Natural resources:
coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold,
iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum,
natural gas, timber
Land use:
arable land: 18.01%
permanent crops: 0.21%
other: 81.78% (2005)
Irrigated land:
223,850 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin;
hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes
in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires
in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major
impediment to development
Environment - current issues:
air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the
US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning
of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and
fertilizers; limited natural fresh water resources in much of the
western part of the country require careful management;
desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,
Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes
Geography - note:
world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and
by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is highest point
in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent
People United States
Population:
298,444,215 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.4% (male 31,095,847/female 29,715,872)
15-64 years: 67.2% (male 100,022,845/female 100,413,484)
65 years and over: 12.5% (male 15,542,288/female 21,653,879) (2006
est.)
Median age: total: 36.5 years male: 35.1 years female: 37.8 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.91% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
14.14 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
8.26 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
3.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.85 years
male: 75.02 years
female: 80.82 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.09 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
950,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
14,000 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
noun: American(s)
adjective: American
Ethnic groups:
white 81.7%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native
1%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2% (2003 est.)
note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US
Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American
descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican
origin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group
(white, black, Asian, etc.)
Religions:
Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim
1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)
Languages:
English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and
Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government United States
Country name:
conventional long form: United States of America
conventional short form: United States
abbreviation: US or USA
Government type:
Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition
Capital:
name: Washington, DC (capital)
geographic coordinates: 38 53 N, 77 02 W
time difference: UTC-5 (during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends
first Sunday in November; note - these new dates become effective in
2007
note: the United States is divided into six time zones
Administrative divisions:
50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas,
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*,
Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North
Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,
Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Dependent areas:
American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island,
Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island,
Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin
Islands, Wake Island
note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered
the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; it entered into a
political relationship with all four political units: the Northern
Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US
(effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands
signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21
October 1986); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact
of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau
concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1
October 1994)
Independence:
4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Constitution:
17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789
Legal system:
federal court system based on English common law; each state has
its own unique legal system, of which all but one (Louisiana's) is
based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001);
Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January
2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each
state; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible
for a second term); election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be
held 4 November 2008)
election results: George W. BUSH reelected president; percent of
popular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 50.9%, John KERRY
(Democratic Party) 48.1%, other 1.0%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, one-third are
renewed every two years; 2 members are elected from each state by
popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of
Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular
vote to serve two-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held on
November 2008); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2006
(next to be held on November 2008)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - Democratic Party 49, Republican Party 49, independent 2;
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - Democratic Party 232, Republican Party 203
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (nine justices; nominated by the president and
confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; appointed to
serve for life); United States Courts of Appeal; United States
District Courts; State and County Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party [Howard DEAN]; Green Party; Libertarian Party
[Steve DAMERELL]; Republican Party [Ken MEHLMAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
AfDB, ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue
partner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE
(observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-5, G-7, G- 8,
G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA,
MINUSTAH, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club,
PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA,
UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Flag description:
13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating
with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset
horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows
of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes
represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design
and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags,
including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico
Economy United States
Economy - overview:
The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in
the world, with a per capita GDP of $42,000. In this market-oriented
economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the
decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods
and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business
firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western
Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off
surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, they
face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than
foreign firms face entering US markets. US firms are at or near the
forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in
medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has
narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology
largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor
market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the
professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and
more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage,
and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in
household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The
response to the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 showed the
remarkable resilience of the economy. The war in March-April 2003
between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the subsequent occupation
of Iraq, required major shifts in national resources to the
military. The rise in GDP in 2004 and 2005 was undergirded by
substantial gains in labor productivity. Hurricane Katrina caused
extensive damage in the Gulf Coast region in August 2005, but had a
small impact on overall GDP growth for the year. Soaring oil prices
in 2005 and 2006 threatened inflation and unemployment, yet the
economy continued to grow through mid-2006. Imported oil accounts
for about two-thirds of US consumption. Long-term problems include
inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising
medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade and
budget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower
economic groups.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$12.31 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$12.49 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.2% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$41,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 20.4% services: 78.7% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 149.3 million (includes unemployed) (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: farming, forestry, and fishing 0.7%, manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts 22.9%, managerial, professional, and technical 34.7%, sales and office 25.4%, other services 16.3% note: figures exclude the unemployed (2005)
Unemployment rate:
5.1% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
12% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 30.5% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
45 (2004)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.2% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
16.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $2.119 trillion
expenditures: $2.466 trillion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
64.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork,
poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products
Industries:
leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and
technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles,
aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food
processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining
Industrial production growth rate:
3.2% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
3.892 trillion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 5.6% nuclear: 20.7% other: 2.3% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
3.656 trillion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
23.97 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
30.39 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
7.61 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
20.03 million bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
1.048 million bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:
13.15 million bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:
22.45 billion bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:
539 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
633.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
24.19 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - imports:
114.1 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
5.353 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:
$-829.1 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$927.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrial
supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors,
aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications
equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0%
(2003)
Exports - partners:
Canada 23.4%, Mexico 13.3%, Japan 6.1%, China 4.6%, UK 4.3% (2005)
Imports:
$1.727 trillion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9% (crude oil
8.2%), capital goods 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment,
motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery),
consumer goods 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture,
toys) (2003)
Imports - partners:
Canada 16.9%, China 15%, Mexico 10%, Japan 8.2%, Germany 5% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$86.94 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:
$8.837 trillion (30 June 2005 est.)
Economic aid - donor:
ODA, $6.9 billion (1997)
Currency (code):
US dollar (USD)
Currency code:
USD
Exchange rates:
British pounds per US dollar - 0.5500 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125
(2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001); Canadian dollars per US dollar
- 1.2118 (2005), 1.3010 (2004), 1.4011 (2003), 1.5693 (2002), 1.5488
(2001); Japanese yen per US dollar - 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004),
115.93 (2003), 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001); euros per US dollar -
0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.8866 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175
(2001); Chinese yuan per US dollar - 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004),
8.2770 (2003), 8.2770 (2002), 8.2271 (2001)
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
Communications United States
Telephones - main lines in use:
268 million (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
219.4 million (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurpose
communications system
domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio
relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of
telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile
telephone traffic throughout the country
international: country code - 1; 24 ocean cable systems in use;
satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16
Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4
Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 4,789, FM 8,961, shortwave 19 (2006)
Radios:
575 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
2,218 (2006)
Televisions:
219 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.us
Internet hosts:
195,138,696 (2005)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
7,000 (2002 est.)
Internet users:
205,326,680 (2005)
Transportation United States
Airports: 14,858 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 5,119
over 3,047 m: 189
2,438 to 3,047 m: 221
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,426
914 to 1,523 m: 2,337
under 914 m: 946 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 9,739
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 157
914 to 1,523 m: 1,728
under 914 m: 7,847 (2006)
Heliports:
149 (2006)
Pipelines:
petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km (2003)
Railways:
total: 226,605 km
standard gauge: 226,605 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)
Roadways:
total: 6,407,637 km
paved: 4,164,964 km (including 74,950 km of expressways)
unpaved: 2,242,673 km (2004)
Waterways:
41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce)
note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint
Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with Canada (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 465 ships (1000 GRT or over) 10,590,325 GRT/13,273,133 DWT
by type: barge carrier 7, bulk carrier 67, cargo 91, chemical tanker
20, container 76, passenger 19, passenger/cargo 58, petroleum tanker
76, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 27, specialized tanker 1,
vehicle carrier 20
foreign-owned: 51 (Australia 2, Canada 4, Denmark 24, Germany 2,
Greece 1, Malaysia 4, Netherlands 4, Norway 2, Singapore 2, Sweden
5, Taiwan 1)
registered in other countries: 700 (Antigua and Barbuda 7, Australia
3, Bahamas 121, Belize 5, Bermuda 27, Cambodia 8, Canada 2, Cayman
Islands 41, Comoros 2, Cyprus 7, Greece 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 21,
Ireland 2, Isle of Man 3, Italy 15, North Korea 3, South Korea 7,
Liberia 93, Luxembourg 3, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 143, Netherlands
13, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 13, Panama 94, Peru 1,
Philippines 8, Portugal 1, Puerto Rico 3, Qatar 1, Russia 1, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines 21, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 7, Spain 7,
Sweden 1, Trinidad and Tobago 1, UK 6, Vanuatu 1, Wallis and Futuna
1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Corpus Christi, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long Beach, Los
Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Texas City
note: 13 ports north of New Orleans (South Louisiana Ports) on the
Mississippi River handle 290,000,000 tons of cargo annually
Military United States
Military branches:
Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard; note -
Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland
Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age; 17 years of age with written parental consent
(2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 67,742,879
females age 18-49: 67,070,144 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 54,609,050
females age 18-49: 54,696,706 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 2,143,873
females age 18-49: 2,036,201 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$518.1 billion (FY04 est.) (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
4.06% (FY03 est.) (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues United States
Disputes - international:
prolonged drought, population growth, and outmoded practices and
infrastructure in the border region strain water-sharing
arrangements with Mexico; the US has stepped up efforts to stem
nationals from Mexico, Central America, and other parts of the world
from crossing illegally into the US from Mexico; illegal immigrants
from the Caribbean, notably Haiti and the Dominican Republic,
attempt to enter the US through Florida by sea; 1990 Maritime
Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Duma
ratification; managed maritime boundary disputes with Canada at
Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the
disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; US and Canada seek
greater cooperation in monitoring people and commodities crossing
the border; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a
maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from
Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can
terminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; US
has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the
right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other
state; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): the US admitted 52,868 refugees
during FY03/04 including: 13,331 (Somalia), 6,000 (Laos), 3,482
(Ukraine), 2,959 (Cuba), 1,787 (Iran); note - 32,229 refugees had
been admitted as of 30 June 2005
Illicit drugs:
world's largest consumer of cocaine, shipped from Colombia through
Mexico and the Caribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, and
increasingly methamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of high-quality
Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana,
depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine;
money-laundering center
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Introduction United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Background: The following US Pacific island territories constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of Interior. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They protect many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere. Baker Island: The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858, but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889, but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935 until it was abandoned in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and subsequently the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now complete. Cleanup and closure of the facility was completed by May 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Air Force are currently discussing future management options; in the interim, Johnston Atoll and the three-mile Naval Defensive Sea around it remain under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the US Air Force. Kingman Reef: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge. Midway Islands: The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a National Wildlife Refuge and are the site of the world's largest Laysan albatross colony. Palmyra Atoll: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy with the rest owned by the Federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These organizations are managing the atoll as a wildlife refuge. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nm US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and designated as a National Wildlife Refuge in January 2001.
Geography United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Location:
Oceania
Baker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,830 nm (3,389 km)
southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 1,815 nm (3,361
km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and
Australia
Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 1,305 nm (2,417 km)
south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and the Cook Islands
Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 nm (1,328 km)
southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the
Marshall Islands
Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 930 nm (1,722 km)
south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa
Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,260 nm (2,334 km)
northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago,
about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo
Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 960 nm (1,778 km)
south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa
Geographic coordinates:
Baker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 W
Howland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 W
Jarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 W
Johnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 W
Kingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 W
Midway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 W
Palmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total - 6,959.41 sq km; emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged -
6,937 sq km
Baker Island: total - 129 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km;
submerged - 127 sq km
Howland Island: total - 139 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km;
submerged - 136 sq km
Jarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged
- 147 sq km
Johnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km;
submerged - 274 sq km
Kingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km;
submerged - 1,958 sq km
Midway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km;
submerged - 2,349 sq km
Palmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km;
submerged - 1,946 sq km
Area - comparative:
Baker Island: about two and a half times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Howland Island: about three times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Johnston Atoll: about four and a half times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Kingman Reef: a little more than one and a half times the size of
The Mall in Washington, DC
Midway Islands: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
Baker Island: 4.8 km
Howland Island: 6.4 km
Jarvis Island: 8 km
Johnston Atoll: 34 km
Kingman Reef: 3 km
Midway Islands: 15 km
Palmyra Atoll: 14.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall,
constant wind, burning sun
Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry;
consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature
variation
Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to
February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by
prevailing easterly winds; most of the 1,067 mm (42 in) of annual
rainfall occurs during the winter
Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area
of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and
southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between
4,000-5,000 mm (160-200 in) of rainfall each year
Terrain:
low and nearly level sandy coral islands with narrow fringing reefs
that have developed at the top of submerged volcanic mountains,
which in most cases rise steeply from the ocean floor
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Baker Island, unnamed location - 8 m; Howland Island,
unnamed location - 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location - 7 m;
Johnston Atoll, Sand Island - 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location -
less than 1 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location - 13 m; Palmyra
Atoll, unnamed location - 2 m
Natural resources:
terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Natural hazards:
Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef
surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of
less than 1 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard
Midway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA
Environment - current issues:
Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Johnston Atoll: no natural
fresh water resources
Kingman Reef: none
Midway Islands and Palmyra Atoll: NA
Geography - note:
Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting
of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a
nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,
and marine wildlife
Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands,
which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and
East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging;
the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference
Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed
to the public
Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge
and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form
of wildlife observation and photography
Palmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make
the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island
territories; it supports one of the largest remaining undisturbed
stands of Pisonia beach forest in the Pacific
People United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and
Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and
educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service
Johnston Atoll: in previous years, an average of 1,100 US military
and civilian contractor personnel were present; as of May 2005 all
US government personnel had left the island
Midway Islands: approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish
and Wildlife Service and their services contractor living at the
atoll
Palmyra Atoll: four to 20 Nature Conservancy and US Fish and
Wildlife staff
Government United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Baker Island; Howland Island; Jarvis
Island; Johnston Atoll; Kingman Reef; Midway Islands; Palmyra Atoll
Dependency status:
unincorporated territories of the US; administered from Washington,
DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the
Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
note on Palmyra Atoll: incorporated Territory of the US; partly
privately owned and partly federally owned; administered from
Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US
Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US
Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded
areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nm
territorial sea or within the lagoon
Legal system:
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:
the flag of the US is used
Economy United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Transportation United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Airports:
Baker Island: one abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m covered
with vegetation and unusable
Howland Island: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling
stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred
NOONAN; the aviators left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island but
were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable
Johnston Atoll: 1 - closed and not maintained
Kingman Reef: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii
and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937
and 1938
Midway Islands: 3 - one operational (2,409 m paved); no fuel for
sale except emergencies
Palmyra Atoll: 1 - 1,846 m unpaved runway; privately owned (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Kingman Reef: none;
offshore anchorage only
Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island
Midway Islands: Sand Island
Palmyra Atoll: West Lagoon
Military United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Uruguay
Introduction Uruguay
Background:
Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military
stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an
important commercial center. Annexed by Brazil as a separate
province in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later
and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The
administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century
established widespread political, social, and economic reforms. A
violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros,
launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to agree to
military control of his administration in 1973. By yearend, the
rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its
hold throughout the government. Civilian rule was not restored until
1985. In 2004, the left-of-center EP-FA Coalition won national
elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control
previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay's
political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.
