October, 1993 [Etext #87]Part 37 out of 42triangular and wavy *Uruguay, Economy Overview: Uruguay is a small economy with favorable climate, good soils, and solid hydropower potential. Economic development has been held back by excessive government regulation of economic detail and 50% to 130% inflation. After several years of sluggish growth, real GDP jumped by about 8% in 1992. The rise is attributable mainly to an increase in Argentine demand for Uruguayan exports, particularly agricultural products and electricity. In a major step toward greater regional economic cooperation, Uruguay in 1991 had joined Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay in forming the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur). A referendum in December 1992 overturned key portions of landmark privatization legislation, dealing a serious blow to President LACALLE's broad economic reform plan. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $9.8 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 8% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $3,100 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 58% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 9% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $2.9 billion; expenditures $3.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $388 million (1991) Exports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: hides and leather goods 17%, beef 10%, wool 9%, fish 7%, rice 4% partners: Argentina, Brazil, US, Germany Imports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: crude oil, fuels, and lubricants, metals, machinery, transportation equipment, industrial chemicals partners: Brazil 23%, Argentina 17%, US 10%, EC 27.1% (1990) External debt: $4.1 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate -1.4% (1990), accounts for almost 25% of GDP Electricity: 2,168,000 kW capacity; 5,960 million kWh produced, 1,900 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: meat processing, wool and hides, sugar, textiles, footwear, leather apparel, tires, cement, fishing, petroleum refining, wine Agriculture: large areas devoted to livestock grazing; wheat, rice, corn, sorghum; self-sufficient in most basic foodstuffs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $105 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $420 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $69 million Currency: 1 new Uruguayan peso (N$Ur) = 100 centesimos *Uruguay, Economy Exchange rates: new Uruguayan pesos (N$Ur) per US$1 - 3,457.5 (December 1992), 3,026.9 (1992), 2,489 (1991), 1,594 (1990), 805 (1989), 451 (1988), 281 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year *Uruguay, Communications Railroads: 3,000 km, all 1.435-meter (standard) gauge and government owned Highways: 49,900 km total; 6,700 km paved, 3,000 km gravel, 40,200 km earth Inland waterways: 1,600 km; used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft Ports: Montevideo, Punta del Este, Colonia Merchant marine: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 84,797 GRT/132,296 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 2 container, 1 oil tanker Airports: total: 88 usable: 81 with permanent-surface runways: 16 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 14 Telecommunications: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave network; 337,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 99 AM, no FM, 26 TV, 9 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations *Uruguay, Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, Marines), Air Force, Grenadier Guards, Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 755,667; fit for military service 613,585 (1993 est.); no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $216 million, 2.3% of GDP (1991 est.) *Uzbekistan, Geography Location: Central Asia, bordering the Aral Sea, between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Map references: Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian States, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 447,400 km2 land area: 425,400 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total 6,221 km, Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km Coastline: 0 km note: Uzbekistan does border the Aral Sea (420 km) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: mostly mid latitude desert; semiarid grassland in east Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 47% forest and woodland: 0% other: 43% Irrigated land: 41,550 km2 (1990) Environment: drying up of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts Note: landlocked *Uzbekistan, People Population: 22,127,946 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.17% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 30.57 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.63 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 54.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.36 years male: 65.05 years female: 71.84 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.78 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Uzbek(s) adjective: Uzbek Ethnic divisions: Uzbek 71.4%, Russian 8.3%, Tajik 4.7%, Kazakhs 4.1%, Tartars 2.4% (includes 70% of Crimean Tatars deported during World War II), Karakalpaks 2.1%, other 7% Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Languages: Uzbek 85%, Russian 5%, other 10% Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 7.941 million by occupation: agriculture and forestry 39%, industry and construction 24%, other 37% (1990) *Uzbekistan, Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan conventional short form: Uzbekistan local long form: Uzbekiston Respublikasi local short form: none former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: UZ Type: republic Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent) Administrative divisions: 12 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast') and 1 autonomous republic*, (avtomnaya respublika); Andizhan, Bukhara, Dzhizak, Fergana, Karakalpakstan*, (Nukus), Kashkadar'ya (Karshi), Khorezm (Urgench), Namangan, Navoi, Samarkand, Surkhandar'ya (Termez), Syrdar'ya (Gulistan), Tashkent note: an administrative division has the same name as its administrative center (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Constitution: new constitution adopted 8 December 1992 Legal system: evolution of Soviet civil law National holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991) Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Party (PDP; formerly Communist Party), Islam A. KARIMOV, chairman; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party (EDP), Muhammad SOLIKH, chairman Other political or pressure groups: Birlik (Unity) People's Movement (BPM), Abdul Rakhman PULATOV, chairman; Islamic Rebirth Party (IRP), Abdullah UTAYEV, chairman Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 29 December 1991 (next to be held NA December 1996); results - Islam KARIMOV 86%, Mukhammad SOLIKH 12%, other 2% Supreme Soviet: last held 18 February 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (500 total) Communist 450, ERK 10, other 40; note - total number of seats will be reduced to 150 in next election Executive branch: president, prime minister, cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Soviet Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Islam KARIMOV (since NA March 1990) *Uzbekistan, Government Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdulkhashim MUTALOV (since 13 January 1992), First Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Hakimovitch DJURABEKOV (since NA); Supreme Soviet Chairman Shavkat Muhitdinovitch YULDASHEV (since NA June 1991) Member of: CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECO, ESCAP, IBRD, IDA, IMF, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammed Babir MALIKOV chancery: 200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: (202) 778-0107 FAX: (202) 861-0472 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Henry L. CLARKE embassy: 55 Chelanzanskaya, Tashkent mailing address: APO AE 09862 telephone: [7] (3712) 77-14-07 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a crescent moon and 12 stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant *Uzbekistan, Economy Overview: Although Uzbekistan accounted for only 3.4% of total Soviet output, it produced two-thirds of the USSR's cotton and ranks as the fourth largest global producer. Moscow's push for ever-increasing amounts of cotton had included massive irrigation projects which caused extensive environmental damage to the Aral Sea and rivers of the republic. Furthermore, the lavish use of chemical fertilizers has caused extensive pollution and widespread health problems. Recently the republic has sought to encourage food production at the expense of cotton. The small industrial sector specializes in such items as agricultural machinery, mineral fertilizers, vegetable oil, and bridge cranes. Uzbekistan also has some important natural resources including gold (about 30% of former Soviet production), uranium, and natural gas. The Uzbek Government has encouraged some land reform but has shied away from other aspects of economic reform. Output and living standards continued to fall in 1992 largely because of the cumulative impact of disruptions in supply that have followed the dismemberment of the USSR. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: -10% (1992) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): at least 17% per month (first quarter 1993) Unemployment rate: 0.1% includes only officially registered unemployed; there are also large numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $900 million to outside the successor states of the former USSR (1992) commodities: cotton, gold, textiles, chemical and mineral fertilizers, vegetable oil partners: Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe Imports: $900 million from outside the successor states of the former USSR (1992) commodities: machinery and parts, consumer durables, grain, other foods partners: principally other former Soviet republics External debt: $2 billion (end 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -6% Electricity: 11,950,000 kW capacity; 50,900 million kWh produced, 2,300 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: chemical and mineral fertilizers, vegetable oil, textiles Agriculture: cotton, with much smaller production of grain, fruits, vegetables, and livestock Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication programs; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: $950 million official aid commitments by foreign donors (1992) *Uzbekistan, Economy Currency: retaining Russian ruble as currency (January 1993) Exchange rates: rubles per US$1 - 415 (24 December 1992) but subject to wide fluctuations Fiscal year: calendar year *Uzbekistan, Communications Railroads: 3,460 km; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 78,400 km total; 67,000 km hard-surfaced, 11,400 km earth (1990) Pipelines: crude oil 250 km, petroleum products 40 km, natural gas 810 km (1992) Ports: none; landlocked Airports: totol: 265 useable: 74 with permanent-surface runways: 30 with runways over 3,659 m: 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 20 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 19 Telecommunications: poorly developed; NMT-450 analog cellular network established in Tashkent; 1.4 million telephone lines with 7.2 lines per 100 persons (1992); linked by landline or microwave with CIS member states and by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch to other countries; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT (TV receive only); new intelsat earth station provides TV receive only capability for Turkish broadcasts; new satellite ground station also installed in Tashkent for direct linkage to Tokyo. *Uzbekistan, Defense Forces Branches: Army, National Guard, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,214,075; fit for military service 4,272,398; reach military age (18) annually 218,916 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP *Vanuatu, Geography Location: Oceania, 5,750 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and Australia Map references: Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 14,760 km2 land area: 14,760 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Connecticut note: includes more than 80 islands Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,528 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 1% other: 91% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: subject to tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes *Vanuatu, People Population: 165,876 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.36% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 33.16 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 9.57 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 69.