Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
Land use:
arable land: 10.51% permanent crops: 0.76% other: 88.73% (2005)
Irrigated land:
42,810 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
72.2 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 58.34 cu km/yr (5%/2%/93%) per capita: 2,194 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world
PeopleUzbekistan
Population:
27,345,026 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29% (male 4,047,918/female 3,870,346) 15-64 years: 66% (male 8,971,017/female 9,079,170) 65 years and over: 5% (male 588,498/female 788,077) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.3 years male: 23.8 years female: 24.8 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.965% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
17.99 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
5.3 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
-3.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 24.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.69 years male: 68.69 years female: 74.87 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.01 children born/woman (2008 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:
fewer than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Uzbekistani adjective: 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 write total population: 99.3% male: 99.6% female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
9.4% of GDP (1991)
GovernmentUzbekistan
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan conventional short form: Uzbekistan local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi local short form: Ozbekiston former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
Capital:
name: Tashkent (Toshkent) geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 69 18 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi [Karakalpakstan]* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence:
1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 September (1991)
Constitution:
adopted 8 December 1992
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet) head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV (since 11 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam AZIMOV (since 2 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly elections: 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 23 December 2007 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 88.1%, Aslidden RUSTAMOV 3.2%, Dilorom TASHMUKHAMEDOVA 2.9%, Akmal SAIDOV 2.6%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an upper house or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional governing councils and 16 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) and a lower house or Legislative Chamber (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be held December 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9, unaffiliated 10 note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Dilorom TASHMUHAMMEDOVA];Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) or MTP [HurshidDOSMUHAMMEDOV]; Fidokorlar National Democratic Party(Self-Sacrificers) [Ahtam TURSUNOV]; Liberal Democratic Party ofUzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHADMANOV; People's Democratic Party orNDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV]
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); EzgulikHuman Rights 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:
ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,IOC, ISO, ITSO, 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 Richard B. NORLAND embassy: 3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 100093 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450 FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
EconomyUzbekistan
Economy - overview:
Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter and fifth largest producer; it relies heavily on cotton production as the major source of export earnings. Other major export earners include gold, natural gas, and oil. Following independence in September 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate, the government still sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted Article VIII obligations under the IMF, providing for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further stifled economic activity. The Central Bank often delays or restricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods. Potential investment by Russia and China in Uzbekistan's gas and oil industry may boost growth prospects. In November 2005, Russian President Vladimir PUTIN and Uzbekistan President KARIMOV signed an "alliance," which included provisions for economic and business cooperation. Russian businesses have shown increased interest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining, telecom, and oil and gas. In 2006, Uzbekistan took steps to rejoin the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurASEC), both organizations dominated by Russia. Uzbek authorities have accused US and other foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbek tax laws and have frozen their assets.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$64.4 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$22.31 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
9.5% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,400 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 29.4% industry: 33.1% services: 37.5% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
14.6 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 44% industry: 20% services: 36% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
0.8% officially by the Ministry of Labor, plus another 20% underemployed (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
33% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 29.6% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.8 (2003)
Budget:
revenues: $6.478 billion expenditures: $6.5 billion (2007 est.)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Public debt:
18.7% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12% officially, but 38% based on analysis of consumer prices (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock
Industries:
textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold, petroleum, natural gas, chemicals
Industrial production growth rate:
12.1% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
48.79 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
42.23 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
11.52 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - imports:
11.44 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 88.2% hydro: 11.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
99,260 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
157,100 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
11,940 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
31,440 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
594 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.)