Geography Uruguay
Location:
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between
Argentina and Brazil
Geographic coordinates:
33 00 S, 56 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 176,220 sq km
land: 173,620 sq km
water: 2,600 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than the state of Washington
Land boundaries: total: 1,564 km border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km
Coastline: 660 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Terrain:
mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m
Natural resources: arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries
Land use: arable land: 7.77% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 91.99% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,100 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional
violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts,
floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather
barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes
from weather fronts
Environment - current issues: water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of
the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is
grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising
People Uruguay
Population:
3,431,932 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.9% (male 399,409/female 386,136)
15-64 years: 63.9% (male 1,087,180/female 1,104,465)
65 years and over: 13.3% (male 185,251/female 269,491) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 32.7 years
male: 31.3 years
female: 34.2 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.46% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
13.91 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
9.05 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.61 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 12.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.33 years
male: 73.12 years
female: 79.65 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.89 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
6,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Uruguayan(s)
adjective: Uruguayan
Ethnic groups:
white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically
nonexistent)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 66% (less than half of the adult population attends
church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, nonprofessing or other
31%
Languages:
Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the
Brazilian frontier)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 97.6%
female: 98.4% (2003 est.)
Government Uruguay
Country name:
conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
conventional short form: Uruguay
local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay
local short form: Uruguay
former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Montevideo
geographic coordinates: 34 53 S, 56 11 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends
second Sunday in March
Administrative divisions:
19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas,
Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida,
Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera,
Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres
Independence:
25 August 1825 (from Brazil)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 August (1825)
Constitution:
27 November 1966, effective February 1967; suspended 27 June 1973,
new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two
constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7
January 1997
Legal system:
based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005)
and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March
2005) and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with
parliamentary approval
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive
terms); election last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October
2009)
election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote
- Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%, Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%, Guillermo STIRLING
10.3%; other 4.1%
Legislative branch:
bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber
of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms; vice president has one vote
in the Senate) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de
Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 31 October 2004 (next to
be held October 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 31
October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -
NA%; seats by party - EP-FA 16, Blanco 11, Colorado Party 3; Chamber
of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party
- EP-FA 52, Blanco 36, Colorado Party 10, Independent Party 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected
for 10-year terms by the General Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Colorado Party [Julio Maria SANGUINETTI]; Independent Party
(Partido Independiente) [Pablo MIERES]; Movement of Popular
Participation or MPP [Jose MUJICA]; National Party or Blanco [Jorge
LARRANAGA]; New Sector/Space Coalition (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael
MICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition (Encuentro
Progresista/Frente Amplio) or EP-FA [Tabare VAZQUEZ]; Socialist
Party of Uruguay or Socialists [Reinaldo GARGANO]; Uruguayan
Assembly or Asamblea Uruguay [Danilo ASTORI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization);
Catholic Church; Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's
association); Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional
organization); PIT-CNT (powerful federation of Uruguayan unions);
Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association); students;
Uruguayan Construction League
International organization participation:
CAN (associate), CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,
ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM
(observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP,
UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois
chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: (202) 331-1313 through 1316
FAX: (202) 331-8142
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires James D. NEALON embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: (2) 418-7777 FAX: (2) 418-8611
Flag description:
nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating
with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner
with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with
16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy
Economy Uruguay
Economy - overview:
Uruguay's well-to-do economy is characterized by an export-oriented
agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of
social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during
1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn,
stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems
of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. For instance, in
2001-02 Argentina made massive withdrawals of dollars deposited in
Uruguayan banks, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayan peso and a
massive rise in unemployment. Total GDP in these four years dropped
by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to the banking crisis.
The unemployment rate rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged,
and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMF
helped stem the damage. A debt swap with private-sector creditors in
2003 extended the maturity dates on nearly half of Uruguay's then
$11.3 billion of public debt and helped restore public confidence.
The economy grew about 10% in 2004 as a result of high commodity
prices for Uruguayan exports, a competitive peso, growth in the
region, and low international interest rates, but slowed to 6.1% in
2005.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$33.98 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$13.24 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,900 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.3% industry: 31.1% services: 59.6% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 1.52 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14% industry: 16% services: 70%
Unemployment rate:
12.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
22% of households (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 25.8% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
44.6 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.7% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
12.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $4.468 billion
expenditures: $4.845 billion; including capital expenditures of $193
million (2005 est.)
Public debt:
81.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish
Industries:
food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment,
petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
8.5% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
8.611 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.7% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
7.762 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
900 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
654 million kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
435 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
38,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
60 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
65 million cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:
$-87.9 million (2005 est.)
Exports:
$3.55 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products
Exports - partners:
US 18.6%, Brazil 15.6%, Mexico 6.9%, Argentina 6.1%, Spain 4.1%,
Germany 4% (2005)
Imports:
$3.54 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum
Imports - partners:
Argentina 18.9%, Brazil 18.5%, Paraguay 14%, US 8.6%, China 6.2%
(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.079 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$13.24 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Currency (code):
Uruguayan peso (UYU)
Currency code:
UYU
Exchange rates:
Uruguayan pesos per US dollar - 24.479 (2005), 28.704 (2004),
28.209 (2003), 21.257 (2002), 13.319 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Uruguay
Telephones - main lines in use:
1 million (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
600,000 (2004)
Telephone system:
general assessment: fully digitalized
domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new
nationwide microwave radio relay network
international: country code - 598; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 93, FM 191, shortwave 7 (2005)
Radios:
1.97 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
62 (2005)
Televisions:
782,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.uy
Internet hosts:
145,774 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
14 (2001)
Internet users:
680,000 (2005)
Transportation Uruguay
Airports: 64 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 56 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 31 (2006)
Pipelines:
gas 257 km; oil 160 km (2006)
Railways:
total: 2,073 km
standard gauge: 2,073 km 1.435-m gauge
note: 461 km have been taken out of service and 460 km are in
partial use (2005)
Roadways: total: 77,732 km paved: 7,743 km unpaved: 69,989 km (2004)
Waterways:
1,600 km (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 13 ships (1000 GRT or over) 34,259 GRT/19,725 DWT
by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum
tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 4 (Argentina 3, Greece 1)
registered in other countries: 8 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 2, Liberia 3,
Spain 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Fray Bentos, Colonia, Juan Lacaze
Military Uruguay
Military branches:
Army, Navy (includes naval air arm, Marines, Maritime Prefecture in
wartime), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 764,408
females age 18-49: 760,341 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 637,445
females age 18-49: 631,046 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$371.2 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
2.1% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Uruguay
Disputes - international:
uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the
Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with
Argentina
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Uzbekistan
Introduction Uzbekistan
Background:
Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff
resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually
suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the
Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain
led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies,
which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain
rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to
gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its
mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism
by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of
human rights and democratization.
Geography Uzbekistan
Location:
Central Asia, north of Afghanistan
Geographic coordinates:
41 00 N, 64 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 447,400 sq km
land: 425,400 sq km
water: 22,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 6,221 km
border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km,
Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km
Coastline:
0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern
portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline
Maritime claims:
none (doubly landlocked)
Climate:
mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters;
semiarid grassland in east
Terrain:
mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat
intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr
Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded
by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m
highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead
and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
Land use: arable land: 10.51% permanent crops: 0.76% other: 88.73% (2005)
Irrigated land:
42,810 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of
chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then
blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to
desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the
heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human
health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination
from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including
DDT
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked
countries in the world
People Uzbekistan
Population:
27,307,134 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32.9% (male 4,572,721/female 4,403,405)
15-64 years: 62.3% (male 8,420,174/female 8,594,478)
65 years and over: 4.8% (male 539,336/female 777,020) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.7 years
male: 22 years
female: 23.3 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.7% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
26.36 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
7.84 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 69.99 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 74.14 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 65.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.58 years
male: 61.19 years
female: 68.14 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.91 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
11,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Uzbekistani
adjective: Uzbekistani
Ethnic groups:
Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%,
Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)
Religions:
Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%
Languages:
Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.3%
male: 99.6%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government Uzbekistan
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan
conventional short form: Uzbekistan
local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi
local short form: Ozbekiston
former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power
outside the executive branch
Capital:
name: Tashkent (Toshkent)
geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 69 18 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous
republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati,
Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan
Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi),
Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo
Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent
Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their
administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center
name following in parentheses)
Independence:
1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 September (1991)
Constitution:
new constitution adopted 8 December 1992
Legal system:
evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicial
system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when
he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet)
head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11
December 2003)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with
approval of the Supreme Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term
(eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term,
extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 9
January 2000 (next to be held in 2007); prime minister, ministers,
and deputy ministers appointed by the president
election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote
- Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an Upper
House or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional
governing councils to serve five-year terms and 16 are appointed by
the president) and a Lower House or Legislative Chamber (120 seats;
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be
held December 2009)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9,
unaffiliated 10
note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed
by the Supreme Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Dilorom TOSHMUHAMMADOVA,
chairman]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) or
MTP [Xurshid DOSTMUHAMMADOV, chief]; Liberal Democratic Party of
Uzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHODMONOV, chairman]; People's Democratic
Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV, first
secretary]; Self-Sacrificers Party or Fidokorlar National Democratic
Party [Ahtam TURSUNOV, chief]; note - Fatherland Progress Party
merged with Self-Sacrificers Party
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik (Unity)
Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic
Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; Ezgulik
Human Rights Society [Vasilia INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers' Party or
Ozod Dehqonlar [Nigara KHIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society of
Uzbekistan [Tolib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights
Society of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum; Sunshine
Coalition [Sanjar UMAROV, chairman]
International organization participation:
AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,
IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOV chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: (202) 887-5300 FAX: (202) 293-6804 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jon PURNELL
embassy: 3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent
100093
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: (71) 120-5450
FAX: (71) 120-6335
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green
separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12
white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
Economy Uzbekistan
Economy - overview:
Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of
intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its
population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan
is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter and fifth largest
producer; it relies heavily on cotton production as the major source
of export earnings. Other major export earners include gold, natural
gas, and oil. Following independence in September 1991, the
government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with
subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. While aware
of the need to improve the investment climate, the government still
sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, its control
over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of
income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since
independence. In 2003, the government accepted the obligations of
Article VIII under the International Monetary Fund (IMF), providing
for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls
and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of
convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further
stifled economic activity. The Central Bank often delays or
restricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods. Potential
investment by Russia and China in Uzbekistan's gas and oil industry
would increase economic growth prospects. In November 2005, Russian
President Vladimir PUTIN and Uzbekistan President KARIMOV signed an
"alliance" treaty, which included provisions for economic and
business cooperation. Russian businesses have shown increased
interest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining, telecom, and oil and
gas. In December 2005, the Russians opened a "Trade House" to
support and develop Russian-Uzbek business and economic ties.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$50.31 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$9.86 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,900 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34.2% industry: 22.9% services: 43% (2003 est.)
