Transnational Issues United States
Disputes - international:Prolonged drought, population growth, and outmoded practices andinfrastructure in the border region has strained water-sharingarrangements with Mexico; undocumented nationals from Mexico andCentral America continue to enter the United States illegally; 1990Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits RussianDuma ratification; managed maritime boundary disputes with Canada atDixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around thedisputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; The Bahamas have notbeen able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base atGuantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or USabandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claimsUS-administered Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim inAntarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does notrecognize the claims of any other state; Marshall Islands claimsWake Island
Illicit drugs:consumer of cocaine shipped from Colombia through Mexico and theCaribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, and increasinglymethamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of high-quality SoutheastAsian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants,stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-launderingcenter
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Uruguay
Introduction Uruguay
Background:A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement, the Tupamaros, launchedin the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to agree to militarycontrol of his administration in 1973. By yearend, the rebels hadbeen crushed, but the military continued to expand its holdthroughout the government. Civilian rule was not restored until1985. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freeston the continent.
Geography Uruguay
Location:Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, betweenArgentina and Brazil
Geographic coordinates:33 00 S, 56 00 W
Map references:South America
Area:total: 176,220 sq kmland: 173,620 sq kmwater: 2,600 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than the state of Washington
Land boundaries: total: 1,564 km border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km
Coastline: 660 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Terrain:mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m
Natural resources: arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries
Land use: arable land: 7.43% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 92.34% (2001)
Irrigated land:1,800 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasionalviolent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts,floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weatherbarriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changesfrom weather fronts
Environment - current issues: water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most ofthe low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) isgrassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising
People Uruguay
Population:3,399,237 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23.5% (male 406,500; female 392,497)15-64 years: 63.4% (male 1,066,464; female 1,087,100)65 years and over: 13.1% (male 182,654; female 264,022) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 32.2 yearsmale: 30.7 yearsfemale: 33.7 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.51% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:14.44 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:9.07 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 12.31 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 10.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 13.67 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 75.92 yearsmale: 72.71 yearsfemale: 79.24 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.96 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.3% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:6,300 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality: noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan
Ethnic groups:white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian, practically nonexistent
Religions:Roman Catholic 66% (less than half of the adult population attendschurch regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, nonprofessing or other31%
Languages:Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on theBrazilian frontier)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 98%male: 97.6%female: 98.4% (2003 est.)
Government Uruguay
Country name:conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguayconventional short form: Uruguaylocal short form: Uruguayformer: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Provincelocal long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay
Government type:constitutional republic
Capital:Montevideo
Administrative divisions:19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas,Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida,Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera,Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres
Independence:25 August 1825 (from Brazil)
National holiday:Independence Day, 25 August (1825)
Constitution:27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973,new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; twoconstitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7January 1997
Legal system:based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March 2000)and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note -the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president withparliamentary approvalelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 31 October2004 (next to be held October 2009)election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote- Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.7%, Jorge LARRANAGA 34.1%, Guillermo STIRLING10.3%; note - VAZQUEZ will take office on 1 March 2005
Legislative branch:bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamberof Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected bypopular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber ofRepresentatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members areelected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 31 October 2004 (next tobe held October 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 31October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -NA%; seats by party - Encuentro Progresista 12, Colorado Party 10,Blanco 7, New Sector/Space Coalition 1; Chamber of Representatives -percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - EncuentroProgresista 40, Colorado Party 33, Blanco 22, New Sector/SpaceCoalition 4
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and electedfor 10-year terms by the General Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:Colorado Party [Jorge BATLLE Ibanez]; National Party or Blanco[Luis Alberto LACALLE Herrera]; New Sector/Space Coalition or NuevoEspacio [Rafael MICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter/Broad FrontCoalition or Encuentro Progresista/Frente Amplio [Tabare VAZQUEZ]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Agrupacion UTE (powerful state worker's union), Rural Associationof Uruguay (rancher's association), Uruguayan Construction League,Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association),Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization),Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization), theCatholic Church, students
International organization participation:FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, ONUB,OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO,UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo FERNANDEZ-FAINGOLDconsulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New YorkFAX: [1] (202) 331-8142telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Martin J. SILVERSTEINembassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200mailing address: APO AA 34035telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611
Flag description:nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternatingwith blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side cornerwith a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and16 rays alternately triangular and wavy
Economy Uruguay
Economy - overview:Uruguay's well-to-do economy is characterized by an export-orientedagricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels ofsocial spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn,stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problemsof its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. For instance, in2001-02 massive withdrawals by Argentina of dollars deposited inUruguayan banks led to a plunge in the Uruguyan peso and a massiverise in unemployment. Total GDP in these four years dropped bynearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to the serious bankingcrisis. Unemployment rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged,and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMFand the US has limited the damage. The debt swap with privatecreditors carried out in 2003, which extended the maturity dates onnearly half of Uruguay's $11.3 billion in public debt, substantiallyalleviated the country's amortization burden in the coming years andrestored public confidence. The economy is expected to resume growthin 2004 (perhaps 4% or more) as a result of high commodity pricesfor Uruguayan exports, the weakness of the dollar against the euro,growth in the region, low international interest rates, and greaterexport competitiveness. On the negative side, in December 2003 theelectorate voted to repeal the law permitting a cautiousliberalization of the energy industry.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $43.67 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.5% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $12,800 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.4% industry: 26.6% services: 66% (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):9.7% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:23.7% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 25.8% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:44.8 (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):19.4% (2003 est.)