Natural gas - production:
65.19 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
51.18 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
14.01 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.841 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)
Current account balance:
$4.615 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$8.05 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cotton, gold, energy products, mineral fertilizers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, textiles, food products, machinery, automobiles
Exports - partners:
Russia 22.4%, Poland 10.4%, Turkey 9.4%, Kazakhstan 6.1%, Hungary 6%, China 5.6%, Ukraine 4.8%, Bangladesh 4.3% (2007)
Imports:
$4.48 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals
Imports - partners:
Russia 30.1%, China 13.3%, South Korea 13%, Germany 6.3%, Kazakhstan 6.2%, Ukraine 4% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$172.3 million from the US (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$6.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.927 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$36.89 million (2005)
Currency (code):
soum (UZS)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
Uzbekistani soum (UZS) per US dollar - 1,263.8 (2007), 1,219.8 (2006), 1,020 (2005), 971.265 (2004), 771.029 (2003)
CommunicationsUzbekistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.793 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.8 million (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of modernization domestic: the main line telecommunications system is dilapidated and telephone density is low; the state-owned telecommunications company, Uzbektelecom, is working on improving main line services; mobile services are growing swiftly, with the subscriber base more than doubling in 2007 to 5.8 million international: country code - 998; linked by landline or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian facilities for international communications (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 3 (2006)
Radios:
10.8 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
28 (includes 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent and approximately 20 stations in regional capitals) (2006)
Televisions:
6.4 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.uz
Internet hosts:
38,183 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
42 (2000)
Internet users:
1.2 million (2007)
TransportationUzbekistan
Airports:
54 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 33 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: 4 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 19 (2007)
Pipelines:
gas 9,725 km; oil 868 km (2007)
Railways:
total: 3,950 km broad gauge: 3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2006)
Roadways:
total: 86,496 km paved: 75,511 km unpaved: 10,985 km (2000)
Waterways:
1,100 km (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Termiz (Amu Darya)
MilitaryUzbekistan
Military branches:
Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; 1-year conscript service obligation; moving toward a professional military, but conscription will continue; the military cannot accommodate everyone who wishes to enlist, and competition for entrance into the military is similar to the competition for admission to universities (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,480,484 females age 16-49: 7,542,017 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,684,540 females age 16-49: 6,432,976 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 324,094 female: 323,923 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Transnational IssuesUzbekistan
Disputes - international:
prolonged drought and cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2004; border delimitation of 130 km of border with Kyrgyzstan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 39,202 (Tajikistan); 1,060 (Afghanistan) IDPs: 3,400 (forced population transfers by government from villages near Tajikistan border) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Uzbekistan is a source country for women and girls trafficked to Kazakhstan, Russia, Middle East, and Asia for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Kazakhstan and Russia for purposes of forced labor in the construction, cotton, and tobacco industries; men and women are also trafficked internally for the purposes of domestic servitude, forced labor in the agricultural and construction industries, and for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Uzbekistan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in 2007; the government did not amend its criminal code to increase penalties for convicted traffickers; in March 2008, Uzbekistan adopted ILO Conventions on minimum age of employment and on the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and is working with the ILO on implementation; the government also demonstrated its increasing commitment to combat trafficking in March 2008 by adopting a comprehensive anti-trafficking law; Uzbekistan has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
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@Vanuatu
IntroductionVanuatu
Background:
Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language, migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the new name of Vanuatu was adopted.