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.8 years male: 57.11 years female: 60.58 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.47 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu Ethnic divisions: indigenous Melanesian 94%, French 4%, Vietnamese, Chinese, Pacific Islanders Religions: Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Catholic 15%, indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7% Languages: English (official), French (official), pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979) total population: 53% male: 57% female: 48% Labor force: NA by occupation: NA *Vanuatu, Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides Digraph: NH Type: republic Capital: Port-Vila Administrative divisions: 11 island councils; Ambrym, Aoba/Maewo, Banks/Torres, Efate, Epi, Malakula, Paama, Pentecote, Santo/Malo, Shepherd, Tafea Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and UK) Constitution: 30 July 1980 Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French and British systems National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Political parties and leaders: Vanuatu Party (VP), Donald KALPOKAS; Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), Serge VOHOR; Melanesian Progressive Party (MPP), Barak SOPE; National United Party (NUP), Walter LINI; Tan Union Party (TUP), Vincent BOULEKONE; Nagriamel Party, Jimmy STEVENS; Friend Melanesian Party, leader NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Parliament: last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held by November 1995); note - after election, a coalition was formed by the Union of Moderate Parties and the National United Party to form new government on 16 December 1991; seats - (46 total) UMP 19; NUP 10; VP 10; MPP 4; TUP 1; Nagriamel 1; Friend 1 Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament; note - the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Frederick TIMAKATA (since 30 January 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Maxime CARLOT KORMAN (since 16 December 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Sethy REGENVANU (since 17 December 1991) Member of: ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, NAM, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: Vanuatu does not have a mission in Washington US diplomatic representation: the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu *Vanuatu, Government Flag: 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 *Vanuatu, Economy Overview: The economy is based primarily on subsistence farming which provides a living for about 80% of the population. Fishing and tourism are the 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. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $142 million (1988 est.) National product real growth rate: 6% (1990) National product per capita: $900 (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $90 million; expenditures $103 million, including capital expenditures of $45 million (1989 est.) Exports: $15.6 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: copra 59%, cocoa 11%, meat 9%, fish 8%, timber 4% partners: Netherlands, Japan, France, New Caledonia, Belgium Imports: $60.4 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: machines and vehicles 25%, food and beverages 23%, basic manufactures 18%, raw materials and fuels 11%, chemicals 6% partners: Australia 36%, Japan 13%, NZ 10%, France 8%, Fiji 8% External debt: $30 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for about 10% of GDP Electricity: 17,000 kW capacity; 30 million kWh produced, 180 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; export crops - coconuts, cocoa, coffee, fish; subsistence crops - taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $606 million Currency: 1 vatu (VT) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: vatu (VT) per US$1 - 120.77 (January 1993), 113.39 (1992), 111.68 (1991), 116.57 (1990), 116.04 (1989), 104.43 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year *Vanuatu, Communications Railroads: none Highways: 1,027 km total; at least 240 km sealed or all-weather roads Ports: Port-Vila, Luganville, Palikoulo, Santu Merchant marine: 125 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,121,819 GRT/3,193,942 DWT; includes 23 cargo, 16 refrigerated cargo, 6 container, 11 vehicle carrier, 1 livestock carrier, 6 oil tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 54 bulk, 1 combination bulk, 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger; note - a flag of convenience registry Airports: total: 31 usable: 31 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, no TV; 3,000 telephones; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground station *Vanuatu, Defense Forces Branches: Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) note: no military forces Manpower availability: males age 15-49 NA; fit for military service NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP *Venezuela, Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea between Colombia and Guyana Map references: South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 912,050 km2 land area: 882,050 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total 4,993 km, Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km Coastline: 2,800 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 15 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo river; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuela Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Terrain: Andes mountains and Maracaibo lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guyana highlands in southeast Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 39% other: 37% Irrigated land: 2,640 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts; increasing industrial pollution in Caracas and Maracaibo Note: on major sea and air routes linking North and South America *Venezuela, People Population: 20,117,687 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.22% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 26.37 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 4.69 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 28.