*Venezuela, Communications
Railroads:542 km total; 363 km 1.435-meter standard gauge all single track, governmentowned; 179 km 1.435-meter gauge, privately ownedHighways:77,785 km total; 22,780 km paved, 24,720 km gravel, 14,450 km earth roads,and 15,835 km unimproved earthInland waterways:7,100 km; Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept oceangoing vesselsPipelines:crude oil 6,370 km; petroleum products 480 km; natural gas 4,010 kmPorts:Amuay Bay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Puerto OrdazMerchant marine:56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 837,375 GRT/1,344,795 DWT; includes 1short-sea passenger, 1 passenger cargo, 19 cargo, 2 container, 4roll-on/roll-off, 18 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 6 bulk,1 vehicle carrier, 1 combination bulkAirports:total:360usable:331with permanent-surface runways:133with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:15with runways 1,220-2,439 m:87Telecommunications:modern and expanding; 1,440,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 181 AM, noFM, 59 TV, 26 shortwave; 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite groundstations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 3 domestic
*Venezuela, Defense Forces
Branches:National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales, FAN) includes - GroundForces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (FuerzasNavales or Armada), Air Forces (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces ofCooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperation or GuardiaNacional)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 5,192,107; fit for military service 3,769,441; reachmilitary age (18) annually 221,043 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.95 billion, 4% of GDP (1991)
*Vietnam, Geography
Location:Southeast Asia, bordering the South China Sea, between Laos and thePhilippinesMap references:Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:329,560 km2land area:325,360 km2comparative area:slightly larger than New MexicoLand boundaries:total 3,818 km, Cambodia 982 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 1,555 kmCoastline:3,444 km (excludes islands)Maritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 nm or the edge of continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:maritime boundary with Cambodia not defined; involved in a complex disputeover the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, andpossibly Brunei; unresolved maritime boundary with Thailand; maritimeboundary dispute with China in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupiedby China but claimed by Vietnam and TaiwanClimate:tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (mid-May tomid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March)Terrain:low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous infar north and northwestNatural resources:phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil deposits,forestsLand use:arable land:22%permanent crops:2%meadows and pastures:1%forest and woodland:40%other:35%Irrigated land:18,300 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding
*Vietnam, People
Population:71,787,608 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.85% (1993 est.)Birth rate:27.99 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:7.92 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-1.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:46.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:65.1 yearsmale:63.08 yearsfemale:67.25 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:3.45 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Vietnamese (singular and plural)adjective:VietnameseEthnic divisions:Vietnamese 85-90%, Chinese 3%, Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, ChamReligions:Buddhist, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islamic, ProtestantLanguages:Vietnamese (official), French, Chinese, English, Khmer, tribal languages(Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:88%male:92%female:84%Labor force:32.7 millionby occupation:agricultural 65%, industrial and service 35% (1990 est.)
*Vietnam, Government
Names:conventional long form:Socialist Republic of Vietnamconventional short form:Vietnam local long form:Cong Hoa Chu Nghia Viet Namlocal short form:Viet NamAbbreviation:SRVDigraph:VMType:Communist stateCapital:HanoiAdministrative divisions:50 provinces (tinh, singular and plural), 3 municipalities* (thanh pho,, singular and plural);An Giang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Bac Thai, Ben Tre, BinhDinh, Binh Thuan, Can Tho, Cao Bang, Dac Lac, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai,Ha Bac, Ha Giang, Ha Noi*, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hai Hung, Hai Phong*, Ho Chi, Minh*, Hoa Binh,Khanh, Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, LangSon, Lao Cai, Long An, Minh Hai, Nam Ha, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, PhuYen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam-Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, SocTrang, Son La, Song Be, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien, TienGiang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phu, Yen BaiIndependence:2 September 1945 (from France)Constitution:NA April 1992Legal system:based on Communist legal theory and French civil law systemNational holiday:Independence Day, 2 September (1945)Political parties and leaders:only party - Vietnam Communist Party (VCP), DO MUOI, general secretarySuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:National Assembly:last held 19 July 1992 (next to be held NA July 1997); results - VCP is theonly party; seats - (395 total) VCP or VCP-approved 395Executive branch:president, prime minister, three deputy prime ministersLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi)Judicial branch:Supreme People's CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President Le Duc ANH (since 23 September 1992)Head of Government:Prime Minister Vo Van KIET (since 9 August 1991); First Deputy PrimeMinister Phan Van KHAI (since 10 August 1991); Deputy Prime Minister NguyenKHANH (since NA February 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Tran Duc LUONG (sinceNA February 1987)
*Vietnam, Government
Member of:ACCT, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:noneUS diplomatic representation:noneFlag:red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
*Vietnam, Economy