GeographyVanuatu
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 12,200 sq km land: 12,200 sq km water: 0 sq km note: 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 by cyclones 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:
Natural hazards:
tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:
most 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
PeopleVanuatu
Population:
215,446 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31.3% (male 34,441/female 33,000) 15-64 years: 64.8% (male 71,159/female 68,435) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 4,352/female 4,059) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.8 years male: 23.8 years female: 23.8 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.434% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
21.95 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
7.61 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 50.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.61 years male: 62.04 years female: 65.27 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.57 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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%, indigenous beliefs 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 or Bichelama) 23.1%, English 1.9%, French 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified 0.7% (1999 Census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74% male: NA female: NA (1999 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
9.5% of GDP (2003)
GovernmentVanuatu
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu local long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatu local short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Port-Vila (on Efate) geographic coordinates: 17 44 S, 168 19 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard 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 British systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16 August 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Edward NATAPEI (since 22 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 22 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils; election for president last held 16 August 2004 (next to be held in 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 22 September 2008 (next to be held following general elections in 2012) election results: Kalkot Matas KELEKELE elected president, with 49 votes out of 56, after several ballots on 16 August 2004
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 September 2008 (next to be held 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VP 11, NUP 8, UMP 7, VRP 7, PPP 4, GC 2, MPP 1, NA 1, NAG 1, PAP 1, Shepherds Alliance 1, VFFP 1, VLP 1, VNP 1, VPRFP 1, and independent 4; note - political party associations are fluid note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission)
Political parties and leaders:
Greens Confederation or GC [Moana CARCASSES]; Jon Frum Movement orJF [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE];Nagriamel movement or NAG [Havo MOLI]; Namangi Aute or NA [PaulTELUKLUK]; National United Party or NUP [Ham LINI]; People's ActionParty or PAP [Peter VUTA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [SatoKILMAN]; Shepherds Alliance Party [leader NA]; Union of ModerateParties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanuatu Family First Party or VFFP[Eta RORI]; Vanuatu Labor Party or VLP [Joshua KALSAKAU]; VanuatuNational Party or VNP [Issac HAMARILIU]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our LandParty) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP[Maxime Carlot KORMAN]; Vanuatu Republican Farmers Party or VPRFP[Jean RAVOU]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW,PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have aPermanent Mission to the UN
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow
EconomyVanuatu
Economy - overview:
This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with more than 60,000 visitors in 2005, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$897 million (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$455 million (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,900 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 26% industry: 12% services: 62% (2000 est.)
Labor force:
76,410 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.7% (1999)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $78.7 million expenditures: $72.23 million (2005)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.16% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$107.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$421.8 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$229.5 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables; beef; fish
Industries:
food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Industrial production growth rate:
1% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:
46 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
39.99 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
660 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
671.1 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
-$60 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$40 million f.o.b. (2006)
Exports - commodities:
copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee
Exports - partners:
Thailand 58.3%, India 18.5%, Japan 11.3% (2007)
Imports:
$156 million c.i.f. (2006)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels
Imports - partners:
Australia 20.7%, Singapore 11.8%, NZ 11.2%, Norway 8.5%, US 8.3%,Fiji 8.1%, China 7.2%, New Caledonia 4.5% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$39.48 million (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$40.54 million (2003)
Debt - external:
$81.2 million (2004)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Currency (code):
vatu (VUV)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
vatu (VUV) per US dollar - NA (2007), 111.93 (2006), NA (2005), 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003)
CommunicationsVanuatu
Telephones - main lines in use:
8,800 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
26,000 (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Radios:
67,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2004)
Televisions:
2,300 (1999)
Internet country code:
.vu
Internet hosts:
990 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
17,000 (2007)
TransportationVanuatu
Airports:
31 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 22 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 1,070 km paved: 256 km unpaved: 814 km (1999)
Merchant marine:
total: 54 by type: bulk carrier 32, cargo 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 4, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 54 (Australia 2, Belgium 4, Canada 5, Estonia 1, Greece 1, Japan 29, Monaco 1, Poland 7, Russia 2, Switzerland 1, US 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)
MilitaryVanuatu
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF; includes Police Maritime Wing (PMW)) (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 58,900 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 40,577 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,385 female: 2,290 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Transnational IssuesVanuatu
Disputes - international:
Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Venezuela
IntroductionVenezuela
Background:
Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, seeks to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalization and undermining regional stability. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.
GeographyVenezuela
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the NorthAtlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 912,050 sq km land: 882,050 sq km water: 30,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
Coastline:
2,800 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 15 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain:
Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds
Land use:
arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.88% other: 96.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:
5,750 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1,233.2 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 8.37 cu km/yr (6%/7%/47%) per capita: 313 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall
PeopleVenezuela
Population:
26,414,816 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 4,162,862/female 4,034,044) 15-64 years: 63.8% (male 8,299,266/female 8,562,290) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 602,725/female 753,628) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.2 years male: 24.6 years female: 25.8 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.498% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
20.92 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 22.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.45 years male: 70.4 years female: 76.65 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.52 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.7%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
110,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,100 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne disease: dengue fever, malaria, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (2008)
Nationality:
noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan
Ethnic groups:
Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people
Religions:
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Languages:
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Literacy: