@Uganda, Economy
Overview:Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils,regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt.The economy has been devastated by widespread political instability,mismanagement, and civil war since independence in 1962. (GDP remainsbelow the levels of the early 1970s, as does industrial production.)Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employingover 80% of the work force. Coffee is the major export crop andaccounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986 the governmenthas acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertakingcurrency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasingprices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. Thepolicy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation, which wasrunning at over 300% in 1987, and boosting production and exportearnings. In 1990-93, the economy has turned in a solid performancebased on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure,improved incentives for production and exports, and graduallyimproving domestic security.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $24.1 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:6% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$1,200 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):41.5% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$365 millionexpenditures:$545 million, including capital expenditures of $165 million (1989est.)Exports:$150 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:coffee 97%, cotton, teapartners:US 25%, UK 18%, France 11%, Spain 10%Imports:$513 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)commodities:petroleum products, machinery, cotton piece goods, metals,transportation equipment, foodpartners:Kenya 25%, UK 14%, Italy 13%External debt:$1.9 billion (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 8% (1992 est.); accounts for 5% of GDPElectricity:capacity:200,000 kWproduction:610 million kWhconsumption per capita:30 kWh (1991)Industries:sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cementAgriculture:mainly subsistence; accounts for 57% of GDP and over 80% of laborforce; cash crops - coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco; food crops -cassava, potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; livestock products - beef,goat meat, milk, poultry; self-sufficient in foodEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $145 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.4billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $60 million; Communistcountries (1970-89), $169 millionCurrency:1 Ugandan shilling (USh) = 100 centsExchange rates:Ugandan shillings (USh) per US$1 - 1,165.0 (November 1993), 1.133.8(1992), 734.0 (1991), 428.85 (1990), 223.1 (1989)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
@Uganda, Communications
Railroads:1,300 km, 1.000-meter-gauge single trackHighways:total:26,200 kmpaved:1,970 kmunpaved:gravel, crushed stone 5,849 km; earth, tracks 18,381 kmInland waterways:Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake Edward;Victoria Nile, Albert Nile; principal inland water ports are at Jinjaand Port Bell, both on Lake VictoriaMerchant marine:3 roll-on/roll-off cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,091GRT/NA DWTAirports:total:31usable:23with permanent-surface runways:5with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:3with runways 1,220-2,439 m:11Telecommunications:fair system with microwave and radio communications stations;broadcast stations - 10 AM, no FM, 9 TV; satellite communicationsground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
@Uganda, Defense Forces
Branches:National Resistance Army (NRA); includes Air Force and Navy, LocalDefense Units (LDU)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 4,138,087; fit for military service 2,248,232Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, 15% of budget (FY89/90)
@Ukraine, Geography
Location:Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland and RussiaMap references:Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - European States, Europe,Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:603,700 sq kmland area:603,700 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than TexasLand boundaries:total 4,558 km, Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km, Poland428 km, Romania (southwest) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia1,576 km, Slovakia 90 kmCoastline:2,782 kmMaritime claims:NAInternational disputes:potential future border disputes with Moldova and Romania in NorthernBukovina and southern Odes'ka Oblast'; potential dispute with Moldovaover former southern Bessarabian area; potential dispute with Russiaover Crimea; has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but hasreserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of anyother nationClimate:temperate continental; subtropical only on the southern Crimean coast;precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west andnorth, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along theBlack Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greaterpart of the country, hot in the southTerrain:most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaux,mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in theCrimean Peninsula in the extreme southNatural resources:iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulphur, graphite,titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timberLand use:arable land:56%permanent crops:2%meadows and pastures:12%forest and woodland:0%other:30%Irrigated land:26,000 sq km (1990)Environment:current issues:unsafe drinking water; air and water pollution; deforestation;radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986 accident atChornobyl' Nuclear Power Plantnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Environmental Modification,Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, butnot ratified - Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Law of the SeaNote:strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; secondlargest country in Europe
@Ukraine, People
Population:51,846,958 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.05% (1994 est.)Birth rate:12.34 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:12.6 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:20.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:69.99 yearsmale:65.45 yearsfemale:74.76 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.82 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Ukrainian(s)adjective:UkrainianEthnic divisions:Ukrainian 73%, Russian 22%, Jewish 1%, other 4%Religions:Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox - KievPatriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic(Uniate), Protestant, JewishLanguages:Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, HungarianLiteracy:age 9-49 can read and write (1979)total population:100%male:100%female:100%Labor force:23.985 millionby occupation:industry and construction 33%, agriculture and forestry 21%, health,education, and culture 16%, trade and distribution 7%, transport andcommunication 7%, other 16% (1992)