Overview:Vietnam has made significant progress in recent years moving away from theplanned economic model and toward a more effective market-based economicsystem. Most prices are now fully decontrolled and the Vietnamese currencyhas been effectively devalued and floated at world market rates. Inaddition, the scope for private sector activity has been expanded, primarilythrough decollectivization of the agricultural sector and introduction oflaws giving legal recognition to private business. Despite such positiveindicators, the country's economic turnaround remains tenuous. Nearlythree-quarters of export earnings are generated by only two commodities,rice and crude oil. Meanwhile, industrial production stagnates, burdened byuncompetitive state-owned enterprises the government is unwilling or unableto privatize. Unemployment looms as the most serious problem with over 25%of the workforce without jobs and population growth swelling the ranks ofthe unemployed yearly.National product:GNP - exchange rate conversion - $16 billion (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:7.4% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$230 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):15%-20% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:25% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1990)Exports:$2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:agricultural and handicraft products, coal, minerals, crude oil, ores,seafoodpartners:Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, TaiwanImports:$1.9 billion (c.i.f., 1992)commodities:petroleum products, steel products, railroad equipment, chemicals,medicines, raw cotton, fertilizer, grainpartners:Japan, Singapore, ThailandExternal debt:$16.8 billion (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 15% (1992); accounts for 30% of GNPElectricity:3,300,000 kW capacity; 9,000 million kWh produced, 130 kWh per capita (1992)Industries:food processing, textiles, machine building, mining, cement, chemicalfertilizer, glass, tires, oilAgriculture:accounts for half of GNP; paddy rice, corn, potatoes make up 50% of farmoutput; commercial crops (rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas) and animalproducts 50%; since 1989 self-sufficient in food staple rice; fish catch of943,100 metric tons (1989 est.)
*Vietnam, Economy
Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-74), $3.1 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.9 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $61 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $12.0billionCurrency:1 new dong (D) = 100 xuExchange rates:new dong (D) per US$1 - 10,800 (November 1992), 8,100 (July 1991), 7,280(December 1990), 3,996 (March 1990), 2,047 (1988), 225 (1987); note -1985-89 figures are end of yearFiscal year:calendar year
*Vietnam, Communications
Railroads:3,059 km total; 2,454 1.000-meter gauge, 151 km 1.435-meter (standard)gauge, 230 km dual gauge (three rails), and 224 km not restored to serviceafter war damageHighways:85,000 km total; 9,400 km paved, 48,700 km gravel or improved earth, 26,900km unimproved earth (est.)Inland waterways:17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at all times by vessels upto 1.8 meter draftPipelines:petroleum products 150 kmPorts:Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh CityMerchant marine:99 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 460,712 GRT/739,246 DWT; includes 84cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 8 oil tanker, 3 bulkAirports:total:100usable:100with permanent-surface runways:50with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:10with runways 1,220-2,439 m:20Telecommunications:the inadequacies of the obsolete switching equipment and cable system is aserious constraint on the business sector and on economic growth, andrestricts access to the international links that Vietnam has establishedwith most major countries; the telephone system is not generally availablefor private use (25 telephones for each 10,000 persons); 3 satellite earthstations; broadcast stations - NA AM, 288 FM; 36 (77 repeaters) TV; about2,500,000 TV receivers and 7,000,000 radio receivers in use (1991)
*Vietnam, Defense Forces
Branches:Ground, Navy (including Naval Infantry), Air ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 17,835,536; fit for military service 11,338,880; reachmilitary age (17) annually 771,792 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP
*Virgin Islands, Header
Affiliation: (territory of the US)
*Virgin Islands, Geography
Location:in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 110 km east and southeast of Puerto RicoMap references:Central America and the CaribbeanArea:total area:352 km2land area:349 km2comparative area:slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:188 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 m or depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:subtropical, tempered by easterly tradewinds, relatively low humidity,little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to NovemberTerrain:mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level landNatural resources:sun, sand, sea, surfLand use:arable land:15%permanent crops:6%meadows and pastures:26%forest and woodland:6%other:47%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:rarely affected by hurricanes; subject to frequent severe droughts, floods,earthquakes; lack of natural freshwater resourcesNote:important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for thePanama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors inthe Caribbean
*Virgin Islands, People
Population:98,130 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:-0.76% (1993 est.)Birth rate:20.26 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate: -22.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:75.29 yearsmale:73.6 yearsfemale:77.2 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:2.64 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Virgin Islander(s)adjective:Virgin Islander; US citizensEthnic divisions:West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in theWest Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8%; black 80%,white 15%, other 5%; Hispanic origin 14%Religions:Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%Languages:English (official), Spanish, CreoleLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:45,500 (1988)by occupation:tourism 70%
*Virgin Islands, Government
Names:conventional long form:Virgin Islands of the United Statesconventional short form:Virgin IslandsDigraph:VQType:organized, unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Office ofTerritorial and International Affairs, US Department of the InteriorCapital:Charlotte AmalieAdministrative divisions:none (territory of the US)Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954Legal system:based on USNational holiday:Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to US)Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM),Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVISSuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:Governor:last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results -Governor Alexander FARRELLY (Democratic Party) 56.5% defeated Juan LUIS(independent) 38.5%Senate:last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) number of seats by party NAUS House of Representatives:last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994); results - RonDE LUGO reelected as delegate; seats - (1 total); seat by party NA; note -the Virgin Islands elect one representative to the US House ofRepresentativesExecutive branch:US president, popularly elected governor and lieutenant governorLegislative branch:unicameral SenateJudicial branch:US District Court:handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age andover), and federal casesTerritorial Court:handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, juvenile, domestic,misdemeanors, and traffic casesLeaders:Chief of State:President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice PresidentAlbert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)Head of Government:Governor Alexander A. FARRELLY (since 5 January 1987); Lieutenant GovernorDerek M. HODGE (since 5 January 1987)Member of:ECLAC (associate), IOC
