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 Tran Duc LUONG (since 24 September 1997)elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among itsmembers for a five-year term; election last held 25 July 2002 (nextto be held when National Assembly meets following legislativeelections in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president fromamong the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministersappointed by the prime ministerhead of government: Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 25 September1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 29September 1997); Deputy Prime Ministers Vu KHOAN (since NA) and PhamGia KHIEM (since 29 September 1997)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the proposal of theprime minister and ratification of the National Assemblyelection results: Tran Duc LUONG elected president; percent ofNational Assembly vote - NA%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Quoc-Hoi (498 seats; memberselected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 19 May 2002 (next to be held 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - CPV 90%, other 10% (the10% are not CPV members but are approved by the CPV to stand forelection); seats by party - CPV 447, CPV-approved 51
Judicial branch:Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-yearterm by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president)
Political parties and leaders:only party - Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc MANH,general secretary]
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:ACCT, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nguyen Tam CHIEN consulate(s) general: San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond F. BURGHARDT embassy: 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [84] (4) 772-1500 FAX: [84] (4) 772-1510 consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City
Flag description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
Economy Vietnam
Economy - overview:Vietnam is a poor, densely-populated country that has had torecover from the ravages of war, the loss of financial support fromthe old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a centrally plannedeconomy. Substantial progress was achieved from 1986 to 1996 inmoving forward from an extremely low starting point - growthaveraged around 9% per year from 1993 to 1997. The 1997 Asianfinancial crisis highlighted the problems in the Vietnamese economybut, rather than prompting reform, reaffirmed the government'sbelief that shifting to a market-oriented economy would lead todisaster. GDP growth of 8.5% in 1997 fell to 6% in 1998 and 5% in1999. Growth then rose to 6% to 7% in 2000-02 even against thebackground of global recession. These numbers mask some majordifficulties in economic performance. Many domestic industries,including coal, cement, steel, and paper, have reported largestockpiles of inventory and tough competition from more efficientforeign producers. Meanwhile, Vietnamese authorities have moved toimplement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy andto produce more competitive, export-driven industries. TheUS-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement entered into force near the endof 2001 and is expected to significantly increase Vietnam's exportsto the US. The US is assisting Vietnam with implementing the legaland structural reforms called for in the agreement.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $183.8 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 37% services: 39% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 37% (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 29.9% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:36.1 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.9% (2002 est.)
Labor force:38.2 million (1998 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 63%, industry and services 37% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:25% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $5.3 billionexpenditures: $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8billion (1999 est.)
Industries:food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building, mining, cement,chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, coal, steel, paper
Industrial production growth rate:10.2% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:29.8 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 43.7% hydro: 56.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:27.71 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:356,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:185,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:1.4 billion bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:192.6 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: paddy rice, corn, potatoes, rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas, sugar; poultry, pigs; fish
Exports: $16.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments,shoes
Exports - partners:US 15.2%, Japan 14.9%, Australia 7.6%, China 6.6%, Germany 6.5%,Singapore 5.5%, UK 4.3% (2002)
Imports:$16.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steelproducts, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles
Imports - partners:South Korea 12.7%, China 12.2%, Japan 12.1%, Singapore 11.8%,Taiwan 10.6%, Thailand 5.4% (2002)
Debt - external:$14.1 billion (2001)
Economic aid - recipient: $2.1 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 2000
Currency:dong (VND)
Currency code:VND
Exchange rates:dong per US dollar - 15,325.8 (2002), 14,725.2 (2001), 14,167.7(2000), 13,943.2 (1999), 13,268 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Vietnam
Telephones - main lines in use:2.6 million (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:730,155 (2000)
Telephone system:general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort intomodernization and expansion of its telecommunication system, but itsperformance continues to lag behind that of its more modern neighborsdomestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected toHanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable ormicrowave radio relay networks; since 1991, main lines in use havebeen substantially increased and the use of mobile telephones isgrowing rapidlyinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (IndianOcean region)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999)
Radios:8.2 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:at least 7 (plus 13 repeaters) (1998)
Televisions:3.57 million (1997)
Internet country code:.vn
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):5 (2000)
Internet users:400,000 (2002)
Transportation Vietnam
Railways:total: 3,142 kmstandard gauge: 209 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 2,625 km 1.000-m gaugedual gauge: 308 km three-rail track combining 1.435-m and 1.000-mgauges (2002)
Highways:total: 93,300 kmpaved: 23,418 kmunpaved: 69,882 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:17,702 kmnote: more than 5,149 km are navigable at all times by vessels up to1.8 m draft
Pipelines:condensate/gas 432 km; gas 210 km; oil 3 km; refined products 206km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long, Quy Nhon,Nha Trang, Vinh, Vung Tau
Merchant marine:total: 180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,054,423 GRT/1,588,732 DWTnote: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Cambodia 1, Japan 1, Singapore 1, UK 2 (2002 est.)ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 128, chemical tanker 1, combinationbulk 1, container 9, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 21,refrigerated cargo 3
Airports:47 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 6 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 12 (2002)
Military Vietnam
Military branches:People's Army of Vietnam (includes Ground Forces, People's NavyCommand [including Naval Infantry], Air and Air Defense Force, CoastGuard)
Military manpower - military age:17 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 22,888,109 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 14,366,732 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 871,036 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$650 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.5% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Vietnam
Disputes - international:demarcation of the land boundary with China continues, but maritimeboundary and joint fishing zone agreement remains unratified;Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armedencroachments along border; China occupies Paracel Islands alsoclaimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in a complex dispute overSpratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, andpossibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declarationon the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism toease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code ofconduct"
Illicit drugs:minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point forSoutheast Asian heroin; domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamineaddiction problems
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Virgin Islands
Introduction Virgin Islands
Background: During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.