Labor force:1.56 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 14%, industry 16%, services 70%
Unemployment rate:16% (2003)
Budget:revenues: $2.934 billionexpenditures: $3.425 billion, including capital expenditures of $193million (2003)
Agriculture - products:rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish
Industries:food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment,petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:0.7% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:7.963 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:6.152 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:1.377 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:123 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:41,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:40 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:40 million cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$76 million (2003)
Exports:$2.164 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products
Exports - partners:Brazil 21.4%, US 11.4%, Argentina 7.1%, Germany 6.6%, China 4.3%,Mexico 4.1%, Italy 4.1%, Canada 4% (2003)
Imports:$1.989 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum
Imports - partners:Argentina 26.1%, Brazil 21%, Russia 11.7%, US 7.6% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$2.087 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$10.73 billion (2003)
Economic aid - recipient:NA
Currency:Uruguayan peso (UYU)
Currency code:UYU
Exchange rates:Uruguayan pesos per US dollar - 28.2091 (2003), 21.257 (2002),13.3191 (2001), 12.0996 (2000), 11.3393 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Uruguay
Telephones - main lines in use:946,500 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:652,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: fully digitalizeddomestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; newnationwide microwave radio relay networkinternational: country code - 598; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 91, FM 149, shortwave 7 (2001)
Radios:1.97 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:23 (2002)
Televisions:782,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.uy
Internet hosts:87,630 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):14 (2001)
Internet users:400,000 (2002)
Transportation Uruguay
Railways:total: 2,073 kmstandard gauge: 2,073 km 1.435-m gaugenote: 461 km have been taken out of service and 460 km are inpartial use (2003)
Highways: total: 8,983 km paved: 8,081 km unpaved: 902 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:1,600 km (2002)
Pipelines:gas 192 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Colonia, Fray Bentos, Juan La Caze, La Paloma, Montevideo, NuevaPalmira, Paysandu, Punta del Este, Piriapolis
Merchant marine:total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,918 GRT/10,342 DWTregistered in other countries: 6 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: Argentina 4, Greece 1by type: chemical tanker 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, rollon/roll off 1
Airports:64 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 50 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 31 (2004 est.)
Military Uruguay
Military branches:Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Marines, Maritime Prefecture inwartime), Air Force
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 838,195 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 677,315 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$217.9 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2% (2003)
Transnational Issues Uruguay
Disputes - international:uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in theQuarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint withArgentina
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Uzbekistan
Introduction Uzbekistan
Background:Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiffresistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventuallysuppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During theSoviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grainled to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies,which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certainrivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks togradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing itsmineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorismby Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment ofhuman rights and democratization.