*Virgin Islands, Government
Diplomatic representation in US:none (territory of the US)Flag:white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blueinitials V and I; the coat of arms shows an eagle holding an olive branch inone talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield ofvertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
*Virgin Islands, Economy
Overview:Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% ofGDP and 70% of employment. The manufacturing sector consists of textile,electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agriculturalsector is small, most food being imported. International business andfinancial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One ofthe world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.2 billion (1987)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$11,000 (1987)Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:3.7% (1992)Budget:revenues $364.4 million; expenditures $364.4 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (FY90)Exports:$2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:refined petroleum productspartners:US, Puerto RicoImports:$3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materialspartners:US, Puerto RicoExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate 12%; accounts for NA% of GDPElectricity:380,000 kW capacity; 565 million kWh produced, 5,710 kWh per capita (1992)Industries:tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction,pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronicsAgriculture:truck gardens, food crops (small scale), fruit, sorghum, Senepol cattleEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $42millionCurrency:US currency is usedFiscal year:1 October - 30 September
*Virgin Islands, Communications
Highways:856 km totalPorts:Saint Croix - Christiansted, Frederiksted; Saint Thomas - Long Bay, CrownBay, Red Hook; Saint John - Cruz BayAirports:total:2usable:2with permanent-surface runways :2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:2note:international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint CroixTelecommunications:modern telephone system using fiber-optic cable, submarine cable, microwaveradio, and satellite facilities; 58,931 telephones; 98,000 radios; 63,000 TVsets in use; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 8 FM, 4 TV (1988)
*Virgin Islands, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
*Wake Island, Header
Affiliation: (territory of the US)
*Wake Island, Geography
Location:in the North Pacific Ocean, 3,700 km west of Honolulu, about two-thirds ofthe way between Hawaii and the Northern Mariana IslandsMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:6.5 km2land area:6.5 km2 comparative area:about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:19.3 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 m or depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:claimed by the Republic of the Marshall IslandsClimate:tropicalTerrain:atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; centrallagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim; average elevation lessthan 4 metersNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:100%Irrigated land:0 km2Environment:subject to occasional typhoonsNote:strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing locationfor transpacific flights
*Wake Island, People
Population:no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 302 US Air Force personnel,civilian weather service personnel, and US and Thai contractors; populationpeaked about 1970 with over 1,600 persons during the Vietnam conflict
*Wake Island, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Wake IslandDigraph:WQType:unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Air Force (underan agreement with the US Department of Interior) since 24 June 1972Capital:none; administered from Washington, DCIndependence:none (territory of the US)Flag:the US flag is used
*Wake Island, Economy
Overview:Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personneland contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods mustbe imported.Electricity:supplied by US military
*Wake Island, Communications
Ports:none; because of the reefs, there are only two offshore anchorages for largeshipsAirports:total:1usable:1with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:underwater cables to Guam and through Midway to Honolulu; 1 Autovon circuitoff the Overseas Telephone System (OTS); Armed Forces Radio/TelevisionService (AFRTS) radio and television service provided by satellite;broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TVNote:formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used only by US militaryand some commercial cargo planes
*Wake Island, Defense Forces
defense is the responsibility of the US
*Wallis and Futuna, Header
Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)
*Wallis and Futuna, Geography
Location:in the South Pacific Ocean, 4,600 km southwest of Honolulu, about two-thirdsof the way from Hawaii to New ZealandMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:274 km2land area:274 km2comparative area:slightly larger than Washington, DCnote:includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi,and 20 isletsLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:129 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May toOctober)Terrain:volcanic origin; low hillsNatural resources:negligibleLand use:arable land:5%permanent crops: 20%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:75%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:both island groups have fringing reefs
*Wallis and Futuna, People
Population:14,175 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.15% (1993 est.)Birth rate:26.42 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.38 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-9.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:27.59 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:71.2 yearsmale:70.54 yearsfemale:71.9 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:3.34 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islandersadjective:Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna IslanderEthnic divisions:PolynesianReligions:Roman CatholicLanguages:French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)Literacy:all ages can read and write (1969)total population:50%male:50%female:51%Labor force:NAby occupation:agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (est.)
