Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity,Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes
Geography - note:world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) andby population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is highest pointin North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent
People United States
Population:298,444,215 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 20.4% (male 31,095,847/female 29,715,872)15-64 years: 67.2% (male 100,022,845/female 100,413,484)65 years and over: 12.5% (male 15,542,288/female 21,653,879) (2006est.)
Median age: total: 36.5 years male: 35.1 years female: 37.8 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.91% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:14.14 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:8.26 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:3.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 77.85 yearsmale: 75.02 yearsfemale: 80.82 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.09 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.6% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:950,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:14,000 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: American(s)adjective: American
Ethnic groups:white 81.7%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native1%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2% (2003 est.)note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the USCensus Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin Americandescent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Ricanorigin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group(white, black, Asian, etc.)
Religions:Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)
Languages:English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian andPacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government United States
Country name:conventional long form: United States of Americaconventional short form: United Statesabbreviation: US or USA
Government type:Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition
Capital:name: Washington, DC (capital)geographic coordinates: 38 53 N, 77 02 Wtime difference: UTC-5 (during Standard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; endsfirst Sunday in November; note - these new dates become effective in2007note: the United States is divided into six time zones
Administrative divisions:50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas,California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*,Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, NewHampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, NorthDakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, SouthCarolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Dependent areas:American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island,Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island,Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, VirginIslands, Wake Islandnote: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administeredthe Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; it entered into apolitical relationship with all four political units: the NorthernMariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US(effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islandssigned a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21October 1986); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compactof Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palauconcluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1October 1994)
Independence:4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Constitution:17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789
Legal system:federal court system based on English common law; each state hasits own unique legal system, of which all but one (Louisiana's) isbased on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001);Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approvalelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby a college of representatives who are elected directly from eachstate; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligiblefor a second term); election last held 2 November 2004 (next to beheld 4 November 2008)election results: George W. BUSH reelected president; percent ofpopular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 50.9%, John KERRY(Democratic Party) 48.1%, other 1.0%
Legislative branch:bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, one-third arerenewed every two years; 2 members are elected from each state bypopular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House ofRepresentatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popularvote to serve two-year terms)elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held onNovember 2008); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2006(next to be held on November 2008)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats byparty - Democratic Party 49, Republican Party 49, independent 2;House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats byparty - Democratic Party 232, Republican Party 203
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (nine justices; nominated by the president andconfirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; appointed toserve for life); United States Courts of Appeal; United StatesDistrict Courts; State and County Courts
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party [Howard DEAN]; Green Party; Libertarian Party[Steve DAMERELL]; Republican Party [Ken MEHLMAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:AfDB, ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialoguepartner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE(observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-5, G-7, G- 8,G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA,MINUSTAH, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club,PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA,UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Flag description:13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternatingwith white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side cornerbearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offsethorizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rowsof five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripesrepresent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the designand colors have been the basis for a number of other flags,including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico
Economy United States
Economy - overview:The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy inthe world, with a per capita GDP of $42,000. In this market-orientedeconomy, private individuals and business firms make most of thedecisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goodsand services predominantly in the private marketplace. US businessfirms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in WesternEurope and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay offsurplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, theyface higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets thanforeign firms face entering US markets. US firms are at or near theforefront in technological advances, especially in computers and inmedical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage hasnarrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technologylargely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labormarket" in which those at the bottom lack the education and theprofessional/technical skills of those at the top and, more andmore, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage,and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains inhousehold income have gone to the top 20% of households. Theresponse to the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 showed theremarkable resilience of the economy. The war in March-April 2003between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the subsequent occupationof Iraq, required major shifts in national resources to themilitary. The rise in GDP in 2004 and 2005 was undergirded bysubstantial gains in labor productivity. Hurricane Katrina causedextensive damage in the Gulf Coast region in August 2005, but had asmall impact on overall GDP growth for the year. Soaring oil pricesin 2005 and 2006 threatened inflation and unemployment, yet theeconomy continued to grow through mid-2006. Imported oil accountsfor about two-thirds of US consumption. Long-term problems includeinadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly risingmedical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade andbudget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lowereconomic groups.