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.69 years male: 69.76 years female: 75.77 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.14 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan Ethnic divisions: mestizo 67%, white 21%, black 10%, Indian 2% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2% Languages: Spanish (official), Indian dialects spoken by about 200,000 Amerindians in the remote interior Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 88% male: 87% female: 90% Labor force: 5.8 million by occupation: services 56%, industry 28%, agriculture 16% (1985) *Venezuela, Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Venezuela conventional short form: Venezuela local long form: Republica de Venezuela local short form: Venezuela Digraph: VE Type: republic Capital: Caracas Administrative divisions: 21 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 territory* ( territorio), 1, federal district**, (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependence***, (dependencia federal); Amazonas*, Anzoategui,, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales***,, Distrito Federal**,, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Yaracuy, Zulia note: the federal dependence consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands Independence: 5 July 1811 (from Spain) Constitution: 23 January 1961 Legal system: based on Napoleonic code; judicial review of legislative acts in Cassation Court only; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811) Political parties and leaders: Social Christian Party (COPEI), Hilarion CARDOZO, president, and Jose CURIEL, secretary general (acting); Democratic Action (AD), Humberto CELLI, president, and Luis ALFARO Ucero, secretary general; Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), Argelia LAYA, president, and Freddy MUNOZ, secretary general; The Radical Cause ( La Causa R), Pablo Medina, secretary general Other political or pressure groups: FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action); VECINOS groups Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 4 December 1988 (next to be held 5 December 1993); results - Carlos Andres PEREZ (AD) 54.6%, Eduardo FERNANDEZ (COPEI) 41.7%, other 3.7%; note - President Carlos Andres PEREZ suspended pending trial on corruption charges Senate: last held 4 December 1988 (next to be held 5 December 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (49 total) AD 23, COPEI 22, other 4; note - 3 former presidents (1 from AD, 2 from COPEI) hold lifetime senate seats *Venezuela, Government Chamber of Deputies: last held 4 December 1992 (next to be held 5 December 1993); results - AD 43.7%, COPEI 31.4%, MAS 10.3%, other 14.6%; seats - (201 total) AD 97, COPEI 67, MAS 18, other 19 Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Interim President Ramon Jose VELASQUEZ (since 5 June 1993); note - President Carlos Andres PEREZ suspended pending trial on corruption charges Member of: AG, CARICOM (observer), CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Simon Alberto CONSALVI Bottaro chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: (202) 342-2214 consulates general: Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Martin SKOL embassy: Avenida Francisco de Miranda and Avenida Principal de la Floresta, Caracas mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A, or APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (2) 285-2222 FAX: [58] (2) 285-0336 consulate: Maracaibo Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band *Venezuela, Economy Overview: Petroleum is the backbone of the economy, accounting for 23% of GDP, 70% of central government revenues, and 82% of export earnings in 1992. President PEREZ introduced an economic readjustment program when he assumed office in February 1989. Lower tariffs and the removal of price controls, a free market exchange rate, and market-linked interest rates threw the economy into confusion, causing an 8% decline in GDP in 1989. However, the economy recovered part way in 1990 and grew by 10.4% in 1991 and 7.3% in 1992, led by the non-petroleum sector. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $57.8 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 7.3% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $2,800 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 32% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.4% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $13.2 billion; expenditures $13.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $14.0 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: petroleum 82%, bauxite and aluminum, iron ore, agricultural products, basic manufactures partners: US 50.7%, Europe 13.7%, Japan 4.0% (1989) Imports: $12.4 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, chemicals, manufactures, machinery and transport equipment partners: US 44%, FRG 8.0%, Japan 4%, Italy 7%, Canada 2% (1989) External debt: $27.1 billion (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 11.9% (1992 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 21,130,000 kW capacity; 58,541 million kWh produced, 2,830 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: petroleum, iron-ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly Agriculture: accounts for 6% of GDP and 16% of labor force; products - corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee, beef, pork, milk, eggs, fish; not self-sufficient in food other than meat Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and coca leaf for the international drug trade on a small scale; however, large quantities of cocaine transit the country from Colombia; important money-laundering hub Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-86), $488 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $10 million Currency: 1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos *Venezuela, Economy Exchange rates: bolivares (Bs) per US$1 - 80.18 (January 1993), 68.38 (1992), 56.82 (1991), 46.90 (1990), 34.68 (1989), 14.50 (fixed rate 1987-88) Fiscal year: calendar year *Venezuela, Communications Railroads: 542 km total; 363 km 1.435-meter standard gauge all single track, government owned; 179 km 1.435-meter gauge, privately owned Highways: 77,785 km total; 22,780 km paved, 24,720 km gravel, 14,450 km earth roads, and 15,835 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 7,100 km; Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept oceangoing vessels Pipelines: crude oil 6,370 km; petroleum products 480 km; natural gas 4,010 km Ports: Amuay Bay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Puerto Ordaz Merchant