Telephones: 800,000 (1995 est.)
Telephone system: while Vietnam's telecommunication sector lagsfar behind other countries in Southeast Asia, Hanoi has madeconsiderable progress since 1991 in upgrading the system; Vietnamhas digitized fully 100% of provincial switch boards, whilefiber-optic and microwave transmission systems have been extendedfrom Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City to all provinces; thedensity of telephone receivers nationwide doubled from 1993 to 1995,but is still far behind other countries in the region; Vietnam'stelecommunications strategy aims to increase telephone density to 30per 1,000 inhabitants by the year 2000 and authorities estimate thatapproximately $2.7 billion will be spent on telecommunicationsupgrades through the end of the decadedomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (IndianOcean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 228, shortwave 0
Radios: 7.215 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 36 (repeaters 77)
Televisions: 2.9 million (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes Ground Forces,Navy, and Air Force)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 18,593,129 males fit for military service: 11,769,955 males reach military age (17) annually: 796,312 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $544 million, 2.7% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Virgin Islands ———————
(territory of the US)
Map —-
Location: 18 20 N, 64 50 W — Caribbean, islands between theCaribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Flag ——
Description: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 352 sq kmland area: 349 sq kmcomparative area: 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 trade winds, relativelylow humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy seasonMay to November
Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little levellandlowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
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
Geographic note: important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
People ———
Population: 97,120 (July 1996 est.)note: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% bornelsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%,other 8%
Age structure:0-14 years: NA15-64 years: NA65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -0.06% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.57 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: NA male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: NA male(s)/female15-64 years: NA male(s)/female65 years and over: NA male(s)/femaleall ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 73.6 years female: 77.2 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (1996 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
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Virgin Islands of the United Statesconventional short form: Virgin Islandsformer: Danish West Indies
Data code: VQ
Type of government: 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 toUS)
Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Legal system: based on US laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President (of the United States) William JeffersonCLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr.(since 20 January 1993)head of government: Governor Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (since 5 January1995) and Lieutenant Governor Kenneth E. MAPP (since 5 January 1995)were elected for four-year terms by universal suffrage; electionlast held 22 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998);results - Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (ICM) 54.7%, former LieutenantGovernor Derek HODGE 42.6%
Legislative branch: unicameralSenate: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15total) Democrats 7, independents 7, Republican 1US House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994(next to be held 5 November 1996); results - Victor O. FRAZER (ICM)54.5%, Eileen R. PETERSON (Democrat) 45.5%; seats - (1 total) ICM 1;note - the Virgin Islands elects one representative to the US Houseof Representatives
Judicial branch: US District Court, handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age and over), and federal cases, judges are appointed by the president; Territorial Court, handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases, judges appointed by the governor
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, MarilynSTAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN;Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS
International organization participation: 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 a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
Economy ———-
Economic 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.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1987 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $12,500 (1987 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 47,443 (1990 est.) by occupation: agriculture, industry, services, other (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.7% (1992)
Budget:revenues: $364.4 millionexpenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1990 est.)
Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rumdistilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Industrial production growth rate: 12% (year NA)
Electricity: capacity: 320,000 kW production: 970 million kWh consumption per capita: 9,172 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: truck garden products, fruit, vegetables, sorghum;Senepol cattle
Exports: $2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities: refined petroleum productspartners: US, Puerto Rico
Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, buildingmaterialspartners: US, Puerto Rico
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 856 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
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 (1995est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 60,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relayinternational: submarine cable and satellite communications;satellite earth stations - NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 8, shortwave 0 (1988)
Radios: 105,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 65,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Wake Island —————-
(territory of the US)
Map —-
Location: 19 17 N, 166 36 E — Oceania, island in the NorthPacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to theNorthern Mariana Islands
Flag ——
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, abouttwo-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
Geographic coordinates: 19 17 N, 166 36 E
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 lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m
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
Geographic note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean;emergency landing location for transpacific flights
People ———
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; there are 302 US militaryand contract personnel (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0% (1996 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
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island
Data code: WQ
Type of government: 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 flag of the US is used
Economy ———-
Economic 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
Transportation ———————
Railways: 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 (1995 est.)
Transportation 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
Communications ———————
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off theOverseas Telephone System (OTS)domestic: NAinternational: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) television service provided by satellite
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Wallis and Futuna ————————-
(overseas territory of France)
Map —-
Location: 13 18 S, 176 12 W — Oceania, islands in the SouthPacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Flag ——
Description: a white modified Maltese cross centered on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, abouttwo-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W
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); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80%humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C
Terrain: volcanic origin; low hillslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Singavi 765 m
Natural resources: NEGL
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
Geographic note: both island groups have fringing reefs
People ———
Population: 14,659 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.11% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -8.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: NA male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: NA male(s)/female15-64 years: NA male(s)/female65 years and over: NA male(s)/femaleall ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.76 years male: 72.16 years female: 73.4 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (1996 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 100%
Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1969 est.)total population: 50%male: 50%female: 50%
Government —————
Name of country: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
Data code: WF
Type of government: overseas territory of France
Capital: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms named Wallis, Sigave, Alo
Independence: none (overseas territory of France)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May1995), represented by High Administrator Leon-Alexandre LEGRAND(since NA) was appointed by the French Ministry of the Interiorhead of government: President of the Territorial Assembly MikaeleTAUHAVILI (since NA)cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and threemembers appointed by the high administrator on advice of theTerritorial Assemblynote: there are three traditional kings with limited powers
Legislative branch: unicameralTerritorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale): elections last held22 March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 9, Taumu'a Lelei 11French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to beheld by NA September 1998); 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 NA September 1996); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (1 total) MRG 1; note - Wallis and Futuna electone deputy
Judicial branch: none; justice generally administered under Frenchlaw by the high administrator, but the three traditional kingsadminister customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR); UnionPopulaire Locale (UPL); Union Pour la Democratie Francaise (UDF);Lua kae tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche (MRG);Taumu'a Lelei
International organization participation: FZ, SPC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory ofFrance)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France)
Flag: a white modified Maltese cross centered on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of the labor force earning its livelihood from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. Wallis and Futuna imports food - particularly sugar, rice, and beef - fuel, clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, but its exports are negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $28.7 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $2,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NAby occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government4% (est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $14.04 millionexpenditures: $14.04 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994 est.)
Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 1,200 kW production: 1 million kWh consumption per capita: 70 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats
Exports: $370,000 (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: copra, handicrafts partners: NA
Imports: $13.5 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment, fuel, clothing partners: France, Australia, New Zealand
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 91.00 (January 1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.94 (1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways:total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)paved: 16 km (all on Ile Uvea)unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)
Waterways: none
Ports: Leava, Mata-Utu
Merchant marine:total: 1 oil tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 26,000 GRT/40,000DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 340 (1985 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@West Bank ————-
The Israel-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. Permanent status negotiations began on 5 May 1996.
Map —-
Location: 32 00 N, 35 15 E — Middle East, west of Jordan
Geography ————-
Location: Middle East, west of Jordan
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 35 15 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:total area: 5,860 sq kmland area: 5,640 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Delawarenote: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarterof the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem andJerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means ofdepicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967
Land boundaries: total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation
Climate: temperate, temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters
Terrain: mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:arable land: 27%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 32%forest and woodland: 1%other: 40%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: landlocked; highlands are main recharge area forIsrael's coastal aquifers; there are 202 Israeli settlements andcivilian land use sites in the West Bank and 26 in East Jerusalem(August 1995 est.)
