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 John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007)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; percent of vote -John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7%
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 hosted 2.6 million visitors in 2005. Themanufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles,electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world'slargest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agriculturalsector is small, with most food being imported. Internationalbusiness and financial services are small but growing components ofthe economy. The islands are vulnerable 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:980 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:911.4 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:17,110 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:115,000 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:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Exports:$4.234 billion (2001)
Exports - commodities:refined petroleum products
Exports - partners:US, Puerto Rico (2004)
Imports:$4.609 billion (2001)
Imports - commodities:crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners:US, Puerto Rico (2004)
Debt - external:$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 8 February, 2007
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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 IOKE (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: since super typhoon IOKE, a small military contingent alongwith 75 contractor personnel have returned to the island to conductclean-up and restore basic operations on the island (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; 2 DSN circuits offthe Overseas 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; the US Air Force isresponsible for overall administration and operation of the island;the launch support facility is administered by the US MissileDefense Agency (MDA)
Transnational Issues Wake Island
Disputes - international: claimed by Marshall Islands
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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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% of 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: 3,104 (2003)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 4% services: 16% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:15.2% (2003)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.8% (2005)
Budget: revenues: $29,730 expenditures: $31,330 (2004)
Public debt:5.6% of GDP (2004 est.)
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 (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:assistance from France
Currency (code):Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Currency code:XPF
Exchange rates:Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 95.01(2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003), 126.71 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Wallis and Futuna
Telephones - main lines in use:1,900 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:0 (1994)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 681
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:2 (2000)
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.wf
Internet hosts:1 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:900 (2002)
Transportation Wallis and Futuna
Airports: 2 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Merchant marine:total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 110,428 GRT/56,830 DWTby type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 7foreign-owned: 8 (France 5, French Polynesia 2, US 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Leava, Mata-Utu
Military Wallis and Futuna
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Wallis and Futuna
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@West Bank
Background:The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-GovernmentArrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington in September 1993,provided for a transitional period of Palestinian interimself-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. A transfer ofauthority to the Palestinian Authority (PA) for the Gaza Strip andJericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 CairoAgreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and, in additionalareas of the West Bank, pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 ProtocolConcerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-SheikhAgreement. Direct negotiations to determine the permanent status ofGaza and the West Bank began in September 1999 after a three-yearhiatus, but were derailed by a second intifadah that broke out ayear later. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia)presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states,Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanentstatus agreement has been postponed indefinitely due to violence andaccusations that both sides have not followed through on theircommitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death inlate 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. Amonth later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-SheikhCommitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. InSeptember 2005, Israel withdrew all its settlers and soldiers anddismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and fournorthern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controlsmaritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafahborder crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA andEgyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement,HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Theinternational community has refused to accept the HAMAS-ledgovernment because it does not recognize Israel, will not renounceviolence, and refuses to honor previous peace agreements betweenIsrael and the PA. Since March 2006, President Abbas has had littlesuccess negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platformacceptable to the international community so as to lift the economicsiege on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene in late 2006 asa result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members andIsraeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members.
Geography West Bank
Location:Middle East, west of Jordan
Geographic coordinates:32 00 N, 35 15 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 5,860 sq kmland: 5,640 sq kmwater: 220 sq kmnote: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarterof the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem andJerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means ofdepicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries: total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warmto hot summers, cool to mild winters
Terrain:mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barrenin east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Dead Sea -408 mhighest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m
Natural resources:arable land
Land use: arable land: 16.9% permanent crops: 18.97% other: 64.13% (2001)
Irrigated land:150 sq km; note - includes Gaza Strip (2003)
Natural hazards:droughts
Environment - current issues:adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment
Geography - note:landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastalaquifers; there are 242 West Bank settlements and 29 East Jerusalemsettlements in addition to at least 20 occupied outposts (August2005 est.)
People West Bank
Population:2,460,492note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in theWest Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 42.9% (male 541,110/female 515,202)15-64 years: 53.7% (male 676,427/female 644,347)65 years and over: 3.4% (male 35,440/female 47,966) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 18.3 yearsmale: 18.2 yearsfemale: 18.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:3.06% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:31.67 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:3.92 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 19.15 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 21.12 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 17.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 73.27 yearsmale: 71.5 yearsfemale: 75.15 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.28 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: NAadjective: NA
Ethnic groups:Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%
Religions:Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%
Languages:Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians),English (widely understood)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 91.9%male: 96.3%female: 87.4% (2003 est.)
Government West Bank
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank
Economy West Bank
Economy - overview:The West Bank - the larger of the two areas under the PalestinianAuthority (PA) - has experienced a general decline in economicconditions since the second intifadah began in September 2000. Thedownturn has been largely the result of Israeli closure policies -the imposition of border closures in response to security incidentsin Israel - which disrupted labor and trading relationships. In2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures inPA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption ofadministrative structures, and widespread business closures.International aid of at least $1.14 billion to the West Bank andGaza Strip in 2004 prevented the complete collapse of the economyand allowed some reforms in the government's financial operations.In 2005, high unemployment and limited trade opportunities - due tocontinued closures both within the West Bank and externally -stymied growth. Israel's and the international community's financialembargo of the PA since HAMAS took office in March 2006 hasinterrupted the provision of PA social services and the payment ofPA salaries.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$5.327 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$3.45 billion (2003)
GDP - real growth rate:4.9% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$1,500 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 18.2% services: 73.9% note: includes Gaza Strip (2005 est.)