@Ukraine, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Ukrainelocal long form:nonelocal short form:Ukrayinaformer:Ukrainian Soviet Socialist RepublicDigraph:UPType:republicCapital:Kiev (Kyyiv)Administrative divisions:24 oblasti (singular - oblast'), 1 autonomous republic* (avtomnayarespublika), and 2 municipalites (mista, singular - misto) with oblaststatus**; Cherkas'ka (Cherkasy), Chernihivs'ka (Chernihiv),Chernivets'ka (Chernitsi), Dnipropetrovs'ka (Dnipropetrovs'k),Donets'ka (Donets'k), Ivano-Frankivs'ka (Ivano-Frankivs'k),Kharkivs'ka (Kharkiv), Khersons'ka (Kherson), Khmel'nyts'ka(Khmel'nyts'kyy), Kirovohrads'ka (Kirovohrad), Kyyiv**, Kyyivs'ka(Kiev), Luhans'ka (Luhans'k), L'vivs'ka (L'viv), Mykolayivs'ka(Mykolayiv), Odes'ka (Odesa), Poltavs'ka (Poltava), Respublika Krym*(Simferopol'), Rivnens'ka (Rivne), Sevastopol'**,Sums'ka(Sevastopol'), Ternopil's'ka (Ternopil'), Vinnyts'ka (Vinnytsya),Volyns'ka (Luts'k), Zakarpats'ka (Uzhhorod), Zaporiz'ka(Zaporizhzhya), Zhytomyrs'ka (Zhytomyr)note:names in parentheses are administrative centers when name differs fromoblast' nameIndependence:1 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)National holiday:Independence Day, 24 August (1991)Constitution:using 1978 pre-independence constitution; new constitution currentlybeing draftedLegal system:based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative actsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President-elect Leonid D. KUCHMA; election last held 26 June and 10July 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - Leonid KUCHMA 52.15%,Leonid KRAVCHUK 45.06%head of government:Prime Minister (vacant); Acting First Deputy Prime Minister (andActing Prime Minister since September 1993) Yukhym LeonidovychZVYAHIL'SKYY (since 11 June 1993) and five deputy prime ministerscabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the president and approved by theSupreme CouncilLegislative branch:unicameralSupreme Council:elections last held 27 March 1994 (next to be held NA); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (450 total) number of seats byparty NA; note - 338 deputies were elected; the remaining 112 seats tobe filled on 24 July 1994Judicial branch:being organizedPolitical parties and leaders:Green Party of Ukraine, Vitaliy KONONOV, leader; Liberal Party ofUkraine, Ihor MERKULOV, chairman; Liberal Democratic Party of Ukraine,Volodymyr KLYMCHUK, chairman; Democratic Party of Ukraine, VolodymyrOleksandrovych YAVORIVSKIY, chairman; People's Party of Ukraine,Leopol'd TABURYANSKYY, chairman; Peasants' Party of Ukraine, SerhiyDOVGRAN', chairman; Party of Democratic Rebirth of Ukraine, VolodymyrFILENKO, chairman; Social Democratic Party of Ukraine, Yuriy ZBITNEV,chairman; Socialist Party of Ukraine, Oleksandr MOROZ, chairman;Ukrainian Christian Democratic Party, Vitaliy ZHURAVSKYY, chairman;Ukrainian Conservative Republican Party, Stepan KHMARA, chairman;Ukrainian Labor Party, Valentyn LANDYK, chairman; Ukrainian Party ofJustice, Mykhaylo HRECHKO, chairman; Ukrainian Peasants' DemocraticParty, Serhiy PLACHINDA, chairman; Ukrainian Republican Party,Mykhaylo HORYN', chairman; Ukrainian National Conservative Party,Viktor RADIONOV, chairman; Ukrainian People's Movement forRestructuring (Rukh), Vyacheslav CHORNOUL, chairman; UkrainianCommunist Party, Petr SYMONENKOOther political or pressure groups:New Ukraine (Nova Ukrayina); Congress of National Democratic ForcesMember of:BSEC, CBSS (observer), CCC, CE (guest), CEI (participating), CIS,CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ILO, IMF, INMARSAT, INTELSAT(nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NACC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNPROFOR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Oleh Hryhorovych BILORUSchancery:3350 M Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20007telephone:(202) 333-0606FAX:(202) 333-0817consulate(s) general:Chicago and New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador William MILLERembassy:10 Yuria Kotsyubinskovo, 252053 Kiev 53mailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:[7] (044) 244-7349 or 244-7344FAX:[7] (044) 244-7350Flag:two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow representgrainfields under a blue sky
@Ukraine, Economy
Overview: After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union producing more than three times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied equipment and raw materials to industrial and mining sites in other regions of the former USSR. In 1992 the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatizing state enterprises while retaining many central economic controls and continuing subsidies to state production enterprises. In November 1992 the new Prime Minister KUCHMA launched a new economic reform program promising more freedom to the agricultural sector, faster privatization of small and medium enterprises, and stricter control over state subsidies. In 1993, however, severe internal political disputes over the scope and pace of economic reform and payment arrears on energy imports have led to further declines in output, and inflation of 50% or more per month by the last quarter. In first quarter 1994, national income and industrial output were less than two-thirds the first quarter 1993 figures, according to official statistics. At the same time an increasing number of people are developing small private businesses and exploiting opportunities in non-official markets. Even so, the magnitude of the problems and the slow pace in building new market-oriented institutions preclude a near-term recovery of output to the 1990 level. A vital economic concern in 1994 will continue to be Russia's decisions on the prices and quantities of oil and gas to be shipped to the Ukraine. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $205.4 billion (1993 estimate from the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and published in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and as extrapolated to 1993 using official Ukrainian statistics, which are very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990) National product real growth rate: -16% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $3,960 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 45% per month (1993) Unemployment rate: 0.4% officially registered; large number of unregistered or underemployed workers Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $3 billion to countries outside of the FSU (1993) commodities: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, grain, meat partners: FSU countries, Germany, China, Austria Imports: $2.2 billion from outside of the FSU countries (1993) commodities: machinery and parts, transportation equipment, chemicals, textiles partners: FSU countries, Germany, China, Austria External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate -14% (1993); accounts for 50% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 55,882,000 kW production: 281 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,410 kWh (1992) Industries: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food-processing (especially sugar) Agriculture: accounts for about 25% of GDP; grain, vegetables, meat, milk, sugar beets Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: $350 million economic aid and $350 million to help disassemble the atomic weapons from the US in 1994 Currency: Ukraine withdrew the Russian ruble from circulation on 12 November 1992 and declared the karbovanets (plural karbovantsi) sole legal tender in Ukrainian markets; Ukrainian officials claim this is an interim move toward introducing a new currency - the hryvnya - possibly in mid-1994 Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year
@Ukraine, Communications
Railroads:23,350 km (1,524-mm gauge); 8,600 km electrifiedHighways:total:273,700 kmpaved and gravel:236,400 kmunpaved:earth 37,300 kmInland waterways:1,672 km perennially navigable (Pryp''yat' and Dnipro Rivers)Pipelines:crude oil 2,010 km; petroleum products 1,920 km; natural gas 7,800 km(1992)Ports:coastal - Berdyans'k, Illichivs'k, Kerch, Kherson, Mariupol',Mykolayiv, Odesa, Sevastopol', Pivdenne; inland - Kiev (Kyyiv)Merchant marine:390 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,932,009 GRT/5,236,134 DWT,barge carriers 7, bulk cargo 55, cargo 231, chemical tanker 2,container 18, liquefied gas 1, multi-function-large-load-carrier 1,oil tanker 10, passenger 12, passenger cargo 5, railcar carrier 2,refrigerated cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 33, short-sea passenger 8Airports:total:694usable:199with permanent-surface runways:111with runways over 3,659 m:3with runways 2,440-3,659 m:81with runways 1,060-2,439 m:78note:a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstripTelecommunications:the telephone system is inadequate both for business and for personaluse; about 7,886,000 telephone circuits serve 52,056,000 people(1991); telephone density is 151.4 telephone circuits per 1,000persons (1991); 3.56 million applications for telephones had not beensatisfied as of January 1991; calls to other CIS countries are carriedby land line or microwave; other international calls to 167 countriesare carried by satellite or by the 150 leased lines through the Moscowgateway switch; an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operatesin Kiev (Kyyiv) and allows direct dialing of international callsthrough Kiev's EWSD digital exchange; electronic mail services havebeen established in Kiev, Odessa, and Lugansk by Sprint; satelliteearth stations employ INTELSAT, INMARSAT, and Intersputnik
@Ukraine, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Republic Security Forces(internal and border troops), National GuardManpower availability:males age 15-49 12,191,984; fit for military service 9,591,276; reachmilitary age (18) annually 364,676 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:544,256 million karbovantsi, NA% of GDP (forecast for 1993); note -conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the currentexchange rate could produce misleading results
@United Arab Emirates, Geography
Location:Middle East, along the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi ArabiaMap references:Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:75,581 sq kmland area:75,581 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than MaineLand boundaries:total 867 km, Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 kmCoastline:1,318 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:defined by bilateral boundaries or equidistant lineexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:3 nm assumed for most of country; 12 nm for Ash Shariqah (Sharjah)International disputes:location and status of boundary with Saudi Arabia is not final; nodefined boundary with most of Oman, but Administrative Line in farnorth; claims two islands in the Persian Gulf occupied by Iran(Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg or Greater Tunb, and Jazireh-ye Tonb-eKuchek or Lesser Tunb); claims island in the Persian Gulf jointlyadministered with Iran (Jazireh-ye Abu Musa or Abu Musa); in 1992, thedispute over Abu Musa and the Tunb islands became more acute when Iranunilaterally tried to control the entry of third country nationalsinto the UAE portion of Abu Musa island, Tehran subsequently backedoff in the face of significant diplomatic support for the UAE in theregionClimate:desert; cooler in eastern mountainsTerrain:flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vastdesert wasteland; mountains in eastNatural resources:petroleum, natural gasLand use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:2%forest and woodland:0%other:98%Irrigated land:50 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:lack of natural freshwater resources being overcome by desalinationplants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spillsnatural hazards:frequent dust and sand stormsinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, OzoneLayer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law of theSeaNote:strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, avital transit point for world crude oil
@United Arab Emirates, People
Population: 2,791,141 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 4.79% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 27.68 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 3.05 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 23.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 21.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.26 years male: 70.16 years female: 74.46 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.6 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Emirian(s) adjective: Emirian Ethnic divisions: Emirian 19%, other Arab 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982) Religions: Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4% Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu Literacy: age 10 and over but definition of literacy not available (1980) total population: 68% male: 70% female: 63% Labor force: 580,000 (1986 est.) by occupation: industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 5% note: 80% of labor force is foreign (est.)