Labor force: 14.26 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 44% industry: 20% services: 36% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
0.7% officially, plus another 20% underemployed (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
28% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 22% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26.8 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.9% (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $2.815 billion
expenditures: $2.917 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
36.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock
Industries:
textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold
petroleum, natural gas, chemicals
Industrial production growth rate:
7.7% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
46.52 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 88.2% hydro: 11.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
48.45 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
5.36 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
10.55 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
152,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - consumption:
120,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
600 million bbl (1 January 2005)
Natural gas - production:
55.8 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - consumption:
49.3 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - exports:
6.5 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2004)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.875 trillion cu m (1 January 2005)
Current account balance:
$1.082 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cotton 41.5%, gold 9.6%, energy products 9.6%, mineral fertilizers,
ferrous metals, textiles, food products, automobiles (1998)
Exports - partners:
Russia 24.6%, China 12.3%, Turkey 7.1%, Ukraine 5.6%, Bangladesh
4.9%, Poland 4.3%, Tajikistan 4.2% (2005)
Imports:
$3.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment 49.8%, foodstuffs 16.4%, chemicals, metals
(1998)
Imports - partners:
Russia 26.7%, South Korea 15.3%, Germany 8.9%, China 7.2%,
Kazakhstan 6.4%, Turkey 4.7%, Ukraine 4.7% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.681 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.032 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$91.6 million from the US (2005)
Currency (code):
Uzbekistani soum (UZS)
Currency code:
UZS
Exchange rates:
Uzbekistani soum per US dollar - 1,020 (2005), 971.265 (2004),
771.029 (2002), 423.832 (2002), 236.61 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Uzbekistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,717,100 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
720,000 (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of
modernization
domestic: the domestic telephone system is being expanded and
technologically improved, particularly in Tashkent (Toshkent) and
Samarqand, under contracts with prominent companies in
industrialized countries; moreover, by 1998, six cellular networks
had been placed in operation - four of the GSM type (Global System
for Mobile Communication), one D-AMPS type (Digital Advanced Mobile
Phone System), and one AMPS type (Advanced Mobile Phone System)
international: country code - 998; linked by landline or microwave
radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased
connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the
completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE)
fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian
facilities for international communications; Inmarsat also provides
an international connection, albeit an expensive one; satellite
earth stations - NA (1998)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 10 (1998)
Radios:
10.8 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus two repeaters that relay Russian programs), 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent; approximately 20 stations in regional capitals (2003)
Televisions:
6.4 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.uz
Internet hosts:
9,058 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
42 (2000)
Internet users:
880,000 (2005)
Transportation Uzbekistan
Airports: 61 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 34 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 25 (2006)
Pipelines: gas 9,594 km; oil 868 km (2006)
Railways: total: 3,950 km broad gauge: 3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways: total: 81,600 km paved: 71,237 km unpaved: 10,363 km (1999)
Waterways:
1,100 km (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Termiz (Amu Darya)
Military Uzbekistan
Military branches:
Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service
obligation - 12 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 6,340,220
females age 18-49: 6,432,072 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 4,609,621
females age 18-49: 5,383,233 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 324,722
females age 18-49: 317,062 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$200 million (FY97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
2% (FY97)
Transnational Issues Uzbekistan
Disputes - international:
prolonged drought and cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and
Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river
states; delimitation with Kazakhstan complete with demarcation
underway; border delimitation of 130 km of border with Kyrgyzstan is
hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 39,202 (Tajikistan) 5,238
(Afghanistan)
IDPs: 3,000 (forced population transfers by government from villages
near Tajikistan border) (2005)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Uzbekistan is a source and, to a lesser extent,
a transit country for women trafficked to Asia and the Middle East
for the purpose of sexual exploitation; women from other Central
Asian countries and China are trafficked through Uzbekistan; men are
trafficked for purposes of forced labor in the construction and
agricultural industries to Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, and
Kyrgyzstan; men and women are also trafficked within the country
tier rating: Tier 3 - Uzbekistan is placed on Tier 3 because it
failed to fulfill commitments by the country to take additional
steps during 2005, including the adoption of comprehensive
anti-trafficking legislation, criminal code amendments to raise
trafficking penalties, support to the country's first trafficking
shelter, and approval of a national action plan
Illicit drugs:
transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a
lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation
of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic
consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop
eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals
bound for Afghanistan
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Vanuatu
Introduction Vanuatu
Background:
Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language,
migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceeding European
exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts
for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to
this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in
the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium,
which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the
new name of Vanuatu was adopted.
Geography Vanuatu
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates:
16 00 S, 167 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 12,200 sq km
land: 12,200 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
2,528 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October;
moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by
cyclones from December to April
Terrain:
mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Land use: arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 6.97% other: 91.39% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanic eruption
on Aoba (Ambae) island began 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes
minor earthquakes; tsunamis
Environment - current issues: a majority of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; deforestation
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands;
several of the islands have active volcanoes
People Vanuatu
Population:
208,869 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32.6% (male 34,804/female 33,331)
15-64 years: 63.7% (male 67,919/female 65,138)
65 years and over: 3.7% (male 4,027/female 3,650) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 23 years
male: 23 years
female: 23 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.49% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
22.72 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
7.82 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 53.8 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 56.35 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 51.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 62.85 years
male: 61.34 years
female: 64.44 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.7 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
Ethnic groups:
Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 Census)
Religions:
Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Roman Catholic 13.1%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, other Christian 13.8%, indigenous
beliefs 5.6% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 9.6%, none 1%,
unspecified 1.3% (1999 Census)
Languages:
local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama or
Bichelama) 23.1%, English 1.9%, French 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified
0.7% (1999 Census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 74%
male: NA
female: NA
Government Vanuatu
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form: Vanuatu
local long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatu
local short form: Vanuatu
former: New Hebrides
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Port-Vila (on Efate)
geographic coordinates: 17 44 S, 168 19 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba
Independence:
30 July 1980 (from France and UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
Constitution:
30 July 1980
Legal system:
unified system being created from former dual French and British
systems
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16 August
2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 11 December
2004); Deputy Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 11 December 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister,
responsible to Parliament
elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral
college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional
councils; election for president last held 16 August 2004 (next to
be held in 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime
minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime
minister last held 29 July 2004 (next to be held following general
elections in 2008)
election results: Kalkot Matas KELEKELE elected president, with 49
votes out of 56, after several ballots on 16 August 2004
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 6 July 2004 (next to be held 2008)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
NUP 10, UMP 8, VP 8, VRP 4, MPP 3, VGP 3, other and independent 16;
note - political party associations are fluid
note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture
and language
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after
consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the
opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on
the advice of the Judicial Service Commission)
Political parties and leaders:
Jon Frum Movement [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or
MPP [Barak SOPE]; National United Party or NUP [Hem LINI]; Union of
Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land
Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Greens Party or VGP [Moana
CARCASSES]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca,
SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have
a Permanent Mission to the UN
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua
New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black
isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a
black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two
points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle);
centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed
namele leaves, all in yellow
Economy Vanuatu
Economy - overview:
This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale
agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the population.
Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with about 50,000
visitors in 2004, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral
deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum
deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market.
Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is
hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports,
vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main
markets and between constituent islands. GDP growth rose less than
3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns, the
government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore
financial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts to
boost tourism. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a
second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main
suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$276.3 million (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$341 million
GDP - real growth rate:
6.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,900 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: 12% services: 62% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 76,410
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.7% NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-1.6% (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $78.7 million
expenditures: $72.23 million (2003)
Agriculture - products:
copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables;
beef; fish
Industries:
food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Industrial production growth rate:
1% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:
41 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
38.13 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
620 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:
$-28.35 million
Exports:
$34.11 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:
copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee
Exports - partners:
Thailand 46.5%, India 14.1%, Poland 7.9%, Turkey 7.7%, Japan 6.9%
(2005)
Imports:
$117.1 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels
Imports - partners:
Australia 18.4%, Japan 16.6%, Singapore 14.7%, Poland 8.5%, NZ
7.2%, Fiji 6.3% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$40.54 million
Debt - external:
$81.2 million (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:
$37.8 million (2004)
Currency (code):
vatu (VUV)
Currency code:
VUV
Exchange rates:
vatu per US dollar - NA (2005), 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003), 139.2
(2002), 145.31 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Vanuatu
Telephones - main lines in use:
6,800 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
12,700 (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2004)
Radios:
67,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2004)
Televisions:
2,300 (1999)
Internet country code:
.vu
Internet hosts:
413 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
7,500 (2004)
Transportation Vanuatu
Airports:
31 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 18 (2006)
Roadways:
total: 1,070 km
paved: 256 km
unpaved: 814 km (1999)
Merchant marine:
total: 51 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,340,132 GRT/1,908,687 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 29, cargo 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2,
petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 2,
vehicle carrier 5
foreign-owned: 51 (Australia 2, Canada 5, Denmark 6, Estonia 1,
Japan 28, Poland 5, Russia 1, Switzerland 2, US 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)
Military Vanuatu
Military branches:
no regular military forces; security forces comprise the Vanuatu
Police Force (VPF) and paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF),
which includes Vanuatu's naval force, known as the Police Maritime
Wing (PMW); border security in Vanuatu is the joint responsibility
of the Customs and Inland Revenue Service, VPF, VMF, and PMW (2003)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 50,221 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 33,837 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
NA
Transnational Issues Vanuatu
Disputes - international: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Venezuela
Introduction Venezuela
Background:
Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse
of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada,
which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th
century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military
strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social
reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since
1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, has promoted a
controversial policy of "democratic socialism," which purports to
alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalization
and undermining regional stability. Current concerns include: a
weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a
politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian
border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the
petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible
mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and
indigenous peoples.
Geography Venezuela
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Geographic coordinates:
8 00 N, 66 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 912,050 sq km
land: 882,050 sq km
water: 30,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries: total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
Coastline: 2,800 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 15 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain:
Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains
(llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals,
hydropower, diamonds
Land use: arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.88% other: 96.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:
5,750 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel
Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall
People Venezuela
Population:
25,730,435 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29.1% (male 3,860,116/female 3,620,440)
15-64 years: 65.7% (male 8,494,944/female 8,410,874)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 609,101/female 734,960) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 26 years
male: 25.4 years
female: 26.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.38% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
18.71 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
4.92 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.54 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 24.58 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.54 years
male: 71.49 years
female: 77.81 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.23 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.7% - note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
110,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Venezuelan(s)
adjective: Venezuelan
Ethnic groups:
Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous
people
Religions:
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Languages:
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.4%
male: 93.8%
female: 93.1% (2003 est.)
Government Venezuela
Country name:
conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
conventional short form: Venezuela
local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
local short form: Venezuela
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Caracas
geographic coordinates: 10 30 N, 66 56 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 capital district*
(distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia
federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar,
Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito
Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva
Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia
note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled
island groups with a total of 72 individual islands
Independence:
5 July 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 5 July (1811)
Constitution:
30 December 1999
Legal system:
open, adversarial court system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February
1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28 April
2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February
1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28 April 2002)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006
(next to be held December 2012)
note: in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new
constitution that increased the presidential term to six years; an
election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of
this new constitution
election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of
vote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 63%, Manuel ROSALES 37%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (167 seats;
members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three
seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)
elections: last held 4 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
pro-government 167 (MVR 114, PODEMOS 15, PPT 11, indigenous 2, other
25), opposition 0
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia
(magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single
12-year term)
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democrats or COPEI [Eduardo FERNANDEZ]; Democratic Action
or AD [Jesus MENDEZ Quijada]; Fatherland for All or PPT [Jose
ALBORNOZ]; Fifth Republic Movement or MVR [Hugo CHAVEZ]; Justice
First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Hector
MUJICA]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer]; We Can or
PODEMOS [Ismael GARCIA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups;
Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization
dominated by the Democratic Action)
International organization participation:
CAN, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-3, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, NAM,
OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ Herrera
chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: (202) 342-2214
FAX: (202) 342-6820
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans,
New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD
embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle
Arriba, Caracas 1080
mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037
telephone: (212) 975-9234, 975-6411
FAX: (212) 975-8991
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with
the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of
eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band
Economy Venezuela
Economy - overview:
Venezuela continues to be highly dependent on the petroleum sector,
accounting for roughly one-third of GDP, around 80% of export
earnings, and over half of government operating revenues. Government
revenue also has been bolstered by increased tax collection, which
has surpassed its 2005 collection goal by almost 50%. Tax revenue is
the primary source of non-oil revenue, which accounts for 53% of the
2006 budget. A disastrous two-month national oil strike, from
December 2002 to February 2003, temporarily halted economic
activity. The economy remained in depression in 2003, declining by
9.2% after an 8.9% fall in 2002. Output recovered strongly in
2004-2005, aided by high oil prices and strong consumption growth.
Venezuela continues to be an important source of crude oil for the
US market. Both inflation and unemployment remain fundamental
problems.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$162.1 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$106.1 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
9.3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,400 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 41.9% services: 54.1% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 12.31 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 13% industry: 23% services: 64% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
47% (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 36.5% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
49.1 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
16% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
19% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $39.63 billion
expenditures: $41.27 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.6
billion (2005 est.)
