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: 10.51% permanent crops: 0.76% other: 88.73% (2005)
Irrigated land:42,810 sq km (2003)
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:27,307,134 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32.9% (male 4,572,721/female 4,403,405)15-64 years: 62.3% (male 8,420,174/female 8,594,478)65 years and over: 4.8% (male 539,336/female 777,020) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 22.7 yearsmale: 22 yearsfemale: 23.3 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.7% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:26.36 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:7.84 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 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 (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 69.99 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 74.14 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 65.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 64.58 yearsmale: 61.19 yearsfemale: 68.14 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.91 children born/woman (2006 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 long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasilocal short form: Ozbekistonformer: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little poweroutside the executive branch
Capital:name: Tashkent (Toshkent)geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 69 18 Etime difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
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),Qoraqalpog'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 Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term(eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term,extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 9January 2000 (next to be held in 2007); prime minister, ministers,and deputy ministers appointed by the presidentelection results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote- Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%
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)elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to beheld December 2009)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 KARIMOV
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; SunshineCoalition [Sanjar UMAROV, chairman]
International organization participation:AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOV chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 887-5300 FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jon PURNELLembassy: 3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent100093mailing 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 and fifth largestproducer; it relies heavily on cotton production as the major sourceof export earnings. Other major export earners include gold, naturalgas, and oil. Following independence in September 1991, thegovernment sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy withsubsidies and tight controls on production and prices. While awareof the need to improve the investment climate, the government stillsponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, its 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 led to some shortages that have furtherstifled economic activity. The Central Bank often delays orrestricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods. Potentialinvestment by Russia and China in Uzbekistan's gas and oil industrywould increase economic growth prospects. In November 2005, RussianPresident Vladimir PUTIN and Uzbekistan President KARIMOV signed an"alliance" treaty, which included provisions for economic andbusiness cooperation. Russian businesses have shown increasedinterest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining, telecom, and oil andgas. In December 2005, the Russians opened a "Trade House" tosupport and develop Russian-Uzbek business and economic ties.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$50.31 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$9.86 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$1,900 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34.2% industry: 22.9% services: 43% (2003 est.)
Labor force: 14.26 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 44% industry: 20% services: 36% (1995)
Unemployment rate:0.7% officially, plus another 20% underemployed (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:28% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 22% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:26.8 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.9% (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.815 billionexpenditures: $2.917 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:36.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock
Industries:textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, goldpetroleum, natural gas, chemicals
Industrial production growth rate:7.7% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:46.52 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 88.2% hydro: 11.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:48.45 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:5.36 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:10.55 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:152,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - consumption:120,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:600 million bbl (1 January 2005)
Natural gas - production:55.8 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - consumption:49.3 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - exports:6.5 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2004)
Natural gas - proved reserves:1.875 trillion cu m (1 January 2005)
Current account balance:$1.082 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:cotton 41.5%, gold 9.6%, energy products 9.6%, mineral fertilizers,ferrous metals, textiles, food products, automobiles (1998)
Exports - partners:Russia 24.6%, China 12.3%, Turkey 7.1%, Ukraine 5.6%, Bangladesh4.9%, Poland 4.3%, Tajikistan 4.2% (2005)
Imports:$3.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment 49.8%, foodstuffs 16.4%, chemicals, metals(1998)
Imports - partners:Russia 26.7%, South Korea 15.3%, Germany 8.9%, China 7.2%,Kazakhstan 6.4%, Turkey 4.7%, Ukraine 4.7% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$2.681 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$5.032 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$91.6 million from the US (2005)
Currency (code):Uzbekistani soum (UZS)
Currency code:UZS
Exchange rates:Uzbekistani soum per US dollar - 1,020 (2005), 971.265 (2004),771.029 (2002), 423.832 (2002), 236.61 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Uzbekistan
Telephones - main lines in use:1,717,100 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:720,000 (2005)
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:9,058 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):42 (2000)
Internet users:880,000 (2005)
Transportation Uzbekistan
Airports: 61 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 34 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 25 (2006)
Pipelines: gas 9,594 km; oil 868 km (2006)
Railways: total: 3,950 km broad gauge: 3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways: total: 81,600 km paved: 71,237 km unpaved: 10,363 km (1999)
Waterways:1,100 km (2006)
Ports and terminals:Termiz (Amu Darya)
Military Uzbekistan