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$12.31 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$12.49 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.2% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$41,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 20.4% services: 78.7% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 149.3 million (includes unemployed) (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: farming, forestry, and fishing 0.7%, manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts 22.9%, managerial, professional, and technical 34.7%, sales and office 25.4%, other services 16.3% note: figures exclude the unemployed (2005)
Unemployment rate:5.1% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:12% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 30.5% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:45 (2004)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.2% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):16.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.119 trillionexpenditures: $2.466 trillion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:64.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork,poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products
Industries:leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified andtechnologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles,aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, foodprocessing, consumer goods, lumber, mining
Industrial production growth rate:3.2% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:3.892 trillion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 5.6% nuclear: 20.7% other: 2.3% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:3.656 trillion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:23.97 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:30.39 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:7.61 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:20.03 million bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:1.048 million bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:13.15 million bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:22.45 billion bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:539 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:633.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:24.19 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - imports:114.1 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:5.353 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$-829.1 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$927.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrialsupplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors,aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunicationsequipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0%(2003)
Exports - partners:Canada 23.4%, Mexico 13.3%, Japan 6.1%, China 4.6%, UK 4.3% (2005)
Imports:$1.727 trillion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9% (crude oil8.2%), capital goods 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment,motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery),consumer goods 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture,toys) (2003)
Imports - partners:Canada 16.9%, China 15%, Mexico 10%, Japan 8.2%, Germany 5% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$86.94 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$8.837 trillion (30 June 2005 est.)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $6.9 billion (1997)
Currency (code):US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:British pounds per US dollar - 0.5500 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125(2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001); Canadian dollars per US dollar- 1.2118 (2005), 1.3010 (2004), 1.4011 (2003), 1.5693 (2002), 1.5488(2001); Japanese yen per US dollar - 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004),115.93 (2003), 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001); euros per US dollar -0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.8866 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175(2001); Chinese yuan per US dollar - 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004),8.2770 (2003), 8.2770 (2002), 8.2271 (2001)
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications United States
Telephones - main lines in use:268 million (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:219.4 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurposecommunications systemdomestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radiorelay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form oftelephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobiletelephone traffic throughout the countryinternational: country code - 1; 24 ocean cable systems in use;satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 4,789, FM 8,961, shortwave 19 (2006)
Radios:575 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2,218 (2006)
Televisions:219 million (1997)
Internet country code:.us
Internet hosts:195,138,696 (2005)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):7,000 (2002 est.)
Internet users:205,326,680 (2005)
Transportation United States
Airports: 14,858 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 5,119over 3,047 m: 1892,438 to 3,047 m: 2211,524 to 2,437 m: 1,426914 to 1,523 m: 2,337under 914 m: 946 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 9,739over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 157914 to 1,523 m: 1,728under 914 m: 7,847 (2006)
Heliports:149 (2006)
Pipelines:petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km (2003)
Railways:total: 226,605 kmstandard gauge: 226,605 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)
Roadways:total: 6,407,637 kmpaved: 4,164,964 km (including 74,950 km of expressways)unpaved: 2,242,673 km (2004)
Waterways:41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce)note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the SaintLawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with Canada (2004)
Merchant marine:total: 465 ships (1000 GRT or over) 10,590,325 GRT/13,273,133 DWTby type: barge carrier 7, bulk carrier 67, cargo 91, chemical tanker20, container 76, passenger 19, passenger/cargo 58, petroleum tanker76, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 27, specialized tanker 1,vehicle carrier 20foreign-owned: 51 (Australia 2, Canada 4, Denmark 24, Germany 2,Greece 1, Malaysia 4, Netherlands 4, Norway 2, Singapore 2, Sweden5, Taiwan 1)registered in other countries: 700 (Antigua and Barbuda 7, Australia3, Bahamas 121, Belize 5, Bermuda 27, Cambodia 8, Canada 2, CaymanIslands 41, Comoros 2, Cyprus 7, Greece 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 21,Ireland 2, Isle of Man 3, Italy 15, North Korea 3, South Korea 7,Liberia 93, Luxembourg 3, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 143, Netherlands13, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 13, Panama 94, Peru 1,Philippines 8, Portugal 1, Puerto Rico 3, Qatar 1, Russia 1, SaintVincent and the Grenadines 21, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 7, Spain 7,Sweden 1, Trinidad and Tobago 1, UK 6, Vanuatu 1, Wallis and Futuna1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Corpus Christi, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long Beach, LosAngeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Texas Citynote: 13 ports north of New Orleans (South Louisiana Ports) on theMississippi River handle 290,000,000 tons of cargo annually