@United Arab Emirates, Government
Names:conventional long form:United Arab Emiratesconventional short form:nonelocal long form:Al Imarata al Arabiyah al Muttahidahlocal short form:noneformer:Trucial StatesAbbreviation:UAEDigraph:TCType:federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE centralgovernment and other powers reserved to member emiratesCapital:Abu DhabiAdministrative divisions:7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman,Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy, Ra's al Khaymah, Umm alQaywaynIndependence:2 December 1971 (from UK)National holiday:National Day, 2 December (1971)Constitution:2 December 1971 (provisional)Legal system:secular codes are being introduced by the UAE Government and inseveral member emirates; Islamic law remains influentialSuffrage:noneExecutive branch:chief of state:President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan, (since 2 December 1971), rulerof Abu Dhabi; Vice President Shaykh Maktum bin Rashid al-MAKTUM (since8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayyhead of government:Prime Minister Shaykh MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October1990), ruler of Dubayy; Deputy Prime Minister Sultan bin Zayid AlNUHAYYAN (since 20 November 1990)Supreme Council of Rulers:composed of the seven emirate rulers, the council is the highestconstitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies andsanctions federal legislation, Abu Dhabi and Dubayy rulers have vetopower; council meets four times a yearcabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:unicameral Federal National Council (Majlis Watani Itihad); noelectionsJudicial branch:Union Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:noneOther political or pressure groups:NAMember of:ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOSOM, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Muhammad bin Husayn al-SHAALIchancery:Suite 600, 3000 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone:(202) 338-6500US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador William A. RUGHembassy:Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabimailing address:P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabitelephone:[971] (2) 336691FAX:[971] (2) 318441consulate(s) general:Dubayy (Dubai)Flag:three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with athicker vertical red band on the hoist side
@United Arab Emirates, Economy
Overview:The UAE has an open economy with one of the world's highest incomesper capita and with a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth isbased on oil and gas output (about 40% of GDP), and the fortunes ofthe economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from animpoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern statewith a high standard of living. At present levels of production, crudeoil reserves should last for over 100 years. Although much strongereconomically than most Gulf states, the UAE faces similar problemswith weak international oil prices and the pressures for cuts in OPECoil production quotas. The UAE government is encouraging increasedprivatization within the economy.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $63.8 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:1% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$24,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.5% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:NEGL% (1988)Budget:revenues:$4.3 billionexpenditures:$4.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est)Exports:$22.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:crude oil 66%, natural gas, re-exports, dried fish, datespartners:Japan 39%, Singapore 5%, Korea 4%, Iran 4%, India 4% (1991)Imports:$18 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, foodpartners:Japan 14%, UK 9%, US 8%, Germany 6% (1992)External debt:$11 billion (1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 1.7% (1992 est.); accounts for 50% of GDP, includingpetroleumElectricity:capacity:6,090,000 kWproduction:17.85 billion kWhconsumption per capita:6,718 kWh (1992)Industries:petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boatbuilding, handicrafts, pearlingAgriculture:accounts for 2% of GDP and 5% of labor force; cash crop - dates; foodproducts - vegetables, watermelons, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish; only25% self-sufficient in foodIllicit drugs:growing role as heroin transshipment and money-laundering centerEconomic aid:donor:pledged in bilateral aid to less developed countries (1979-89) $9.1billionCurrency:1 Emirian dirham (Dh) = 100 filsExchange rates:Emirian dirhams (Dh) per US$1 - 3.6710 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:calendar year
@United Arab Emirates, Communications
Highways:total:2,000 kmpaved:1,800 kmunpaved:gravel, graded earth 200 kmPipelines:crude oil 830 km; natural gas, including natural gas liquids, 870 kmPorts:Al Fujayrah, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina'Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' ZayidMerchant marine:57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 909,041 GRT/1,512,741 DWT, bulk1, cargo 18, chemical tanker 2, container 9, liquified gas 1, oiltanker 22, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3Airports:total:39usable:36with permanent-surface runways:22with runways over 3,659 m:6with runways 2,440-3,659 m:6with runways 1,220-2,439 m:6Telecommunications:modern system consisting of microwave and coaxial cable; key centersare Abu Dhabi and Dubayy; 386,600 telephones; satellite groundstations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1ARABSAT; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan;tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to SaudiArabia; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 3 FM, 12 TV
@United Arab Emirates, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Federal Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,040,828; fit for military service 567,766; reachmilitary age (18) annually 17,303 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.47 billion, 5.3% of GDP (1989 est.)
@United Kingdom, Geography
Location:Western Europe, bordering on the North Atlantic Ocean and the NorthSea, between Ireland and FranceMap references:Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:244,820 sq kmland area:241,590 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than Oregonnote:includes Rockall and Shetland IslandsLand boundaries:total 360 km, Ireland 360 kmCoastline:12,429 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreedupon boundariesexclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:Northern Ireland question with Ireland; Gibraltar question with Spain;Argentina claims Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); Argentina claimsSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Mauritius claims islandof Diego Garcia in British Indian Ocean Territory; Rockall continentalshelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and Ireland (Ireland and theUK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); territorialclaim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory)Climate:temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the NorthAtlantic Current; more than half of the days are overcastTerrain:mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in eastand southeastNatural resources:coal, petroleum, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt, clay,chalk, gypsum, lead, silicaLand use:arable land:29%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:48%forest and woodland:9%other:14%Irrigated land:1,570 sq km (1989)Environment:current issues:sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants contribute to airpollution; some rivers polluted by agricultural wastes and coastalwaters polluted because of large-scale disposal of sewage at seanatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AntarcticTreaty, Climate Change, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but notratified - Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, BiodiversityNote:lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France andnow linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavilyindented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters
@United Kingdom, People
Population:58,135,110 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.28% (1994 est.)Birth rate:13.39 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:10.76 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:76.75 yearsmale:73.94 yearsfemale:79.69 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.83 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Briton(s), British (collective pl.)adjective:BritishEthnic divisions:English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%,West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8%Religions:Anglican 27 million, Roman Catholic 9 million, Muslim 1 million,Presbyterian 800,000, Methodist 760,000, Sikh 400,000, Hindu 350,000,Jewish 300,000 (1991 est.)note:the UK does not include a question on religion in its censusLanguages:English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish formof Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1978 est.)total population:99%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:28.048 millionby occupation:services 62.8%, manufacturing and construction 25.0%, government 9.1%,energy 1.9%, agriculture 1.2% (June 1992)
