Economic aid:recipient: the IMF has established a Systemic Transformation Facilityof $74 million and the World Bank has made a rehabilitation loan of$160 million with other project loans pending; estimated annualexternal financing requirements for 1995-96 of $600 million to $700million
Currency: introduced provisional som-coupons 10 November 1993 which circulated parallel to the Russian rubles; became the sole legal currency 31 January 1994; was replaced in July 1994 by the som currency
Exchange rates: soms per US$1 - 25 (yearend 1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Uzbekistan:Transportation
Railroads:total: 3,460 km in common carrier service; does not include industriallinesbroad gauge: 3,460 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways:total: 78,400 kmpaved and graveled: 67,000 kmunpaved: earth 11,400 km (1990)
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 810km (1992)
Ports: Termiz
Airports:total: 261with paved runways over 3,047 m: 6with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 14with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 8with paved runways under 914 m: 5with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 7with unpaved runways under 914 m: 216
@Uzbekistan:Communications
Telephone system: 1,458,000 telephones; 63 telephones/1,000 persons(1995); poorly developedlocal: NMT-450 analog cellular network established in Tashkentintercity: NAinternational: linked by landline or microwave with CIS member statesand by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switchto other countries; new INTELSAT links to Tokyo and Ankara giveUzbekistan international access independent of Russian facilities;Orbita and INTELSAT earth stations
Radio:broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NAradios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: NAtelevisions: NA
@Uzbekistan:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,567,580; males fit for military service 4,537,455; males reach military age (18) annually 222,506 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
________________________________________________________________________
@Vanuatu:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 14,760 sq kmland area: 14,760 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Connecticutnote: includes more than 80 islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2,528 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds
Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 1% other: 91%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: a majority of the population does not have access to apotable and reliable supply of waternatural hazards: tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April);volcanism causes minor earthquakesinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
@Vanuatu:People
Population: 173,648 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 41% (female 34,819; male 36,128)15-64 years: 56% (female 47,320; male 50,456)65 years and over: 3% (female 2,217; male 2,708) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.22% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 31.26 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 9.06 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 66.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.71 years male: 57.9 years female: 61.61 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.14 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
Ethnic divisions: indigenous Melanesian 94%, French 4%, Vietnamese,Chinese, Pacific Islanders
Religions: Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Catholic 15%, indigenousbeliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other15.7%
Languages: English (official), French (official), pidgin (known asBislama or Bichelama)
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 Hebrides
Digraph: NH
Type: republic
Capital: Port-Vila
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa,Tafea, Torba
Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
Constitution: 30 July 1980
Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French andBritish systems
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jean Marie LEYE (since 2 March 1994)head of government: Prime Minister Maxime CARLOT Korman (since 16December 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Sethy REGENVANU (since 17December 1991)cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister,responsible to parliament
Legislative branch: unicameralParliament: elections last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held NANovember 1995); note - after election, a coalition was formed by theUnion of Moderate Parties and the National United Party to form a newgovernment on 16 December 1991, but political party associations arefluid; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (46 total) UMP19, NUP 10, VP 10, MPP 4, TUP 1, Nagriamel 1, Friend 1note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom andland
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Vanuatu Party (VP), Donald KALPOKAS;Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), Maxime CARLOT Korman; MelanesianProgressive Party (MPP), Barak SOPE; National United Party (NUP),Walter LINI; Tan Union Party (TUP), Vincent BOULEKONE; NagriamelParty, Jimmy STEVENS; Friend Melanesian Party, leader NA; People'sDemocratic Party (PDP), Sethy REGENVANUnote: the VP, MPP, TUP, and Nagriamel Party have formed a coalitioncalled the United Front (UF) heading into the November 1995 elections
Member of: ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),IOC, ITU, NAM, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: Vanuatu does not have a mission inthe US
US diplomatic representation: the ambassador to Papua New Guinea isaccredited to Vanuatu
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow
@Vanuatu:Economy
Overview: The economy is based primarily on subsistence farming which provides a living for about 80% of the population. Fishing and tourism are the other mainstays of the economy, with 43,000 visitors in 1992. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $200 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate: NA%
National product per capita: $1,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $90 millionexpenditures: $103 million, including capital expenditures of $45million (1989 est.)
