@Uruguay, Communications
Railroads:3,000 km, all 1.435-meter (standard) gauge and government ownedHighways:total:49,900 kmpaved:6,700 kmunpaved:gravel 3,000 km; earth 40,200 kmInland waterways:1,600 km; used by coastal and shallow-draft river craftPorts:Montevideo, Punta del Este, ColoniaMerchant marine:4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 84,797 GRT/132,296 DWT, cargo 1,container 2, oil tanker 1Airports:total:87usable:80with permanent-surface runways:16with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:14Telecommunications:most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwidemicrowave network; 337,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 99 AM, noFM, 26 TV, 9 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
@Uruguay, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy (including Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, Marines), Air Force,Grenadier Guards, PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 765,490; fit for military service 621,629Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $216 million, 2.3% of GDP (1991 est.)
@Uzbekistan, Geography
Location:Central Asia, bordering the Aral Sea, between Kazakhstan andTurkmenistanMap references:Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian States,Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:447,400 sq kmland area:425,400 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than CaliforniaLand boundaries:total 6,221 km, Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 kmCoastline:0 kmnote:Uzbekistan borders the Aral Sea (420 km)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:Russia may dispute current de facto maritime border to midpoint ofCaspian Sea from shoreClimate:mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiaridgrassland in eastTerrain:mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intenselyirrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya and Sirdaryo Rivers;Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan andKyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in westNatural resources:natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead andzinc, tungsten, molybdenumLand use:arable land:10%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:47%forest and woodland:0%other:42%Irrigated land:41,550 sq km (1990)Environment:current issues:drying up of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations ofchemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blownfrom the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute todesertification; water pollution from industrial wastes is the causeof many human health disorders; increasing soil salinization; soilcontamination from agricultural chemicals, including DDTnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Ozone LayerProtectionNote:landlocked
@Uzbekistan, People
Population:22,608,866 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:2.13% (1994 est.)Birth rate:30.01 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:6.51 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-2.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:53.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:68.58 yearsmale:65.28 yearsfemale:72.04 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:3.73 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Uzbek(s)adjective:UzbekEthnic divisions:Uzbek 71.4%, Russian 8.3%, Tajik 4.7%, Kazakh 4.1%, Tatar 2.4%,Karakalpak 2.1%, other 7%Religions:Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%Languages:Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%Literacy:age 9-49 can read and write (1970)total population:100%male:100%female:100%Labor force:8.234 millionby occupation:agriculture and forestry 43%, industry and construction 22%, other 35%(1992)
@Uzbekistan, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Uzbekistanconventional short form:Uzbekistanlocal long form:Uzbekiston Respublikasilocal short form:noneformer:Uzbek Soviet Socialist RepublicDigraph:UZType:republicCapital:Tashkent (Toshkent)Administrative divisions:12 wiloyatlar (singular - wiloyat), 1 autonomous republic*(respublikasi, singular - respublika), and 1 city** (shahri); AndijonWiloyati, Bukhoro Wiloyati, Jizzakh Wiloyati, Farghona Wiloyati,Karakalpakstan* (Nukus), Qashqadaryo Wiloyati (Qarshi), KhorazmWiloyati (Urganch), Namangan Wiloyati, Nawoiy Wiloyati, SamarqandWiloyati, Sirdaryo Wiloyati (Guliston), Surkhondaryo Wiloyati(Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Wiloyatinote:an administrative division has the same name as its administrativecenter (exceptions have the administrative center name following inparentheses)Independence:31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)National holiday:Independence Day, 1 September (1991)Constitution:new constitution adopted 8 December 1992Legal system:evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicial systemSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Islam KARIMOV (since NA March 1990); election last held 29December 1991 (next to be held NA December 1996); results - IslamKARIMOV 86%, Mukhammad SOLIKH 12%, other 2%head of government:Prime Minister Abdulkhashim MUTALOV (since 13 January 1992), FirstDeputy Prime Minister Ismail Hakimovitch DJURABEKOV (since NA)cabinet:Cabinet of Ministers; appointed by the president with approval of theSupreme AssemblyLegislative branch:unicameralSupreme Soviet:elections last held 18 February 1990 (next to be held winter 1994);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (500 total) Communist450, ERK 10, other 40; note - total number of seats will be reduced to250 in next electionJudicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:People's Democratic Party (PDP; formerly Communist Party), Islam A.KARIMOV, chairman; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party (EDP), MuhammadSOLIKH, chairman (in exile); note - ERK was banned 9 December 1992Other political or pressure groups:Birlik (Unity) People's Movement (BPM), Abdul Rakhim PULATOV, chairman(in exile); Islamic Rebirth Party (IRP), Abdullah UTAYEV, chairmannote:PULATOV (BPM) and SOLIKH (EDP) are both in exile in the West; UTAYEV(IRP) is either in prison or in exileMember of:CCC, CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF,IOC, ITU, NACC, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Fatikh TESHABAYEVchancery:Suites 619 and 623, 1511 K Street NW, Washington DC, 20005telephone:(202) 638-4266/4267FAX:(202) 638-4268consulate(s) general:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Henry L. CLARKEembassy:82 Chelanzanskaya, Tashkentmailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:[7] (3712) 77-14-07, 77-11-32FAX:[7] (3712) 77-69-53Flag:three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separatedby red fimbriations with a crescent moon and 12 stars in the upperhoist-side quadrant