Public debt:
34.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef,
pork, milk, eggs; fish
Industries:
petroleum, construction materials, food processing, textiles; iron
ore mining, steel, aluminum; motor vehicle assembly
Industrial production growth rate:
7.2% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
87.44 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 31.7% hydro: 68.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
81.32 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
3.081 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
530,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
2.1 million bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
75.59 billion bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:
29.7 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
29.7 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
4.191 trillion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:
$25.36 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$52.73 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural
products, basic manufactures
Exports - partners:
US 51.2%, Netherlands Antilles 7.3%, Canada 2.4% (2005)
Imports:
$24.63 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment,
construction materials
Imports - partners:
US 31.6%, Colombia 11%, Brazil 9.1%, Mexico 6.9% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$29.64 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$41.51 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$74 million (2000)
Currency (code):
bolivar (VEB)
Currency code:
VEB
Exchange rates:
bolivares per US dollar - 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004), 1,607
(2003), 1,161 (2002), 723.7 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Venezuela
Telephones - main lines in use:
3,605,500 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
12.496 million (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern and expanding
domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent
substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas;
substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines;
installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of
digital multimedia services
international: country code - 58; 3 submarine coaxial cables;
satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1
PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in
the construction of an international fiber-optic network
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998)
Radios:
10.75 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:
4.1 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.ve
Internet hosts:
51,968 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
16 (2000)
Internet users:
3.04 million (2005)
Transportation Venezuela
Airports: 375 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 129 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 60 under 914 m: 19 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 246 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 90 under 914 m: 147 (2006)
Heliports:
1 (2006)
Pipelines:
extra heavy crude 992 km; gas 5,369 km; oil 7,607 km; refined
products 1,681 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2006)
Railways:
total: 682 km
standard gauge: 682 km 1.435-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:
total: 96,155 km
paved: 32,308 km
unpaved: 63,847 km (1999)
Waterways:
7,100 km
note: Orinoco River and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing
vessels, Orinoco for 400 km (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 56 ships (1000 GRT or over) 824,941 GRT/1,327,924 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 10, chemical tanker 2, container 1,
liquefied gas 6, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 18
foreign-owned: 13 (Denmark 3, Greece 3, India 1, Mexico 3, Panama 1,
Russia 1, Spain 1)
registered in other countries: 15 (Bahamas 1, Panama 14) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Amuay, La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon
Military Venezuela
Military branches:
National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales or FAN): Ground
Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces
(Fuerzas Navales or Armada; includes Marines, Coast Guard), Air
Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or
National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;
conscript service obligation - 30 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 6,236,012
females age 18-49: 6,137,622 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 4,907,947
females age 18-49: 5,151,843 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 252,396
females age 18-49: 237,300 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$1.61 billion (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.2% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Venezuela
Disputes - international:
claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana,
preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has
expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that
Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into
their waters; dispute with Colombia over Los Monjes islands and
maritime boundary near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized
illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela's
shared border region resulting in several thousand residents
migrating away from the border; US, France, and the Netherlands
recognize Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island,
which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a
large portion of the Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis,
Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protest
Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation and
other states' recognition of it
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination
country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual
exploitation and forced labor; women and children from Colombia,
China, Peru, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic are trafficked to
and through Venezuela and subjected to commercial sexual
exploitation or forced labor; Venezuelans are trafficked internally
and to Western Europe, particularly Spain and the Netherlands, and
to countries in the Caribbean region for commercial sexual
exploitation; Venezuela is a transit country for illegal migrants
from other countries in the region and for Asian nationals, some are
believed to be trafficking victims
tier rating: Tier 3 - Venezuela does not fully comply with the
minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not
making significant efforts to do so
Illicit drugs:
small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing
of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of
cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia
bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related
money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia
and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily
targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by
Colombian insurgents on border
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Vietnam
Introduction Vietnam
Background:
The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed
by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam
declared independence after World War II, but France continued to
rule until its 1954 defeat by Communist forces under Ho Chi MINH.
Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the
Communist North and anti-Communist South. US economic and military
aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster
the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a
cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese
forces overran the South reuniting the country under Communist rule.
Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country
experienced little economic growth because of conservative
leadership policies. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi
moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have
committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted
structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce
more competitive, export-driven industries. The country continues to
experience protests from various groups - such as the Protestant
Montagnard ethnic minority population of the Central Highlands and
the Hoa Hao Buddhists in southern Vietnam over religious
persecution. Montagnard grievances also include the loss of land to
Vietnamese settlers.
Geography Vietnam
Location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin,
and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia
Geographic coordinates:
16 00 N, 106 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 329,560 sq km
land: 325,360 sq km
water: 4,200 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries: total: 4,639 km border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km
Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands)
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May
to September) and warm, dry season (October to March)
Terrain:
low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly,
mountainous in far north and northwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m
Natural resources:
phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and
gas deposits, forests, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 20.14% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 72.93% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30,000 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding,
especially in the Mekong River delta
Environment - current issues:
logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to
deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing
threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits
potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population
migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
City
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across
at its narrowest point
People Vietnam
Population:
84,402,966 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27% (male 11,826,457/female 10,983,069)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 28,055,941/female 28,614,553)
65 years and over: 5.8% (male 1,924,562/female 2,998,384) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.9 years
male: 24.8 years
female: 27.1 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.02% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
16.86 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
6.22 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 25.54 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 24.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.85 years
male: 68.05 years
female: 73.85 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.91 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
220,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
9,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis,
and plague are high risks in some locations
animal contact disease: rabies
water contact disease: leptospirosis
note: at present, H5N1 avian influenza poses a minimal risk; during
outbreaks among birds, rare cases could occur among US personnel who
have close contact with infected birds or poultry (2005)
Nationality:
noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural)
adjective: Vietnamese
Ethnic groups:
Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa
1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999 census)
Religions:
Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%,
Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)
Languages:
Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second
language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages
(Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.3%
male: 93.9%
female: 86.9% (2002)
Government Vietnam
Country name:
conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
conventional short form: Vietnam
local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam
local short form: Viet Nam
abbreviation: SRV
Government type:
Communist state
Capital:
name: Hanoi
geographic coordinates: 21 02 N, 105 51 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
59 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities
(thanh pho, singular and plural)
provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba
Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh
Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dac Lak, Dac Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai,
Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong,
Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai
Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh
Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang
Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh,
Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen
Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai
municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh
Independence:
2 September 1945 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 2 September (1945)
Constitution:
15 April 1992
Legal system:
based on communist legal theory and French civil law system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nguyen Minh TRIET (since 27 June 2006);
Vice President Truong My HOA (since 25 July 2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 27 June
2006); Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh HUNG (since 28 June 2006),
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia KHIEM (since 28 June 2006), and
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh TRONG (since 28 June 2006)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of prime
minister and confirmed by National Assembly
elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its
members for five-year term; election last held 27 June 2006; prime
minister appointed by the president from among the members of the
National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime
minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministers
confirmed by National Assembly
election results: Nguyen Minh TRIET elected president; percent of
National Assembly vote - 94%; Nguyen Tan DUNG elected prime
minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 92%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Quoc-Hoi (498 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 19 May 2002 (next to be held 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - CPV 90%, other 10% (the
10% are not CPV members but are approved by the CPV to stand for
election); seats by party - CPV 447, CPV-approved 51
Judicial branch:
Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year
term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president)
Political parties and leaders:
only party - Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc MANH]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ACCT (observer), APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nguyen Tam CHIEN
chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: (202) 861-0737
FAX: (202) 861-0917
consulate(s) general: San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. MARINE embassy: 7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: (4) 772-1500 FAX: (4) 772-1510 consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City
Flag description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
Economy Vietnam
Economy - overview:
Vietnam is a densely-populated, developing country that in the last
30 years has had to recover from the ravages of war, the loss of
financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a
centrally-planned economy. Substantial progress was achieved from
1986 to 1997 in moving forward from an extremely low level of
development and significantly reducing poverty. Growth averaged
around 9% per year from 1993 to 1997. The 1997 Asian financial
crisis highlighted the problems in the Vietnamese economy and
temporarily allowed opponents of reform to slow progress toward a
market-oriented economy. GDP growth averaged 6.8% per year from 1997
to 2004 even against the background of the Asian financial crisis
and a global recession, and growth hit 8% in 2005. Since 2001,
however, Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to
economic liberalization and international integration. They have
moved to implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the
economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries.
Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and entry
into force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in December
2001 have led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam's trade and
economic regime. Vietnam's exports to the US doubled in 2002 and
again in 2003. Vietnam hopes to become a member of the WTO in 2006.
Among other benefits, accession would allow Vietnam to take
advantage of the phase out of the Agreement on Textiles and
Clothing, which eliminated quotas on textiles and clothing for WTO
partners on 1 January 2005. Agriculture's share of economic output
has continued to shrink, from about 25% in 2000 to 21% in 2005. Deep
poverty, defined as a percent of the population living under $1 per
day, has declined significantly and is now smaller than that of
China, India, and the Philippines. Vietnam is working to promote job
creation to keep up with the country's high population growth rate.
However, high levels of inflation have prompted Vietnamese
authorities to tighten monetary and fiscal policies.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$235.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$43.75 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
8.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.9% industry: 41% services: 38.1% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 44.39 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 56.8% industry: 37% services: 6.2% (July 2005)
Unemployment rate:
2.4% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
19.5% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 29.9% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.1 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.3% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
33.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $11.64 billion
expenditures: $12.95 billion; including capital expenditures of $1.8
billion (2005 est.)
Public debt:
48.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
paddy rice, coffee, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews,
sugar cane, peanuts, bananas; poultry; fish, seafood
Industries:
food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal,
steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, paper
Industrial production growth rate:
17.2% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
46.2 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 43.7% hydro: 56.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
52 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:
NA kWh
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh
Oil - production:
400,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
216,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
600 million bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:
6.342 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
6.342 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
NA cu m
Natural gas - proved reserves:
192.6 billion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:
$-309 million (2005 est.)
Exports:
$32.23 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments,
shoes
Exports - partners:
US 21.2%, Japan 13.3%, Australia 8.4%, China 7.5%, Singapore 5.3%,
Germany 5% (2005)
Imports:
$36.88 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel
products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles
Imports - partners:
China 16.3%, Singapore 12.8%, Taiwan 11.7%, Japan 10.4%, South
Korea 9.9%, Thailand 6.8% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$8.863 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$20.16 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $2.8 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 2000 (2004)
Currency (code):
dong (VND)
Currency code:
VND
Exchange rates:
dong per US dollar - 15,746 (2005), (2004), 15,510 (2003), 15,280
(2002), 14,725 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Vietnam
Telephones - main lines in use:
15.845 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.593 million (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort into
modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system, but its
performance continues to lag behind that of its more modern neighbors
domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to
Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or
microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been substantially
increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly
international: country code - 84; satellite earth stations - 2
Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999)
Radios:
8.2 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
6 (plus 61 provincial TV stations) (2006)
Televisions:
3.57 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.vn
Internet hosts:
12,114 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
5 (2000)
Internet users:
13.1 million (2006)
Transportation Vietnam
Airports: 32 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Pipelines:
condensate/gas 432 km; gas 163 km; oil 50 km; refined products 206
km (2006)
Railways:
total: 2,600 km
standard gauge: 178 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 2,169 km 1.000-m gauge
dual gauge: 253 km three-rail track combining 1.435 m and 1.000-m
gauges (2005)
Roadways: total: 222,179 km paved: 42,167 km unpaved: 180,012 km (2004)
Waterways:
17,702 km (5,000 km navigable by vessels up to 1.8 m draft) (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 267 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,423,936 GRT/2,191,858 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 23, cargo 202, chemical tanker 4, container 5,
liquefied gas 5, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 2, roll
on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1)
registered in other countries: 17 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Honduras
1, Mongolia 8, Panama 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, unknown
2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City
Military Vietnam
Military branches:
People's Armed Forces: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes
People's Navy Command (with naval infantry, coast guard), Air and
Air Defense Force (Kon Quan Nhan Dan), Border Defense Command),
People's Public Security Forces, Militia Force, Self-Defense Forces
(2005)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (male) for compulsory military service; females may
volunteer for active duty military service; conscript service
obligation - 2 years (3-4 years in the navy); 18-45 years of age
(male) or 18-40 years of age (female) for Militia Force or Self
Defense Forces (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 21,341,813
females age 18-49: 21,430,808 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 16,032,358
females age 18-49: 17,921,241 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 915,572
females age 18-49: 864,161 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$650 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
2.5% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Vietnam
Disputes - international:
southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check
the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese
squatters and armed encroachments along border; after years of
Cambodia claiming Vietnam had moved or destroyed boundary markers,
in 2005, after much domestic debate, Cambodia ratified an agreement
with Vietnam that settled all but a small portion of the land
boundary; establishment of a maritime boundary with Cambodia is
hampered by unresolved dispute over offshore islands; in 2004,
Laotian-Vietnamese boundary commission agrees to erect missing
markers in two adjoining provinces; demarcation of the China-Vietnam
boundary proceeds slowly and although the maritime boundary
delimitation and fisheries agreements were ratified in June 2004,
implementation has been delayed; China occupies Paracel Islands also
claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in complex dispute with
China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei over the
Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in
the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally
binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants;
Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the
Spratly Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China,
the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine
seismic activities in the Spratly Islands
Illicit drugs:
minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for
Southeast Asian heroin; government continues to face domestic
opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding
crackdowns
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Virgin Islands
Introduction Virgin Islands
Background: During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.
Geography Virgin Islands
Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 1,910 sq km
land: 346 sq km
water: 1,564 sq km
Area - comparative:
twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
188 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low
humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season
September to November
Terrain:
mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m
Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf
Land use: arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts
and floods; occasional earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
lack of natural freshwater resources
Geography - note:
important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane
for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural
deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
People Virgin Islands
Population:
108,605 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.4% (male 12,261/female 12,056)
15-64 years: 66.4% (male 34,174/female 37,949)
65 years and over: 11.2% (male 5,385/female 6,780) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.1 years
male: 36.2 years
female: 38 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.12% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
13.96 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-8.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 8.93 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.05 years
male: 75.24 years
female: 83.09 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.17 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups:
black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000
census)
Religions:
Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Languages:
English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French
Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90-95% est.
male: NA%
female: NA% (2005 est.)