Military branches:Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript serviceobligation - 12 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 6,340,220females age 18-49: 6,432,072 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 4,609,621females age 18-49: 5,383,233 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 324,722females age 18-49: 317,062 (2005 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 in Uzbekistan andTurkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya riverstates; delimitation with Kazakhstan complete with demarcationunderway; border delimitation of 130 km of border with Kyrgyzstan ishampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 39,202 (Tajikistan) 5,238(Afghanistan)IDPs: 3,000 (forced population transfers by government from villagesnear Tajikistan border) (2005)
Trafficking in persons:current situation: Uzbekistan is a source and, to a lesser extent,a transit country for women trafficked to Asia and the Middle Eastfor the purpose of sexual exploitation; women from other CentralAsian countries and China are trafficked through Uzbekistan; men aretrafficked for purposes of forced labor in the construction andagricultural industries to Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, andKyrgyzstan; men and women are also trafficked within the countrytier rating: Tier 3 - Uzbekistan is placed on Tier 3 because itfailed to fulfill commitments by the country to take additionalsteps during 2005, including the adoption of comprehensiveanti-trafficking legislation, criminal code amendments to raisetrafficking penalties, support to the country's first traffickingshelter, and approval of a national action plan
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 19 December, 2006
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@Vanuatu
Introduction Vanuatu
Background:Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language,migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceeding Europeanexploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accountsfor the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago tothis day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides inthe 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium,which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when thenew name of Vanuatu was adopted.
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 kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:2,528 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
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: 1.64% permanent crops: 6.97% other: 91.39% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanic eruptionon Aoba (Ambae) island began 27 November 2005, volcanism also causesminor earthquakes; tsunamis
Environment - current issues: a majority of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; deforestation
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, 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:208,869 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32.6% (male 34,804/female 33,331)15-64 years: 63.7% (male 67,919/female 65,138)65 years and over: 3.7% (male 4,027/female 3,650) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 23 yearsmale: 23 yearsfemale: 23 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.49% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:22.72 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:7.82 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 53.8 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 56.35 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 51.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 62.85 yearsmale: 61.34 yearsfemale: 64.44 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.7 children born/woman (2006 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:Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 Census)
Religions:Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Roman Catholic 13.1%,Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, other Christian 13.8%, indigenousbeliefs 5.6% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 9.6%, none 1%,unspecified 1.3% (1999 Census)
Languages:local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama orBichelama) 23.1%, English 1.9%, French 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified0.7% (1999 Census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 74%male: NAfemale: NA
Government Vanuatu
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatuconventional short form: Vanuatulocal long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatulocal short form: Vanuatuformer: New Hebrides
Government type:parliamentary republic
Capital:name: Port-Vila (on Efate)geographic coordinates: 17 44 S, 168 19 Etime difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
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)head of government: Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 11 December2004); Deputy Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 11 December 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister,responsible to Parliamentelections: 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 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 -NUP 10, UMP 8, VP 8, 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 [Hem LINI]; Union ofModerate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our LandParty) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Greens Party or VGP [MoanaCARCASSES]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]
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, OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca,SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO(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 2004, 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. GDP growth rose less than3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns, thegovernment has promised to tighten regulation of its offshorefinancial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts toboost tourism. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is asecond target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the mainsuppliers of tourists and foreign aid.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$276.3 million (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$341 million
GDP - real growth rate:6.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$2,900 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: 12% services: 62% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 76,410
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:1.7% NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):-1.6% (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $78.7 millionexpenditures: $72.23 million (2003)
Agriculture - products:copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables;beef; fish
Industries:food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Industrial production growth rate:1% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:41 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:38.13 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:620 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:$-28.35 million
Exports:$34.11 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee
Exports - partners:Thailand 46.5%, India 14.1%, Poland 7.9%, Turkey 7.7%, Japan 6.9%(2005)
Imports:$117.1 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels
Imports - partners:Australia 18.4%, Japan 16.6%, Singapore 14.7%, Poland 8.5%, NZ7.2%, Fiji 6.3% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$40.54 million