@Uzbekistan, Economy
Overview:Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 20% is intenselycultivated, irrigated river valleys. It is one of the poorest statesof the former USSR with 60% of its population living in overpopulatedrural communities. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan is the world's thirdlargest cotton exporter, a major producer of gold and natural gas, anda regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery. Sinceindependence, the government has sought to prop up the Soviet-stylecommand economy with subsidies and tight controls on prices andproduction. Such policies have buffered the economy from the sharpdeclines in output and high inflation experienced by many other formerSoviet republics. By late 1993, however, they had become increasinglyunsustainable as inflation soared and Russia forced the UzbekGovernment to introduce its own currency. Faced with mounting economicproblems, the government has increased its cooperation withinternational financial institutions, announced an acceleration ofprivatization, and stepped up efforts to attract foreign investors.Nevertheless, the regime is likely to resist full-fledged marketreforms.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $53.7 billion (1993 estimate fromthe UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 andpublished in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and asextrapolated to 1993 using official Uzbek statistics, which are veryuncertain because of major economic changes since 1990)National product real growth rate:-3.5% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$2,430 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):18% per month (1993)Unemployment rate:0.2% includes only officially registered unemployed; large numbers ofunderemployed workersBudget:revenues:$NAexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$706.5 million to outside the FSU countries (1993)commodities:cotton, gold, natural gas, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals,textiles, food productspartners:Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, USImports:$947.3 million from outside the FSU countries (1993)commodities:grain, machinery and parts, consumer durables, other foodspartners:principally other FSU countries, Czech RepublicExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate -7% (1993)Electricity:capacity:11,950,000 kWproduction:50.9 billion kWhconsumption per capita:2,300 kWh (1992)Industries:textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gasAgriculture:livestock, cotton, vegetables, fruits, grainIllicit drugs:illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CISconsumption; limited government eradication programs; used astransshipment points for illicit drugs to Western EuropeEconomic aid:recipient:$125 million by yearend 1993; future commitments for about $500millionCurrency:introduced provisional som-coupons 10 November 1993 which circulatedparallel to the Russian rubles; became the sole legal currency 31January 1994; will be replaced in July 1994 by the som currencyExchange rates:NAFiscal year:calendar year
@Uzbekistan, Communications
Railroads:3,460 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)Highways:total:78,400 kmpaved and gravel:67,000 kmunpaved:earth 11,400 km (1990)Pipelines:crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 810 km (1992)Ports:none; landlockedAirports:total:265usable:74with permanent-surface runways:30with runways over 3,659 m:2with runways 2,440-3,659 m:20with runways 1,060-2,439 m:19note:a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstripTelecommunications:poorly developed; 1,458,000 telephone circuits with 68.75 circuits per1,000 persons (1991); linked by landline or microwave with CIS memberstates and by leased connection via the Moscow international gatewayswitch to other countries; new INTELSAT links to Tokyo and Ankara giveUzbekistan international access independent of Russian facilities;satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT; NMT-450 analogcellular network established in Tashkent
@Uzbekistan, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, National Guard, Republic Security Forces (internal and bordertroops)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 5,388,456; fit for military service 4,403,497; reachmilitary age (18) annually 222,405 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Vanuatu, Geography
Location:Oceania, Melanesia, 5,750 km southwest of Honolulu in the SouthPacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii andAustraliaMap references:Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:14,760 sq kmland area:14,760 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than Connecticutnote:includes more than 80 islandsLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:2,528 kmMaritime claims:measured from claimed archipelagic baselinescontiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 nm or the edge of continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; moderated by southeast trade windsTerrain:mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plainsNatural resources:manganese, hardwood forests, fishLand use:arable land:1%permanent crops:5%meadows and pastures:2%forest and woodland:1%other:91%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:NAnatural hazards:subject to tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanismcauses minor earthquakesinternational agreements:party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Marine Dumping, ShipPollution; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
@Vanuatu, People
Population:169,776 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:2.29% (1994 est.)Birth rate:32.21 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:9.31 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:68.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:59.25 yearsmale:57.51 yearsfemale:61.09 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:4.31 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)adjective:Ni-VanuatuEthnic divisions:indigenous Melanesian 94%, French 4%, Vietnamese, Chinese, PacificIslandersReligions:Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Catholic 15%, indigenous beliefs7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7%Languages:English (official), French (official), pidgin (known as Bislama orBichelama)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1979)total population:53%male:57%female:48%Labor force:NAby occupation:NA