Exports: $14.9 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: copra, beef, cocoa, timber, coffee partners: Netherlands, Japan, France, New Caledonia, Belgium
Imports: $74 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: machines and vehicles, food and beverages, basic manufactures, raw materials and fuels, chemicals partners: Australia 36%, Japan 13%, NZ 10%, France 8%, Fiji 8%
External debt: $40 million (yearend 1992)
Industrial production: growth rate 8.1% (1990); accounts for about 10% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 17,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 181 kWh (1993)
Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Agriculture: export crops - coconuts, cocoa, coffee, fish; subsistencecrops - taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables
Economic aid:recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateralcommitments (1970-89), $606 million
Currency: 1 vatu (VT) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: vatu (VT) per US$1 - 112.42 (December 1994), 116.41 (1994), 121.58 (1993), 113.39 (1992), 111.68 (1991), 116.57 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Vanuatu:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,027 km paved: 240 km unpaved: 787 km
Ports: Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)
Merchant marine:total: 116 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,874,698 GRT/2,758,783DWTships by type: bulk 52, cargo 18, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk1, container 4, liquefied gas tanker 5, livestock carrier 1, oiltanker 5, refrigerated cargo 17, vehicle carrier 10note: a flag of convenience registry; includes 21 countries amongwhich are ships of the US 117, Japan 39, Netherlands 12, China 11, UAE6, Greece 6, Canada 6, Hong Kong 4, Russia 2, Australia 2
Airports:total: 31with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 17with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 11
@Vanuatu:Communications
Telephone system: 3,000 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 0televisions: NA
@Vanuatu:Defense Forces
Branches: no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force or VMF)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
________________________________________________________________________
@Venezuela:Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Map references: South America
Area:total area: 912,050 sq kmland area: 882,050 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries: total 4,993 km, Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km,Guyana 743 km
Coastline: 2,800 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 15 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims all of Guyana west of the EssequiboRiver; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf ofVenezuela
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain: Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; centralplains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite,other minerals, hydropower, diamonds
Land 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 urbanpollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urbanand industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coastnatural hazards: subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodicdroughtsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but notratified - Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping
Note: on major sea and air routes linking North and South America
@Venezuela:People
Population: 21,004,773 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (female 3,650,705; male 3,795,032)15-64 years: 60% (female 6,350,466; male 6,313,887)65 years and over: 5% (female 486,020; male 408,663) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 25.11 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 4.57 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 26.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.31 years male: 70.48 years female: 76.29 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.97 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan
Ethnic divisions: mestizo 67%, white 21%, black 10%, Amerindian 2%
Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%
Languages: Spanish (official), native dialects spoken by about 200,000Amerindians in the remote interior
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population: 90%male: 91%female: 89%
Labor force: 7.6 millionby occupation: services 63%, industry 25%, agriculture 12% (1993)
@Venezuela:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Venezuelaconventional short form: Venezuelalocal long form: Republica de Venezuelalocal short form: Venezuela
Digraph: VE
Type: republic
Capital: Caracas
Administrative divisions: 21 states (estados, singular - estado), 1territory* (territorio), 1 federal district** (distrito federal), and1 federal dependency*** (dependencia federal); Amazonas*, Anzoategui,Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro,Dependencias Federales***, Distrito Federal**, Falcon, Guarico, Lara,Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira,Trujillo, Yaracuy, Zulianote: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlledisland groups with a total of 72 individual islands
Independence: 5 July 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811)
Constitution: 23 January 1961
Legal system: based on Napoleonic code; judicial review of legislative acts in Cassation Court only; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Rafael CALDERARodriguez (since 2 February 1994); election last held 5 December 1993(next to be held NA December 1998); results - Rafael CALDERA (NationalConvergence) 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 president
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de laRepublica)Senate (Senado): elections last held 5 December 1993 (next to be heldNA December 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (53total) AD 18, COPEI 15, Causa R 9, MAS 5, National Convergence 6; note- 3 former presidents (2 from AD, 1 from COPEI) hold lifetime senateseatsChamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 5December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1998); results - AD 27.9%,COPEI 26.9%, MAS 12.4%, National Convergence 12.9%, Causa R 19.9%;seats - (203 total) AD 55, COPEI 53, MAS 24, National Convergence 26,Causa R 40, other 5
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)Roberto YEPES, President