People ———
Population: 1,427,741 (July 1996 est.)note: in addition, there are 127,600 Israeli settlers in the WestBank and 153,700 in East Jerusalem (August 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (male 332,628; female 315,968)15-64 years: 51% (male 368,180; female 362,880)65 years and over: 4% (male 20,495; female 27,590) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 4.99% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 38.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 15.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.76 years male: 70.17 years female: 73.44 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.2 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA
Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%
Religions: Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christianand other 8%
Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers), English(widely understood)
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Government note: Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, a Palestinian Legislative Council, elected in January 1996, as part of interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. A transfer of powers and responsibilities in certain spheres for the rest of the West Bank has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 29 August 1994 Agreement on Preparatory Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities. A transfer of powers and responsibilities in additional areas of the West Bank has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external security and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israelis. Permanent status is to be determined through direct negotiations within five years.
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank
Data code: WE
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Economic progress in the West Bank has been hampered by Israeli military administration and the effects of the Palestinian uprising (intifadah). Industries using advanced technology or requiring sizable investment have been discouraged by a lack of local capital and restrictive Israeli policies. Capital investment consists largely of residential housing, not productive assets that would enable local Palestinian firms to compete with Israeli industry. GDP has been substantially supplemented by remittances of workers employed in Israel and Persian Gulf states. Such transfers from the Gulf dropped after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In the wake of the Persian Gulf crisis, many Palestinians have returned to the West Bank, increasing unemployment, and export revenues have dropped because of the decline of markets in Jordan and the Gulf states. The area's economic situation has worsened since Israel imposed stringent border restrictions in 1995 and 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3%-4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 33% industry: 7% services: 60% (1995 est., includes Gaza Strip)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1995 est.)
Labor force: NAby occupation: construction 28.2%, agriculture 21.8%, industry14.5%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 12.6%, other services 22.9%(1991)note: excluding Israeli settlers
Unemployment rate: 25%-30% (1995 est.)
Budget: $NA
Industries: generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:capacity: NA kWproduction: NA kWhconsumption per capita: NA kWhnote: most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem ElectricCompany buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in EastJerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel ElectricCompany directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents andmilitary facilities; at the same time, some Palestinianmunicipalities, such as Nabulus and Janin, generate their ownelectricity from small power plants
Agriculture: olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables; beef,dairy products
Exports: $116 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: olives, fruit, vegetablespartners: Jordan, Israel
Imports: $791 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materialspartners: Jordan, Israel
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $NAnote: $410 million (est.) disbursed from international aid pledgedin 1995 (includes aid to Gaza Strip)
Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot; 1 Jordaniandinar (JD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 3.1295 (January 1996), 3.0113 (1995), 3.0111 (1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991); Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.7090 (January 1996), 0.7005 (1995), 0.6987 (1994), 0.6928 (1993), 0.6797 (1992), 0.6808 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways:total: NA kmpaved: NA kmunpaved: NA kmnote: small road network; Israelis have developed many highways toservice Jewish settlements
Ports: none
Airports:total: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: NAnote: 8% of Palestinian households have telephones (1992 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA note: Israeli company BEZEK is responsible for communication services in the West Bank
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA; note - 82% of Palestinian households have radios (1992est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0note: 1 broadcast station is planned for Jericho
Televisions: NA; note - 54% of Palestinian households havetelevisions (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: NA
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Western Sahara ———————
Map —-
Location: 24 30 N, 13 00 W — Northern Africa, bordering the NorthAtlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Geography ————-
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,between Mauritania and Morocco
Geographic coordinates: 24 30 N, 13 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 266,000 sq kmland area: 266,000 sq kmcomparative area: about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Coastline: 1,110 km
Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
International disputes: claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991
Climate: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
Terrain: mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point: unnamed location 463 m
Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 19%forest and woodland: 0%other: 81%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: sparse water and arable landnatural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occurduring winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% oftime, often severely restricting visibilityinternational agreements: NA
People ———
Population: 222,631 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 2.46% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 46.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 18.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: NA male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: NA male(s)/female15-64 years: NA male(s)/female65 years and over: NA male(s)/femaleall ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 145.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.01 years male: 46 years female: 48.34 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.85 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian
Ethnic divisions: Arab, Berber
Religions: Muslim
Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Western Sahara
Data code: WI
Type of government: legal status of territory and question of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR); territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991
Capital: none
Administrative divisions: none (under defacto control of Morocco)
Executive branch: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none
US diplomatic representation: none
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and having little rainfall, depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. Most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Incomes and standards of living are substantially below the Moroccan level.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 12,000 by occupation: animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: phosphate mining, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 60,000 kW production: 79 million kWh consumption per capita: 339 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases);camels, sheep, goats (kept by the nomads)
Exports: $NAcommodities: phosphates 62%partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so tradepartners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Imports: $NAcommodities: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffspartners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so tradepartners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 8.607 (January 1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 6,200 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 6,200 km
Ports: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, El Aaiun
Airports:total: 12with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 3with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 2,000
Telephone system: sparse and limited systemdomestic: NAinternational: tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay,tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Branches: NA
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Western Samoa ——————-
Map —-
Location: 13 35 S, 172 20 W — Oceania, group of islands in theSouth Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to NewZealand
Flag ——
Description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 2,860 sq kmland area: 2,850 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 403 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season(May to October)
Terrain: narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish
Land use:arable land: 19%permanent crops: 24%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 47%other: 10%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: soil erosionnatural hazards: occasional typhoons; active volcanisminternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
People ———
Population: 214,384 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 40% (male 43,540; female 42,185)15-64 years: 56% (male 62,742; female 57,323)65 years and over: 4% (male 4,089; female 4,505) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.37% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 31.12 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.75 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 34.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.73 years male: 66.35 years female: 71.24 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.93 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Western Samoan(s) adjective: Western Samoan
Ethnic divisions: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons ofEuropean and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%
Religions: Christian 99.7% (about one-half of populationassociated with the London Missionary Society; includesCongregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints,Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971 est.)total population: 97%male: 97%female: 97%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Independent State of Western Samoaconventional short form: Western Samoa
Data code: WS
Type of government: constitutional monarchy under native chief
Capital: Apia
Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai,Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli,Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UNtrusteeship)
National holiday: National Day, 1 June (1962)
Constitution: 1 January 1962
Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Chief Susuga MALIETOA Tanumafili II (co-chief ofstate from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April1963); upon his death, a new chief of state will be elected by theLegislative Assembly to serve a five-year termhead of government: Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana (since 7April 1988) was appointed by the chief of state with approval of theLegislative Assemblycabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the chief of state with the primeminister's advice
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono): elections last held 5 April 1991 (next to be held 26 April 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) HRPP 28, SNDP 18, independents 1 note: only matai (head of family) are able to run for the Legislative Assembly
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party(HRPP), TOFILAU Eti Alesana, chairman; Samoan National DevelopmentParty (SNDP), TAPUA Tamasese Efi, chairman; Samoan ProgressiveConservative Party, LEOTA Ituau Ale; Samoa All People's Party(SAPP), Matatumua MAIMOAGA
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, Intelsat(nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni SLADE chancery: 820 Second Avenue, Suite 800, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197 FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMAN (Ambassador to New Zealand and Western Samoa, resides in Wellington, New Zealand) embassy: 5th floor, Beach Road, Apia mailing address: P.O. Box 3430, Apia telephone: [685] 21631 FAX: [685] 22030
Flag: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Agriculture employs more than one-half of the labor force, contributes 50% to GDP, and furnishes 90% of exports. The bulk of export earnings comes from the sale of coconut oil and copra. The economy depends on emigrant remittances and foreign aid to supplement GDP and to support a level of imports much greater than export earnings. Tourism has become the most important growth industry. The economy continued to falter in 1994, as remittances and tourist earnings remained low. Production of taro, the primary food export crop, dropped 97% in 1993/94 when a fungal disease threatened the country's basic food crops. Nevertheless, the government is relying on recovery and further expansion in agricultural production to sustain economic growth of around 5% over the next several years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $415 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 50% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18% (1994)
Labor force: 45,635 (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (1995 est.)