marine: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 837,375 GRT/1,344,795 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 1 passenger cargo, 19 cargo, 2 container, 4 roll-on/roll-off, 18 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 6 bulk, 1 vehicle carrier, 1 combination bulk Airports: total: 360 usable: 331 with permanent-surface runways: 133 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 87 Telecommunications: modern and expanding; 1,440,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 181 AM, no FM, 59 TV, 26 shortwave; 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 3 domestic *Venezuela, Defense Forces Branches: National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales, FAN) includes - Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada), Air Forces (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperation or Guardia Nacional) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,192,107; fit for military service 3,769,441; reach military age (18) annually 221,043 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.95 billion, 4% of GDP (1991) *Vietnam, Geography Location: Southeast Asia, bordering the South China Sea, between Laos and the Philippines Map references: Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 329,560 km2 land area: 325,360 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total 3,818 km, Cambodia 982 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 1,555 km Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: maritime boundary with Cambodia not defined; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei; unresolved maritime boundary with Thailand; maritime boundary dispute with China in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan Climate: tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March) Terrain: low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil deposits, forests Land use: arable land: 22% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 40% other: 35% Irrigated land: 18,300 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding *Vietnam, People Population: 71,787,608 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.85% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 27.99 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 7.92 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -1.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 46.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.1 years male: 63.08 years female: 67.25 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.45 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) adjective: Vietnamese Ethnic divisions: Vietnamese 85-90%, Chinese 3%, Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham Religions: Buddhist, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islamic, Protestant Languages: Vietnamese (official), French, Chinese, English, Khmer, tribal languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 88% male: 92% female: 84% Labor force: 32.7 million by occupation: agricultural 65%, industrial and service 35% (1990 est.) *Vietnam, Government Names: conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam conventional short form: Vietnam local long form: Cong Hoa Chu Nghia Viet Nam local short form: Viet Nam Abbreviation: SRV Digraph: VM Type: Communist state Capital: Hanoi Administrative divisions: 50 provinces (tinh, singular and plural), 3 municipalities* (thanh pho,, singular and plural); An Giang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Bac Thai, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Can Tho, Cao Bang, Dac Lac, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Bac, Ha Giang, Ha Noi*, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hai Hung, Hai Phong*, Ho Chi, Minh*, Hoa Binh, Khanh, Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Minh Hai, Nam Ha, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam-Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Song Be, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phu, Yen Bai Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France) Constitution: NA April 1992 Legal system: based on Communist legal theory and French civil law system National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945) Political parties and leaders: only party - Vietnam Communist Party (VCP), DO MUOI, general secretary Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: National Assembly: last held 19 July 1992 (next to be held NA July 1997); results - VCP is the only party; seats - (395 total) VCP or VCP-approved 395 Executive branch: president, prime minister, three deputy prime ministers Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi) Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Le Duc ANH (since 23 September 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Vo Van KIET (since 9 August 1991); First Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 10 August 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen KHANH (since NA February 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Tran Duc LUONG (since NA February 1987) *Vietnam, Government Member of: ACCT, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: none US diplomatic representation: none Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center *Vietnam, Economy Overview: Vietnam has made significant progress in recent years moving away from the planned economic model and toward a more effective market-based economic system. Most prices are now fully decontrolled and the Vietnamese currency has been effectively devalued and floated at world market rates. In addition, the scope for private sector activity has been expanded, primarily through decollectivization of the agricultural sector and introduction of laws giving legal recognition to private business. Despite such positive indicators, the country's economic turnaround remains tenuous. Nearly three-quarters of export earnings are generated by only two commodities, rice and crude oil. Meanwhile, industrial production stagnates, burdened by uncompetitive state-owned enterprises the government is unwilling or unable to privatize. Unemployment looms as the most serious problem with over 25% of the workforce without jobs and population growth swelling the ranks of the unemployed yearly. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $16 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 7.4% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $230 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15%-20% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990) Exports: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: agricultural and handicraft products, coal, minerals, crude oil, ores, seafood partners: Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan Imports: $1.9 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: petroleum products, steel products, railroad equipment, chemicals, medicines, raw cotton, fertilizer, grain partners: Japan, Singapore, Thailand External debt: $16.8 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 15% (1992); accounts for 30% of GNP Electricity: 3,300,000 kW capacity; 9,000 million kWh produced, 130 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: food processing, textiles, machine building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil Agriculture: accounts for half of GNP; paddy rice, corn, potatoes make up 50% of farm output; commercial crops (rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas) and animal products 50%; since 1989 self-sufficient in food staple rice; fish catch of 943,100 metric tons (1989 est.) *Vietnam, Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-74), $3.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $61 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $12.0 billion Currency: 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1 - 10,800 (November 1992), 8,100 (July 1991), 7,280 (December 1990), 3,996 (March 1990), 2,047 (1988), 225 (1987); note - 1985-89 figures are end of year Fiscal year: calendar year *Vietnam, Communications Railroads: 3,059 km total; 2,454 1.000-meter gauge, 151 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge, 230 km dual gauge (three rails), and 224 km not restored to service after war damage Highways: 85,000 km total; 9,400 km paved, 48,700 km gravel or improved earth, 26,900 km unimproved earth (est.) Inland waterways: 17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at all times by vessels up to 1.8 meter draft Pipelines: petroleum products 150 km Ports: Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City Merchant marine: 99 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 460,712 GRT/739,246 DWT; includes 84 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 8 oil tanker, 3 bulk Airports: total: 100 usable: 100 with permanent-surface runways: 50 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 20 Telecommunications: the inadequacies of the obsolete switching equipment and cable system is a serious constraint on the business sector and on economic growth, and restricts access to the international links that Vietnam has established with most major countries; the telephone system is not generally available for private use (25 telephones for each 10,000 persons); 3 satellite earth stations; broadcast stations - NA AM, 288 FM; 36 (77 repeaters) TV; about 2,500,000 TV receivers and 7,000,000 radio receivers in use (1991) *Vietnam, Defense Forces Branches: Ground, Navy (including Naval Infantry), Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 17,835,536; fit for military service 11,338,880; reach military age (17) annually 771,792 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP *Virgin Islands, Header Affiliation: (territory of the US) *Virgin Islands, Geography Location: in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 110 km east and southeast of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 352 km2 land area: 349 km2 comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 188 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m or depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly tradewinds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 6% meadows and pastures: 26% forest and woodland: 6% other: 47% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: rarely affected by hurricanes; subject to frequent severe droughts, floods, earthquakes; lack of natural freshwater resources Note: important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean *Virgin Islands, People Population: 98,130 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: -0.76% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 20.26 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -22.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 73.6 years female: 77.2 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.64 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander; US citizens Ethnic divisions: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8%; black 80%, white 15%, other 5%; Hispanic origin 14% Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 45,500 (1988) by occupation: tourism 70% *Virgin Islands, Government Names: conventional long form: Virgin Islands of the United States conventional short form: Virgin Islands Digraph: VQ Type: organized, unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital: Charlotte Amalie Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US) Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Legal system: based on US National holiday: Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to US) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Governor: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - Governor Alexander FARRELLY (Democratic Party) 56.5% defeated Juan LUIS (independent) 38.5% Senate: last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) number of seats by party NA US House of Representatives: last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994); results - Ron DE LUGO reelected as delegate; seats - (1 total); seat by party NA; note - the Virgin Islands elect one representative to the US House of Representatives Executive branch: US president, popularly elected governor and lieutenant governor Legislative branch: unicameral Senate Judicial branch: US District Court: handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age and over), and federal cases Territorial Court: handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases Leaders: Chief of State: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) Head of Government: Governor Alexander A. FARRELLY (since 5 January 1987); Lieutenant Governor Derek M. HODGE (since 5 January 1987) Member of: ECLAC (associate), IOC *Virgin Islands, Government Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US) Flag: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel *Virgin