@United Kingdom, Government
Names:conventional long form:United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Irelandconventional short form:United KingdomAbbreviation:UKDigraph:UKType:constitutional monarchyCapital:LondonAdministrative divisions:47 counties, 7 metropolitan counties, 26 districts, 9 regions, and 3islands areasEngland:39 counties, 7 metropolitan counties*; Avon, Bedford, Berkshire,Buckingham, Cambridge, Cheshire, Cleveland, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derby,Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucester, GreaterLondon*, Greater Manchester*, Hampshire, Hereford and Worcester,Hertford, Humberside, Isle of Wight, Kent, Lancashire, Leicester,Lincoln, Merseyside*, Norfolk, Northampton, Northumberland, NorthYorkshire, Nottingham, Oxford, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire*,Stafford, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne and Wear*, Warwick, West Midlands*,West Sussex, West Yorkshire*, WiltshireNorthern Ireland:26 districts; Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge,Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon,Down, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Londonderry,Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh,StrabaneScotland:9 regions, 3 islands areas*; Borders, Central, Dumfries and Galloway,Fife, Grampian, Highland, Lothian, Orkney*, Shetland*, Strathclyde,Tayside, Western Isles*Wales:8 counties; Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwent, Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan, Powys, SouthGlamorgan, West GlamorganDependent areas:Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British VirginIslands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, HongKong (scheduled to become a Special Administrative Region of China on1 July 1997), Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, SaintHelena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and CaicosIslandsIndependence:1 January 1801 (United Kingdom established)National holiday:Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June)Constitution:unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practiceLegal system:common law tradition with early Roman and modern continentalinfluences; no judicial review of Acts of Parliament; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent PrinceCHARLES (son of the Queen, born 14 November 1948)head of government:Prime Minister John MAJOR (since 28 November 1990)cabinet:Cabinet of MinistersLegislative branch:bicameral ParliamentHouse of Lords:consists of a 1,200-member body, four-fifths are hereditary peers, 2archbishops, 24 other senior bishops, serving and retired Lords ofAppeal in Ordinary, other life peers, Scottish peersHouse of Commons:elections last held 9 April 1992 (next to be held by NA April 1997);results - Conservative 41.9%, Labor 34.5%, Liberal Democratic 17.9%,other 5.7%; seats - (651 total) Conservative 336, Labor 271, LiberalDemocratic 20, other 24Judicial branch:House of LordsPolitical parties and leaders:Conservative and Unionist Party, John MAJOR; Labor Party; LiberalDemocrats (LD), Jeremy (Paddy) ASHDOWN; Scottish National Party, AlexSALMOND; Welsh National Party (Plaid Cymru), Dafydd Iwan WIGLEY;Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), James MOLYNEAUX; DemocraticUnionist Party (Northern Ireland), Rev. Ian PAISLEY; Ulster PopularUnionist Party (Northern Ireland), Sir James KILFEDDER; SocialDemocratic and Labor Party (SDLP, Northern Ireland), John HUME; SinnFein (Northern Ireland), Gerry ADAMSOther political or pressure groups:Trades Union Congress; Confederation of British Industry; NationalFarmers' Union; Campaign for Nuclear DisarmamentMember of:AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australian Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB(non-regional), CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECA (associate), ECE,ECLAC, EIB, ESCAP, ESA, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO,MTRC, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNFICYP,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UNTAC, UNTrusteeship Council, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Sir Robin RENWICKchancery:3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 462-1340FAX:(202) 898-4255consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York,and San Francisco,consulate(s):Dallas, Miami, Nuku'alofa, and SeattleUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador-designate Adm. William CROWEembassy:24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W.1A1AEmailing address:PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040telephone:[44] (71) 499-9000FAX:[44] (71) 409-1637consulate(s) general:Belfast and EdinburghFlag:blue 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 whitecross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); known as the UnionFlag or Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign)have been the basis for a number of other flags includingdependencies, Commonwealth countries, and others
@United Kingdom, Economy
Overview:The UK is one of the world's great trading powers and financialcenters, and its economy ranks among the four largest in WesternEurope. The economy is essentially capitalistic; over the pastthirteen years the ruling Tories have greatly reduced public ownershipand contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture isintensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards,producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. TheUK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves, and primary energyproduction accounts for 12% of GDP, one of the highest shares of anyindustrial nation. Services, particularly banking, insurance, andbusiness services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDPwhile industry continues to decline in importance, now employing only25% of the work force and generating only 21% of GDP. The economy isemerging out of its 3-year recession with only weak recovery in 1993;even so, the economy fared better in 1993 than the economies of mostother European countries. Unemployment is hovering around 10% of thelabor force. The government in 1992 adopted a pro-growth strategy,cutting interest rates sharply and removing the pound from theEuropean exchange rate mechanism. Excess industrial capacity probablywill moderate inflation which for the first time in a decade is belowthe EC average. The major economic policy question for Britain in the1990s is the terms on which it participates in the financial andeconomic integration of Europe.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $980.2 billion (1993)National product real growth rate:2.1% (1993)National product per capita:$16,900 (1993)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.6% (1993)Unemployment rate:10.3% (1993)Budget:revenues:$325.5 billionexpenditures:$400.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $33 billion (1993est.)Exports:$190.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993)commodities:manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods,transport equipmentpartners:EC countries 56.7% (Germany 14.0%, France 11.1%, Netherlands 7.9%), US10.9%Imports:$221.6 billion (c.i.f., 1993)commodities:manufactured goods, machinery, semifinished goods, foodstuffs,consumer goodspartners:EC countries 51.7% (Germany 14.9%, France 9.3%, Netherlands 8.4%), US11.6%External debt:$16.2 billion (June 1992)Industrial production:growth rate 2.2% (1993 est.)Electricity:capacity:99,000,000 kWproduction:317 billion kWhconsumption per capita:5,480 kWh (1992)Industries:production machinery including machine tools, electric powerequipment, equipment for the automation of production, railroadequipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts,electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal,petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles,clothing, and other consumer goodsAgriculture:accounts for only 1.5% of GDP and 1% of labor force; highly mechanizedand efficient farms; wide variety of crops and livestock productsproduced; about 60% self-sufficient in food and feed needsIllicit drugs:gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the Europeanmarket; producer of synthetic drugs; money-laundering centerEconomic aid:donor:ODA and OOF commitments (1992-93), $3.2 billionCurrency:1 British pound (#) = 100 penceExchange rates:British pounds (#) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6033 (1993),0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989)Fiscal year:1 April-31 March
@United Kingdom, Communications
