Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.61 billion (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.2% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Venezuela
Disputes - international:claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana,preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana hasexpressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims beforethe United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) thatTrinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends intotheir waters; dispute with Colombia over Los Monjes islands andmaritime boundary near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organizedillegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela'sshared border region resulting in several thousand residentsmigrating away from the border; US, France, and the Netherlandsrecognize Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island,which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over alarge portion of the Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis,Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protestVenezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation andother states' recognition of it
Trafficking in persons:current situation: Venezuela is a source, transit, and destinationcountry for women and children trafficked for the purposes of sexualexploitation and forced labor; women and children from Colombia,China, Peru, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic are trafficked toand through Venezuela and subjected to commercial sexualexploitation or forced labor; Venezuelans are trafficked internallyand to Western Europe, particularly Spain and the Netherlands, andto countries in the Caribbean region for commercial sexualexploitation; Venezuela is a transit country for illegal migrantsfrom other countries in the region and for Asian nationals, some arebelieved to be trafficking victimstier rating: Tier 3 - Venezuela does not fully comply with theminimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is notmaking significant efforts to do so
Illicit drugs:small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processingof opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities ofcocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombiabound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-relatedmoney-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombiaand on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarilytargeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities byColombian insurgents on border
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Vietnam
Introduction Vietnam
Background:The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completedby 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnamdeclared independence after World War II, but France continued torule until its 1954 defeat by Communist forces under Ho Chi MINH.Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into theCommunist North and anti-Communist South. US economic and militaryaid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolsterthe government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following acease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnameseforces overran the South reuniting the country under Communist rule.Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the countryexperienced little economic growth because of conservativeleadership policies. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doimoi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities havecommitted to increased economic liberalization and enactedstructural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to producemore competitive, export-driven industries. The country continues toexperience protests from various groups - such as the ProtestantMontagnard ethnic minority population of the Central Highlands andthe Hoa Hao Buddhists in southern Vietnam over religiouspersecution. Montagnard grievances also include the loss of land toVietnamese settlers.
Geography Vietnam
Location:Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin,and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia
Geographic coordinates:16 00 N, 106 00 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 329,560 sq kmland: 325,360 sq kmwater: 4,200 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries: total: 4,639 km border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km
Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands)
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (Mayto September) and warm, dry season (October to March)
Terrain:low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly,mountainous in far north and northwest
Elevation extremes:lowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m
Natural resources:phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil andgas deposits, forests, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 20.14% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 72.93% (2005)
Irrigated land:30,000 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding,especially in the Mekong River delta
Environment - current issues:logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute todeforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishingthreaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limitspotable water supply; growing urban industrialization and populationmigration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi MinhCity
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km acrossat its narrowest point
People Vietnam
Population:84,402,966 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 27% (male 11,826,457/female 10,983,069)15-64 years: 67.1% (male 28,055,941/female 28,614,553)65 years and over: 5.8% (male 1,924,562/female 2,998,384) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 25.9 yearsmale: 24.8 yearsfemale: 27.1 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.02% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:16.86 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.22 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 25.14 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 25.54 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 24.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.85 yearsmale: 68.05 yearsfemale: 73.85 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.91 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.4% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:220,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:9,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, andtyphoid fevervectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis,and plague are high risks in some locationsanimal contact disease: rabieswater contact disease: leptospirosisnote: at present, H5N1 avian influenza poses a minimal risk; duringoutbreaks among birds, rare cases could occur among US personnel whohave close contact with infected birds or poultry (2005)
Nationality:noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural)adjective: Vietnamese
Ethnic groups:Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999 census)
Religions:Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%,Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)
Languages:Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a secondlanguage), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages(Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 90.3%male: 93.9%female: 86.9% (2002)
Government Vietnam