@Vanuatu, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Vanuatuconventional short form:Vanuatuformer:New HebridesDigraph:NHType:republicCapital:Port-VilaAdministrative divisions:11 island councils; Ambrym, Aoba/Maewo, Banks/Torres, Efate, Epi,Malakula, Paama, Pentecote, Santo/Malo, Shepherd, TafeaIndependence:30 July 1980 (from France and UK)National holiday:Independence Day, 30 July (1980)Constitution:30 July 1980Legal system:unified system being created from former dual French and BritishsystemsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Jean Marie LEYE (since 2 March 1994)head of government:Prime Minister Maxime CARLOT Korman (since 16 December 1991); DeputyPrime Minister Sethy REGENVANU (since 17 December 1991)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister, responsible toparliamentLegislative branch:unicameralParliament:elections last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held by November1995); note - after election, a coalition was formed by the Union ofModerate Parties and the National United Party to form a newgovernment on 16 December 1991, but political party associations arefluid; seats - (46 total) UMP 19; NUP 10; VP 10; MPP 4; TUP 1;Nagriamel 1; Friend 1note:the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and landJudicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Vanuatu Party (VP), Donald KALPOKAS; Union of Moderate Parties (UMP),Serge VOHOR; Melanesian Progressive Party (MPP), Barak SOPE; NationalUnited Party (NUP), Walter LINI; Tan Union Party (TUP), VincentBOULEKONE; Nagriamel Party, Jimmy STEVENS; Friend Melanesian Party,leader NAMember of:ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN,UNCTAD, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:Vanuatu does not have a mission in the USUS diplomatic representation:the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to VanuatuFlag:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a blackisosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by ablack-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the twopoints of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle);centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossednamele leaves, all in yellow
@Vanuatu, Economy
Overview:The economy is based primarily on subsistence farming which provides aliving for about 80% of the population. Fishing and tourism are theother mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; thecountry has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sectorcaters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from importduties.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $142 million (1988 est.)National product real growth rate:6% (1991)National product per capita:$1,050 (1990)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.3% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$90 millionexpenditures:$103 million, including capital expenditures of $45 million (1989est.)Exports:$14.9 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:copra, beef, cocoa, timber, coffeepartners:Netherlands, Japan, France, New Caledonia, BelgiumImports:$74 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:machines and vehicles, food and beverages, basic manufactures, rawmaterials and fuels, chemicalspartners:Australia 36%, Japan 13%, NZ 10%, France 8%, Fiji 8%External debt:$38 million (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 8.1% (1990); accounts for about 10% of GDPElectricity:capacity:17,000 kWproduction:30 million kWhconsumption per capita:180 kWh (1990)Industries:food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canningAgriculture:accounts for 40% of GDP; export crops - coconuts, cocoa, coffee, fish;subsistence crops - taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetablesEconomic aid:recipient:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $606 millionCurrency:1 vatu (VT) = 100 centimesExchange rates:vatu (VT) per US$1 - 123.48 (September 1993), 113.39 (1992), 111.68(1991), 116.57 (1990), 116.04 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Vanuatu, Communications
Railroads:noneHighways:total:1,027 kmpaved:240 kmunpaved:787 kmPorts:Port-Vila, Luganville, PalikouloMerchant marine:131 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,992,201 GRT/2,909,381 DWT,bulk 57, cargo 23, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 1, container 5,liquefied gas 3, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 8, passenger 1,refrigerated cargo 19, vehicle carrier 11note:a flag of convenience registryAirports:total:31usable:31with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:2Telecommunications:broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, no TV; 3,000 telephones; 1 PacificOcean INTELSAT ground station
@Vanuatu, Defense Forces
Branches:Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF)note:no military forcesDefense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Venezuela, Geography
Location:Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea between Colombiaand GuyanaMap references:South America, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:912,050 sq kmland area:882,050 sq kmcomparative area:slightly more than twice the size of CaliforniaLand boundaries:total 4,993 km, Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 kmCoastline:2,800 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:15 nmcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo River; maritime boundarydispute with Colombia in the Gulf of VenezuelaClimate:tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlandsTerrain:Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains(llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeastNatural resources:petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals,hydropower, diamondsLand use:arable land:3%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:20%forest and woodland:39%other:37%Irrigated land:2,640 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lagode Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrialpollution, especially along the Caribbean coastnatural hazards:subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughtsinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Marine DumpingNote:on major sea and air routes linking North and South America
@Venezuela, People
Population: 20,562,405 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.16% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 25.74 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 4.63 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 27.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73 years male: 70.12 years female: 76.03 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.05 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan Ethnic divisions: mestizo 67%, white 21%, black 10%, Indian 2% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2% Languages: Spanish (official), Indian dialects spoken by about 200,000 Amerindians in the remote interior Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 88% male: 87% female: 90% Labor force: 5.8 million by occupation: services 56%, industry 28%, agriculture 16% (1985)