Political parties and leaders: National Convergence (Convergencia), Jose Miguel UZCATEGUI, president, Juan Jose CALDERA, national coordinator; Social Christian Party (COPEI), Luis HERRERA Campins, president, and Donald RAMIREZ, secretary general; Democratic Action (AD), Pedro PARIS Montesinos, president, and Luis ALFARO Ucero, secretary general; Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), Gustavo MARQUEZ, president, and Enrique OCHOA Antich, secretary general; Radical Cause (La Causa R), Pablo MEDINA, secretary general
Other political or pressure groups: FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers (CTV, labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action); VECINOS groups
Member of: AG, BCIE, CARICOM (observer), CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11,G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM,ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, OPEC, PCA,RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIH, UNPROFOR, UNU,UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Luis ECHEVERRIAchancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans,New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey DAVIDOWembassy: Avenida Francisco de Miranda and Avenida Principal de laFloresta, Caracasmailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037telephone: [58] (2) 285-2222, 3111FAX: [58] (2) 285-0366
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band
@Venezuela:Economy
Overview: Despite efforts to broaden the base of the economy, petroleum continues to play a dominant role. In 1994, as GDP declined 3.3%, the oil sector - which accounts for 24% of the total - enjoyed a 6% expansion, provided 45% of the budget revenues, and generated 70% of the export earnings. President CALDERA, who assumed office in February 1994, has used an interventionist, reactive approach to managing the economy, instituting price and foreign exchange controls in mid-year to slow inflation and stop the loss of foreign exchange reserves. The government claims it will remove these controls once inflationary pressures abate, but the $8 billion bailout of the banking sector in 1994 has made it difficult for the government to make good on its promise. Economic controls, coupled with political uncertainty driven by recurrent coup rumors, continue to deter foreign and domestic investment; private forecasters see the recession persisting for a third year in 1995.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $178.3 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: -3.3% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $8,670 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 71% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 9% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $10.3 billionexpenditures: $14.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $103million (1994 est.)
Exports: $15.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: petroleum 72%, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals,agricultural products, basic manufacturespartners: US and Puerto Rico 55%, Japan, Netherlands, Italy
Imports: $7.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: raw materials, machinery and equipment, transportequipment, construction materialspartners: US 40%, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Canada
External debt: $40.1 billion (1994)
Industrial production: growth rate -1.4% (1993 est.); accounts for 41% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 18,740,000 kW production: 72 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,311 kWh (1993)
Industries: petroleum, iron-ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly
Agriculture: accounts for 6% of GDP; products - corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee, beef, pork, milk, eggs, fish; not self-sufficient in food other than meat
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, opium, and coca leaf for the international drug trade on a small scale; however, large quantities of cocaine and heroin transit the country from Colombia; important money-laundering hub
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-86), $488 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $10 million
Currency: 1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: bolivares (Bs) per US$1 - 169.570 (January 1995), 148.503 (1994), 90.826 (1993), 68.38 (1992), 56.82 (1991), 46.90 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Venezuela:Transportation
Railroads:total: 542 km (363 km single track; 179 km privately owned)standard gauge: 542 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways: total: 81,000 km paved: 31,200 km unpaved: gravel 24,800 km; earth and unimproved earth 25,000 km
Inland waterways: 7,100 km; Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo acceptoceangoing vessels
Pipelines: crude oil 6,370 km; petroleum products 480 km; natural gas4,010 km
Ports: Amuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina,Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, PuertoOrdaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon
Merchant marine:total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 686,811 GRT/1,110,829 DWT
ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 11, combination bulk 1, liquefied gastanker 2, oil tanker 15, passenger-cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4,short-sea passenger 1
Airports:total: 431with paved runways over 3,047 m: 4with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 65with paved runways under 914 m: 191with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 12with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 114
@Venezuela:Communications
Telephone system: 1,440,000 telephones; modern and expandinglocal: NAintercity: 3 domestic satellite earth stationsinternational: 3 submarine coaxial cables; 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean)earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 181, FM 0, shortwave 26radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 59televisions: NA
@Venezuela:Defense Forces
Branches: National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales or FAN)includes Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), NavalForces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada), Air Force (Fuerzas Aereas orAviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (FuerzasArmadas de Cooperation or Guardia Nacional)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,491,524; males fit formilitary service 3,981,190; males reach military age (18) annually227,292 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.95 billion, 4% ofGDP (1991)