Military United States
Military branches:Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard; note -Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of HomelandSecurity, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age; 17 years of age with written parental consent(2006)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 67,742,879females age 18-49: 67,070,144 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 54,609,050females age 18-49: 54,696,706 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 2,143,873females age 18-49: 2,036,201 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$518.1 billion (FY04 est.) (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:4.06% (FY03 est.) (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues United States
Disputes - international:prolonged drought, population growth, and outmoded practices andinfrastructure in the border region strain water-sharingarrangements with Mexico; the US has stepped up efforts to stemnationals from Mexico, Central America, and other parts of the worldfrom crossing illegally into the US from Mexico; illegal immigrantsfrom the Caribbean, notably Haiti and the Dominican Republic,attempt to enter the US through Florida by sea; 1990 MaritimeBoundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Dumaratification; managed maritime boundary disputes with Canada atDixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around thedisputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; US and Canada seekgreater cooperation in monitoring people and commodities crossingthe border; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on amaritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased fromCuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area canterminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; UShas made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved theright to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any otherstate; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): the US admitted 52,868 refugeesduring FY03/04 including: 13,331 (Somalia), 6,000 (Laos), 3,482(Ukraine), 2,959 (Cuba), 1,787 (Iran); note - 32,229 refugees hadbeen admitted as of 30 June 2005
Illicit drugs:world's largest consumer of cocaine, shipped from Colombia throughMexico and the Caribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, andincreasingly methamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of high-qualitySoutheast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana,depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine;money-laundering center
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Introduction United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Background: The following US Pacific island territories constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of Interior. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They protect many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere. Baker Island: The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858, but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889, but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935 until it was abandoned in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and subsequently the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now complete. Cleanup and closure of the facility was completed by May 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Air Force are currently discussing future management options; in the interim, Johnston Atoll and the three-mile Naval Defensive Sea around it remain under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the US Air Force. Kingman Reef: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge. Midway Islands: The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a National Wildlife Refuge and are the site of the world's largest Laysan albatross colony. Palmyra Atoll: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy with the rest owned by the Federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These organizations are managing the atoll as a wildlife refuge. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nm US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and designated as a National Wildlife Refuge in January 2001.
Geography United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Location:OceaniaBaker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,830 nm (3,389 km)southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and AustraliaHowland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 1,815 nm (3,361km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii andAustraliaJarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 1,305 nm (2,417 km)south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and the Cook IslandsJohnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 nm (1,328 km)southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to theMarshall IslandsKingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 930 nm (1,722 km)south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American SamoaMidway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,260 nm (2,334 km)northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago,about one-third of the way from Honolulu to TokyoPalmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 960 nm (1,778 km)south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa
Geographic coordinates:Baker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 WHowland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 WJarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 WJohnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 WKingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 WMidway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 WPalmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total - 6,959.41 sq km; emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged -6,937 sq kmBaker Island: total - 129 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km;submerged - 127 sq kmHowland Island: total - 139 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km;submerged - 136 sq kmJarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged- 147 sq kmJohnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km;submerged - 274 sq kmKingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km;submerged - 1,958 sq kmMidway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km;submerged - 2,349 sq kmPalmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km;submerged - 1,946 sq km
Area - comparative:Baker Island: about two and a half times the size of The Mall inWashington, DCHowland Island: about three times the size of The Mall inWashington, DCJarvis Island: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington,DCJohnston Atoll: about four and a half times the size of The Mall inWashington, DCKingman Reef: a little more than one and a half times the size ofThe Mall in Washington, DCMidway Islands: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington,DCPalmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:none
Coastline:Baker Island: 4.8 kmHowland Island: 6.4 kmJarvis Island: 8 kmJohnston Atoll: 34 kmKingman Reef: 3 kmMidway Islands: 15 kmPalmyra Atoll: 14.5 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall,constant wind, burning sunJohnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry;consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperaturevariationMidway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December toFebruary) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated byprevailing easterly winds; most of the 1,067 mm (42 in) of annualrainfall occurs during the winterPalmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure areaof the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast andsoutheast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between4,000-5,000 mm (160-200 in) of rainfall each year
Terrain:low and nearly level sandy coral islands with narrow fringing reefsthat have developed at the top of submerged volcanic mountains,which in most cases rise steeply from the ocean floor
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Baker Island, unnamed location - 8 m; Howland Island,unnamed location - 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location - 7 m;Johnston Atoll, Sand Island - 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location -less than 1 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location - 13 m; PalmyraAtoll, unnamed location - 2 m
Natural resources:terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%other: 100% (2005)
Natural hazards:Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reefsurrounding the island can be a maritime hazardKingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation ofless than 1 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazardMidway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA
Environment - current issues:Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Johnston Atoll: no naturalfresh water resourcesKingman Reef: noneMidway Islands and Palmyra Atoll: NA
Geography - note:Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consistingof grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily anesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,and marine wildlifeJohnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands,which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) andEast Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging;the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumferenceKingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closedto the publicMidway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refugeand open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the formof wildlife observation and photographyPalmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation makethe environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Islandterritories; it supports one of the largest remaining undisturbedstands of Pisonia beach forest in the Pacific
People United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Population:no indigenous inhabitantsnote: public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish andWildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists andeducators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife ServiceJohnston Atoll: in previous years, an average of 1,100 US militaryand civilian contractor personnel were present; as of May 2005 allUS government personnel had left the islandMidway Islands: approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fishand Wildlife Service and their services contractor living at theatollPalmyra Atoll: four to 20 Nature Conservancy and US Fish andWildlife staff
Government United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Baker Island; Howland Island; JarvisIsland; Johnston Atoll; Kingman Reef; Midway Islands; Palmyra Atoll
Dependency status:unincorporated territories of the US; administered from Washington,DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of theInterior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge systemnote on Palmyra Atoll: incorporated Territory of the US; partlyprivately owned and partly federally owned; administered fromWashington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the USDepartment of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the USDepartment of the Interior continues to administer nine excludedareas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nmterritorial sea or within the lagoon
Legal system:the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:the flag of the US is used
Economy United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Transportation United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Airports:Baker Island: one abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m coveredwith vegetation and unusableHowland Island: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refuelingstop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and FredNOONAN; the aviators left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island butwere never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceableJohnston Atoll: 1 - closed and not maintainedKingman Reef: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaiiand American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937and 1938Midway Islands: 3 - one operational (2,409 m paved); no fuel forsale except emergenciesPalmyra Atoll: 1 - 1,846 m unpaved runway; privately owned (2006)
Ports and terminals:Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Kingman Reef: none;offshore anchorage onlyJohnston Atoll: Johnston IslandMidway Islands: Sand IslandPalmyra Atoll: West Lagoon
Military United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@Uruguay
Introduction Uruguay
Background:Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a militarystronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become animportant commercial center. Annexed by Brazil as a separateprovince in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years laterand secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. Theadministrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th centuryestablished widespread political, social, and economic reforms. Aviolent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros,launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to agree tomilitary control of his administration in 1973. By yearend, therebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand itshold throughout the government. Civilian rule was not restored until1985. In 2004, the left-of-center EP-FA Coalition won nationalelections that effectively ended 170 years of political controlpreviously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay'spolitical and labor conditions are among the freest on 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 contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
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: 7.77% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 91.99% (2005)
Irrigated land:2,100 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasionalviolent wind that 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:3,431,932 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22.9% (male 399,409/female 386,136)15-64 years: 63.9% (male 1,087,180/female 1,104,465)65 years and over: 13.3% (male 185,251/female 269,491) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 32.7 yearsmale: 31.3 yearsfemale: 34.2 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.46% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:13.91 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:9.05 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 11.61 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 12.9 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 10.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 76.33 yearsmale: 73.12 yearsfemale: 79.65 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.89 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.3% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:6,000 (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 (practicallynonexistent)
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 long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguaylocal short form: Uruguayformer: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province
Government type:constitutional republic
Capital:name: Montevideogeographic coordinates: 34 53 S, 56 11 Wtime difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; endssecond Sunday in March
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 Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005)and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005); note -the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March2005) and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president withparliamentary approvalelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutiveterms); election last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October2009)election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote- Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%, Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%, Guillermo STIRLING10.3%; other 4.1%
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; vice president has one votein the Senate) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara deRepresentantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote toserve 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 - EP-FA 16, Blanco 11, Colorado Party 3; Chamberof Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party- EP-FA 52, Blanco 36, Colorado Party 10, Independent Party 1
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 [Julio Maria SANGUINETTI]; Independent Party(Partido Independiente) [Pablo MIERES]; Movement of PopularParticipation or MPP [Jose MUJICA]; National Party or Blanco [JorgeLARRANAGA]; New Sector/Space Coalition (Nuevo Espacio) [RafaelMICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition (EncuentroProgresista/Frente Amplio) or EP-FA [Tabare VAZQUEZ]; SocialistParty of Uruguay or Socialists [Reinaldo GARGANO]; UruguayanAssembly or Asamblea Uruguay [Danilo ASTORI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization);Catholic Church; Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer'sassociation); Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professionalorganization); PIT-CNT (powerful federation of Uruguayan unions);Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association); students;Uruguayan Construction League
International organization participation:CAN (associate), CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM(observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP,UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Deroischancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Yorkconsulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires James D. NEALON embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777 FAX: [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 with16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy
Economy Uruguay
Economy - overview:Uruguay's well-to-do economy is characterized by an export-orientedagricultural sector, a well-educated work force, 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 Argentina made massive withdrawals of dollars deposited inUruguayan banks, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayan peso and amassive rise in unemployment. Total GDP in these four years droppedby nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to the banking crisis.The unemployment rate rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged,and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMFhelped stem the damage. A debt swap with private-sector creditors in2003 extended the maturity dates on nearly half of Uruguay's then$11.3 billion of public debt and helped restore public confidence.The economy grew about 10% in 2004 as a result of high commodityprices for Uruguayan exports, a competitive peso, growth in theregion, and low international interest rates, but slowed to 6.1% in2005.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$33.98 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$13.24 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$9,900 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.3% industry: 31.1% services: 59.6% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 1.52 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14% industry: 16% services: 70%
Unemployment rate:12.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:22% of households (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 25.8% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:44.6 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.7% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):12.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $4.468 billionexpenditures: $4.845 billion; including capital expenditures of $193million (2005 est.)
Public debt:81.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish
Industries:food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment,petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:8.5% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:8.611 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.7% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:7.762 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:900 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:654 million kWh (2003)
Oil - production:435 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:38,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:60 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - imports:65 million cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:$-87.9 million (2005 est.)
Exports:$3.55 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products
Exports - partners:US 18.6%, Brazil 15.6%, Mexico 6.9%, Argentina 6.1%, Spain 4.1%,Germany 4% (2005)
Imports:$3.54 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum
Imports - partners:Argentina 18.9%, Brazil 18.5%, Paraguay 14%, US 8.6%, China 6.2%(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$3.079 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$13.24 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):Uruguayan peso (UYU)
Currency code:UYU
Exchange rates:Uruguayan pesos per US dollar - 24.479 (2005), 28.704 (2004),28.209 (2003), 21.257 (2002), 13.319 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Uruguay
Telephones - main lines in use:1 million (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:600,000 (2004)
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 93, FM 191, shortwave 7 (2005)
Radios:1.97 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:62 (2005)
Televisions:782,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.uy
Internet hosts:145,774 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):14 (2001)
Internet users:680,000 (2005)
Transportation Uruguay
Airports: 64 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 56 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 31 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 257 km; oil 160 km (2006)
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 (2005)
Roadways: total: 77,732 km paved: 7,743 km unpaved: 69,989 km (2004)
Waterways:1,600 km (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 13 ships (1000 GRT or over) 34,259 GRT/19,725 DWTby type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 7, petroleumtanker 2, roll on/roll off 1foreign-owned: 4 (Argentina 3, Greece 1)registered in other countries: 8 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 2, Liberia 3,Spain 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Fray Bentos, Colonia, Juan Lacaze
Military Uruguay
Military branches:Army, Navy (includes naval air arm, Marines, Maritime Prefecture inwartime), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 764,408females age 18-49: 760,341 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 637,445females age 18-49: 631,046 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$371.2 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.1% (2005 est.)
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 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@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 kmland: 425,400 sq kmwater: 22,000 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