@Venezuela, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Venezuelaconventional short form:Venezuelalocal long form:Republica de Venezuelalocal short form:VenezuelaDigraph:VEType:republicCapital:CaracasAdministrative divisions:21 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 territory* (territorio), 1federal district** (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependence***(dependencia federal); Amazonas*, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas,Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales***,Distrito Federal**, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas,Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Yaracuy, Zulianote:the federal dependence consists of 11 federally controlled islandgroups with a total of 72 individual islandsIndependence:5 July 1811 (from Spain)National holiday:Independence Day, 5 July (1811)Constitution:23 January 1961Legal system:based on Napoleonic code; judicial review of legislative acts inCassation Court only; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Rafael CALDERA Rodriquez (since 2 February 1994); electionlast held 5 December 1993 (next to be held December 1998); results -Rafael CALDERA (National Convergence) 30.45%, Claudio FERMIN (AD)23.59%, Oswaldo ALVAREZ PAZ (COPEI) 22.72%, Andres VELASQUEZ (Causa R)21.94%, other 1.3%cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:bicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica)Senate (Senado):elections last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held December 1998);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (52 total) AD 18, COPEI15, Causa R 9, MAS 5, National Convergence 5; note - 3 formerpresidents (2 from AD, 1 from COPEI) hold lifetime senate seatsChamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):elections last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held December 1998);results - AD 27.9%, COPEI 26.9%, MAS 12.4%, National Convergence12.9%, Causa R 19.9%; seats - (201 total) AD 55, COPEI 53, MAS 24,National Convergence 26, Causa R 40, other 3Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Gonzalo RODRIGUEZCorro, PresidentPolitical parties and leaders:National Convergence (Convergencia), Jose Miguel UZCATEGUI, director;Social Christian Party (COPEI), Hilarion CARDOZO, president, and JoseCURIEL, secretary general; Democratic Action (AD), Pedro PARISMontesinos, president, and Luis ALFARO Ucero, secretary general;Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), Argelia LAYA, president, and FreddyMUNOZ, secretary general; Radical Cause (La Causa R), Pablo MEDINA,secretary generalOther political or pressure groups:FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; Venezuelan Confederationof Workers (CTV, labor organization dominated by the DemocraticAction); VECINOS groupsMember of:AG, BCIE, CARICOM (observer), CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-11, G-15,G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC,ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Pedro Luis ECHEVERRIAchancery:1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone:(202) 342-2214consulate(s) general:Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia,San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Jeffrey DAVIDOWembassy:Avenida Francisco de Miranda and Avenida Principal de la Floresta,Caracasmailing address:P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A, or APO AA 34037telephone:[58] (2) 285-2222FAX:[58] (2) 285-0336consulate(s):Maracaibo (closed March 1994)Flag:three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with thecoat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of sevenwhite five-pointed stars centered in the blue band
@Venezuela, Economy
Overview:Petroleum is the backbone of the economy, accounting for 23% of GDP,61% of central government ordinary revenues, and 77% of exportearnings in 1993. Former President PEREZ introduced an economicreadjustment program when he assumed office in February 1989. Lowertariffs and the removal of price controls, a free market exchangerate, and market-linked interest rates threw the economy intoconfusion, causing an 8% decline in GDP in 1989. The economy recoveredpart way in 1990 and grew by 9.7% in 1991 and 6.8% in 1992; economicactivity fell by 1% in 1993, primarily because of business concernsover political instability.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $161 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:-1% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$8,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):46% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:8.2% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$9.8 billionexpenditures:$11.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $103 million (1993est.)Exports:$14.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:petroleum 77%, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agriculturalproducts, basic manufacturespartners:US and Puerto Rico 42%, Japan, Netherlands, ItalyImports:$11 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment,construction materialspartners:US 50%, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, CanadaExternal debt:$28.5 billion (1993)Industrial production:growth rate 6.1% (1992 est.); accounts for 40% of GDP, includingpetroleumElectricity:capacity:21,130,000 kWproduction:58.541 billion kWhconsumption per capita:2,830 kWh (1992)Industries:petroleum, iron-ore mining, construction materials, food processing,textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assemblyAgriculture:accounts for 6% of GDP and 16% of labor force; products - corn,sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee, beef, pork,milk, eggs, fish; not self-sufficient in food other than meatIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis and coca leaf for the international drugtrade on a small scale; however, large quantities of cocaine transitthe country from Colombia; important money-laundering hubEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-86), $488 million; Communistcountries (1970-89), $10 millionCurrency:1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimosExchange rates:bolivares (Bs) per US$1 - 107.260 (January 1994), 90.826 (1993), 68.38(1992), 56.82 (1991), 46.90 (1990), 34.68 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Venezuela, Communications