________________________________________________________________________
@Vietnam:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf ofTonkin, and South China Sea, between China and Cambodia
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total area: 329,560 sq kmland area: 325,360 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries: total 3,818 km, Cambodia 982 km, China 1,281 km, Laos1,555 km
Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands)
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary with Cambodia not defined; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei; unresolved maritime boundary with Thailand; maritime boundary dispute with China in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan
Climate: tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (mid-May to 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 northwest
Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate,offshore oil deposits, forests
Land 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: logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices arecontributing to deforestation; soil degradation; water pollution andoverfishing threatening marine life populations; inadequate suppliesof potable water because of groundwater contaminationnatural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensivefloodinginternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Nuclear Test Ban
@Vietnam:People
Population: 74,393,324 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 36% (female 13,225,916; male 13,918,321)15-64 years: 59% (female 22,353,710; male 21,223,739)65 years and over: 5% (female 2,236,453; male 1,435,185) (July 1995est.)
Population growth rate: 1.71% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 26.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 7.6 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 44.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.72 years male: 63.66 years female: 67.91 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.21 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) adjective: Vietnamese
Ethnic divisions: Vietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese 3%, Muong, Thai, Meo,Khmer, Man, Cham
Religions: Buddhist, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs,Islam, Protestant
Languages: Vietnamese (official), French, Chinese, English, Khmer,tribal languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989)total population: 88%male: 93%female: 83%
Labor force: 32.7 million by 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 Nam
Abbreviation: SRV
Digraph: VM
Type: Communist state
Capital: Hanoi
Administrative divisions: 50 provinces (tinh, singular and plural), 3municipalities* (thu do, singular and plural); An Giang, Ba Ria-VungTau, Bac Thai, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Can Tho, Cao Bang, DacLac, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Bac, Ha Giang, Ha Noi*, Ha Tay,Ha Tinh, Hai Hung, Hai Phong*, Ho Chi Minh*, Hoa Binh, Khanh Hoa, KienGiang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, MinhHai, Nam Ha, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Binh,Quang Nam-Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, SonLa, Song Be, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, TienGiang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phu, Yen Bai
Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945)
Constitution: 15 April 1992
Legal system: based on Communist legal theory and French civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Le Duc ANH (since 23 September 1992)head of government: Prime Minister Vo Van KIET (since 9 August 1991);First Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 10 August 1991);Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen KHANH (since NA February 1987); DeputyPrime Minister Tran Duc LUONG (since NA February 1987)cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president on proposal of the primeminister and ratification of the Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral National 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 or VCP-approved 395
Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court
Political parties and leaders: only party - Vietnam Communist Party(VCP), DO MUOI, general secretary
Member of: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Liaison Officer Le Van BANGliaison office: address NA, Washington, DCmailing address: NAtelephone: NAFAX: NAnote: negotiations between representatives of the US and Vietnamconcluded 28 January 1995 with the signing of an agreement toestablish liaison offices in Hanoi and Washington
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Liaison Officer James HALLliaison office: address NA, Hanoimailing address: NAtelephone: NAFAX: NAnote: negotiations between representatives of the US and Vietnamconcluded 28 January 1995 with the signing of an agreement toestablish liaison offices in Hanoi and Washington
Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
@Vietnam:Economy
Overview: Vietnam has made significant progress in recent years moving away from the planned economic model toward a more effective market-based economic system. Most prices are now fully decontrolled, and the Vietnamese currency has been effectively devalued and floated at world market rates. In addition, the scope for private sector activity has been expanded, primarily through decollectivization of the agricultural sector and introduction of laws giving legal recognition to private business. Nearly three-quarters of export earnings are generated by only two commodities, rice and crude oil. Led by industry and construction, the economy did well in 1993 and 1994 with output rising 7% and 9% respectively. However, the industrial sector remains burdened by noncompetitive state-owned enterprises the government is unwilling or unable to privatize. Unemployment looms as a serious problem with roughly 20% of the work force without jobs and with population growth swelling the ranks of the labor force yearly.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $83.5 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 8.8% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $1,140 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 20% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $3.6 billionexpenditures: $4.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994 est.)
Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: petroleum, rice, agricultural products, marine products,coffeepartners: Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, South Korea
Imports: $4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, steelproducts, fertilizer, raw cotton, grainpartners: Singapore, Japan, South Korea, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan
External debt: $4 billion Western countries; $4.5 billion CEMA debtsprimarily to Russia;
Industrial production: growth rate 13% (1994 est.); accounts for 21%of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 2,200,000 kW production: 9.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 125 kWh (1993)
Industries: food processing, textiles, machine building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil
Agriculture: accounts for 36% 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 food staple rice; fish catch of 943,100 metric tons (1989 est.); note - the third largest exporter of rice in the World, behind the US and Thailand
Illicit drugs: opium producer and increasingly important transit point for Southeast Asian heroin destined for the US and Europe; growing opium addiction; small-scale heroin producer
Economic aid:recipient: $2 billion in credits and grants pledged by internationaldonors for 1995, Japan largest contributor with $650 million pledgedfor 1995
Currency: 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu
Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1 - 11,000 (October 1994), 10,800(November 1993), 8,100 (July 1991), 7,280 (December 1990), 3,996(March 1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Vietnam:Transportation
Railroads:total: 3,059 km (including 224 km not restored to service after wardamage)standard gauge: 151 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 2,454 km 1.000-m gaugeother gauge: 230 km NA-m dual gauge (three rails)
Highways: total: 85,000 km paved: 9,400 km unpaved: gravel, improved earth 48,700 km; unimproved earth 26,900 km
Inland waterways: 17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at all times by vessels up to 1.8 meter draft
Pipelines: petroleum products 150 km
Ports: Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hon Gai, Qui Nhon, NhaTrang
Merchant marine:total: 109 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 449,963 GRT/932,837 DWTships by type: bulk 3, cargo 92, oil tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 3,roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
Airports:total: 48with paved runways over 3,047 m: 8with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 13with paved runways under 914 m: 7with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 5with unpaved runways under 914 m: 5
@Vietnam:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; 2 telephones/1,000 persons; theinadequacies of the obsolete switching equipment and cable system area serious constraint on the business sector and on economic growth,and restrict access to the international links that Vietnam hasestablished with most major countries; the telephone system is notgenerally available for private uselocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: 3 satellite earth stations
Radio:broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 228, shortwave 0radios: 7 million (1991)
Television:broadcast stations: 36 (repeaters 77)televisions: 2.5 million (1991)
@Vietnam:Defense Forces
Branches: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN; includes Ground forces, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), and Air Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 18,799,370; males fit for military service 11,913,116; males reach military age (17) annually 742,394 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $435 million, 2.5% ofGDP (1994)
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(territory of the US)
@Virgin Islands:Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the NorthAtlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 352 sq kmland area: 349 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 188 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly tradewinds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November
Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf
Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 6% meadows and pastures: 26% forest and woodland: 6% other: 47%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: lack of natural freshwater resourcesnatural hazards: rarely affected by hurricanes; frequent and severedroughts, floods, and earthquakesinternational agreements: NA
Note: important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
@Virgin Islands:People
Population: 97,229 (July 1995 est.) note: 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%
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -0.29% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 18.49 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -16.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 73.6 years female: 77.2 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.41 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions: black 80%, white 15%, other 5%
Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole
Literacy: 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 Islands
Digraph: VQ
Type: organized, unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Capital: Charlotte Amalie
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US)
National holiday: Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to US)
Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Legal system: based on US
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitantsare US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)head of government: Governor Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (since 5 January1995); Lieutenant Governor Kenneth E. MAPP (since 5 January 1995);election last held 22 November 1994 (next to be held NA November1998); results - Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (Independent) 54.7%, formerLieutenant Governor Derek HODGE 42.6%
Legislative branch: unicameral Senate: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) Democrats 7, Independents 7, Republican 1 US House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - Victor O. FRAZER (Independent) 54.5%, Eileen R. PETERSON (Democrat) 45.5%; seats - (1 total) Independent 1; note - the Virgin Islands elects one representative to the US House of Representatives