Geography Uzbekistan
Location:Central Asia, north of Afghanistan
Geographic coordinates:41 00 N, 64 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 447,400 sq kmwater: 22,000 sq kmland: 425,400 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:total: 6,221 kmborder countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km,Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km
Coastline:0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southernportion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline
Maritime claims:none (doubly landlocked)
Climate:mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters;semiarid grassland in east
Terrain:mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flatintensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, SyrDarya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surroundedby mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 mhighest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m
Natural resources:natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, leadand zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
Land use: arable land: 10.83% permanent crops: 0.83% other: 88.34% (2001)
Irrigated land:42,810 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations ofchemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are thenblown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute todesertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and theheavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many humanhealth disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contaminationfrom buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, includingDDT
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlockedcountries in the world
People Uzbekistan
Population:26,410,416 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 34.1% (male 4,583,228; female 4,418,003)15-64 years: 61.1% (male 7,990,233; female 8,157,136)65 years and over: 4.8% (male 513,434; female 748,382) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 22.1 yearsmale: 21.4 yearsfemale: 22.7 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.65% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:26.12 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:7.95 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 71.3 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 67.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 75.03 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 64.09 yearsmale: 60.67 yearsfemale: 67.69 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.97 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:11,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Uzbekistaniadjective: Uzbekistani
Ethnic groups:Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%,Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)
Religions:Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%
Languages:Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.3%male: 99.6%female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government Uzbekistan
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistanconventional short form: Uzbekistanlocal short form: Ozbekistonformer: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republiclocal long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi
Government type:republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little poweroutside the executive branch
Capital:Tashkent (Toshkent)
Administrative divisions:12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomousrepublic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati,Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, NamanganViloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi),Qaraqalpog'iston Respublikasi* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, SirdaryoViloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), ToshkentShahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)note: administrative divisions have the same names as theiradministrative centers (exceptions have the administrative centername following in parentheses)
Independence:1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:Independence Day, 1 September (1991)
Constitution:new constitution adopted 8 December 1992
Legal system:evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicialsystem
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, whenhe was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet)head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11December 2003)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president withapproval of the Supreme Assemblyelection results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote- Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term(previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutionalamendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to beheld NA December 2007); prime minister and deputy ministersappointed by the president
Legislative branch:bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an UpperHouse or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regionalgoverning councils to serve five-year terms and 16 are appointed bythe president) and a Lower House or Legislative Chamber (120 seats;elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%;seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9,unaffiliated 10note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOVelections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to beheld December 2009)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmedby the Supreme Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Dilorom TOSHMUHAMMADOVA,chairman]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) orMTP [Xurshid DOSTMUHAMMADOV, chief]; Liberal Democratic Party ofUzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHODMONOV, chairman]; People's DemocraticParty or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV, firstsecretary]; Self-Sacrificers Party or Fidokorlar National DemocraticParty [Ahtam TURSUNOV, chief]; note - Fatherland Progress Partymerged with Self-Sacrificers Party
Political pressure groups and leaders:Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik (Unity)Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Erk (Freedom) DemocraticParty [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; EzgulikHuman Rights Society [Vasilia INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers' Party orOzod Dehqonlar [Nigara KHIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society ofUzbekistan [Tolib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human RightsSociety of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum [leaderNA]
International organization participation:AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOVFAX: [1] (202) 293-6804consulate(s) general: New Yorktelephone: [1] (202) 293-6803chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jon PURNELLembassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent 700115mailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [998] (71) 120-5450FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and greenseparated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
Economy Uzbekistan
Economy - overview:Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists ofintensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of itspopulation lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistanis now the world's second-largest cotton exporter, a large producerof gold and oil, and a regionally significant producer of chemicalsand machinery. Following independence in December 1991, thegovernment sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy withsubsidies and tight controls on production and prices. Uzbekistanresponded to the negative external conditions generated by the Asianand Russian financial crises by emphasizing import substituteindustrialization and by tightening export and currency controlswithin its already largely closed economy. The government, whileaware of the need to improve the investment climate, sponsorsmeasures that often increase, not decrease, the government's controlover business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality ofincome distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society sinceindependence. In 2003, the government accepted the obligations ofArticle VIII under the International Monetary Fund (IMF), providingfor full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controlsand tightening of borders have lessened the effects ofconvertibility and have also lead to some shortages which havefurther stifled economic activity.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $43.99 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.1% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 38%industry: 26.3%services: 35.7% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 32.8% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:44.7 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):13.1% (2003 est.)
Labor force:14.2 million (2003 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 44%, industry 20%, services 36% (1995)
Unemployment rate:0.5% plus another 20% underemployed (2003)
Budget:revenues: $2.176 billionexpenditures: $2.207 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2003 est.)
Public debt:42.3% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock
Industries:textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, naturalgas, chemicals
Industrial production growth rate:6.2% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:44.49 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:47.07 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:3.998 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:9.7 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:142,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:142,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:297 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:63.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:45.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:17.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:937.3 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$462 million (2003)
Exports:$2.83 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:cotton 41.5%, gold 9.6%, energy products 9.6%, mineral fertilizers,ferrous metals, textiles, food products, automobiles (1998 est.)