*Wallis and Futuna, Government
Names:conventional long form:Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islandsconventional short form:Wallis and Futunalocal long form:Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futunalocal short form:Wallis et FutunaDigraph:WFType:overseas territory of FranceCapital:Mata Utu (on Ile Uvea)Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of France)Independence:none (overseas territory of France)Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:French legal systemPolitical parties and leaders:Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union Populaire Locale (UPL); Union Pour laDemocratie Francaise (UDF); Lua kae tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement desRadicaux de Gauche (MRG)Suffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:Territorial Assembly:last held 15 March 1987 (next to be held NA March 1992); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 7, UPL 5, UDF 4, UNF 4French Senate:last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1998); results- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPR 1French National Assembly:last held 21 and 28 March 1992 (next to be held by NA September 1996);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MRG 1Executive branch:French president, chief administrator; note - there are three traditionalkings with limited powersLegislative branch:unicameral Territorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale)Judicial branch:none; justice generally administered under French law by the chiefadministrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law andthere is a magistrate in Mata UtuLeaders:Chief of State:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)Head of Government:Chief Administrator Robert POMMIES (since 26 September 1990)Member of:FZ, SPCDiplomatic representation in US:as an overseas territory of France, local interests are represented in theUS by France
*Wallis and Futuna, Government
US diplomatic representation:none (overseas territory of France)Flag:the flag of France is used
*Wallis and Futuna, Economy
Overview:The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about80% of the labor force earning its livelihood from agriculture (coconuts andvegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of thepopulation is employed in government. Revenues come from French Governmentsubsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, importtaxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. Wallis andFutuna imports food, fuel, clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, butits exports are negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $25 million (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$1,500 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $2.7 million; expenditures $2.7 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1983)Exports:negligiblecommodities:copra, handicraftspartners:NAImports:$13.3 million (c.i.f., 1984)commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment, fuelpartners:France, Australia, New ZealandExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:1,200 kW capacity; 1 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumberAgriculture:dominated by coconut production, with subsistence crops of yams, taro,bananas, and herds of pigs and goatsEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$118 millionCurrency:1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 99.65 (January1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.0 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30(1988); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French francFiscal year:NA
*Wallis and Futuna, Communications
Highways:100 km on Ile Uvea, 16 km sealed; 20 km earth surface on Ile FutunaInland waterways:nonePorts:Mata-Utu, LeavaAirports:total:2useable:2with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:225 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV
*Wallis and Futuna, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
*West Bank, Header
The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David Accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. In the view of the US, the term West Bank describes all of the area west of the Jordan River under Jordanian administration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. However, with respect to negotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, it is US policy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city's special status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the rest of the West Bank.