Government Virgin Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands
conventional short form: Virgin Islands
former: Danish West Indies
abbreviation: USVI
Dependency status:
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations
between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the
Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Charlotte Amalie
geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative
divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three
islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
National holiday:
Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)
Constitution:
Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Legal system:
based on US laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do
not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20
January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January
2001)
head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5
January 1999)
cabinet: NA
elections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporated
territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections
for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant
governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year
terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21
November 2006 (next to be held November 2010)
election results: John DeJONGH elected governor and takes office in
January 2007; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP
42.7%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve two-year terms)
elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
Democratic Party 8, ICM 4, independent 3
note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the
US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006
(next to be held November 2008); results - Donna M. CHRISTENSEN
(Democrat) reelected
Judicial branch:
US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit
jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges
appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens'
Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
IOC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the
large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle
holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other
with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a
blue panel
Economy Virgin Islands
Economy - overview:
Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP
and employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year.
The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles,
electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural
sector is small, with most food being imported. International
business and financial services are small but growing components of
the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at
Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from
storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to
support construction projects in the private sector, to expand
tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.577 billion (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
NA
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,500 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)
Labor force: 43,980 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.2% (2004)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.2% (2003)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA
Agriculture - products:
fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Industries:
tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling,
construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
1.04 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
967.3 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
14,650 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
105,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Exports:
$4.234 billion $NA
Exports - commodities:
refined petroleum products
Exports - partners:
US, Puerto Rico (2004)
Imports:
$4.609 billion $NA
Imports - commodities:
crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners:
US, Puerto Rico (2004)
Debt - external:
$NA
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Currency (code):
US dollar (USD)
Currency code:
USD
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
Communications Virgin Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
70,900 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
64,200 (2004)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system with total digital switching,
uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay
domestic: full range of services available
international: country code - 1-340; 2 submarine cable connections
(Taino Carib, Americas-1); satellite earth stations - NA
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006)
Radios:
107,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
5 (2006)
Televisions:
68,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.vi
Internet hosts:
3,855 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
50 (2000)
Internet users:
30,000 (2002)
Transportation Virgin Islands
Airports: 2 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:
total: 1,257 km (2004)
Ports and terminals:
Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay
Military Virgin Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Virgin Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Wake Island
Introduction Wake Island
Background:
The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An
important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December
1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end
of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a
stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft
transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been
used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. All
operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated
in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon Loke (category 5),
which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m
storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and
repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited
function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of
activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the
survey and assessment.
Geography Wake Island
Location:
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the
way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
Geographic coordinates:
19 17 N, 166 39 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 6.5 sq km
land: 6.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
19.3 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
atoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built up
on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands
are part of the rim
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
occasional typhoons
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing
location for transpacific flights
People Wake Island
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: US military personnel have left the island, but contractor
personnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel were
present (July 2006 est.)
Government Wake Island
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island
Dependency status:
unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington,
DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities on the island are
conducted by the US Air Force
Legal system:
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:
the flag of the US is used
Economy Wake Island
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to providing services to military
personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and
manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Communications Wake Island
Telephone system:
general assessment: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the
Overseas Telephone System (OTS)
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0
note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service
provided by satellite (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
0
note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service
provided by satellite (2005)
Transportation Wake Island
Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2006)
Ports and terminals:
none; two offshore anchorages for large ships
Transportation - note:
there are no commercial or civilian flights to and from Wake
Island, except in direct support of island missions; emergency
landing is available
Military Wake Island
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US; launch support facility is
part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS)
administered by US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC)
Transnational Issues Wake Island
Disputes - international: claimed by Marshall Islands
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Wallis and Futuna
Introduction Wallis and Futuna
Background:
The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and
Wallis by the British in 1767, but it was the French who declared a
protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of
the islands voted to become a French overseas territory.
Geography Wallis and Futuna
Location:
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of
the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
13 18 S, 176 12 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 274 sq km
land: 274 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island),
Ile Alofi, and 20 islets
Area - comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
129 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season
(May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity);
average temperature 26.6 degrees C
Terrain:
volcanic origin; low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 7.14%
permanent crops: 35.71%
other: 57.15% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain)
largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel
source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the
mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion;
there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of
natural fresh water resources
Geography - note:
both island groups have fringing reefs
People Wallis and Futuna
Population: 16,025 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
NA
Birth rate:
NA births/1,000 population
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New
Caledonia (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate:
NA children born/woman
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders
adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
Ethnic groups:
Polynesian
Religions:
Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
Languages:
Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%,
French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 50%
male: 50%
female: 50% (1969 est.)
Government Wallis and Futuna
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna
local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
local short form: Wallis et Futuna
Dependency status:
overseas territory of France
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis
Independence:
none (overseas territory of France)
National holiday:
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
French legal system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May
1995), represented by High Administrator Richard DIDIER (since 19
July 2006)
head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione
KANIMOA (since January 2001)
cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three
members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the
Territorial Assembly
note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year
term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the
advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the
Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by
the members of the assembly
Legislative branch:
unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 11 March 2002 (next to be held March 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
RPR and affiliates 13, Socialists and affiliates 7
note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and
one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate -
elections last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held by September
2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - RPR (now
UMP) 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 16 June 2002
(next to be held by in 2007); results - percent of vote by party -
NA; seats - RPR (UMP) 1
Judicial branch:
none; justice generally administered under French law by the high
administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary
law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu
Political parties and leaders:
Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or
MRG; Rally for the Republic or RPR (UMP) [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU];
Socialist Party or PS; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union
Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie
Francaise or UDF
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of France)
Flag description:
unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles
triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the
islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles
are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of
France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist
quadrant; the flag of France is the only official flag
Economy Wallis and Futuna
Economy - overview:
The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with
about 80% labor force earnings from agriculture (coconuts and
vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the
population is employed in government. Revenues come from French
Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South
Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New
Caledonia.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$60 million (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
NA
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,800 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
NA 3,104
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 4% services: 16% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15.2% NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.8% NA%
Budget: revenues: $29,730 expenditures: $31,330 (1998 est.)
Public debt:
5.6% of GDP
Agriculture - products:
breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish
Industries:
copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2002)
Exports:
$47,450 f.o.b. (2004)
Exports - commodities:
copra, chemicals, construction materials
Exports - partners:
Italy 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark 13% (2004)
Imports:
$61.17 million f.o.b. (2004)
Imports - commodities:
chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
France 97%, Australia 2%, NZ 1% (2004)
Debt - external:
$3.67 million $NA
Economic aid - recipient:
assistance from France
Currency (code):
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Currency code:
XPF
Exchange rates:
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 95.89
(2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003), 126.71 (2002), 133.26 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Wallis and Futuna
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,900 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
0 (1994)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: country code - 681
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000)
Radios:
NA
Television broadcast stations:
2 (2000)
Televisions:
NA
Internet country code:
.wf
Internet hosts:
1 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
900 (2002)
Transportation Wallis and Futuna
Airports: 2 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 110,428 GRT/56,830 DWT
by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 7
foreign-owned: 8 (France 5, French Polynesia 2, US 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Leava, Mata-Utu
Military Wallis and Futuna
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Wallis and Futuna
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@West Bank
Introduction West Bank
Background:
The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government
Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993,
provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of
Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West
Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and
responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority (PA) as part of the
interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and
Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo
Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional
areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995
Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol
Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998
Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh
Agreement. The DOP provided that Israel would retain responsibility
during the transitional period for external and internal security
and for public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Direct
negotiations to determine the permanent status of Gaza and West Bank
began in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus, but were derailed
by a second intifada that broke out in September 2000. In April 2003
the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final
settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the
two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic
Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement has
been postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that
both sides have not followed through on their commitments. Longtime
Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT died in November 2004 and Mahmud
ABBAS was elected PA President in January 2005, bringing hope of a
turning point in the conflict. Israel and the PA agreed in February
2005 to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments, focused on security issues,
in an effort to move the peace process forward. Progress has been
slow because of different interpretations of the verbal agreement by
the two sides.
Geography West Bank
Location:
Middle East, west of Jordan
Geographic coordinates:
32 00 N, 35 15 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 5,860 sq km
land: 5,640 sq km
water: 220 sq km
note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter
of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and
Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of
depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries: total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm
to hot summers, cool to mild winters
Terrain:
mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren
in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m
highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m
Natural resources:
arable land
Land use: arable land: 16.9% permanent crops: 18.97% other: 64.13% (2001)
Irrigated land:
150 sq km; note - includes Gaza Strip (2003)
Natural hazards:
droughts
Environment - current issues:
adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment
Geography - note:
landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal
aquifers; there are 242 West Bank settlements and 29 East Jerusalem
settlements in addition to at least 20 occupied outposts (August
2005 est.)
People West Bank
Population:
2,460,492
note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the
West Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.9% (male 541,110/female 515,202)
15-64 years: 53.7% (male 676,427/female 644,347)
65 years and over: 3.4% (male 35,440/female 47,966) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.3 years
male: 18.2 years
female: 18.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.06% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
31.67 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
3.92 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 19.15 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 21.12 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.27 years
male: 71.5 years
female: 75.15 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.28 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: NA
adjective: NA
Ethnic groups:
Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%
Religions:
Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%
Languages:
Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians),
English (widely understood)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.9%
male: 96.3%
female: 87.4% (2003 est.)
Government West Bank
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank
Economy West Bank
Economy - overview:
The West Bank - the larger of the two areas under the Palestinian
Authority (PA)- has experienced a general decline in economic growth
and a degradation in economic conditions made worse since the second
intifadah began in September 2000. The downturn has been largely the
result of the Israeli closure policies - the imposition of border
closures in response to security incidents in Israel - which
disrupted labor and commodity market relationships. In 2001, and
even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in PA areas
resulted in the destruction of much capital plant, the disruption of
administrative structure, and widespread business closures.
Including the Gaza Strip, the UN estimates that more than 100,000
Palestinians out of the 125,000 who used to work in Israeli
settlements, or in joint industrial zones, have lost their jobs.
International aid of $2 billion to the West Bank and Gaza Strip in
2004 prevented the complete collapse of the economy and allowed some
reforms in the government's financial operations. In 2005, high
unemployment and limited trade opportunities, due to continued
closures both within the West Bank and externally, stymied growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.8 billion (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.45 billion
GDP - real growth rate:
6.2% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,100 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% note: includes Gaza Strip (2002 est.)
Labor force: 614,000 (April-June 2005)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 18.4% industry: 24% services: 57.6% (April-June 2005)
Unemployment rate:
19.9% (includes Gaza Strip) (January-September 2005)
Population below poverty line:
46% including Gaza Strip (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (includes Gaza Strip) (2003 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $964 million
expenditures: $1.34 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA;
note - these budget data include Gaza Strip (2004)
Agriculture - products:
olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products
Industries:
generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles,
soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the
Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the
settlements and industrial centers
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
NA kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; East
Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to
Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank;
the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most
Jewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinian
municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own
electricity from small power plants
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh
Exports:
$270 million f.o.b.; note - includes Gaza Strip (2003)
Exports - commodities:
olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone
Exports - partners:
Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2004)
Imports:
$1.952 billion c.i.f.; note - includes Gaza Strip (2003)
Imports - commodities:
food, consumer goods, construction materials
Imports - partners:
Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2004)
Debt - external:
$0; note - includes Gaza Strip (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:
$1.14 billion; note - includes Gaza Strip (2004 est.)
Currency (code):
new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Currency code:
ILS; JOD
Exchange rates:
new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004),
4.5541 (2003), 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications West Bank
Telephones - main lines in use:
357,300 (includes Gaza Strip) (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.095 million (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL
are responsible for fixed line services in the Gaza Strip; the
Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services
international: country code - 970
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 20, shortwave 0 (2005)
Radios:
NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
8 (2005)
Televisions:
NA; note - many Palestinian households have televisions (1999)
Internet country code:
.ps
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
8 (1999)
Internet users:
243,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Transportation West Bank
Airports:
3 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways: total: 4,158 km paved: 4,158 km note: includes Gaza Strip (2003)
Military West Bank
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
NA
Transnational Issues West Bank
Disputes - international:
West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status
subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent
status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel
continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along
parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew
from four settlements in the northern West Bank in August 2005;
since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision
Organization (UNTSO), headquartered in Jerusalem, monitor
ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated
incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the
region
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 699,817 (Palestinian Refugees
(UNRWA)) (2005)
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Western Sahara
Introduction Western Sahara
Background:
Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara
(formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in
1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the
Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991
UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final status
has been repeatedly postponed.