Railroads:542 km total; 363 km 1.435-meter standard gauge all single track,government owned; 179 km 1.435-meter gauge, privately ownedHighways:total:81,000 kmpaved:31,200 kmunpaved:gravel 24,800 km; earth and unimproved earth 25,000 kmInland 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, PuertoOrdazMerchant marine:47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 741,688 GRT/1,204,233 DWT, bulk4, cargo 16, combination bulk 1, container 1, liquefied gas 2, oiltanker 17, passenger cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-seapassenger 1Airports:total:425usable:392with permanent-surface runways:139with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:15with runways 1,220-2,439 m:92Telecommunications:modern and expanding; 1,440,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 181AM, no FM, 59 TV, 26 shortwave; 3 submarine coaxial cables; satelliteground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 3 domestic
@Venezuela, Defense Forces
Branches:National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales, FAN) includes -Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces(Fuerzas Navales or Armada), Air Forces (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion),Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas deCooperation or Guardia Nacional)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 5,341,855; fit for military service 3,875,523; reachmilitary age (18) annually 224,550 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.95 billion, 4% of GDP (1991)
@Vietnam, Geography
Location:Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea, between Laos and thePhilippinesMap references:Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:329,560 sq kmland area:325,360 sq kmcomparative 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 complexdispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines,Taiwan, and possibly Brunei; unresolved maritime boundary withThailand; maritime boundary dispute with China in the Gulf of Tonkin;Paracel Islands occupied by China but claimed by Vietnam and TaiwanClimate:tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (mid-Mayto mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March)Terrain:low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly,mountainous in far 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 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:deforestation; soil degradation; water pollution and overfishingthreatening marine life populationsnatural hazards:occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive floodinginternational agreements:party to - Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, ClimateChange, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
@Vietnam, People
Population:73,103,898 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.78% (1994 est.)Birth rate:27.13 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:7.76 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-1.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:45.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:65.41 yearsmale:63.37 yearsfemale:67.58 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:3.33 children born/woman (1994 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, triballanguages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:88%male:93%female:83%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:Vietnamlocal 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* (thanhpho, singular and plural); An Giang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Bac Thai, BenTre, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Can Tho, Cao Bang, Dac Lac, Dong Nai, DongThap, 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, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Minh Hai, Nam Ha, NgheAn, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam-Da Nang,Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Song Be, TayNinh, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, TuyenQuang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phu, Yen BaiIndependence:2 September 1945 (from France)National holiday:Independence Day, 2 September (1945)Constitution:15 April 1992Legal system:based on Communist legal theory and French civil law systemSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch: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 MinisterNguyen KHANH (since NA February 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Tran DucLUONG (since NA February 1987)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the president on proposal of the prime ministerand ratification of the AssemblyLegislative branch:unicameralNational Assembly (Quoc-Hoi):elections last held 19 July 1992 (next to be held NA July 1997);results - VCP is the only party; seats - (395 total) VCP orVCP-approved 395Judicial branch:Supreme People's CourtPolitical parties and leaders:only party - Vietnam Communist Party (VCP), DO MUOI, general secretaryMember of:ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), 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:none; Ambassador Le Van BANG is the Permanent Representative to the UNUS 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 fromthe planned economic model toward a more effective market-basedeconomic system. Most prices are now fully decontrolled, and theVietnamese currency has been effectively devalued and floated at worldmarket rates. In addition, the scope for private sector activity hasbeen expanded, primarily through decollectivization of theagricultural sector and introduction of laws giving legal recognitionto private business. Nearly three-quarters of export earnings aregenerated by only two commodities, rice and crude oil. Led by industryand construction, the economy did well in 1993 with output risingperhaps 7%. However, the industrial sector remains burdened byuncompetitive state-owned enterprises the government is unwilling orunable to privatize. Unemployment looms as a serious problem withroughly 25% of the workforce without jobs and with population growthswelling the ranks of the unemployed yearly.National product:GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $72 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:7% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$1,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.2% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:25% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$1.9 billionexpenditures:$2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992)Exports:$2.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:petroleum, rice, agricultural products, marine products, coffeepartners:Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Germany, IndonesiaImports:$3.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:petroleum products, steel products, railroad equipment, chemicals,medicines, raw cotton, fertilizer, grainpartners:Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, TaiwanExternal debt:$3.4 billion Western countries; $4.5 billion CEMA debts primarily toRussia; $700 million commercial debts (1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 15% (1992); accounts for 20% of GDPElectricity:capacity:3,300,000 kWproduction:9 billion kWhconsumption per capita:130 kWh (1992)Industries:food processing, textiles, machine building, mining, cement, chemicalfertilizer, glass, tires, oilAgriculture:accounts for almost 40% of GDP; paddy rice, corn, potatoes make up 50%of farm output; commercial crops (rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea,bananas) and animal products 50%; since 1989 self-sufficient in foodstaple rice; fish catch of 943,100 metric tons (1989 est.)Illicit drugs:minor opium producer and secondary transit point for Southeast Asianheroin destined for the US and EuropeEconomic aid:recipient:$1.9 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for1994, Japan largest contributor with $550 millionCurrency:1 new dong (D) = 100 xuExchange rates:new dong (D) per US$1 - 10,800 (November 1993), 8,100 (July 1991),7,280 (December 1990), 3,996 (March 1990); note - 1985-89 figures areend of yearFiscal year:calendar year
@Vietnam, Communications
Railroads:3,059 km total; 2,454 1.000-meter gauge, 151 km 1.435-meter (standard)gauge, 230 km dual gauge (three rails), and 224 km not restored toservice after war damageHighways:total:85,000 kmpaved:9,400 kmunpaved:gravel, improved earth 48,700 km; unimproved earth 26,900 kmInland waterways:17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at all times byvessels up to 1.8 meter draftPipelines:petroleum products 150 kmPorts:Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh CityMerchant marine:101 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 460,225 GRT/741,231 DWT, bulk3, cargo 86, oil tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-offcargo 1Airports:total:100usable:100with permanent-surface runways:50with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:10with runways 1,220-2,439 m:20Telecommunications:the inadequacies of the obsolete switching equipment and cable systemis a serious constraint on the business sector and on economic growth,and restricts access to the international links that Vietnam hasestablished with most major countries; the telephone system is notgenerally available for private use (25 telephones for each 10,000persons); 3 satellite earth stations; broadcast stations - NA AM, 288FM; 36 (77 repeaters) TV; about 2,500,000 TV receivers and 7,000,000radio receivers in use (1991)
@Vietnam, Defense Forces
Branches:People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) including:Ground, Navy (including Naval Infantry), Air ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 18,281,483; fit for military service 11,602,318; reachmilitary age (17) annually 762,943 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GNP
@Virgin Islands
Header Affiliation: (territory of the US)
@Virgin Islands, Geography
Location:Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 110 km east andsoutheast of Puerto RicoMap references:Central America and the CaribbeanArea:total area:352 sq kmland area:349 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:188 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to 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 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:lack of natural freshwater resourcesnatural hazards:rarely affected by hurricanes; subject to frequent severe droughts,floods, earthquakesinternational agreements:NANote:important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane forthe Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwaterharbors in the Caribbean
@Virgin Islands, People
Population: 97,564 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: -0.52% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 19.41 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -19.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 73.6 years female: 77.2 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander Ethnic divisions: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West 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, Creole Literacy: 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 theOffice of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of theInteriorCapital:Charlotte AmalieAdministrative divisions:none (territory of the US)National holiday:Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to US)Constitution:Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954Legal system:based on USSuffrage:18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are UScitizens but do not vote in US presidential electionsExecutive branch:chief of state:President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); VicePresident Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)head of government:Governor Alexander A. FARRELLY (since 5 January 1987); LieutenantGovernor Derek M. HODGE (since 5 January 1987); election last held 6November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - GovernorAlexander FARRELLY (Democratic Party) 56.5% defeated Juan LUIS(independent) 38.5%Legislative branch:unicameralSenate:elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) number ofseats by party NAUS House of Representatives:elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994);results - Ron DE LUGO reelected as delegate; seats - (1 total); seatby party NA; note - the Virgin Islands elect one representative to theUS House of RepresentativesJudicial branch:US District Court:handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of ageand over), and federal casesTerritorial Court:handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, juvenile, domestic,misdemeanors, and traffic casesPolitical parties and leaders:Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement(ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVISMember of:ECLAC (associate), IOCDiplomatic representation in US:none (territory of the US)US diplomatic representation:none (territory of the US)Flag:white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the largeblue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows an eagle holding anolive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with asuperimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a bluepanel
@Virgin Islands, Economy