Debt - external:$81.2 million (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:$37.8 million (2004)
Currency (code):vatu (VUV)
Currency code:VUV
Exchange rates:vatu per US dollar - NA (2005), 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003), 139.2(2002), 145.31 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Vanuatu
Telephones - main lines in use:6,800 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:12,700 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2004)
Radios:67,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (2004)
Televisions:2,300 (1999)
Internet country code:.vu
Internet hosts:413 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:7,500 (2004)
Transportation Vanuatu
Airports:31 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 28914 to 1,523 m: 10under 914 m: 18 (2006)
Roadways:total: 1,070 kmpaved: 256 kmunpaved: 814 km (1999)
Merchant marine:total: 51 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,340,132 GRT/1,908,687 DWTby type: bulk carrier 29, cargo 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2,petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 2,vehicle carrier 5foreign-owned: 51 (Australia 2, Canada 5, Denmark 6, Estonia 1,Japan 28, Poland 5, Russia 1, Switzerland 2, US 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)
Military Vanuatu
Military branches:no regular military forces; security forces comprise the VanuatuPolice Force (VPF) and paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF),which includes Vanuatu's naval force, known as the Police MaritimeWing (PMW); border security in Vanuatu is the joint responsibilityof the Customs and Inland Revenue Service, VPF, VMF, and PMW (2003)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 50,221 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 33,837 (2005 est.)
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
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Venezuela
Introduction Venezuela
Background:Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapseof Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada,which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20thcentury, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent militarystrongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some socialreforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, has promoted acontroversial policy of "democratic socialism," which purports toalleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalizationand undermining regional stability. Current concerns include: aweakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, apoliticized military, drug-related violence along the Colombianborder, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on thepetroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsiblemining operations that are endangering the rain forest andindigenous peoples.
Geography Venezuela
Location:Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the NorthAtlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Geographic coordinates:8 00 N, 66 00 W
Map references:South America
Area:total: 912,050 sq kmland: 882,050 sq kmwater: 30,000 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries: total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
Coastline: 2,800 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 15 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain:Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains(llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m
Natural resources:petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals,hydropower, diamonds
Land use: arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.88% other: 96.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:5,750 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; AngelFalls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall
People Venezuela
Population:25,730,435 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 29.1% (male 3,860,116/female 3,620,440)15-64 years: 65.7% (male 8,494,944/female 8,410,874)65 years and over: 5.2% (male 609,101/female 734,960) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 26 yearsmale: 25.4 yearsfemale: 26.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.38% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:18.71 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:4.92 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.08 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 21.54 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 24.58 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 18.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 74.54 yearsmale: 71.49 yearsfemale: 77.81 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.23 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.7% - note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:110,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:4,100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Venezuelan(s)adjective: Venezuelan
Ethnic groups:Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenouspeople
Religions:nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Languages:Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 93.4%male: 93.8%female: 93.1% (2003 est.)
Government Venezuela
Country name:conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuelaconventional short form: Venezuelalocal long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuelalocal short form: Venezuela
Government type:federal republic
Capital:name: Caracasgeographic coordinates: 10 30 N, 66 56 Wtime difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 capital district*(distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependenciafederal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar,Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, DistritoFederal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, NuevaEsparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulianote: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlledisland groups with a total of 72 individual islands
Independence:5 July 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 5 July (1811)
Constitution:30 December 1999
Legal system:open, adversarial court system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28 April2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28 April 2002)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006(next to be held December 2012)note: in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a newconstitution that increased the presidential term to six years; anelection was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms ofthis new constitutionelection results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent ofvote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 63%, Manuel ROSALES 37%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (167 seats;members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; threeseats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)elections: last held 4 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -pro-government 167 (MVR 114, PODEMOS 15, PPT 11, indigenous 2, other25), opposition 0
Judicial branch:Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia(magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single12-year term)