Judicial branch:US District Court: handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies(persons 15 years of age and over), and federal casesTerritorial Court: handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims,juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON;Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; RepublicanParty, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS
Member of: ECLAC (associate), IOC
Diplomatic 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 large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
@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 of textile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector is small, most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1987 est.)
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 products partners: US, Puerto Rico
Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
partners: US, Puerto Rico
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate 12% (year NA); accounts for NA% ofGDP
Electricity: capacity: 320,000 kW production: 970 million kWh consumption per capita: 9,172 kWh (1993)
Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rumdistilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Agriculture: truck gardens, food crops (small scale), fruit, sorghum,Senepol cattle
Economic aid:recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateralcommitments (1970-89), $42 million
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@Virgin Islands:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 856 km paved: NA unpaved: NA
Ports: Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 2with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2note: international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix
@Virgin Islands:Communications
Telephone system: 58,931 telephones; modern telephone system usingfiber-optic cable, submarine cable, microwave radio, and satellitefacilitieslocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: NA
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 8, shortwave 0 (1988)radios: 98,000
Television:broadcast stations: 4 (1988)televisions: 63,000
@Virgin Islands:Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
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(territory of the US)
@Wake Island:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 6.5 sq kmland area: 6.5 sq kmcomparative area: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 19.3 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by the Republic of the MarshallIslands
Climate: tropical
Terrain: atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim; average elevation less than 4 meters
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: occasional typhoons international agreements: NA
Note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights
@Wake Island:People
Population: 302 (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
@Wake Island:Government
Names:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Wake Island
Digraph: WQ
Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Army and Strategic Defense Command since 1 October 1994
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Independence: none (territory of the US)
Flag: the US flag is used
@Wake Island:Economy
Overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity: supplied by US military
@Wake Island:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Ports: none; two offshore anchorages for large ships
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
Note: formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, as well as the US Army Space and Strategic Defense Command for missile launches
@Wake Island:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; satellite communications; 1 Autovoncircuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS)local: NAintercity: NAinternational: NAnote: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio andtelevision service provided by satellite
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NAradios: NAnote: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio andtelevision service provided by satellite
Television:broadcast stations: NAtelevisions: NAnote: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio andtelevision service provided by satellite
Note: formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US military, as well as the US Army Space and Strategic Defense Command for missile launches
@Wake Island:Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
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(overseas territory of France)
@Wallis And Futuna:Geography
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 274 sq kmland area: 274 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DCnote: 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: deforestation (only small portions of the originalforests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood asthe main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests,the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion;there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack ofnatural fresh water resourcesnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: NA
Note: both island groups have fringing reefs
@Wallis And Futuna:People
Population: 14,499 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.11% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 25.06 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 5.14 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -8.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24.92 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.24 years male: 71.62 years female: 72.9 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.11 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality:noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islandersadjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1969)total population: 50%male: 50%female: 51%
Labor force: NAby occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4%(est.)
@Wallis And Futuna:Government
Names:conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islandsconventional short form: Wallis and Futunalocal long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futunalocal short form: Wallis et Futuna