Country name:conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnamconventional short form: Vietnamlocal long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Namlocal short form: Viet Namabbreviation: SRV
Government type:Communist state
Capital:name: Hanoigeographic coordinates: 21 02 N, 105 51 Etime difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:59 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities(thanh pho, singular and plural)provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, BaRia-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, BinhThuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dac Lak, Dac Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai,Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong,Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, LaiChau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, NinhBinh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, QuangNgai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh,Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, TuyenQuang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Baimunicipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh
Independence:2 September 1945 (from France)
National holiday:Independence Day, 2 September (1945)
Constitution:15 April 1992
Legal system:based on communist legal theory and French civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Nguyen Minh TRIET (since 27 June 2006);Vice President Truong My HOA (since 25 July 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 27 June2006); Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh HUNG (since 28 June 2006),Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia KHIEM (since 28 June 2006), andDeputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh TRONG (since 28 June 2006)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of primeminister and confirmed by National Assemblyelections: president elected by the National Assembly from among itsmembers for five-year term; election last held 27 June 2006; primeminister appointed by the president from among the members of theNational Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the primeminister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministersconfirmed by National Assemblyelection results: Nguyen Minh TRIET elected president; percent ofNational Assembly vote - 94%; Nguyen Tan DUNG elected primeminister; percent of National Assembly vote - 92%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Quoc-Hoi (498 seats; memberselected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 19 May 2002 (next to be held 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - CPV 90%, other 10% (the10% are not CPV members but are approved by the CPV to stand forelection); seats by party - CPV 447, CPV-approved 51
Judicial branch:Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-yearterm by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president)
Political parties and leaders:only party - Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc MANH]
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:ACCT (observer), APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Nguyen Tam CHIENchancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917consulate(s) general: San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. MARINE embassy: 7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [84] (4) 772-1500 FAX: [84] (4) 772-1510 consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City
Flag description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
Economy Vietnam
Economy - overview:Vietnam is a densely-populated, developing country that in the last30 years has had to recover from the ravages of war, the loss offinancial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of acentrally-planned economy. Substantial progress was achieved from1986 to 1997 in moving forward from an extremely low level ofdevelopment and significantly reducing poverty. Growth averagedaround 9% per year from 1993 to 1997. The 1997 Asian financialcrisis highlighted the problems in the Vietnamese economy andtemporarily allowed opponents of reform to slow progress toward amarket-oriented economy. GDP growth averaged 6.8% per year from 1997to 2004 even against the background of the Asian financial crisisand a global recession, and growth hit 8% in 2005. Since 2001,however, Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed their commitment toeconomic liberalization and international integration. They havemoved to implement the structural reforms needed to modernize theeconomy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries.Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and entryinto force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in December2001 have led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam's trade andeconomic regime. Vietnam's exports to the US doubled in 2002 andagain in 2003. Vietnam hopes to become a member of the WTO in 2006.Among other benefits, accession would allow Vietnam to takeadvantage of the phase out of the Agreement on Textiles andClothing, which eliminated quotas on textiles and clothing for WTOpartners on 1 January 2005. Agriculture's share of economic outputhas continued to shrink, from about 25% in 2000 to 21% in 2005. Deeppoverty, defined as a percent of the population living under $1 perday, has declined significantly and is now smaller than that ofChina, India, and the Philippines. Vietnam is working to promote jobcreation to keep up with the country's high population growth rate.However, high levels of inflation have prompted Vietnameseauthorities to tighten monetary and fiscal policies.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$235.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$43.75 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:8.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$2,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.9% industry: 41% services: 38.1% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 44.39 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 56.8% industry: 37% services: 6.2% (July 2005)
Unemployment rate:2.4% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:19.5% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 29.9% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:36.1 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):8.3% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):33.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $11.64 billionexpenditures: $12.95 billion; including capital expenditures of $1.8billion (2005 est.)
Public debt:48.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:paddy rice, coffee, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews,sugar cane, peanuts, bananas; poultry; fish, seafood
Industries:food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal,steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, paper
Industrial production growth rate:17.2% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:46.2 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 43.7% hydro: 56.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:52 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:NA kWh
Electricity - imports:NA kWh
Oil - production:400,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:216,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:600 million bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:6.342 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:6.342 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports:NA cu m
Natural gas - proved reserves:192.6 billion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:$-309 million (2005 est.)