Overview:Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70%of GDP and 70% of employment. The manufacturing sector consists oftextile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. Theagricultural sector is small, most food being imported. Internationalbusiness and financial services are a small but growing component ofthe economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is atSaint 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 millionexpenditures:$364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)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% (year NA); accounts for NA% of GDPElectricity:capacity:380,000 kWproduction:565 million kWhconsumption per capita:5,710 kWh (1992)Industries:tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling,construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronicsAgriculture:truck gardens, food crops (small scale), fruit, sorghum, SenepolcattleEconomic aid:recipient:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $42 millionCurrency:1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 centsExchange rates:US currency is usedFiscal year:1 October - 30 September
@Virgin Islands, Communications
Highways:total:856 kmpaved:NAunpaved:NAPorts:Saint Croix - Christiansted, Frederiksted; Saint Thomas - Long Bay,Crown Bay, 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,microwave radio, and satellite facilities; 58,931 telephones; 98,000radios; 63,000 TV sets 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:Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 3,700 km west ofHonolulu, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and the NorthernMariana IslandsMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:6.5 sq kmland area:6.5 sq kmcomparative 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 depth or to 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;central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim; averageelevation less than 4 metersNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:100%Irrigated land:0 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:NAnatural hazards:subject to occasional typhoonsinternational agreements:NANote:strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landinglocation for transpacific flights
@Wake Island, People
Population: 302 (July 1994 est.)
@Wake Island, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Wake IslandDigraph:WQType:unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Air Force(under an agreement with the US Department of Interior) since 24 June1972; presently administered by Base Commander, Major James ANDELuntil August 1994, when Willis ALLEY will take over until July 1995Capital: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 militarypersonnel and contractors located on the island. All food andmanufactured goods must be imported.Electricity:supplied by US military
@Wake Island, Communications
Ports:none; because of the reefs, there are only two offshore anchorages forlarge shipsAirports: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:satellite communications; 1 Autovon circuit off the Overseas TelephoneSystem (OTS); Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio andtelevision service provided by satellite; broadcast station - closedearly 1992.Note:formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by USmilitary, some commercial cargo planes, as well as the US Army Spaceand Strategic Defense Command for missile launches
@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: Oceania, Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean, 4,600 km southwest of Honolulu, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 274 sq km land area: 274 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October) Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 20% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 75% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: both island groups have fringing reefs
@Wallis and Futuna, People
Population: 14,338 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.13% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 25.74 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.26 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -9.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.72 years male: 71.08 years female: 72.4 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.23 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic divisions: Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) Literacy: all ages can read and write (1969) total population: 50% male: 50% female: 51% Labor force: NA by 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 systemSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)head of government:High Administrator Philippe LEGRIX (since NA); President of theTerritorial Assembly Soane Noni UHILA (since NA March 1992)cabinet:Council of the Territory consists of 3 kings and 3 members appointedby the high administrator on advice of the Territorial Assemblynote:there are three traditional kings with limited powersLegislative branch:unicameralTerritorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale):elections last held 15 March 1987 (next to be held NA March 1992);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 7, UPL5, UDF 4, UNF 4French Senate:elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held by NA September1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPR 1French National Assembly:elections last held 21 and 28 March 1992 (next to be held by NASeptember 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1total) MRG 1Judicial branch:none; justice generally administered under French law by the chiefadministrator, but the three traditional kings administer customarylaw and there is a magistrate in Mata-UtuPolitical parties and leaders:Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union Populaire Locale (UPL); Union Pourla Democratie Francaise (UDF); Lua kae tahi (Giscardians); Mouvementdes Radicaux de Gauche (MRG)Member of:FZ, SPCDiplomatic representation in US:none (overseas territory of France)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, withabout 80% of the labor force earning its livelihood from agriculture(coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come fromFrench Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan andSouth Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers inNew Caledonia. Wallis and Futuna imports food, fuel, clothing,machinery, and transport equipment, but its 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 millionexpenditures:$2.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1983 est.)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:capacity:1,200 kWproduction:1 million kWhconsumption per capita:70 kWh (1990)Industries:copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumberAgriculture:dominated by coconut production, with subsistence crops of yams, taro,bananas, and herds of pigs and goatsEconomic aid:recipient: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 - 107.63(January 1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.0(1990), 115.99 (1989); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to theFrench francFiscal year:NA