Geography Virgin Islands
Location:Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North AtlanticOcean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 352 sq kmwater: 3 sq kmland: 349 sq km
Area - comparative:twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:188 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively lowhumidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May toNovember
Terrain:mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf
Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 6% other: 79% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughtsand floods; occasional earthquakes
Environment - current issues:lack of natural freshwater resources
Geography - note:important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lanefor the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best naturaldeepwater harbors in the Caribbean
People Virgin Islands
Population:124,778 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26% (male 16,685; female 15,794)15-64 years: 64.4% (male 36,241; female 44,157)65 years and over: 9.5% (male 5,078; female 6,823) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 31.2 yearsmale: 28.6 yearsfemale: 33.7 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.02% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:15.8 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 9 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.59 yearsmale: 74.73 yearsfemale: 82.68 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Virgin Islander(s)adjective: Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups:black 78%, white 10%, other 12%note: West Indian 81% (49% born in the Virgin Islands and 32% bornelsewhere in the West Indies), US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 4%,other 2%
Religions:Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Languages:English (official), Spanish, Creole
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Virgin Islands
Country name:conventional long form: United States Virgin Islandsconventional short form: Virgin Islandsformer: Danish West Indies
Dependency status:organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relationsbetween the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of theOffice of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:NA
Capital:Charlotte Amalie
Administrative divisions:none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrativedivisions as defined by the US Government, but there are threeislands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
National holiday:Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)
Constitution:Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Legal system:based on US laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are UScitizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (Since 20 January2001)election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor;percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, Johnde JONGH 24.4%elections: US president and vice president elected on the sameticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor electedon the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; electionlast held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006)head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5January 1999) and Lieutenant Governor Vargrave RICHARDS (since NAJanuary 2003)cabinet: NA
Legislative branch:unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote toserve two-year terms)elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November2004)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -Democratic Party 8, ICM NA, no party affiliation NAnote: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to theUS House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002(next to be held NA November 2004); results - Donna M.CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected
Judicial branch:US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuitjurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governorfor 10-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens'Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of the US)
Flag description:white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between thelarge blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagleholding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the otherwith a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below ablue panel
Economy Virgin Islands
Economy - overview:Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists ofpetroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, andwatch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most foodbeing imported. International business and financial services are asmall but growing component of the economy. One of the world'slargest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands aresubject to substantial damage from storms. The government is workingto improve fiscal discipline, support construction projects in theprivate sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and protectthe environment.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: NA%industry: NA%services: NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2% (1992)
Labor force:49,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:4.9% (March 1999)
Budget:revenues: $364.4 millionexpenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1990 est.)
Industries:tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling,construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:1.03 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:957.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:66,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products:fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Exports:$NA
Exports - commodities:refined petroleum products
Exports - partners:US, Puerto Rico
Imports:$NA
Imports - commodities:crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners:US, Puerto Rico
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency:US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Virgin Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:65,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:2,000 (1992)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relayinternational: submarine cable and satellite communications;satellite earth stations - NA
Radio broadcast stations:AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002)
Radios:107,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (2002)
Televisions:68,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.vi
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):50 (2000)
Internet users:12,000 (2000)
Transportation Virgin Islands
Railways:0 km
Highways:total: 856 kmpaved: NA kmnote: the only US possession where driving on the left side of theroad is practiced (2000)unpaved: NA km
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:2 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Military Virgin Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Virgin Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Wake Island
Introduction Wake Island
Background:The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. Animportant air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the endof World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as astopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircrafttransiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has beenused by the US military and some commercial cargo planes, as well asfor emergency landings. There are over 700 landings a year on theisland.