Exports:$32.23 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments,shoes
Exports - partners:US 21.2%, Japan 13.3%, Australia 8.4%, China 7.5%, Singapore 5.3%,Germany 5% (2005)
Imports:$36.88 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steelproducts, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles
Imports - partners:China 16.3%, Singapore 12.8%, Taiwan 11.7%, Japan 10.4%, SouthKorea 9.9%, Thailand 6.8% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$8.863 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$20.16 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $2.8 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 2000 (2004)
Currency (code):dong (VND)
Currency code:VND
Exchange rates:dong per US dollar - 15,746 (2005), (2004), 15,510 (2003), 15,280(2002), 14,725 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Vietnam
Telephones - main lines in use:15.845 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:9.593 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort intomodernization and expansion of its telecommunication system, but itsperformance continues to lag behind that of its more modern neighborsdomestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected toHanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable ormicrowave radio relay networks; main lines have been substantiallyincreased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidlyinternational: country code - 84; satellite earth stations - 2Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999)
Radios:8.2 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:6 (plus 61 provincial TV stations) (2006)
Televisions:3.57 million (1997)
Internet country code:.vn
Internet hosts:12,114 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):5 (2000)
Internet users:13.1 million (2006)
Transportation Vietnam
Airports: 32 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Pipelines:condensate/gas 432 km; gas 163 km; oil 50 km; refined products 206km (2006)
Railways:total: 2,600 kmstandard gauge: 178 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 2,169 km 1.000-m gaugedual gauge: 253 km three-rail track combining 1.435 m and 1.000-mgauges (2005)
Roadways: total: 222,179 km paved: 42,167 km unpaved: 180,012 km (2004)
Waterways:17,702 km (5,000 km navigable by vessels up to 1.8 m draft) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 267 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,423,936 GRT/2,191,858 DWTby type: bulk carrier 23, cargo 202, chemical tanker 4, container 5,liquefied gas 5, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 2, rollon/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1)registered in other countries: 17 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Honduras1, Mongolia 8, Panama 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, unknown2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City
Military Vietnam
Military branches:People's Armed Forces: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includesPeople's Navy Command (with naval infantry, coast guard), Air andAir Defense Force (Kon Quan Nhan Dan), Border Defense Command),People's Public Security Forces, Militia Force, Self-Defense Forces(2005)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (male) for compulsory military service; females mayvolunteer for active duty military service; conscript serviceobligation - 2 years (3-4 years in the navy); 18-45 years of age(male) or 18-40 years of age (female) for Militia Force or SelfDefense Forces (2006)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 21,341,813females age 18-49: 21,430,808 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 16,032,358females age 18-49: 17,921,241 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 915,572females age 18-49: 864,161 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$650 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.5% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Vietnam
Disputes - international:southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to checkthe spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamesesquatters and armed encroachments along border; after years ofCambodia claiming Vietnam had moved or destroyed boundary markers,in 2005, after much domestic debate, Cambodia ratified an agreementwith Vietnam that settled all but a small portion of the landboundary; establishment of a maritime boundary with Cambodia ishampered by unresolved dispute over offshore islands; in 2004,Laotian-Vietnamese boundary commission agrees to erect missingmarkers in two adjoining provinces; demarcation of the China-Vietnamboundary proceeds slowly and although the maritime boundarydelimitation and fisheries agreements were ratified in June 2004,implementation has been delayed; China occupies Paracel Islands alsoclaimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in complex dispute withChina, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei over theSpratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties inthe South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legallybinding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants;Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in theSpratly Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China,the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marineseismic activities in the Spratly Islands
Illicit drugs:minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point forSoutheast Asian heroin; government continues to face domesticopium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstandingcrackdowns
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Virgin Islands
Introduction Virgin Islands
Background: During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.
Geography Virgin Islands
Location:Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North AtlanticOcean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 1,910 sq kmland: 346 sq kmwater: 1,564 sq km
Area - comparative:twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:188 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively lowhumidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy seasonSeptember to November
Terrain:mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m
Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf
Land use: arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughtsand floods; occasional earthquakes
Environment - current issues:lack of natural freshwater resources
Geography - note:important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lanefor the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best naturaldeepwater harbors in the Caribbean
People Virgin Islands
Population:108,605 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22.4% (male 12,261/female 12,056)15-64 years: 66.4% (male 34,174/female 37,949)65 years and over: 11.2% (male 5,385/female 6,780) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 37.1 yearsmale: 36.2 yearsfemale: 38 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.12% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:13.96 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-8.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 8.93 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 6.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.05 yearsmale: 75.24 yearsfemale: 83.09 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.17 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: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)adjective: Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups:black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000census)
Religions:Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Languages:English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or FrenchCreole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 90-95% est.male: NA%female: NA% (2005 est.)