Geography Western Sahara
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Mauritania and Morocco
Geographic coordinates:
24 30 N, 13 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 266,000 sq km
land: 266,000 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Coastline:
1,110 km
Maritime claims:
contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
Climate:
hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce
fog and heavy dew
Terrain:
mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces
rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m
highest point: unnamed location 463 m
Natural resources:
phosphates, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 0.02%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 99.98% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and
spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely
restricting visibility
Environment - current issues:
sparse water and lack of arable land
Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas
People Western Sahara
Population: 273,008 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
NA
Birth rate:
NA births/1,000 population
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate:
NA children born/woman
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations during the transmission season (typically April through November) (2005)
Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawi, Sahrawian, Sahraouian
Ethnic groups:
Arab, Berber
Religions:
Muslim
Languages:
Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Literacy:
NA
Government Western Sahara
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Western Sahara
former: Spanish Sahara
Government type:
legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved;
territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front
for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in
February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), led by President Mohamed
ABDELAZIZ; territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in
April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania,
under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to
its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector
shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control;
the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an Organization of
African Unity (OAU) member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued
sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6
September 1991
Capital:
none
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (under de facto control of Morocco)
Suffrage:
none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed
Executive branch:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
none
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none
Economy Western Sahara
Economy - overview:
Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate
mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The
territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural
production, and most of the food for the urban population must be
imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by
the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed
contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which
has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in
Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$NA
GDP (official exchange rate):
NA
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$NA
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: 40%
Labor force: 12,000
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 50% industry and services: 50%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Agriculture - products:
fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep,
goats (kept by nomads); fish
Industries:
phosphate mining, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
85 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
83.7 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
1,750 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
phosphates 62%
Exports - partners:
Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners
are included in overall Moroccan accounts (2004)
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners
are included in overall Moroccan accounts (2004)
Debt - external:
$NA
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Currency (code):
Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Currency code:
MAD
Exchange rates:
Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004), 9.5744
(2003), 11.0206 (2002), 11.303 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Western Sahara
Telephones - main lines in use:
about 2,000 (1999 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
0 (1999)
Telephone system:
general assessment: sparse and limited system
domestic: NA
international: country code - 212; tied into Morocco's system by
microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite;
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to
Rabat, Morocco
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:
56,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
NA
Televisions:
6,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.eh
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
NA
Transportation Western Sahara
Airports: 11 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 3 (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun)
Military Western Sahara
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $992.2 million
Transnational Issues Western Sahara
Disputes - international:
Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, whose sovereignty
remains unresolved; UN-administered cease-fire has remained in
effect since September 1991, administered by the UN Mission for the
Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), but attempts to hold a
referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all
brokered proposals
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@World
Introduction World
Background:
Globally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating world
wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast
colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from
the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the
landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance
and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in
North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about the
environment, including loss of forests, shortages of energy and
water, the decline in biological diversity, and air pollution; (h)
the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of
the US as the only world superpower. The planet's population
continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930,
3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, and 6
billion in 2000. For the 21st century, the continued exponential
growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances
in medicine) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal
weapons of war).
Geography World
Map references:
Physical Map of the World, Political Map of the World, Standard
Time Zones of the World
Area:
total: 510.072 million sq km
land: 148.94 million sq km
water: 361.132 million sq km
note: 70.8% of the world's surface is water, 29.2% is land
Area - comparative:
land area about 16 times the size of the US
Land boundaries:
the land boundaries in the world total 250,708 km (not counting
shared boundaries twice); two nations, China and Russia, each border
14 other countries
note: 44 nations and other areas are landlocked, these include:
Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan,
Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic,
Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay,
Rwanda, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia,
Zimbabwe; two of these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan, are doubly
landlocked
Coastline:
356,000 km
note: 98 nations and other entities are islands that border no other
countries, they include: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and
Barbuda, Aruba, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, The Bahamas, Bahrain,
Baker Island, Barbados, Bassas da India, Bermuda, Bouvet Island,
British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cape Verde,
Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Clipperton Island, Cocos (Keeling)
Islands, Comoros, Cook Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Cuba, Cyprus,
Dominica, Europa Island, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Faroe
Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic
Lands, Glorioso Islands, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Heard
Island and McDonald Islands, Howland Island, Iceland, Isle of Man,
Jamaica, Jan Mayen, Japan, Jarvis Island, Jersey, Johnston Atoll,
Juan de Nova Island, Kingman Reef, Kiribati, Madagascar, Maldives,
Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Federated
States of Micronesia, Midway Islands, Montserrat, Nauru, Navassa
Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern
Mariana Islands, Palau, Palmyra Atoll, Paracel Islands, Philippines,
Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts
and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and
the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Singapore,
Solomon Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands,
Spratly Islands, Sri Lanka, Svalbard, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and
Tobago, Tromelin Island, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu,
Virgin Islands, Wake Island, Wallis and Futuna, Taiwan
Maritime claims:
a variety of situations exist, but in general, most countries make
the following claims measured from the mean low-tide baseline as
described in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea:
territorial sea - 12 nm, contiguous zone - 24 nm, and exclusive
economic zone - 200 nm; additional zones provide for exploitation of
continental shelf resources and an exclusive fishing zone; boundary
situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from
extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200nm
Climate:
a wide equatorial band of hot and humid tropical climates -
bordered north and south by subtropical temperate zones - that
separate two large areas of cold and dry polar climates
Terrain:
the greatest ocean depth is the Mariana Trench at 10,924 m in the
Pacific Ocean
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m
note: in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is
the lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the Pacific
Ocean
highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m
Natural resources:
the rapid depletion of nonrenewable mineral resources, the
depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and
plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality
(especially in Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose
serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only
beginning to address
Land use: arable land: 13.31% permanent crops: 4.71% other: 81.98% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,770,980 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural
disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions)
Environment - current issues: large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion
Geography - note:
the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, just
about one-third of the 13-billion-year age estimated for the universe
People World
Population:
6,525,170,264 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.4% (male 919,219,446/female 870,242,271)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 2,152,066,888/female 2,100,334,722)
65 years and over: 7.4% (male 213,160,216/female 270,146,721)
note: some countries do not maintain age structure information, thus
a slight discrepancy exists between the total world population and
the total for world age structure (2006 est.)
Median age: total: 27.6 years male: 27 years female: 28.2 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.14% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
20.05 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 48.87 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 50.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 46.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.77 years
male: 63.16 years
female: 66.47 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.59 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Religions:
Christians 33.03% (of which Roman Catholics 17.33%, Protestants
5.8%, Orthodox 3.42%, Anglicans 1.23%), Muslims 20.12%, Hindus
13.34%, Buddhists 5.89%, Sikhs 0.39%, Jews 0.23%, other religions
12.61%, non-religious 12.03%, atheists 2.36% (2004 est.)
Languages:
Mandarin Chinese 13.69%, Spanish 5.05%, English 4.84%, Hindi 2.82%,
Portuguese 2.77%, Bengali 2.68%, Russian 2.27%, Japanese 1.99%,
Standard German 1.49%, Wu Chinese 1.21% (2004 est.)
note: percents are for "first language" speakers only
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 82%
male: 87%
female: 77%
note: over two-thirds of the world's 785 million illiterate adults
are found in only eight countries (India, China, Bangladesh,
Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Egypt); of all the
illiterate adults in the world, two-thirds are women; extremely low
literacy rates are concentrated in three regions, South and West
Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Arab states, where around
one-third of the men and half of all women are illiterate (2005 est.)
Government World
Administrative divisions:
272 nations, dependent areas, and other entities
Legal system:
all members of the UN are parties to the statute that established
the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court
Economy World
Economy - overview: Global output rose by 4.4% in 2005, led by China (9.3%), India (7.6%), and Russia (5.9%). The other 14 successor nations of the USSR and the other old Warsaw Pact nations again experienced widely divergent growth rates; the three Baltic nations continued as strong performers, in the 7% range of growth. Growth results posted by the major industrial countries varied from no gain for Italy to a strong gain by the United States (3.5%). The developing nations also varied in their growth results, with many countries facing population increases that erode gains in output. Externally, the nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology. Internally, the central government often finds its control over resources slipping as separatist regional movements - typically based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in many of the successor states of the former Soviet Union, in the former Yugoslavia, in India, in Iraq, in Indonesia, and in Canada. Externally, the central government is losing decisionmaking powers to international bodies, notably the EU. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. The addition of 80 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their own internal problems and priorities, the industrialized countries devote insufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from an economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. The introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, while paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, poses economic risks because of varying levels of income and cultural and political differences among the participating nations. The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001 accentuated a further growing risk to global prosperity, illustrated, for example, by the reallocation of resources away from investment to anti-terrorist programs. The opening of war in March 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq added new uncertainties to global economic prospects. After the coalition victory, the complex political difficulties and the high economic cost of establishing domestic order in Iraq became major global problems that continued into 2006.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
GWP (gross world product): $60.63 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$43.07 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.7% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,500 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 32% services: 64% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 3.001 billion (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 42%
industry: 21%
services: 37% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate:
30% combined unemployment and underemployment in many
non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically 4%-12%
unemployment
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 29.4% (2000 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): developed countries 1% to 4% typically; developing countries 5% to 20% typically; national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from declining prices in Japan to hyperinflation in one Third World countries (Zimbabwe); inflation rates have declined for most countries for the last several years, held in check by increasing international competition from several low wage countries (2005 est.)
Industries:
dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in computers,
robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical equipment;
most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a small
portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to
these technological forces; the accelerated development of new
industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already
grim environmental problems
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:
16.54 trillion kWh (2003 est.)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA
Electricity - consumption:
15.45 trillion kWh (2003 est.)
Electricity - exports:
537 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
545.2 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
79.65 million bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
80.1 million bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - proved reserves:
1.349 trillion bbl (1 January 2002 est.)
Natural gas - production:
2.674 trillion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
2.675 trillion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
667.6 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
696 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
174.6 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)
Exports:
$10.33 trillion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:
the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services
Exports - partners:
US 15.6%, Germany 7.4%, China 5.7%, France 4.9%, UK 4.7%, Japan
4.5% (2005)
Imports:
$10.3 trillion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:
the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services
Imports - partners:
China 9.3%, US 9%, Germany 9%, Japan 6.1%, France 4.2% (2005)
Debt - external:
$36.89 trillion
note: this figure is the sum total of all countries' external debt,
both public and private (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$154 billion official development assistance (ODA) (2004)
Communications World
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,263,367,600 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2,168,433,600 (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations:
AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios:
NA
Television broadcast stations:
NA
Televisions:
NA
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
10,350 (2000 est.)
Internet users:
1,018,057,389 (2005)
Transportation World
Airports:
49,024 (2006)
Heliports:
2,021 (2006)
Railways:
total: 1,115,205 km
broad gauge: 257,481 km
standard gauge: 671,413 km
narrow gauge: 186,311 km (2003)
Roadways: total: 32,345,165 km paved: 19,403,061 km unpaved: 12,942,104 km (2002)
Waterways:
671,886 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 33,222 ships (1000 GRT or over) (2006)
Military World
Military expenditures - dollar figure: aggregate real expenditure on arms worldwide has increased in the beginning of the 21st century, with the largest increase in the US; a rough estimate for 2005 is $1.2 trillion (at puchasing power parity) (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: roughly 2% of gross world product (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues World
Disputes - international:
stretching over 250,000 km, the world's 329 international land
boundaries separate the 193 independent states and 73 dependencies,
areas of special sovereignty, and other miscellaneous entities;
ethnicity, culture, race, religion, and language have divided states
into separate political entities as much as history, physical
terrain, political fiat, or conquest, resulting in sometimes
arbitrary and imposed boundaries; maritime states have claimed
limits and have so far established over 130 maritime boundaries and
joint development zones to allocate ocean resources and to provide
for national security at sea; boundary, borderland/resource, and
territorial disputes vary in intensity from managed or dormant to
violent or militarized; most disputes over the alignment of
political boundaries are confined to short segments and are today
less common and less hostile than borderland, resource, and
territorial disputes; undemarcated, indefinite, porous, and
unmanaged boundaries, however, encourage illegal cross-border
activities, uncontrolled migration, and confrontation; territorial
disputes may evolve from historical and/or cultural claims, or they
may be brought on by resource competition; ethnic and cultural
clashes continue to be responsible for much of the territorial
fragmentation around the world; disputes over islands at sea or in
rivers frequently form the source of territorial and boundary
conflict; other sources of contention include access to water and
mineral (especially petroleum) resources, fisheries, and arable
land; nonetheless, most nations cooperate to clarify their
international boundaries and to resolve territorial and resource
disputes peacefully; regional discord today prevails not so much
between the armed forces of independent states as between stateless
armed entities that detract from the sustenance and welfare of local
populations, leaving the community of nations to cope with resultant
refugees, hunger, disease, impoverishment, and environmental
degradation
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated
that in December 2004 there was a global population of 9.2 million
refugees, the lowest number in 25 years, and as many as 25 million
IDPs in over 49 countries (2005)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: about 600,000 to 800,000 people, mostly women
and children, are trafficked annually across national borders, not
including millions trafficked within their own countries; at least
80% of the victims are female; 75% of all victims are trafficked
into commercial sexual exploitation; roughly two-thirds of the
global victims are trafficked intra-regionally within East Asia and
the Pacific (260,000 to 280,000 people) and Europe and Eurasia
(170,000 to 210,000 people)
Illicit drugs:
cocaine: worldwide coca cultivation in 2004 amounted to 166,200
hectares; Colombia produced slightly more than two-thirds of the
worldwide crop, followed by Peru and Bolivia; potential pure cocaine
production of 645 metric tons in 2004 marked the lowest level of
Andean cocaine production in the past 10 years; Colombia conducts
aggressive coca eradication campaign, but both Peruvian and Bolivian
Governments are hesitant to eradicate coca in key growing areas; 376
metric tons of export-quality cocaine are documented to have been
seized in 2003, and 26 metric tons disrupted (jettisoned or
destroyed); consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to
have been 800 metric tons
opiates: worldwide illicit opium poppy cultivation reached 258,630
hectares in 2004; potential opium production of 5,444 metric tons
was highest total recorded since estimates began in mid-1980s;
Afghanistan is world's primary opium producer, accounting for 91% of
the global supply; Southeast Asia - responsible for 7% of global
opium - continued to diminish in importance in the world opium
market; Latin America produced 2% of global opium, but most refined
into heroin destined for United States; if all opium processed into
pure heroin, the potential global production would be 632 metric
tons of heroin in 2004
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Yemen
Introduction Yemen
Background:
North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The
British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port
of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South
Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist
orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis
from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility
between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the
Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994
was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a
delimitation of their border.