*West Bank, Geography
Location:Middle East, between Jordan and IsraelMap references:Middle EastArea:total area:5,860 km2land area:5,640 km2comparative area:slightly larger than Delawarenote:includes West Bank, East Jerusalem, Latrun Salient, Jerusalem No Man's Land,and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. ScopusLand boundaries:total 404 km, Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:Israeli occupied with status to be determinedClimate:temperate, temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hotsummers, cool to mild wintersTerrain:mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in eastNatural resources:negligibleLand use:arable land:27%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:32%forest and woodland:1%other:40%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifersNote:landlocked; there are 175 Jewish settlements in the West Bank and 14Israeli-built Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem
*West Bank, People
Population:1,404,114 (July 1993 est.)note:in addition, there are 102,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank and 134,000in East Jerusalem (1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.9% (1993 est.)Birth rate:33.78 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.32 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:35.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:69.93 yearsmale:68.48 yearsfemale:71.46 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:4.37 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:NAadjective:NAEthnic divisions:Palestinian Arab and other 88%, Jewish 12%Religions:Muslim 80% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 12%, Christian and other 8%Languages:Arabic, Hebrew spoken by Israeli settlers, English widely understoodLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:NAby occupation:small industry, commerce, and business 29.8%, construction 24.2%,agriculture 22.4%, service and other 23.6% (1984)note:excluding Israeli Jewish settlers
*West Bank, Government
Note:The West Bank is currently governed by Israeli military authorities andIsraeli civil administration. It is US policy that the final status of theWest Bank will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties.These negotiations will determine how the area is to be governed.Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:West BankDigraph:WG
*West Bank, Economy
Overview:Economic progress in the West Bank has been hampered by Israeli militaryadministration and the effects of the Palestinian uprising (intifadah).Industries using advanced technology or requiring sizable investment havebeen discouraged by a lack of local capital and restrictive Israelipolicies. Capital investment consists largely of residential housing, notproductive assets that would enable local firms to compete with Israeliindustry. A major share of GNP is derived from remittances of workersemployed in Israel and Persian Gulf states, but such transfers from the Gulfdropped dramatically after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In the wakeof the Persian Gulf crisis, many Palestinians have returned to the WestBank, increasing unemployment, and export revenues have plunged because ofthe loss of markets in Jordan and the Gulf states. Israeli measures tocurtail the intifadah also have pushed unemployment up and lowered livingstandards. The area's economic outlook remains bleak.National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion (1990 est.)National product real growth rate:-10% (1990 est.)National product per capita:$1,200 (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):11% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:15% (1990 est.)Budget:revenues $31.0 million; expenditures $36.1 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (FY88)Exports:$150 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.)commodities:NApartners:Jordan, IsraelImports:$410 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.)commodities:NApartners:Jordan, IsraelExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate 1% (1989); accounts for about 4% of GNPElectricity:power supplied by IsraelIndustries:generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap,olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis haveestablished some small-scale modern industries in the settlements andindustrial centersAgriculture:accounts for about 15% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables,beef, and dairy productsEconomic aid:NACurrency:1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot; 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000fils
*West Bank, Economy
Exchange rates:new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.6480 (November 1992), 2.2791 (1991),2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987); Jordanian dinars(JD) per US$1 - 0.6890 (January 1993), 0.6797 (1992), 0.6808 (1991), 0.6636(1990), 0.5704 (1989), 0.3709 (1988)Fiscal year:calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
*West Bank, Communications
Highways:small road network, Israelis developing east-west axial highways to servicenew settlementsAirports:total:2usable:2with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:open-wire telephone system currently being upgraded; broadcast stations - noAM, no FM, no TV
*West Bank, Defense Forces
Branches:NAManpower availability:males age 15-49 NA; fit for military service NADefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Western Sahara, Geography
Location:Northern Africa, along the Atlantic Ocean, between Morocco and MauritaniaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:266,000 km2land area:266,000 km2comparative area:slightly smaller than ColoradoLand boundaries:total 2,046 km, Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 kmCoastline:1,110 kmMaritime claims:contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issueInternational disputes:claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and theUN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administeredcease-fire has been currently in effect since September 1991Climate:hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog andheavy dewTerrain:mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces risingto small mountains in south and northeastNatural resources:phosphates, iron oreLand use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:19%forest and woodland:0%other:81%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring;widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restrictingvisibility; sparse water and arable land
*Western Sahara, People
Population:206,629 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.52% (1993 est.)Birth rate:47.54 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:19.57 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-2.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:155.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:44.88 yearsmale:43.98 yearsfemale:46.06 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:7.01 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality: noun:Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)adjective:Sahrawian, SahraouianEthnic divisions:Arab, BerberReligions:MuslimLanguages:Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan ArabicLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:12,000by occupation:animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%