Railroads:UK, 16,914 km total; Great Britain's British Railways (BR) operates16,584 km 1,435-mm (standard) gauge (including 4,545 km electrifiedand 12,591 km double or multiple track), several additional smallstandard-gauge and narrow-gauge lines are privately owned andoperated; Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) operates 330 km 1,600-mmgauge (including 190 km double track)Highways:total:362,982 km (Great Britian 339,483 km; Northern Ireland 23,499 km)paved:362,390 km (Great Britian 339,483 km, including 2,573 km limitedaccess divided highway; Northern Ireland 22,907 km)unpaved:gravel 592 km (in Northern Ireland)Inland waterways:2,291 total; British Waterways Board, 606 km; Port Authorities, 706km; other, 979 kmPipelines:crude oil (almost all insignificant) 933 km; petroleum products 2,993km; natural gas 12,800 kmPorts:London, Liverpool, Felixstowe, Tees and Hartlepool, Dover, Sullom Voe,SouthamptonMerchant marine:180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,428,571 GRT/4,297,489 DWT,bulk 17, cargo 35, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 1, container24, liquefied gas 5, oil tanker 59, passenger 7, passenger cargo 1,refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea passenger14, specialized tanker 1Airports:total:497usable:388with permanent-surface runways:251with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:37with runways 1,220-2,439 m:133Telecommunications:technologically advanced domestic and international system; 30,200,000telephones; equal mix of buried cables, microwave and optical-fibersystems; excellent countrywide broadcast systems; broadcast stations -225 AM, 525 (mostly repeaters) FM, 207 (3,210 repeaters) TV; 40coaxial submarine cables; 5 satellite ground stations operating inINTELSAT (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), INMARSAT, and EUTELSATsystems; at least 8 large international switching centers
@United Kingdom, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), Royal Air ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 14,432,081; fit for military service 12,056,828Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $34.8 billion, 3.7% of GDP (FY93/94)
@United States, Geography
Location:North America, between Canada and MexicoMap references:North America, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:9,372,610 sq kmland area:9,166,600 sq kmcomparative area:about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa;about one-half the size of South America (or slightly larger thanBrazil); slightly smaller than China; about two and one-half times thesize of Western Europenote:includes only the 50 states and District of ColumbiaLand boundaries:total 12,248 km, Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska),Cuba 29 km (US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay), Mexico 3,326 kmCoastline:19,924 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nm depthcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:maritime boundary disputes with Canada (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea,Strait of Juan de Fuca); US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leasedfrom Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area canterminate the lease; Haiti claims Navassa Island; US has made noterritorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so)and does not recognize the claims of any other nation; Republic ofMarshall Islands claims Wake IslandClimate:mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida and arctic inAlaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River andarid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures inthe northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February bywarm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky MountainsTerrain:vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains ineast; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged,volcanic topography in HawaiiNatural resources:coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold,iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum,natural gas, timberLand use:arable land:20%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:26%forest and woodland:29%other:25%Irrigated land:181,020 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the USis the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning offossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides andfertilizers; sparse water resources in much of the western part of thecountry requires careful management; desertificationnatural hazards:tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin;hurricanes along the Atlantic coast; tornadoes in the midwest;mudslides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding;permafrost in northern Alaska is a major impediment to developmentinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AntarcticTreaty, Climate Change, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber,Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-VolatileOrganic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity,Hazardous WastesNote:world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and China)
@United States, People
Population:260,713,585 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.99% (1994 est.)Birth rate:15.2 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:8.68 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:3.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:8.11 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:75.9 yearsmale:72.58 yearsfemale:79.39 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:2.06 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:American(s)adjective:AmericanEthnic divisions:white 83.4%, black 12.4%, Asian 3.3%, Native American 0.8% (1992)Religions:Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other 4%, none 10%(1989)Languages:English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority)Literacy:age 15 and over having completed 5 or more years of schooling (1991)total population:97%male:97%female:97%Labor force:129.525 million (includes armed forces and unemployed); civilian laborforce 128.040 million) (1993)by occupation:managerial and professional 27.1%; technical, sales and administrativesupport 30.9%; services 13.8%; manufacturing, mining, transportation,and crafts 25.5%; farming, forestry, and fishing 2.8%
@United States, Government
Names:conventional long form:United States of Americaconventional short form:United StatesAbbreviation:US or USADigraph:USType:federal republic; strong democratic traditionCapital:Washington, DCAdministrative 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, NewHampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, NorthDakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, SouthCarolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, WyomingDependent areas:American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island,Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, NorthernMariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, WakeIslandnote:since 18 July 1947, the US has administered the Trust Territory of thePacific Islands, but recently entered into a new politicalrelationship with three of the four political units; the NorthernMariana Islands is a Commonwealth in political union with the US(effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of FreeAssociation with the US that was approved by the US Congress but todate the Compact process has not been completed in Palau, whichcontinues to be administered by the US as the Trust Territory of thePacific Islands; the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compactof Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); theRepublic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Associationwith the US (effective 21 October 1986)Independence:4 July 1776 (from England)National holiday:Independence Day, 4 July (1776)Constitution:17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789Legal system:based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); VicePresident Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993); election last held3 November 1992 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - WilliamJefferson CLINTON (Democratic Party) 43.2%, George BUSH (RepublicanParty) 37.7%, Ross PEROT (Independent) 19.0%, other 0.1%cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the president with Senate approvalLegislative branch:bicameral CongressSenate:elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 8 November 1994);results - Democratic Party 53%, Republican Party 47%, other NEGL%;seats - (100 total) Democratic Party 57, Republican Party 43House of Representatives:elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 8 November 1994);results - Democratic Party 52%, Republican Party 46%, other 2%; seats- (435 total) Democratic Party 258, Republican Party 176, Independent1Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Republican Party, Haley BARBOUR, national committee chairman; JeanieAUSTIN, co-chairman; Democratic Party, David C. WILHELM, nationalcommittee chairman; several other groups or parties of minor politicalsignificanceMember of:AfDB, AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australian Group, BIS, CCC,COCOM, CP, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, FAO, ESCAP, G-2, G-5, G-7, G-8,G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,LORCS, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, PCA, SPC, UN,UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOSOM, UNRWA, UN Security Council,UNTAC, UN Trusteeship Council, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,ZCFlag:thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternatingwith white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side cornerbearing 50 small white five-pointed stars arranged in nine offsethorizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows offive stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripesrepresent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design andcolors have been the basis for a number of other flags includingChile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico
@United States, Economy
Overview: The US has the most powerful, diverse, and technologically advanced economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $24,700, the largest among major industrial nations. The economy is market oriented with most decisions made by private individuals and business firms and with government purchases of goods and services made predominantly in the marketplace. In 1989 the economy enjoyed its seventh successive year of substantial growth, the longest in peacetime history. The expansion featured moderation in wage and consumer price increases and a steady reduction in unemployment to 5.2% of the labor force. In 1990, however, growth slowed to 1% because of a combination of factors, such as the worldwide increase in interest rates, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August, the subsequent spurt in oil prices, and a general decline in business and consumer confidence. In 1991 output fell by 1%, unemployment grew, and signs of recovery proved premature. Growth picked up to 2.6% in 1992 and to 3.0% in 1993. Unemployment, however, declined only gradually, the increase in GDP being mainly attributable to gains in output per worker. Ongoing economic problems for the remainder of the 1990s include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical costs, and sizable budget and trade deficits. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.379 trillion (1993) National product real growth rate: 3% (1993) National product per capita: $24,700 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993) Unemployment rate: 6% (May 1994) Budget: revenues: $1.1535 trillion expenditures: $1.4082 trillion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.) Exports: $449 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products partners: Western Europe 24.3%, Canada 22.1%, Japan 10.5% (1993 est.) Imports: $582 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages partners: Canada, 19.3%, Western Europe 18.1%, Japan 18.1% (1993 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 4.6% (1993); accounts for 23% of GDP (1991) Electricity: capacity: 780,000,000 kW production: 3.23 trillion kWh consumption per capita: 12,690 kWh (1992) 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 Agriculture: accounts for 2% of GDP and 2.8% of labor force; favorable climate and soils support a wide variety of crops and livestock production; world's second largest producer and number one exporter of grain; surplus food producer; fish catch of 4.4 million metric tons (1990) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for domestic consumption with 1987 production estimated at 3,500 metric tons or about 25% of the available marijuana; ongoing eradication program aimed at small plots and greenhouses has not reduced production Economic aid: donor: commitments, including ODA and OOF, (FY80-89), $115.7 billion Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: British pounds: (#) per US$ - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6033 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989) Canadian dollars: (Can$) per US$ - 1.3174 (January 1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992), 1.1457 (1991), 1.1668 (1990), 1.1840 (1989) French francs: (F) per US$ - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989) Italian lire: (Lit) per US$ - 1,700.2 (January 1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1.372.1 (1989) Japanese yen: (Y) per US$ - 111.51 (January 1994), 111.20 (1993), 126.65 (1992), 134.71 (1991), 144.79 (1990), 137.96 (1989) German deutsche marks: (DM) per US$ - 1.7431 (January 1994), 1.6533 (1993), 1.5617 (1992), 1.6595 (1991), 1.6157 (1990), 1.8800 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@United States, Communications
Railroads:240,000 km of mainline routes, all standard 1.435 meter track, nogovernment ownership (1989)Highways:total:6,243,163 kmpaved:3,633,520 km (including 84,865 km of expressways)unpaved:2,609,643 km (1990)Inland waterways:41,009 km of navigable inland channels, exclusive of the Great Lakes(est.)Pipelines:petroleum 276,000 km; natural gas 331,000 km (1991)Ports:Anchorage, Baltimore, Beaumont, Boston, Charleston, Chicago,Cleveland, Duluth, Freeport, Galveston, Hampton Roads, Honolulu,Houston, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Mobile, NewOrleans, New York, Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), Richmond(California), San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, WilmingtonMerchant marine:385 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,567,000 GRT/19,511,000 DWT,bulk 23, cargo 36, intermodal 128, liquefied gas 13, passenger-cargo3, tanker 169, tanker tug-barge 13note:in addition, there are 219 government-owned vesselsAirports:total:14,177usable:12,417with permanent-surface runways:4,820with runways over 3,659 m:63with runways 2,440-3,659 m:325with runways 1,220-2,439 m:2,524Telecommunications:126,000,000 telephone access lines; 7,557,000 cellular phonesubscribers; broadcast stations - 4,987 AM, 4,932 FM, 1,092 TV; about9,000 TV cable systems; 530,000,000 radio sets and 193,000,000 TV setsin use; 16 satellites and 24 ocean cable systems in use; satelliteground stations - 45 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 16 Pacific OceanINTELSAT (1990)
@United States, Defense Forces
Branches:Department of the Army, Department of the Navy (including MarineCorps), Department of the Air ForceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $315.5 billion, 5.3% of GDP (1992)
@Uruguay, Geography
Location:Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean betweenArgentina and BrazilMap references:South America, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:176,220 sq kmland area:173,620 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than Washington StateLand boundaries:total 1,564 km, Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 kmCoastline:660 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationterritorial sea:200 nm; overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nmInternational disputes:short section of boundary with Argentina is in dispute; two shortsections of the boundary with Brazil are in dispute - Arroyo de laInvernada (Arroio Invernada) area of the Rio Quarai and the islands atthe confluence of the Rio Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the Uruguay RiverClimate:warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknownTerrain:mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowlandNatural resources:soil, hydropower potential, minor mineralsLand use:arable land:8%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:78%forest and woodland:4%other:10%Irrigated land:1,100 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:NAnatural hazards:subject to seasonally high winds, droughts, floodsinternational agreements:party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change, Law of the Sea,Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
@Uruguay, People
Population:3,198,910 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.75% (1994 est.)Birth rate:17.7 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:9.39 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:17.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:74.09 yearsmale:70.88 yearsfemale:77.47 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:2.44 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Uruguayan(s)adjective:UruguayanEthnic divisions:white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%Religions:Roman Catholic 66% (less than half adult population attends churchregularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, nonprofessing or other 30%Languages:Spanish, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population:96%male:97%female:96%Labor force:1.355 million (1991 est.)by occupation:government 25%, manufacturing 19%, agriculture 11%, commerce 12%,utilities, construction, transport, and communications 12%, otherservices 21% (1988 est.)