Geography Yemen
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea,
between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
15 00 N, 48 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 527,970 sq km
land: 527,970 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR
or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of
Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen)
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming
Land boundaries: total: 1,746 km border countries: Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km
Coastline: 1,906 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western
mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry,
harsh desert in east
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged
mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the
desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold,
lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil in west
Land use: arable land: 2.91% permanent crops: 0.25% other: 96.84% (2005)
Irrigated land:
5,500 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
sandstorms and dust storms in summer
Environment - current issues:
very limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of
potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea
and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes
People Yemen
Population:
21,456,188 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.4% (male 5,067,762/female 4,881,333)
15-64 years: 51% (male 5,568,078/female 5,375,263)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 275,878/female 287,874) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.6 years
male: 16.6 years
female: 16.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.46% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
42.89 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 59.88 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 64.55 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 54.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 62.12 years
male: 60.23 years
female: 64.11 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.58 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
12,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality: noun: Yemeni(s) adjective: Yemeni
Ethnic groups:
predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans
Religions:
Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a), small numbers of
Jewish, Christian, and Hindu
Languages:
Arabic
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 50.2%
male: 70.5%
female: 30% (2003 est.)
Government Yemen
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Yemen
conventional short form: Yemen
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah
local short form: Al Yaman
former: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and
People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Sanaa
geographic coordinates: 15 21 N, 44 12 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
19 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan, Ad
Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit,
'Amran, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Sa'dah,
San'a', Shabwah, Ta'izz
note: for electoral and administrative purposes, the capital city of
Sanaa is treated as an additional governorate
Independence:
22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen established with the merger of the
Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the
Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen
(Aden) or South Yemen]); note - previously North Yemen had become
independent in November of 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South
Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Unification Day, 22 May (1990)
Constitution:
16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994 and February 2001
Legal system:
based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local
tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990,
the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger
of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab
Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994)
head of government: Prime Minister Abd al-Qadir BA JAMAL; Deputy
Prime Ministers Rashid Muhammad al-ALIMI, Alawi Salah al-SALAMI,
Ahmad Muhammad Abdallah al-SUFAN
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
advice of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;
election last held 20 September 2006 (next to be held September
2013); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and
deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of
vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 77.2%, Faisal bin SHAMLAN 21.8%
Legislative branch:
a new constitutional amendment ratified on 20 February 2001 created
a bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111 seats;
members appointed by the president) and a House of Representatives
(301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)
elections: last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held in April 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
GPC 228, Islah 47, YSP 7, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab
Socialist Ba'th Party 2, independents 14
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
there are more than 12 political parties active in Yemen, some of
the more prominent are: General People's Congress or GPC [President
Ali Abdallah SALIH]; Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah [Shaykh
Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR]; Nasserite Unionist Party [Abdal Malik
al-MAKHLAFI]; National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party [Dr. Qasim SALAM];
Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Ali Salih MUQBIL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS
(observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNMIS, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abd al-Wahab Abdallah al-HAJRI chancery: 2319 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 965-4760 FAX: (202) 337-2017
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. KRAJESKI
embassy: Sa'awan Street, Sanaa
mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa
telephone: (1) 755-2000 ext. 2153 or 2266
FAX: (1) 303-182
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;
similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars, and of
Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription), in a
horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag
of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band
Economy Yemen
Economy - overview:
Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, has reported
meager growth since 2000. Its economic fortunes depend mostly on
oil. Oil revenues increased in 2005 due to higher prices. Yemen was
on an IMF-supported structural adjustment program designed to
modernize and streamline the economy, which led to substantial
foreign debt relief and restructuring. However, government
dedication to the program waned in 2001 for political reasons. Yemen
is struggling to control excessive spending and rampant corruption.
The people have grown increasingly upset over the economic
situation. In July 2005, a reduction in fuel subsidies sparked
riots; over 20 Yemenis were killed and hundreds were injured.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$19.36 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$14.34 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$900 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.5% industry: 47.2% services: 39.3% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 5.83 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: note: most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force
Unemployment rate:
35% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:
45.2% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 25.9% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.4 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.8% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
14.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $5.616 billion
expenditures: $5.719 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
34.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat, coffee, cotton; dairy
products, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, camels), poultry; fish
Industries:
crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production
of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts;
small aluminum products factory; cement; commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:
3.848 billion kWh (2003 est.)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
2.827 billion kWh (2003 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
387,500 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
80,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
370,300 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
4.37 billion bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
478.6 billion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:
$1.224 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$6.387 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish
Exports - partners:
China 36.5%, Chile 19.2%, Thailand 12.5%, Japan 5.4%, South Korea
4.4%, US 4.1% (2005)
Imports:
$4.19 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
food and live animals, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Imports - partners:
UAE 14.6%, Saudi Arabia 11.6%, China 9.1%, Kuwait 5%, India 4.5%
(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$6.143 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.347 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$2.3 billion (2003-07 disbursements)
Currency (code):
Yemeni rial (YER)
Currency code:
YER
Exchange rates:
Yemeni rials per US dollar - 192.67 (2005), 184.78 (2004), 183.45
(2003), 175.63 (2002), 168.67 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Yemen
Telephones - main lines in use:
798,100 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2 million (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: since unification in 1990, efforts have been
made to create a national telecommunications network
domestic: the national network consists of microwave radio relay,
cable, tropospheric scatter, and GSM cellular mobile telephone
systems
international: country code - 967; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik
(Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to
Saudi Arabia and Djibouti
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:
1.05 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
7 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:
470,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.ye
Internet hosts:
171 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
220,000 (2005)
Transportation Yemen
Airports: 46 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 30
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 4 (2006)
Pipelines:
gas 71 km; liquid petroleum gas 22 km; oil 1,284 km (2006)
Roadways:
total: 71,300 km
paved: 6,200 km
unpaved: 65,100 km (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 4 ships (1000 GRT or over) 15,400 GRT/18,072 DWT
by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll
on/roll off 1
registered in other countries: 9 (Bolivia 1, Cambodia 3, North Korea
2, Panama 3) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Aden, Nishtun
Military Yemen
Military branches:
Army (includes Special Forces), Navy (includes Marines), Unified
Yemen Air Force (includes Air Defense Force) (2006)
Military service age and obligation: in May 2001, Yemen's National Defense Council abolished compulsory military service and authorized a voluntary program for military service (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 4,058,223
females age 18-49: 3,868,112 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 2,790,705
females age 18-49: 2,792,406 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 236,517
females age 18-49: 230,641 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$992.2 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
6.4% (2005 est.)
Military - note:
a Coast Guard was established in 2002
Transnational Issues Yemen
Disputes - international:
Yemen protests Eritrea fishing around the Hanish Islands awarded to
Yemen by the ICJ in 1999; Saudi Arabia still maintains the
concrete-filled pipe as a security barrier along sections of the
border with Yemen in 2004 to stem illegal cross-border activities;
Yemen protests Saudi erection of a concrete-filled pipe as a
security barrier in 2004 to stem illegal cross-border activities in
sections of the boundary
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 63,511 (Somalia) (2005)
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Zambia
Introduction Zambia
Background:
The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the
[British] South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by
the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining
spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia
upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper
prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991
brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996
saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001
was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a
legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate
Levy MWANAWASA. The new president launched an anti-corruption
campaign in 2002, which resulted in the prosecution of former
President Frederick CHILUBA and some officials of his administration.
Geography Zambia
Location:
Southern Africa, east of Angola
Geographic coordinates:
15 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 752,614 sq km
land: 740,724 sq km
water: 11,890 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,664 km
border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo
1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania
338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)
Terrain:
mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m
highest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m
Natural resources:
copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium,
hydropower
Land use: arable land: 6.99% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 92.97% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,560 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April)
Environment - current issues:
air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and
refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously
threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations;
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water
treatment presents human health risks
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:
landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with
Zimbabwe
People Zambia
Population:
11,502,010
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower
population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.3% (male 2,673,891/female 2,656,268)
15-64 years: 51.3% (male 2,925,910/female 2,969,324)
65 years and over: 2.4% (male 117,877/female 158,740) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.5 years
male: 16.3 years
female: 16.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.11% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
41 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
19.93 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 86.84 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 94.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 79.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 40.03 years
male: 39.76 years
female: 40.31 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.39 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
16.5% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
920,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
89,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some
locations
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2005)
Nationality:
noun: Zambian(s)
adjective: Zambian
Ethnic groups:
African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%
Religions:
Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1%
Languages:
English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda,
Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write English
total population: 80.6%
male: 86.8%
female: 74.8% (2003 est.)
Government Zambia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Zambia
conventional short form: Zambia
former: Northern Rhodesia
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Lusaka
geographic coordinates: 15 25 S, 28 17 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka,
Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western
Independence:
24 October 1964 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 24 October (1964)
Constitution:
24 August 1991; amended in 1996 to establish presidential term
limits
Legal system:
based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of
legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002);
Vice President Rupiah BANDA (since 9 October 2006); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002);
Vice President Rupiah BANDA (since 9 October 2006); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members
of the National Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 28 September 2006
(next to be held 2011); vice president appointed by the president
election results: Levy MWANAWASA reelected president; percent of
vote - Levy MWANAWASA 43.0%, Michael SATA 29.4%, Hakainde HICHILEMA
25.3%, Godfrey MIYANDA 1.6%, Winright NGONDO 0.8%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (158 seats; 150 members are elected by
popular vote, eight members are appointed by the president, to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held December 2006)
election results: percent of vote by party - MMD 45.9%, UPND 32.4%,
UNIP 8.8%, FDD 8.1%, HP 2.7%, PF 0.7%, ZRP 0.7%, independents 0.7%;
seats by party - MMD 68, UPND 48, UNIP 13, FDD 12, HP 4, PF 1, ZRP
1, independents 1; seats not determined 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by
the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil
and criminal cases)
Political parties and leaders:
Agenda for Zambia or AZ [Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA]; Forum for
Democracy and Development or FDD [Christon TEMBO]; Heritage Party or
HP [Godfrey MIYANDA]; Liberal Progressive Front or LPF [Roger
CHONGWE, president]; Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Levy
MWANAWASA, acting president]; National Leadership for Development or
NLD [Yobert SHAMAPANDE]; National Party or NP [Dr. Sam CHIPUNGU];
Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP
[Gwendoline KONIE]; United National Independence Party or UNIP
[Francis NKHOMA, president]; United Party for National Development
or UPND [Anderson MAZOKA]; Zambian Republican Party or ZRP [Benjamin
MWILA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 265-9717 through 9719 FAX: (202) 332-0826
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carmen M. MARTINEZ embassy: corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues, Lusaka mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka telephone: (1) 250-955 FAX: (1) 252-225
Flag description:
green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side),
black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of
the flag
Economy Zambia
Economy - overview:
Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia's
economic growth remains somewhat below the 6%-7% needed to reduce
poverty significantly. Privatization of government-owned copper
mines relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated
by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining
to return to profitability and spur economic growth. Copper output
has increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and
the opening of new mines. The maize harvest was again good in 2005,
helping boost GDP and agricultural exports. Cooperation continues
with international bodies on programs to reduce poverty, including a
new lending arrangement with the IMF in the second quarter of 2004.
A tighter monetary policy will help cut inflation, but Zambia still
has a serious problem with high public debt.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$10.63 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.351 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$900 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 29% services: 48.9% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 4.8 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 85% industry: 6% services: 9%
Unemployment rate:
50% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:
86% (1993)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 41% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
52.6 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
18.3% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
27.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.688 billion
expenditures: $1.866 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
71.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers,
tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), coffee; cattle,
goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides
Industries:
copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages,
chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture
Industrial production growth rate:
7.9% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
8.347 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.5% hydro: 99.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
5.345 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
2 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
130.2 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
12,250 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:
$-420 million (2005 est.)