Exports - partners:Russia 22.4%, China 9.3%, Ukraine 7.5%, Tajikistan 6.2%, Bangladesh4.7%, Turkey 4.6%, Japan 4.3%, Kazakhstan 4.2%, US 4.1% (2003)
Imports:$2.31 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment 49.8%, foodstuffs 16.4%, chemicals, metals(1998 est.)
Imports - partners:Russia 22.3%, US 11.4%, South Korea 11%, Germany 9.5%, China 6.5%,Kazakhstan 6.1%, Turkey 6.1% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$1.286 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$4.384 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$87.4 million from the US (2003)
Currency:Uzbekistani sum (UZS)
Currency code:UZS
Exchange rates:Uzbekistani sums per US dollar - 115.9 (2003), 125.3 (2002), NA(2001), 236.608 (2000), 124.625 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Uzbekistan
Telephones - main lines in use:1,717,100 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:320,800 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need ofmodernizationdomestic: the domestic telephone system is being expanded andtechnologically improved, particularly in Tashkent (Toshkent) andSamarqand, under contracts with prominent companies inindustrialized countries; moreover, by 1998, six cellular networkshad been placed in operation - four of the GSM type (Global Systemfor Mobile Communication), one D-AMPS type (Digital Advanced MobilePhone System), and one AMPS type (Advanced Mobile Phone System)international: country code - 998; linked by landline or microwaveradio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leasedconnection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after thecompletion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE)fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russianfacilities for international communications; Inmarsat also providesan international connection, albeit an expensive one; satelliteearth stations - NA (1998)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 10 (1998)
Radios:10.8 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus two repeaters that relay Russian programs), 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent; approximately 20 stations in regional capitals (2003)
Televisions:6.4 million (1997)
Internet country code:.uz
Internet hosts:1,040 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):42 (2000)
Internet users:492,000 (2003)
Transportation Uzbekistan
Railways: total: 3,950 km broad gauge: 3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2003)
Highways: total: 81,600 km paved: 71,237 km unpaved: 10,363 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:1,100 km (2004)
Pipelines:gas 9,149 km; oil 869 km; refined products 33 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Termiz (Amu Darya)
Airports:247 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 33 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 4 (2003 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 214 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 200 (2003 est.)
Military Uzbekistan
Military branches:Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard
Military manpower - military age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 7,126,325 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 5,783,740 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 321,886 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$200 million (FY97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2% (FY97)
Transnational Issues Uzbekistan
Disputes - international:prolonged drought and cotton monoculture creates water-sharingdifficulties for Amu Darya river states; delimitation withKazakhstan complete with demarcation underway; delimitation isunderway with Kyrgyzstan but serious disputes around enclaves andelsewhere continue to mar progress for some 130 km of border; talkscontinue with Tajikistan to determine and delimit border
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 3,000 (forced population transfers by government fromvillages near Tajikistan border) (2004)
Illicit drugs:transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to alesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivationof cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domesticconsumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government croperadication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicalsbound for Afghanistan
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Vanuatu
Introduction Vanuatu
Background:The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19thcentury, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, whichadministered the islands until independence in 1980.
Geography Vanuatu
Location:Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, aboutthree-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates:16 00 S, 167 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 12,200 sq kmland: 12,200 sq kmnote: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabitedwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:2,528 km
Maritime claims:measured from claimed archipelagic baselinesexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margincontiguous zone: 24 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October;moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected bycyclones from December to April
Terrain:mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Land use: arable land: 2.46% permanent crops: 7.38% other: 90.16% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causesminor earthquakes; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:a majority of the population does not have access to a potable andreliable supply of water; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, ClimateChange, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands;several of the islands have active volcanoes
People Vanuatu
Population:202,609 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 34.1% (male 35,281; female 33,785)15-64 years: 62.4% (male 64,669; female 61,829)65 years and over: 3.5% (male 3,740; female 3,305) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 22.3 yearsmale: 22.3 yearsfemale: 22.2 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.57% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:23.67 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:8.02 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 56.63 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 53.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 59.25 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 62.1 yearsmale: 60.64 yearsfemale: 63.63 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.87 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
Ethnic groups:indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, otherPacific Islanders
Religions:Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Roman Catholic 15%, indigenousbeliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%,other 15.7% (including Jon Frum Cargo cult)
Languages:three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as Bislamaor Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 53%male: 57%female: 48% (1979 est.)