@Wallis and Futuna, Communications
Highways: total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20km) paved: 16 km (on Il Uvea) unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) Inland waterways: none Ports: Mata-Utu, Leava Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 225 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV
@Wallis and Futuna, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
@West Bank
HeaderThe war between Israel and Egypt, Syria, and Jordan in June 1967 endedwith Israel in control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the GazaStrip, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights. Israel withdrewfrom the Sinai Peninsula pursuant to a 1979 peace treaty with Egypt.The Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-GovernmentArrangements ("the DOP"), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993,provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years ofPalestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the WestBank. Under the DOP, final status negotiations are to begin no laterthan the beginning of the third year of the transitional period.
@West Bank, Geography
Location:Middle East, between Jordan and IsraelMap references:Middle EastArea:total area:5,860 sq kmland area:5,640 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than Delawarenote:includes West Bank, East Jerusalem, Latrun Salient, Jerusalem No Man'sLand, 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:West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with interim statussubject to Israeli/Palestinian negotiations - final status to bedeterminedClimate:temperate, temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm tohot summers, cool to mild wintersTerrain:mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren ineastNatural resources:negligibleLand use:arable land:27%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:32%forest and woodland:1%other:40%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:NAnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:NANote:landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastalaquifers; there are 200 Jewish settlements and civilian land use sitesin the West Bank and 25 in East Jerusalem (April 1994)
@West Bank, People
Population: 1,443,790 (July 1994 est.) note: in addition, there are 110,500 Jewish settlers in the West Bank and 144,100 in East Jerusalem (1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.68% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 32.48 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.11 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 33.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.39 years male: 68.88 years female: 71.98 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.2 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic 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 understood Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: construction 28.2%, agriculture 21.8%, industry 14.5%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 12.6%, other services 22.9% (1991) note: excluding Jewish settlers
@West Bank, Government
Note:Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on InterimSelf-Government Arragements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed to transfercertain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, andsubsequently to an elected Palestinian Council, as part of interimself-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Atransfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jerichohas taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreementon the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. The DOP provides that Israelwill retain responsibility during the transitional period for externalsecurity and for internal security and public order of settlements andIsraelis. Final status is to be determined through direct negotiationswithin five years.Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:West BankDigraph:WE
@West Bank, Economy
Overview:Economic progress in the West Bank has been hampered by Israelimilitary administration and the effects of the Palestinian uprising(intifadah). Industries using advanced technology or requiring sizableinvestment have been discouraged by a lack of local capital andrestrictive Israeli policies. Capital investment consists largely ofresidential housing, not productive assets that would enable localPalestinian firms to compete with Israeli industry. A major share ofGNP has traditionally been derived from remittances of workersemployed in Israel and Persian Gulf states. Such transfers from theGulf dropped after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In the wake ofthe Persian Gulf crisis, many Palestinians have returned to the WestBank, increasing unemployment, and export revenues have droppedbecause of the decline of markets in Jordan and the Gulf states.Israeli measures to curtail the intifadah also have added tounemployment and lowered living standards. The area's economicsituation has worsened since Israel's partial closure of theterritories in 1993.National product:GNP - exchange rate conversion - $2 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:-7% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$2,050 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):12% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:15% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues:$43.4 millionexpenditures:$43.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90)Exports:$175 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:olives, fruit, vegetablespartners:Jordan, IsraelImports:$775 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:food, consumer goods, construction materialspartners:Jordan, IsraelExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate -1% (1991); accounts for about 6% 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 23% 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) =1,000 filsExchange rates:new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.9760 (February 1994), 2.8301(1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989);Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.7019 (February 1994), 0.6928(1993), 0.6797 (1992), 0.6808 (1991), 0.6636 (1990), 0.5704 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year (since 1 January 1992)