Labor force: 568,000 (2005)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 16% industry: 29% services: 55% (2005)
Unemployment rate:20.3% (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Population below poverty line:45.7% including Gaza Strip (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.9% (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Budget:revenues: $1.23 billionexpenditures: $1.64 billion; including capital expenditures of $44million ; note - these budget data include Gaza Strip (2005)
Agriculture - products:olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products
Industries:generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles,soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; theIsraelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in thesettlements and industrial centers
Industrial production growth rate:2.4%
Electricity - production:NA kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; EastJerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity toPalestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank;the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to mostJewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinianmunicipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their ownelectricity from small power plants
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - imports:NA kWh
Exports:$313 million f.o.b.; note - includes Gaza Strip (2004)
Exports - commodities:olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone
Exports - partners:Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2004)
Imports:$2.37 billion c.i.f.; note - includes Gaza Strip (2004)
Imports - commodities:food, consumer goods, construction materials
Imports - partners:Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2004)
Debt - external:NA
Economic aid - recipient:$1.14 billion; note - includes Gaza Strip (2004)
Currency (code):new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Currency code:ILS; JOD
Exchange rates:new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004),4.5541 (2003), 4.7378 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications West Bank
Telephones - main lines in use:357,300 (includes Gaza Strip) (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.095 million (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTELare responsible for fixed line services in the Gaza Strip; thePalestinian JAWAL company provides cellular servicesinternational: country code - 970
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 20, shortwave 0 (2005)
Radios:NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999)
Television broadcast stations:8 (2005)
Televisions:NA; note - many Palestinian households have televisions (1999)
Internet country code:.ps
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):8 (1999)
Internet users:243,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Transportation West Bank
Airports:3 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways: total: 4,996 km paved: 4,996 km note: includes Gaza Strip (2004)
Military West Bank
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Transnational Issues West Bank
Disputes - international:West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current statussubject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanentstatus to be determined through further negotiation; Israelcontinues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier alongparts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrewfrom four settlements in the northern West Bank in August 2005;since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce SupervisionOrganization (UNTSO), headquartered in Jerusalem, monitorceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolatedincidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in theregion
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 705,207 (Palestinian Refugees(UNRWA)) (2006)
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Western Sahara
Background:Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara(formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with thePolisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final statushas been repeatedly postponed.
Geography Western Sahara
Location:Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, betweenMauritania and Morocco
Geographic coordinates:24 30 N, 13 00 W
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 266,000 sq kmland: 266,000 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Coastline:1,110 km
Maritime claims:contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
Climate:hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents producefog and heavy dew
Terrain:mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfacesrising to small mountains in south and northeast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 mhighest point: unnamed location 463 m
Natural resources:phosphates, iron ore
Land use:arable land: 0.02%permanent crops: 0%other: 99.98% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter andspring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severelyrestricting visibility
Environment - current issues:sparse water and lack of arable land
Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas
People Western Sahara
Population: 273,008 (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
Sex ratio:NA
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
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations during the transmission season (typically April through November) (2007)
Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawi, Sahrawian, Sahraouian
Ethnic groups:Arab, Berber
Religions:Muslim
Languages:Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Literacy:NA
Government Western Sahara
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Western Saharaformer: Spanish Sahara
Government type:legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved;territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Frontfor the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which inFebruary 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of theSahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), led by President MohamedABDELAZIZ; territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania inApril 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania,under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims toits portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sectorshortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control;the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an Organization ofAfrican Unity (OAU) member in 1984; guerrilla activities continuedsporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6September 1991
Capital:nonetime difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (under de facto control of Morocco)
Suffrage:none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed
Executive branch:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:none
Diplomatic representation in the US:none
Diplomatic representation from the US:none
Economy Western Sahara
Economy - overview:Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphatemining as the principal sources of income for the population. Theterritory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agriculturalproduction, and most of the food for the urban population must beimported. Incomes in Western Sahara are substantially below theMoroccan level. The Moroccan Government controls all trade and othereconomic activities in Western Sahara. Morocco and the EuropeanUnion signed a four-year agreement in July 2006 allowing Europeanvessels to fish off the coast of Morocco, including the disputedwaters off the coast of Western Sahara. Moroccan energy interests in2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of WesternSahara, which has angered the Polisario. However, in 2006, thePolisario awarded similar exploration licenses in the disputedterritory, which would come into force if Morocco and the Polisarioresolve their dispute over Western Sahara.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$NA
GDP (official exchange rate):NA
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):$NA
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: 40%
Labor force: 12,000
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 50% industry and services: 50%
Unemployment rate:NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%
Budget:revenues: $NAexpenditures: $NA
Agriculture - products:fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep,goats (kept by nomads); fish
Industries:phosphate mining, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:85 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:79.05 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:1,800 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Exports:$NA
Exports - commodities:phosphates 62%
Exports - partners:Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partnersare included in overall Moroccan accounts (2006)
Imports:$NA
Imports - commodities:fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partnersare included in overall Moroccan accounts (2006)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Currency code:MAD
Exchange rates:Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004), 9.5744(2003), 11.0206 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Western Sahara
Telephones - main lines in use:about 2,000 (1999 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular:0 (1999)
Telephone system:general assessment: sparse and limited systemdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 212; tied into Morocco's system bymicrowave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite;satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked toRabat, Morocco
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:56,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:NA
Televisions:6,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.eh
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:NA