Political parties and leaders:Christian Democrats or COPEI [Eduardo FERNANDEZ]; Democratic Actionor AD [Jesus MENDEZ Quijada]; Fatherland for All or PPT [JoseALBORNOZ]; Fifth Republic Movement or MVR [Hugo CHAVEZ]; JusticeFirst [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [HectorMUJICA]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer]; We Can orPODEMOS [Ismael GARCIA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups;Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organizationdominated by the Democratic Action)
International organization participation:CAN, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-3, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, NAM,OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ Herrerachancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans,New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELDembassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de ValleArriba, Caracas 1080mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037telephone: [58] (212) 975-9234, 975-6411FAX: [58] (212) 975-8991
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red withthe coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc ofeight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band
Economy Venezuela
Economy - overview:Venezuela continues to be highly dependent on the petroleum sector,accounting for roughly one-third of GDP, around 80% of exportearnings, and over half of government operating revenues. Governmentrevenue also has been bolstered by increased tax collection, whichhas surpassed its 2005 collection goal by almost 50%. Tax revenue isthe primary source of non-oil revenue, which accounts for 53% of the2006 budget. A disastrous two-month national oil strike, fromDecember 2002 to February 2003, temporarily halted economicactivity. The economy remained in depression in 2003, declining by9.2% after an 8.9% fall in 2002. Output recovered strongly in2004-2005, aided by high oil prices and strong consumption growth.Venezuela continues to be an important source of crude oil for theUS market. Both inflation and unemployment remain fundamentalproblems.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$162.1 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$106.1 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:9.3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$6,400 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 41.9% services: 54.1% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 12.31 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 13% industry: 23% services: 64% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:12.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:47% (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 36.5% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:49.1 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):16% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):19% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $39.63 billionexpenditures: $41.27 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.6billion (2005 est.)
Public debt:34.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef,pork, milk, eggs; fish
Industries:petroleum, construction materials, food processing, textiles; ironore mining, steel, aluminum; motor vehicle assembly
Industrial production growth rate:7.2% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:87.44 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 31.7% hydro: 68.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:81.32 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:3.081 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:530,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:2.1 million bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:75.59 billion bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:29.7 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:29.7 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:4.191 trillion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:$25.36 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$52.73 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agriculturalproducts, basic manufactures
Exports - partners:US 51.2%, Netherlands Antilles 7.3%, Canada 2.4% (2005)
Imports:$24.63 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment,construction materials
Imports - partners:US 31.6%, Colombia 11%, Brazil 9.1%, Mexico 6.9% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$29.64 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$41.51 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$74 million (2000)
Currency (code):bolivar (VEB)
Currency code:VEB
Exchange rates:bolivares per US dollar - 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004), 1,607(2003), 1,161 (2002), 723.7 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Venezuela
Telephones - main lines in use:3,605,500 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:12.496 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern and expandingdomestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recentsubstantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas;substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines;installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable ofdigital multimedia servicesinternational: country code - 58; 3 submarine coaxial cables;satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia inthe construction of an international fiber-optic network
Radio broadcast stations:AM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998)
Radios:10.75 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:4.1 million (1997)
Internet country code:.ve
Internet hosts:51,968 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):16 (2000)
Internet users:3.04 million (2005)
Transportation Venezuela
Airports: 375 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 129 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 60 under 914 m: 19 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 246 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 90 under 914 m: 147 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Pipelines:extra heavy crude 992 km; gas 5,369 km; oil 7,607 km; refinedproducts 1,681 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2006)
Railways:total: 682 kmstandard gauge: 682 km 1.435-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:total: 96,155 kmpaved: 32,308 kmunpaved: 63,847 km (1999)
Waterways:7,100 kmnote: Orinoco River and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoingvessels, Orinoco for 400 km (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 56 ships (1000 GRT or over) 824,941 GRT/1,327,924 DWTby type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 10, chemical tanker 2, container 1,liquefied gas 6, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 18foreign-owned: 13 (Denmark 3, Greece 3, India 1, Mexico 3, Panama 1,Russia 1, Spain 1)registered in other countries: 15 (Bahamas 1, Panama 14) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Amuay, La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon
Military Venezuela
Military branches:National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales or FAN): GroundForces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces(Fuerzas Navales or Armada; includes Marines, Coast Guard), AirForce (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation orNational Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;conscript service obligation - 30 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 6,236,012females age 18-49: 6,137,622 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 4,907,947females age 18-49: 5,151,843 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 252,396females age 18-49: 237,300 (2005 est.)