Exports:
$1.947 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity; tobacco, flowers, cotton
Exports - partners:
Switzerland 28.7%, South Africa 18.6%, UK 14.4%, Democratic
Republic of the Congo 5.4%, Tanzania 5.1%, Zimbabwe 4.1% (2005)
Imports:
$1.934 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products,
electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners:
South Africa 47.6%, UK 12.6%, Zimbabwe 4.3% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$559.8 million (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.641 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$640.6 million (2002)
Currency (code):
Zambian kwacha (ZMK)
Currency code:
ZMK
Exchange rates:
Zambian kwacha per US dollar - 4,463.5 (2005), 4,778.9 (2004),
4,733.3 (2003), 4,398.6 (2002), 3,610.9 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Zambia
Telephones - main lines in use:
94,700 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
946,600 (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: facilities are aging but still among the best
in Sub-Saharan Africa
domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger
towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation;
Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal
(VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
international: country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 19, FM 5, shortwave 4 (2001)
Radios:
1.2 million (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
9 (2002)
Televisions:
277,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.zm
Internet hosts:
3,227 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
5 (2001)
Internet users:
231,000 (2005)
Transportation Zambia
Airports: 111 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 101
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 64
under 914 m: 32 (2006)
Pipelines:
oil 771 km (2006)
Railways:
total: 2,173 km
narrow gauge: 2,173 km 1.067-m gauge
note: includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority
(TAZARA) (2005)
Roadways:
total: 91,440 km
paved: 20,117 km
unpaved: 71,323 km (2001)
Waterways:
2,250 km (includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula
rivers) (2005)
Ports and terminals:
Mpulungu
Military Zambia
Military branches:
Zambian National Defense Force (ZNDF): Army, Air Force, Police,
National Service
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 2,219,739
females age 18-49: 2,159,688 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 1,043,702
females age 18-49: 953,328 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$121.7 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.8% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Zambia
Disputes - international:
in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and
Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto
recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia
boundary in the river
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 88,842 (Angola) 66,248 (Democratic
Republic of the Congo) 5,791 (Rwanda) (2005)
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small
amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for Southern Africa and
possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled
with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it
an unattractive venue for money launderers
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Zimbabwe
Introduction Zimbabwe
Background:
The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the [British] South Africa
Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored
whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its
independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more
complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country
(then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising
finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe)
in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been
the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated
the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land
redistribution campaign, which began in 2000, caused an exodus of
white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread
shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation,
MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his
reelection. Opposition and labor strikes in 2003 were unsuccessful
in pressuring MUGABE to retire early; security forces continued
their brutal repression of regime opponents. The ruling ZANU-PF
party used fraud and intimidation to win a two-thirds majority in
the March 2005 parliamentary election, allowing it to amend the
constitution at will and recreate the Senate, which had been
abolished in the late 1980s. In April 2005, Harare embarked on
Operation Restore Order, ostensibly an urban rationalization
program, which resulted in the destruction of the homes or
businesses of 700,000 mostly poor supporters of the opposition,
according to UN estimates.
Geography Zimbabwe
Location:
Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia
Geographic coordinates:
20 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 390,580 sq km
land: 386,670 sq km
water: 3,910 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 3,066 km
border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa
225 km, Zambia 797 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)
Terrain:
mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld);
mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m
highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m
Natural resources:
coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore,
vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals
Land use: arable land: 8.24% permanent crops: 0.33% other: 91.43% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,740 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with
Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on
the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water
People Zimbabwe
Population:
12,236,805
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower
population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37.4% (male 2,307,170/female 2,265,298)
15-64 years: 59.1% (male 3,616,528/female 3,621,190)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 199,468/female 227,151) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.9 years
male: 19.7 years
female: 20 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.62% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
28.01 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
21.84 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa
and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 51.71 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 54.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 48.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 39.29 years
male: 40.39 years
female: 38.16 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.13 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
24.6% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1.8 million (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
170,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid
vectorborne disease: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2005)
Nationality:
noun: Zimbabwean(s)
adjective: Zimbabwean
Ethnic groups:
African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%,
white less than 1%
Religions:
syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian
25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%
Languages:
English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele,
sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write English
total population: 90.7%
male: 94.2%
female: 87.2% (2003 est.)
Government Zimbabwe
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe
conventional short form: Zimbabwe
former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Harare
geographic coordinates: 17 50 S, 31 03 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*,
Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East,
Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South,
Midlands
Independence:
18 April 1980 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 April (1980)
Constitution:
21 December 1979
Legal system:
mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31
December 1987); Vice President Joseph MSIKA (since December 1999)
and Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since
31 December 1987); Vice President Joseph MSIKA (since December 1999)
and Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the
House of Assembly
elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper
signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each
province) and elected by popular vote for a six-year term (no term
limits); election last held 9-11 March 2002 (next to be held March
2008); co-vice presidents appointed by the president
election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent
of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 56.2%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 41.9%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of a House of Assembly (150 seats -
120 elected by popular vote for five-year terms, 12 nominated by the
president, 10 occupied by traditional chiefs chosen by their peers,
and eight occupied by provincial governors appointed by the
president) and a Senate (66 seats - 50 elected by popular vote for a
five-year term, six nominated by the president, 10 nominated by the
Council of Chiefs)
elections: House of Assembly last held 31 March 2005 (next to be
held in 2010), Senate last held 26 November 2005 (next to be held in
2010)
election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party -
ZANU-PF 59.6%, MDC 39.5%, other 0.9%; seats by party - ZANU-PF 78,
MDC 41, independents 1; Senate - percent of vote by party - ZANU-PF
73.7%, MDC 20.3%, other 4.4%, independents 1.6%; seats by party -
ZANU-PF 43, MDC 7
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders:
African National Party or ANP; Movement for Democratic Change or
MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI]; Peace Action is Freedom for All or PAFA;
United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; United People's Party [Daniel
SHUMBA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga
[Wilson KUMBULA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or
ZANU-PF [Robert Gabriel MUGABE]; Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or
ZAPU [Agrippa MADLELA]; Zimbabwe Youth in Alliance or ZIYA
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition [Wellington CHIBEBE]; National
Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU]; Zimbabwe Congress
of Trade Unions or ZCTU [Lovemore MATOMBO]
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt
(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Machivenyika T. MAPURANGA chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 332-7100 FAX: (202) 483-9326
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher W. DELL embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: (4) 250-593 and 250-594 FAX: (4) 796-488
Flag description:
seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red,
yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black
with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing
the long history of the country is superimposed on a red
five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which symbolizes
peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral wealth, red -
blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands for the native
people
Economy Zimbabwe
Economy - overview:
The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult
economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainable fiscal
deficit, an overvalued exchange rate, soaring inflation, and bare
shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in the war in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, for example, drained hundreds of millions of
dollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF has been
suspended because of the government's arrears on past loans, which
it began repaying in 2005. The official annual inflation rate rose
from 32% in 1998, to 133% at the end of 2004, and 585% at the end of
2005, although private sector estimates put the figure much higher.
Meanwhile, the official exchange rate fell from 24 Zimbabwean
dollars per US dollar in 1998 to 96,000 in mid-January 2006. The
government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and
violence, has badly damaged the commercial farming sector, the
traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the provider
of 400,000 jobs, turning Zimbabwe into a net importer of food
products.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$25.69 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.207 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-7.7% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,100 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17.9% industry: 24.3% services: 57.9% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 3.94 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 66% industry: 10% services: 24% (1996)
Unemployment rate:
80% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
80% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 40.4% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
56.8 (2003)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 266.8% official data; private sector estimates are much higher (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
7.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.409 billion
expenditures: $1.905 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
109.8% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; sheep,
goats, pigs
Industries:
mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous
metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel; wood products, cement,
chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
3.6% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
8.877 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47% hydro: 53% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
11.22 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
3.3 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
22,500 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day
Oil - imports:
23,000 bbl/day
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:
$-519 million (2005 est.)
Exports:
$1.644 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing
Exports - partners:
South Africa 32.8%, China 7.4%, Japan 6.3%, Zambia 5.2%,
Netherlands 5%, US 4.6%, Italy 4.2%, Germany 4.1% (2005)
Imports:
$2.059 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals,
fuels
Imports - partners:
South Africa 42.9%, China 4.6%, Botswana 3.3% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$160 million (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.216 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$178 million; note - the EU and the US provide food aid on
humanitarian grounds (2000 est.)
Currency (code):
Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD)
Currency code:
ZWD
Exchange rates:
Zimbabwean dollars per US dollar - 4,303.28 (2005), 5,068.66
(2004), 697.424 (2003), 55.036 (2002), 55.052 (2001)
note: these are official exchange rates; non-official rates vary
significantly
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Zimbabwe
Telephones - main lines in use:
328,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
699,000 (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: system was once one of the best in Africa, but
now suffers from poor maintenance; more than 100,000 outstanding
requests for connection despite an equally large number of installed
but unused main lines
domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines,
radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop
installations, and a substantial mobile cellular network; Internet
connection is available in Harare and planned for all major towns
and for some of the smaller ones
international: country code - 263; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat; two international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and
Gweru)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:
1.14 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
16 (1997)
Televisions:
370,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.zw
Internet hosts:
7,954 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
6 (2000)
Internet users:
1 million (2005)
Transportation Zimbabwe
Airports: 403 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 386 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 187 under 914 m: 194 (2006)
Pipelines: refined products 261 km (2006)
Railways: total: 3,077 km narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways: total: 97,440 km paved: 18,514 km unpaved: 78,926 km (2002)
Waterways:
on Lake Kariba, length small (2005)
Ports and terminals:
Binga, Kariba
Military Zimbabwe
Military branches:
Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF): Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of
Zimbabwe (AFZ), Zimbabwe Republic Police (2005)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 2,778,404
females age 18-49: 2,681,531 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 1,304,424
females age 18-49: 1,115,096 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$124.7 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
4% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Zimbabwe
Disputes - international:
Botswana has built electric fences and South Africa has placed
military along the border to stem the flow of thousands of
Zimbabweans fleeing to find work and escape political persecution;
Namibia has supported and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to
plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi
River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly
delimited Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 400,000-450,000 (MUGABE-led political violence, human rights
violations, land reform, and economic collapse) (2005)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Zimbabwe is a source, transit, and destination
country for women and children trafficked for forced labor and
sexual exploitation; children may be trafficked internally for
forced agricultural labor, domestic servitude, and sexual
exploitation; women and girls are lured out of the country to South
Africa, China, Egypt, and Zambia with false job or scholarship
promises that result in domestic servitude or commercial sexual
exploitation; there are reports of South African employers demanding
sex from undocumented Zimbabwean workers under threat of
deportation; women and children from Malawi, Zambia, and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo transit Zimbabwe en route to South
Africa; small numbers of South African girls are trafficked to
Zimbabwe for domestic labor
tier rating: Tier 3 - Zimbabwe does not fully comply with the
minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not
making significant efforts to do so
Illicit drugs:
transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax,
and methamphetamines destined for the South African and European
markets
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@2001 GDP (purchasing power parity)
Afghanistan
$21.5 billion (2004 est.)
Albania
$18.87 billion
note: Albania has a large gray economy that may be as large as 50%
of official GDP (2005 est.)
Algeria
$235.5 billion (2005 est.)
American Samoa
$510.1 million (2003 est.)
Andorra
$1.84 billion (2004)
Angola
$45.32 billion (2005 est.)
Anguilla
$108.9 million (2004 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda
$750 million (2002 est.)
Argentina
$543.4 billion (2005 est.)
Armenia
$14.45 billion (2005 est.)
Aruba
$2.258 billion (2005 est.)
Australia
$635.5 billion (2005 est.)
Austria
$265.8 billion (2005 est.)
Azerbaijan
$42.99 billion (2005 est.)
Bahamas, The
$6.105 billion (2005 est.)
Bahrain
$15.9 billion (2005 est.)
Bangladesh
$305.9 billion (2005 est.)
Barbados
$4.815 billion (2005 est.)
Belarus
$73.09 billion (2005 est.)
Belgium
$322.3 billion (2005 est.)
Belize
$1.778 billion (2004 est.)
Benin
$8.419 billion (2005 est.)
Bermuda
$4.5 billion (2004 est.)
Bhutan
$2.9 billion (2003 est.)
Bolivia
$25.82 billion (2005 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$23.09 billion
note: Bosnia has a large informal sector that could also be as much
as 50% of official GDP (2005 est.)
Botswana
$17.53 billion (2005 est.)
Brazil
$1.536 trillion (2005 est.)
British Virgin Islands
$853.4 million (2004 est.)
Brunei
$6.842 billion (2003 est.)
Bulgaria
$71.67 billion (2005 est.)
Burkina Faso
$16.66 billion (2005 est.)
Burma
$80.11 billion (2005 est.)
Burundi
$5.404 billion (2005 est.)
Cambodia
$34.08 billion (2005 est.)
Cameroon
$39.75 billion (2005 est.)
Canada
$1.111 trillion (2005 est.)
Cape Verde
$2.99 billion (2005 est.)
Cayman Islands
$1.939 billion (2004 est.)
Central African Republic
$4.677 billion (2005 est.)
Chad
$13.98 billion (2005 est.)
Chile
$189.9 billion (2005 est.)
China
$8.883 trillion (2005 est.)
Christmas Island
$NA
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
$NA
Colombia
$341.1 billion (2005 est.)
Comoros
$441 million (2002 est.)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
$40.67 billion (2005 est.)
Congo, Republic of the
$4.585 billion (2005 est.)
Cook Islands
$183.2 million (2005 est.)
Costa Rica
$45.67 billion (2005 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire
$27.58 billion (2005 est.)
Croatia
$55.79 billion (2005 est.)
Cuba
$40.06 billion (2005 est.)
Cyprus
Republic of Cyprus: $16.81 billion; north Cyprus: $4.54
billion (2005 est.)
Czech Republic
$204.4 billion (2005 est.)
Denmark
$189.3 billion (2005 est.)
Djibouti
$619 million (2002 est.)
Dominica
$384 million (2003 est.)
Dominican Republic
$67.44 billion (2005 est.)
East Timor
$370 million (2004 est.)
Ecuador
$57.23 billion (2005 est.)
Egypt
$304.3 billion (2005 est.)