*Western Sahara, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Western SaharaDigraph:WIType:legal status of territory and question of sovereignty unresolved; territorycontested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberationof the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formallyproclaimed a government in exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic(SADR); territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976,with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure fromPolisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979;Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has sinceasserted administrative control; the Polisario's government in exile wasseated as an OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continuedsporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September1991Capital:noneAdministrative divisions:none (under de facto control of Morocco)Leaders:noneMember of:noneDiplomatic representation in US:noneUS diplomatic representation:none
*Western Sahara, Economy
Overview:Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and having littlerainfall, has a per capita GDP of roughly $300. Pastoral nomadism, fishing,and phosphate mining are the principal sources of income for the population.Most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade andother economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $60 million (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$300 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$8 million (f.o.b., 1982 est.)commodities:phosphates 62%partners:Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners areincluded in overall Moroccan accountsImports:$30 million (c.i.f., 1982 est.)commodities:fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffspartners:Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners areincluded in overall Moroccan accountsExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:60,000 kW capacity; 79 million kWh produced, 425 kWh per capita (1989)Industries:phosphate mining, fishing, handicraftsAgriculture:limited largely to subsistence agriculture; some barley is grown innondrought years; fruit and vegetables are grown in the few oases; foodimports are essential; camels, sheep, and goats are kept by the nomadicnatives; cash economy exists largely for the garrison forcesEconomic aid:NACurrency:1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 9.034 (January 1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707(1991), 8.242 (1990), 8.488 (1989), 8.209 (1988)Fiscal year:NA
*Western Sahara, Communications
Highways:6,200 km total; 1,450 km surfaced, 4,750 km improved and unimproved earthroads and tracksPorts:El Aaiun, Ad DakhlaAirports:total:14usable:14with permanent-surface runways:3with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:3with runways 1,220-2,439 m:5Telecommunications:sparse and limited system; tied into Morocco's system by microwave radiorelay, troposcatter, and 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations linked toRabat, Morocco; 2,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 2 TV
*Western Sahara, Defense Forces
Branches:NAManpower availability:NADefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Western Samoa, Geography
Location:Oceania, 4,300 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean, abouthalfway between Hawaii and New ZealandMap references:Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:2,860 km2 land area:2,850 km2comparative area:slightly smaller than Rhode IslandLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:403 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October)Terrain:narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interiorNatural resources:hardwood forests, fishLand use:arable land:19%permanent crops:24%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:47%other:10%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:subject to occasional typhoons; active volcanism
*Western Samoa, People
Population:199,652 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.37% (1993 est.)Birth rate:33 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:6.17 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-3.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:38.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:67.58 years male:65.19 yearsfemale:70.08 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:4.28 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Western Samoan(s)adjective:Western SamoanEthnic divisions:Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood),Europeans 0.4%Religions:Christian 99.7% (about half of population associated with the LondonMissionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist,Latter Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist)Languages:Samoan (Polynesian), EnglishLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1971)total population:97%male:97%female:97%Labor force:38,000by occupation:agriculture 22,000 (1987 est.)
*Western Samoa, Government
Names:conventional long form:Independent State of Western Samoaconventional short form:Western SamoaDigraph:WSType:constitutional monarchy under native chiefCapital:ApiaAdministrative divisions:11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga,Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, VaisiganoIndependence:1 January 1962 (from UN trusteeship administered by New Zealand)Constitution:1 January 1962Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; judicial review oflegislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:National Day, 1 JunePolitical parties and leaders:Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), TOFILAU Eti, chairman; Samoan NationalDevelopment Party (SNDP), TAPUA Tamasese Efi, chairmanSuffrage:21 years of age; universal, but only matai (head of family) are able to runfor the Legislative AssemblyElections:Legislative Assembly:last held 5 April 1991 (next to be held by NA 1996); results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (47 total) HRPP 28, SNDP 18, independents 1Executive branch:chief, Executive Council, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono)Judicial branch:Supreme Court, Court of AppealLeaders:Chief of State:Chief Susuga Malietoa TANUMAFILI II (Co-Chief of State from 1 January 1962until becoming sole Chief of State on 5 April 1963)Head of Government:Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana (since 7 April 1988)Member of:ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IOC, ITU,LORCS, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador-designate Neroni SLADEchancery:(temporary) suite 510, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005telephone:(202) 833-1743US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:the ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Western Samoa
*Western Samoa, Government
embassy:address NA, Apiamailing address:P.O. Box 3430, Apiatelephone:(685) 21-631FAX:(685) 22-030Flag:red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing fivewhite five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation
*Western Samoa, Economy