@Uruguay, Government
Names:conventional long form:Oriental Republic of Uruguayconventional short form:Uruguaylocal long form:Republica Oriental del Uruguaylocal short form:UruguayDigraph:UYType:republicCapital:MontevideoAdministrative divisions:19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas,Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja,Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, SanJose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y TresIndependence:25 August 1828 (from Brazil)National holiday:Independence Day, 25 August (1828)Constitution:27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, newconstitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980Legal system:based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsoryExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Luis Alberto LACALLE (since 1 March 1990); Vice PresidentGonzalo AGUIRRE Ramirez (since 1 March 1990); election last held 26November 1989 (next to be held NA November 1994); results - LuisAlberto LACALLE Herrera (Blanco) 37%, Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (Colorado)29%, Liber SEREGNI Mosquera (Broad Front) 20%cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:bicameral General Assembly (Asamblea General)Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores):elections last held 26 November 1989 (next to be held NA November1994); results - Blanco 40%, Colorado 30%, Broad Front 23% New Space7%; seats - (30 total) Blanco 12, Colorado 9, Broad Front 7, New Space2Chamber of Representatives (Camera de Representantes):elections last held NA November 1989 (next to be held NA November1994); results - Blanco 39%, Colorado 30%, Broad Front 22%, New Space8%, other 1%; seats - (99 total) number of seats by party NAJudicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:National (Blanco) Party; Colorado Party, Jorge BATLLE; Broad FrontCoalition, Gen. Liber SEREGNI Mosquera; New Space Coalition, HugoBATALLAMember of:AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM,ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, MERCOSUR, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL,PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNOMOZ, UNTAC,UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Eduardo MACGILLYCUDDYchancery:1918 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20006telephone:telephone (202) 331-1313 through 1316consulate(s) general:Los Angeles, Miami, and New Yorkconsulate(s):New OrleansUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Thomas DODDembassy:Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideomailing address:APO AA 34035telephone:[598] (2) 23-60-61 or 48-77-77FAX:[598] (2) 48-86-11Flag:nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternatingwith blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner witha yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 raysalternately triangular and wavy
@Uruguay, Economy
Overview:Uruguay is a small economy with favorable climate, good soils, andsolid hydropower potential. Economic development has been held back byexcessive government regulation of economic detail and 50% to 130%inflation. After several years of sluggish growth, real GDP jumped byabout 7.5% in 1992. The rise is attributable mainly to an increase inArgentine demand for Uruguayan exports, particularly agriculturalproducts and electricity. In a major step toward greater regionaleconomic cooperation, Uruguay in 1991 had joined Brazil, Argentina,and Paraguay in forming the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur). Areferendum in December 1992 overturned key portions of landmarkprivatization legislation, dealing a serious blow to PresidentLACALLE's broad economic reform plan. Hampered by a slowdown in theagricultural sector, the economy grew at only 2% in 1993 compared with7.5% in 1992. Although inflation declined for the second consecutiveyear, a surge in the money supply, rising food prices, a record tradedeficit, and an increase in the government deficit toward the end ofthe year foreshadowed troubles ahead in 1994.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $19 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:2% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$6,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):50% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:8.8% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$2.9 billionexpenditures:$3 billion, including capital expenditures of $388 million (1991 est.)Exports:$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:wool and textile manufactures, beef and other animal products,leather, ricepartners:Brazil, Argentina, US, China, ItalyImports:$2 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals, minerals, plasticspartners:Brazil, Argentina, US, NigeriaExternal debt:$4.2 billion (1993)Industrial production:growth rate 4.2% (1992 est.), accounts for almost 25% of GDPElectricity:capacity:2,168,000 kWproduction:5.96 billion kWhconsumption per capita:1,900 kWh (1992)Industries:meat processing, wool and hides, sugar, textiles, footwear, leatherapparel, tires, cement, fishing, petroleum refining, wineAgriculture:accounts for 12% of GDP; large areas devoted to livestock grazing;wheat, rice, corn, sorghum; self-sufficient in most basic foodstuffsEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $105 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $420million; Communist countries (1970-89), $69 millionCurrency:1 Uruguayan peso ($Ur) = 100 centesimosExchange rates:Uruguayan pesos ($Ur) per US$1 - 4.4710 (January 1994), 3.9484 (1993);new Uruguayan pesos (N$Ur) per US$1 - 3,457.5 (December 1992), 3,026.9(1992), 2,489 (1991), 1,594 (1990), 805 (1989)note:on 1 March 1993 the former New Peso (N$Ur) was replaced as Uruguay'sunit of currency by the Peso which is equal to 1,000 of the New Pesos;consequently there is a major change in the peso/dollar exchange rateFiscal year:calendar year