Geography Wake Island
Location:Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of theway from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
Geographic coordinates:19 17 N, 166 36 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 6.5 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 6.5 sq km
Area - comparative: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
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
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 6 m
Natural resources:none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:occasional typhoons
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landinglocation for transpacific flights
People Wake Island
Population:no indigenous inhabitantsnote: US military personnel have left the island, but contractorpersonnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel werepresent (July 2003 est.)
Government Wake Island
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island
Dependency status:unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington,DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities on the island aremanaged by the US Air Force
Legal system:the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:the flag of the US is used
Economy Wake Island
Economy - overview:Economic activity is limited to providing services to contractorslocated on the island. All food and manufactured goods must beimported.
Electricity - production:NA
Communications Wake Island
Telephone system:general assessment: 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 (1998)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997)
Transportation Wake Island
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:none; two offshore anchorages for large ships
Airports:1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Transportation - note:formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by USmilitary, some commercial cargo planes, and for emergency landings
Military Wake Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Wake Island
Disputes - international: claimed by Marshall Islands
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Wallis and Futuna
Introduction Wallis and Futuna
Background:Although discovered by the Dutch and the British in the 17th and18th centuries, it was the French who declared a protectorate overthe islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands votedto become a French overseas territory.
Geography Wallis and Futuna
Location:Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds ofthe way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:13 18 S, 176 12 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 274 sq kmnote: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island),Ile Alofi, and 20 isletswater: 0 sq kmland: 274 sq km
Area - comparative:1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:129 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
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 hills
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Singavi 765 m
Natural resources:NEGL
Land use:arable land: 5%permanent crops: 20%other: 75% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain)largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuelsource; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, themountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion;there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack ofnatural fresh water resources
Geography - note:both island groups have fringing reefs
People Wallis and Futuna
Population: 15,734 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Population growth rate:NA (2003 est.)
Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:NA migrant(s)/1,000 populationnote: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to NewCaledonia (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: NA%male: NA%female: NA%
Life expectancy at birth:total population: NA yearsmale: NA yearsfemale: NA years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:NA children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islandersadjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
Ethnic groups:Polynesian
Religions:Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
Languages:French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 50%male: 50%female: 50% (1969 est.)
Government Wallis and Futuna
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islandsconventional short form: Wallis and Futunalocal short form: Wallis et Futunalocal long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
Dependency status:overseas territory of France
Government type:NA
Capital:Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-orderadministrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but thereare three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis
Independence:none (overseas territory of France)
National holiday:Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:French legal system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May1995), represented by High Administrator Christian JOB (since 6August 2002)elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; high administrator appointed by the French president on theadvice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of theTerritorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected bythe members of the assemblynote: there are three traditional kings with limited powershead of government: President of the Territorial Assembly PatalioneKANIMOA (since NA January 2001)cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and threemembers appointed by the high administrator on the advice of theTerritorial Assembly
Legislative branch:unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 11 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2007)note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate andone deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate -elections last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held by NASeptember 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats -RPR (now UMP) 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 16June 2002 (next to be held by NA 2007); results - percent of vote byparty - NA%; seats - RPR (UMP) 1election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -RPR and affiliates 13, Socialists and affiliates 7
Judicial branch:none; justice generally administered under French law by the highadministrator, but the three traditional kings administer customarylaw and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu
Political parties and leaders:Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) [leader NA]; Mouvement des Radicaux deGauche or MRG [leader NA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [ClovisLOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union PopulaireLocale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise orUDF [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:FZ, SPC
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of France)
Flag description:a large white modified Maltese cross - shifted a little off centertoward the fly and slightly downward - on a red background; the flagof France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoistquadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy Wallis and Futuna
Economy - overview:The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, withabout 80% labor force earnings from agriculture (coconuts andvegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of thepopulation is employed in government. Revenues come from FrenchGovernment subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and SouthKorea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in NewCaledonia.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $30 million (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: NA%industry: NA%services: NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%
Labor force:NA
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:NA%
Budget:revenues: $20 millionexpenditures: $17 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1998 est.)
Industries:copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Agriculture - products:breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats
Exports:$250,000 f.o.b. (1999)
Exports - commodities:copra, chemicals, construction materials
Exports - partners:Italy 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark 13%
Imports:$300,000 f.o.b. (1999)
Imports - commodities:chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods
Imports - partners:France 97%, Australia 2%, New Zealand 1%
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:assistance from France
Currency:Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF); note - may adopt theeuro in 2003
Currency code:XPF
Exchange rates:Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 126.41(2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.43 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Wallis and Futuna
Telephones - main lines in use:1,125 (1994)
Telephones - mobile cellular:0 (1994)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: NA
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:2 (2000)
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.wf
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Wallis and Futuna
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 and harbors:Leava, Mata-Utu
Merchant marine:total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 85,572 GRT/9,004 DWTships by type: passenger 4note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: France 3, US 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:2 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Military Wallis and Futuna
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Wallis and Futuna
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@West Bank
Introduction West Bank
Background:The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-GovernmentArrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993,provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years ofPalestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the WestBank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers andresponsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes thePalestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part ofthe interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and GazaStrip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Stripand Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 CairoAgreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additionalareas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 ProtocolConcerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-SheikhAgreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibilityduring the transitional period for external security and forinternal security and public order of settlements and Israelicitizens. Direct negotiations to determine the permanent status ofGaza and West Bank had begun in September 1999 after a three-yearhiatus, but have been derailed by a second intifadah that broke outin September 2000. The resulting widespread violence in the WestBank and Gaza Strip, Israel's military response, and instabilitywithin the Palestinian Authority continue to undermine progresstoward a permanent agreement.