Overview:Agriculture employs more than half of the labor force, contributes 50% toGDP, and furnishes 90% of exports. The bulk of export earnings comes fromthe sale of coconut oil and copra. The economy depends on emigrantremittances and foreign aid to support a level of imports several timesexport earnings. Tourism has become the most important growth industry, andconstruction of the first international hotel is under way.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $115 million (1990)National product real growth rate:-4.5% (1990 est.)National product per capita:$690 (1990)Inflation rate (consumer prices):15% (1990)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $95.3 million; expenditures $95.4 million, including capitalexpenditures of $41 million (FY92)Exports:$9 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:coconut oil and cream 54%, taro 12%, copra 9%, cocoa 3%partners:NZ 28%, American Samoa 23%, Germany 22%, US 6% (1990)Imports:$75 million (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:intermediate goods 58%, food 17%, capital goods 12%partners:New Zealand 41%, Australia 18%, Japan 13%, UK 6%, US 6%External debt:$83 million (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -4% (1990 est.); accounts for 14% of GDPElectricity:29,000 kW capacity; 45 million kWh produced, 240 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:timber, tourism, food processing, fishingAgriculture:accounts for 50% of GDP; coconuts, fruit (including bananas, taro, yams)Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $18 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $306 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $4 millionCurrency:1 tala (WS$) = 100 seneExchange rates:tala (WS$) per US$1 - 2.5681 (January 1993), 2.4655 (1992), 2.3975 (1991),2.3095 (1990), 2.2686 (1989), 2.0790 (1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Western Samoa, Communications
Highways:2,042 km total; 375 km sealed; 1,667 km mostly gravel, crushed stone, orearthPorts:ApiaMerchant marine:1 roll-on/roll-off ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,838 GRT/5,536 DWTAirports:total:3usable:3with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:7,500 telephones; 70,000 radios; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground station
*Western Samoa, Defense Forces
Branches:Department of Police and PrisonsManpower availability:males age 15-49 NA; fit for military service NADefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*World, Geography
Map references:Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:510.072 million km2land area:148.94 million km2water area:361.132 million km2comparative area: land area about 16 times the size of the USnote:70.8% of the world is water, 29.2% is landLand boundaries:the land boundaries in the world total 250,883.64 km (not counting sharedboundaries twice)Coastline:356,000 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nm claimed by most but can varycontinental shelf:200 m depth claimed by most or to the depth of exploitation, others claim200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive fishing zone:200 nm claimed by most but can varyexclusive economic zone:200 nm claimed by most but can varyterritorial sea:12 nm claimed by most but can varynote:boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries fromextending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm; 42 nations andother areas that are landlocked include Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia,Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi,Central African Republic, Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (VaticanCity), Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein,Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger,Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan,Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, ZimbabweClimate:two large areas of polar climates separated by two rather narrow temperatezones from a wide equatorial band of tropical to subtropical climatesTerrain:highest elevation is Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters and lowest depression isthe Dead Sea at 392 meters below sea level; greatest ocean depth is theMarianas Trench at 10,924 metersNatural resources:the rapid using up of nonrenewable mineral resources, the depletion offorest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and plant species, andthe deterioration in air and water quality (especially in Eastern Europe andthe former USSR) pose serious long-term problems that governments andpeoples are only beginning to addressLand use:arable land:10%permanent crops:1%
*World, Geography
meadows and pastures:24%forest and woodland: 31%other:34%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters(earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions), overpopulation,industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances),loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss ofwildlife resources, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion
*World, People
Population:5,554,552,453 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.6% (1993 est.)Birth rate:25 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:9 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:66 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:62 yearsmale:60 yearsfemale:64 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:3.2 children born/woman (1993 est.)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)combined:74%male:81%female:67%Labor force:2.24 billion (1992)by occupation:NA
*World, Government
Digraph:XXAdministrative divisions:265 sovereign nations, dependent areas, other, and miscellaneous entriesLegal system:varies by individual country; 182 are parties to the United NationsInternational Court of Justice (ICJ or World Court)
*World, Economy
Overview:Real global output—gross world product (GWP)—rose one-half of 1% in 1992,with results varying widely among regions and countries. Average growth of1.5% in the GDP of industrialized countries (62% of GWP in 1992) and averagegrowth of 5% in the GDP of less developed countries (30% of GWP) were offsetby a further 15-20% drop in the GDP of the former Soviet-East European area(now only 8% of GWP). The United States accounted for 23% of GWP in 1992;the 12-member European Community, which established a single internal marketon 1 January 1993, accounted for another 23%, and Japan accounted for 10%.These are the three "economic superpowers" presumably destined to competefor mastery in international markets on into the 21st century. In general,growth in the industrialized countries was sluggish in 1992, withunemployment typically at 7-11%. As for the less developed countries, China,India, and the Four Dragons—South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, andSingapore—posted good records; however, many other countries, especially inAfrica, suffered bitterly from drought, rapid population growth, and civilstrife. The continued plunge in production in practically all the formerWarsaw Pact economies strained the political and social fabric of thesenewly independent nations, in particular in Russia. The addition of nearly100 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbatingthe problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, andfamine. Because of their own internal problems, the industrialized countrieshave inadequate resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of theworld, which, at least from the economic point of view, are becoming furthermarginalized. (For the specific economic problems of each country, see theindividual country entries in this volume.)National product:GWP (gross world product) - purchasing power equivalent - $25.6 trillion(1992 est.)National product real growth rate:0.5% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$4,600 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):developed countries:5% (1992 est.)developing countries:50% (1992 est.)note:these figures vary widely in individual casesUnemployment rate:developed countries typically 7-11%; developing countries, extensiveunemployment and underemployment (1992)Exports:$3.64 trillion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and servicespartners: in value, about 75% of exports from the developed countriesImports:$3.82 trillion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)commodities:the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and servicespartners:in value, about 75% of imports by the developed countriesExternal debt:$1 trillion for less developed countries (1992 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -1% (1992 est.)