Government Vanuatu
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatuconventional short form: Vanuatuformer: New Hebrides
Government type:parliamentary republic
Capital:Port-Vila (Efate)
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 and Britishsystems
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16 August2004)elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoralcollege consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regionalcouncils; election for president last held 16 August 2004 (next tobe held in 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or majority coalition is usually elected primeminister by Parliament from among its members; election for primeminister last held 29 July 2004 (next to be held following generalelections in 2008)election results: Kalkot Matas KELEKELE elected president, with 49votes out of 56, after several ballots on 16 August 2004cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister,responsible to Parliamenthead of government: Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 11 December2004); Deputy Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 11 December 2004);Prime Minister Serge VOHOR ousted in no-confidence vote on 11December 2004
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote toserve four-year terms)elections: last held 6 July 2004 (next to be held 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -UMP 8, VP 8, NUP 10, VRP 4, MPP 3, VGP 3, other and independent 16;note - political party associations are fluidnote: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of cultureand language
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president afterconsultation with the prime minister and the leader of theopposition, three other justices are appointed by the president onthe advice of the Judicial Service Commission)
Political parties and leaders:Jon Frum Movement [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party orMPP [Barak SOPE]; National United Party or NUP [NA]; Union ofModerate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our LandParty) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP[Maxime Carlot KORMAN]; Greens (Vanuatu) [Moana CARCASSES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, PIF, Sparteca, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, havea Permanent Mission to the UN
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to PapuaNew Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a blackisosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by ablack-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the twopoints of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle);centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossednamele leaves, all in yellow
Economy Vanuatu
Economy - overview:This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scaleagriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the population.Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with about 50,000visitors in 1997, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineraldeposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleumdeposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market.Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development ishindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports,vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from mainmarkets and between constituent islands. A severe earthquake inNovember 1999 followed by a tsunami, caused extensive damage to thenorthern island of Pentecote and left thousands homeless. Anotherpowerful earthquake in January 2002 caused extensive damage in thecapital, Port-Vila, and surrounding areas, and also was followed bya tsunami. GDP growth rose less than 3% on average in the 1990s. Inresponse to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tightenregulation of its offshore financial center. In mid-2002 thegovernment stepped up efforts to boost tourism. Agriculture,especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth.Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists andforeign aid. Growth expanded moderately in 2003.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $563 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-0.3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 26%industry: 12%services: 62% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2% (2002 est.)
Labor force:NA
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:NA
Budget:revenues: $94.4 millionexpenditures: $99.8 million, including capital expenditures of $30.4million (1996 est.)
Agriculture - products: copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef
Industries:food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Industrial production growth rate:1% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:43.46 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:40.42 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:600 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Exports:$79 million f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee
Exports - partners:India 32.8%, Thailand 25.5%, Indonesia 9.6%, Japan 7.6%, Australia4%, Poland 4% (2003)
Imports:$138 million c.i.f. (2002)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels
Imports - partners:Australia 15.3%, Japan 10.6%, Singapore 7.4%, New Zealand 6%, Fiji5.1% (2003)
Debt - external:$65.8 million (2001 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$45.8 million (1995)
Currency:vatu (VUV)
Currency code:VUV
Exchange rates:vatu per US dollar - 122.189 (2003), 139.198 (2002), 145.312(2001), 137.643 (2000), 129.075 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Vanuatu
Telephones - main lines in use:6,500 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:7,800 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios:67,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (2002)
Televisions:2,300 (1999)
Internet country code:.vu
Internet hosts:512 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:7,500 (2003)
Transportation Vanuatu
Highways: total: 1,070 km paved: 256 km unpaved: 814 km (1999 est.)
Ports and harbors:Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)
Merchant marine:total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,192,474 GRT/1,560,828 DWTregistered in other countries: 1 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: Australia 2, Canada 1, Estonia 1, Germany 1, Japan25, Monaco 4, New Zealand 2, Panama 1, Poland 7, Switzerland 3,United Kingdom 5, United States 2by type: bulk 28, cargo 2, combination bulk 3, container 2,liquefied gas 2, multi-functional large load carrier 1, refrigeratedcargo 6, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 5
Airports:30 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1524 to 2437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)
Military Vanuatu
Military branches:no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includingthe paramilitary Mobile Force or VMF)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Transnational Issues Vanuatu
Disputes - international: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France