Geography West Bank
Location:Middle East, west of Jordan
Geographic coordinates:32 00 N, 35 15 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 5,860 sq kmnote: 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 1967water: 220 sq kmland: 5,640 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries: total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warmto hot summers, cool to mild winters
Terrain:mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barrenin east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Dead Sea -408 mhighest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m
Natural resources:arable land
Land use:arable land: NEGL%permanent crops: 0%other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:droughts
Environment - current issues:adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment
Geography - note:landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastalaquifers; there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land usesites in the West Bank and 29 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.)
People West Bank
Population:2,237,194 (July 2002 est.)note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in theWest Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (February 2002est.) (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44.1% (male 505,880; female 481,369)15-64 years: 52.4% (male 598,992; female 572,511)65 years and over: 3.5% (male 33,688; female 44,754) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 17.9 yearsmale: 17.7 yearsfemale: 18 years (2002)
Population growth rate:3.3% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:34.07 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:4.16 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:3.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 20.68 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 18.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 22.86 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.68 yearsmale: 70.95 yearsfemale: 74.51 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.65 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: NAadjective: NA
Ethnic groups:Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%
Religions:Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%
Languages:Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians),English (widely understood)
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Government West Bank
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank
Economy West Bank
Economy - overview:Real per capita GDP for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS)declined by about one-third between 1992 and 1996 due to thecombined effect of falling aggregate incomes and rapid populationgrowth. The downturn in economic activity was largely the result ofIsraeli closure policies - the imposition of border closures inresponse to security incidents in Israel - which disrupted labor andcommodity market relationships between Israel and the WBGS. The mostserious social effect of this downturn was rising unemployment;unemployment in the WBGS during the 1980s was generally under 5%; by1995 it had risen to over 20%. Israel's use of comprehensiveclosures during the next five years decreased and, in 1998, Israelimplemented new policies to reduce the impact of closures and othersecurity procedures on the movement of Palestinian goods and labor.These changes fueled an almost three-year-long economic recovery inthe West Bank and Gaza Strip; real GDP grew by 5% in 1998 and 6% in1999. Recovery was upended in the last quarter of 2000 with theoutbreak of violence, which triggered tight Israeli closures ofPalestinian self-rule areas and severely disrupted trade and labormovements. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli militarymeasures in Palestinian Authority areas have resulted in thedestruction of much capital plant and administrative structure,widespread business closures, and a sharp drop in GDP. Another majorloss has been the decline in earnings of Palestinian workers inIsrael. International aid of $2 billion in 2001-02 to the West Bankand Gaza Strip have prevented the complete collapse of the economy.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $1.7 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-22% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% note: includes Gaza Strip (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line:60% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.2% (includes Gaza Strip) (2001 est.)
Labor force:NA
Labor force - by occupation:services 66%, industry 21%, agriculture 13% (1996)
Unemployment rate:50% (includes Gaza Strip) (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $930 millionnote: includes Gaza Strip (2000 est.)expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $15million
Industries:generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles,soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; theIsraelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in thesettlements and industrial centers
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; EastJerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity toPalestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank;the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to mostJewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinianmunicipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their ownelectricity from small power plants
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0%
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - imports:NA kWh
Agriculture - products:olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products
Exports:$603 million f.o.b., includes Gaza Strip
Exports - commodities:olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone
Exports - partners:Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2000)
Imports:$1.9 billion c.i.f., includes Gaza Strip
Imports - commodities:food, consumer goods, construction materials
Imports - partners:Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2000)
Debt - external:$108 million (includes Gaza Strip) (1997 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$800 million (includes Gaza Strip) (2001 est.)
Currency:new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Currency code:ILS; JOD
Exchange rates:new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001),4.0773 (2000), 4.1397 (1999), 3.8001 (1998), 3.4494 (1997);Jordanian dinars per US dollar - fixed rate of 0.7090 (from 1996)
Fiscal year:calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
Communications West Bank
Telephones - main lines in use:95,729 (total for West Bank and Gaza Strip) (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:NA
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: NAnote: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL areresponsible for communication services in the West Bank