*World, Economy
Electricity:2,864,000,000 kW capacity; 11,450,000 million kWh produced, 2,150 kWh percapita (1990)Industries:industry worldwide is dominated by the onrush of technology, especially incomputers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medicalequipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a smallportion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to thesetechnological forces, and the technological gap between the industrialnations and the less-developed countries continues to widen; the rapiddevelopment of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicatingalready grim environmental problemsAgriculture:the production of major food crops has increased substantially in the last20 years; the annual production of cereals, for instance, has risen by 50%,from about 1.2 billion metric tons to about 1.8 billion metric tons;production increases have resulted mainly from increased yields rather thanincreases in planted areas; while global production is sufficient foraggregate demand, about one-fifth of the world's population remainsmalnourished, primarily because local production cannot adequately providefor large and rapidly growing populations, which are too poor to pay forfood imports; conditions are especially bad in Africa where drought inrecent years has intensified the consequences of overpopulationEconomic aid:NA
*World, Communications
Railroads:239,430 km of narrow gauge track; 710,754 km of standard gauge track;251,153 km of broad gauge track; includes about 190,000 to 195,000 km ofelectrified routes of which 147,760 km are in Europe, 24,509 km in the FarEast, 11,050 km in Africa, 4,223 km in South America, and only 4,160 km inNorth America; fastest speed in daily service is 300 km/hr attained byFrance's SNCF TGV-Atlantique linePorts:Mina al Ahmadi (Kuwait), Chiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, NewOrleans, New York, Rotterdam, YokohamaMerchant marine:23,943 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 397,225,000 GRT/652,025,000 DWT;includes 347 passenger-cargo, 12,581 freighters, 5,473 bulk carriers, and5,542 tankers (January 1992)
*World, Defense Forces
Branches:ground, maritime, and air forces at all levels of technologyDefense expenditures:$1.0 trillion, 4% of total world output; decline of 5-10% (1991 est.)
*Yemen, Geography
Location:Middle East, along the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, south of Saudi ArabiaMap references:Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:527,970 km2land area:527,970 km2comparative area:slightly larger than twice the size of Wyomingnote:includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or NorthYemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or SouthYemen)Land boundaries:total 1,746 km, Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 kmCoastline:1,906 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:18 nm in the North24 nm in the Southcontinental shelf:200 m depth in the North200 nm in the South or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:undefined section of boundary with Saudi Arabia; Administrative Line withOman; a treaty with Oman to settle the Yemeni-Omani boundary was ratified inDecember 1992Climate:mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in westernmountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harshdesert in eastTerrain:narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains;dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior ofthe Arabian PeninsulaNatural resources:petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble, small deposits of coal, gold, lead,nickel, and copper, fertile soil in westLand use:arable land:6%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:30%forest and woodland:7%other:57%Irrigated land:3,100 km2 (1989 est.)
*Yemen, Geography
Environment:subject to sand and dust storms in summer; scarcity of natural freshwaterresources; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationNote:controls Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,one of world's most active shipping lanes
*Yemen, People
Population:10,742,395 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.31% (1993 est.)Birth rate:51 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:15.37 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-2.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:115.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:50.94 yearsmale:49.83 yearsfemale:52.11 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate: 7.27 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Yemeni(s)adjective:YemeniEthnic divisions:predominantly Arab; Afro-Arab concentrations in coastal locations; SouthAsians in southern regions; small European communities in major metropolitanareas; 60,000 (est.) Somali refugees encamped near AdenReligions:Muslim (including Sha'fi, Sunni, and Zaydi Shi'a), Jewish, Christian, HinduLanguages:ArabicLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:38%male:53%female:26%Labor force:North:NAby occupation:agriculture and herding 70%, expatriate laborers 30% (est.)South:477,000by occupation:agriculture 45.2%, services 21.2%, construction 13.4%, industry 10.6%,commerce and other 9.6% (1983)
*Yemen, Government