Government Virgin Islands
Country name:conventional long form: United States Virgin Islandsconventional short form: Virgin Islandsformer: Danish West Indiesabbreviation: USVI
Dependency status:organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relationsbetween the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of theOffice of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:NA
Capital:name: Charlotte Amaliegeographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 Wtime difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrativedivisions as defined by the US Government, but there are threeislands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
National holiday:Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)
Constitution:Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Legal system:based on US laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but donot vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January2001)head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5January 1999)cabinet: NAelections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporatedterritories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in electionsfor US president and vice president; governor and lieutenantgovernor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-yearterms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21November 2006 (next to be held November 2010)election results: John DeJONGH elected governor and takes office inJanuary 2007; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP42.7%
Legislative branch:unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote toserve two-year terms)elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -Democratic Party 8, ICM 4, independent 3note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to theUS House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006(next to be held November 2008); results - Donna M. CHRISTENSEN(Democrat) reelected
Judicial branch:US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuitjurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judgesappointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens'Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:IOC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of the US)
Flag description:white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between thelarge blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagleholding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the otherwith a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below ablue panel
Economy Virgin Islands
Economy - overview:Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDPand employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year.The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles,electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agriculturalsector is small, with most food being imported. Internationalbusiness and financial services are small but growing components ofthe economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is atSaint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage fromstorms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, tosupport construction projects in the private sector, to expandtourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$1.577 billion (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):NA
GDP - real growth rate:2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$14,500 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)
Labor force: 43,980 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:6.2% (2004)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.2% (2003)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA
Agriculture - products:fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Industries:tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling,construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:1.04 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:967.3 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:14,650 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:105,000 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:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Exports:$4.234 billion $NA
Exports - commodities:refined petroleum products
Exports - partners:US, Puerto Rico (2004)
Imports:$4.609 billion $NA
Imports - commodities:crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners:US, Puerto Rico (2004)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Virgin Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:70,900 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:64,200 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system with total digital switching,uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relaydomestic: full range of services availableinternational: country code - 1-340; 2 submarine cable connections(Taino Carib, Americas-1); satellite earth stations - NA
Radio broadcast stations:AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006)
Radios:107,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:5 (2006)
Televisions:68,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.vi
Internet hosts:3,855 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):50 (2000)
Internet users:30,000 (2002)
Transportation Virgin Islands
Airports: 2 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 1,257 km (2004)
Ports and terminals:Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay
Military Virgin Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Virgin Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Wake Island
Introduction Wake Island
Background:The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. Animportant air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the endof World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as astopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircrafttransiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has beenused by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. Alloperations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuatedin August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon Loke (category 5),which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 mstorm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment andrepair team returned to the island in September and restored limitedfunction to the airfield and facilities. The future status ofactivities on the island will be determined upon completion of thesurvey and assessment.
Geography Wake Island
Location:Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of theway from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
Geographic coordinates:19 17 N, 166 39 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 6.5 sq kmland: 6.5 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:19.3 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical
Terrain:atoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built upon an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islandsare part of the rim
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:0 sq km
Natural hazards:occasional typhoons
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landinglocation for transpacific flights
People Wake Island
Population:no indigenous inhabitantsnote: US military personnel have left the island, but contractorpersonnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel werepresent (July 2006 est.)
