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 8 February, 2007
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@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. Claimed by Argentina but annexed byBrazil 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 thatestablished a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrillamovement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, ledUruguay's president to cede control of the government to themilitary in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but themilitary continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilianrule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center FrenteAmplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170years of political control previously held by the Colorado andBlanco parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are amongthe 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: 1,648 km border countries: Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km
Coastline: 660 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or edge of continental margin
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:Broad Front Coalition (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as theProgressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [JorgeBROVETTO]; Colorado Party [Julio Maria SANGUINETTI]; IndependentParty (Partido Independiente) [Pablo MIERES]; Movement of PopularParticipation or MPP [Jose MUJICA]; National Party or Blanco [JorgeLARRANAGA]; New Sector/Space Coalition (Nuevo Espacio) [RafaelMICHELINI]; Broad Front Coalition (Frente Amplio) - formerly knownas the Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [JorgeBROVETTO]; Uruguayan Assembly 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, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, 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: Ambassador Frank BAXTER 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 12% in 2004 as a result of high commodityprices for Uruguayan exports, a competitive peso, growth in theregion, and low international interest rates, and it continued togrow nearly 7% annually in 2005 and 2006.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$36.56 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$14.3 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$10,700 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.3% industry: 33.7% services: 57% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 1.27 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14% industry: 16% services: 70%
Unemployment rate:10.5% (2006 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):6.5% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):13.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $5.203 billionexpenditures: $5.449 billion; including capital expenditures of $193million (2006 est.)
Public debt:70.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish
Industries:food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment,petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:12.6% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:8.183 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.7% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:9.939 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:19 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:2.348 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:513.5 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:38,100 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:120 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:120 million cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$-600 million (2006 est.)
Exports:$3.993 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products
Exports - partners:US 23.2%, Brazil 13.5%, Argentina 7.8%, Germany 4.2%, Mexico 4.1%(2005)
Imports:$4.532 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum
Imports - partners:Brazil 21.3%, Argentina 20.3%, Russia 8%, US 6.7%, Venezuela 6.3%,China 6.2%, Nigeria 5.9% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$3.594 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$10.37 billion (30 June 2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):Uruguayan peso (UYU)
Currency code:UYU
Exchange rates:Uruguayan pesos per US dollar - 23.9911 (2006), 24.479 (2005),28.704 (2004), 28.209 (2003), 21.257 (2002)
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:in Jan 2007, ICJ provisionally ruled Uruguay may begin constructionof two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border withArgentina, while the court examines further whether Argentina hasthe legal right to stop such construction with potentialenvironmental implications to both countries; uncontested disputewith Brazil over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernadastreams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Uzbekistan
Introduction Uzbekistan
Background:Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiffresistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventuallysuppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During theSoviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grainled to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies,which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certainrivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks togradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing itsmineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorismby Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment ofhuman rights and democratization.
Geography Uzbekistan
Location:Central Asia, north of Afghanistan
Geographic coordinates:41 00 N, 64 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 447,400 sq 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
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 TASHMUHAMMEDOVA,chief]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) or MTP[Hurshid DOSMUHAMMEDOV, chief]; Fidokorlar National Democratic Party(Self-Sacrificers) [Ahtam TURSUNOV, chief]; Liberal Democratic Partyof Uzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHADMANOV, chief]; People's DemocraticParty or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV, firstsecretary]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik (Unity)Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Committee for the Protectionof Human Rights [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party[Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; Ezgulik HumanRights Society [Vasila INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers' Party or OzodDehqonlar [Nigora KHIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan[Talib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Organization ofUzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum; Sunshine Coalition[Sanjar UMAROV, chairman]
International organization participation:AsDB, CIS, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, 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, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, 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):$54.81 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$10.78 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$2,000 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 31.1% industry: 25.7% services: 43.2% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 14.44 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 44% industry: 20% services: 36% (1995)
Unemployment rate:0.8% officially, plus another 20% underemployed (2006 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):7.6% (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $3.145 billionexpenditures: $3.108 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:29.7% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock
Industries:textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold,petroleum, natural gas, chemicals
Industrial production growth rate:7.7% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:46.45 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 88.2% hydro: 11.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:48.2 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:6.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:11.8 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:142,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - consumption:148,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:600 million bbl (1 January 2005)
Natural gas - production:59.86 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - consumption:50.2 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - exports:9.7 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:1.875 trillion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$1.41 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$5.51 billion f.o.b. (2006 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 23.8%, China 11.9%, Kazakhstan 6.9%, Turkey 6.9%, Ukraine5.4%, Bangladesh 4.7%, Poland 4.2%, Tajikistan 4% (2005)
Imports:$3.99 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment 49.8%, foodstuffs 16.4%, chemicals, metals(1998)
Imports - partners:Russia 26.6%, South Korea 15.3%, Germany 8.8%, Kazakhstan 7.1%,China 7.1%, Turkey 4.7%, Ukraine 4.7% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$2.986 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$4.713 billion (2006 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 - 1,219.58 (2006), 1,020 (2005),971.265 (2004), 771.029 (2003), 423.832 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Uzbekistan
Telephones - main lines in use:1,717,100 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.1 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need ofmodernizationdomestic: the main line telecommunications system is dilapidated;the state owned telecom company, Uzbektelecom, is using a US$110million loan from the Japanese government to improve main lineservices; mobile services are growing swiftly, with the subscriberbase doubling in 2005 to 1.1 million; there are six main cellularproviders currently in operationinternational: 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 4, FM 6, shortwave 3 (2006)
Radios:10.8 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 8 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; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstancommenced in 2004; border delimitation of 130 km of border withKyrgyzstan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and otherareas
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 39,202 (Tajikistan)IDPs: 3,400 (forced population transfers by government from villagesnear Tajikistan border) (2006)
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 8 February, 2007
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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]