Government Wake Island
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island
Dependency status:unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington,DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities on the island areconducted by the US Air Force
Legal system:the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:the flag of the US is used
Economy Wake Island
Economy - overview:Economic activity is limited to providing services to militarypersonnel and contractors located on the island. All food andmanufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Communications Wake Island
Telephone system:general assessment: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off theOverseas Telephone System (OTS)domestic: NAinternational: NA
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio serviceprovided by satellite (2005)
Television broadcast stations:0note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio serviceprovided by satellite (2005)
Transportation Wake Island
Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2006)
Ports and terminals:none; two offshore anchorages for large ships
Transportation - note:there are no commercial or civilian flights to and from WakeIsland, except in direct support of island missions; emergencylanding is available
Military Wake Island
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the US; launch support facility ispart of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS)administered by US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC)
Transnational Issues Wake Island
Disputes - international: claimed by Marshall Islands
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Wallis and Futuna
Introduction Wallis and Futuna
Background:The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 andWallis by the British in 1767, but it was the French who declared aprotectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants ofthe islands voted to become a French overseas territory.
Geography Wallis and Futuna
Location:Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds ofthe way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:13 18 S, 176 12 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 274 sq kmland: 274 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island),Ile Alofi, and 20 islets
Area - comparative:1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:129 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season(May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity);average temperature 26.6 degrees C
Terrain:volcanic origin; low hills
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Singavi 765 m
Natural resources:NEGL
Land use:arable land: 7.14%permanent crops: 35.71%other: 57.15% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain)largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuelsource; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, themountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion;there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack ofnatural fresh water resources
Geography - note:both island groups have fringing reefs
People Wallis and Futuna
Population: 16,025 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:NA
Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population
Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:NA migrant(s)/1,000 populationnote: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to NewCaledonia (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: NAmale: NAfemale: NA
Life expectancy at birth:total population: NA yearsmale: NA yearsfemale: NA years
Total fertility rate:NA children born/woman
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islandersadjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
Ethnic groups:Polynesian
Religions:Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
Languages:Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%,French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 50%male: 50%female: 50% (1969 est.)
Government Wallis and Futuna
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islandsconventional short form: Wallis and Futunalocal long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futunalocal short form: Wallis et Futuna
Dependency status:overseas territory of France
Government type:NA
Capital:name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 Wtime difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-orderadministrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but thereare three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis
Independence:none (overseas territory of France)
National holiday:Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:French legal system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May1995), represented by High Administrator Richard DIDIER (since 19July 2006)head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly PatalioneKANIMOA (since January 2001)cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and threemembers appointed by the high administrator on the advice of theTerritorial Assemblynote: there are three traditional kings with limited powerselections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; high administrator appointed by the French president on theadvice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of theTerritorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected bythe members of the assembly
Legislative branch:unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 11 March 2002 (next to be held March 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -RPR and affiliates 13, Socialists and affiliates 7note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate andone deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate -elections last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held by September2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - RPR (nowUMP) 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 16 June 2002(next to be held by in 2007); results - percent of vote by party -NA; seats - RPR (UMP) 1
Judicial branch:none; justice generally administered under French law by the highadministrator, but the three traditional kings administer customarylaw and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu
Political parties and leaders:Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche orMRG; Rally for the Republic or RPR (UMP) [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU];Socialist Party or PS; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; UnionPopulaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la DemocratieFrancaise or UDF
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of France)
Flag description:unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isoscelestriangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of theislands and the French administrator; the apexes of the trianglesare oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag ofFrance, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoistquadrant; the flag of France is the only official flag
Economy Wallis and Futuna
Economy - overview:The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, withabout 80% labor force earnings from agriculture (coconuts andvegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of thepopulation is employed in government. Revenues come from FrenchGovernment subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and SouthKorea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in NewCaledonia.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$60 million (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):NA
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):$3,800 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: NA%industry: NA%services: NA%
Labor force:NA 3,104
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 4% services: 16% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:15.2% NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.8% NA%
Budget: revenues: $29,730 expenditures: $31,330 (1998 est.)
Public debt:5.6% of GDP
Agriculture - products:breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish
Industries:copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0%
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Exports:$47,450 f.o.b. (2004)
Exports - commodities:copra, chemicals, construction materials
Exports - partners:Italy 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark 13% (2004)
Imports:$61.17 million f.o.b. (2004)
Imports - commodities:chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods
Imports - partners:France 97%, Australia 2%, NZ 1% (2004)
Debt - external:$3.67 million $NA
Economic aid - recipient:assistance from France
Currency (code):Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)