Islands, Economy Overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The manufacturing sector consists of textile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector is small, most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.2 billion (1987) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $11,000 (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 3.7% (1992) Budget: revenues $364.4 million; expenditures $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90) Exports: $2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: refined petroleum products partners: US, Puerto Rico Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials partners: US, Puerto Rico External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 12%; accounts for NA% of GDP Electricity: 380,000 kW capacity; 565 million kWh produced, 5,710 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Agriculture: truck gardens, food crops (small scale), fruit, sorghum, Senepol cattle Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $42 million Currency: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September *Virgin Islands, Communications Highways: 856 km total Ports: Saint Croix - Christiansted, Frederiksted; Saint Thomas - Long Bay, Crown Bay, Red Hook; Saint John - Cruz Bay Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways : 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 note: international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix Telecommunications: modern telephone system using fiber-optic cable, submarine cable, microwave radio, and satellite facilities; 58,931 telephones; 98,000 radios; 63,000 TV sets in use; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 8 FM, 4 TV (1988) *Virgin Islands, Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US *Wake Island, Header Affiliation: (territory of the US) *Wake Island, Geography Location: in the North Pacific Ocean, 3,700 km west of Honolulu, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and the Northern Mariana Islands Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 6.5 km2 land area: 6.5 km2 comparative area: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 19.3 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m or depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Climate: tropical Terrain: atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim; average elevation less than 4 meters Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 km2 Environment: subject to occasional typhoons Note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights *Wake Island, People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 302 US Air Force personnel, civilian weather service personnel, and US and Thai contractors; population peaked about 1970 with over 1,600 persons during the Vietnam conflict *Wake Island, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island Digraph: WQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Air Force (under an agreement with the US Department of Interior) since 24 June 1972 Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Independence: none (territory of the US) Flag: the US flag is used *Wake Island, Economy Overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Electricity: supplied by US military *Wake Island, Communications Ports: none; because of the reefs, there are only two offshore anchorages for large ships Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: underwater cables to Guam and through Midway to Honolulu; 1 Autovon circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS); Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio and television service provided by satellite; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV Note: formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used only by US military and some commercial cargo planes *Wake Island, Defense Forces defense is the responsibility of the US *Wallis and Futuna, Header Affiliation: (overseas territory of France) *Wallis and Futuna, Geography Location: in the South Pacific Ocean, 4,600 km southwest of Honolulu, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 274 km2 land area: 274 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October) Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 20% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 75% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: both island groups have fringing reefs *Wallis and Futuna, People Population: 14,175 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.15% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 26.42 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.38 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -9.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 27.59 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.2 years male: 70.54 years female: 71.9 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.34 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic divisions: Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) Literacy: all ages can read and write (1969) total population: 50% male: 50% female: 51% Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (est.) *Wallis and Futuna, Government Names: conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna Digraph: WF Type: overseas territory of France Capital: Mata Utu (on Ile Uvea) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France) Independence: none (overseas territory of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union Populaire Locale (UPL); Union Pour la Democratie Francaise (UDF); Lua kae tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche (MRG) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Territorial Assembly: last held 15 March 1987 (next to be held NA March 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 7, UPL 5, UDF 4, UNF 4 French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPR 1 French National Assembly: last held 21 and 28 March 1992 (next to be held by NA September 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MRG 1 Executive branch: French president, chief administrator; note - there are three traditional kings with limited powers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale) Judicial branch: none; justice generally administered under French law by the chief administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata Utu Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Chief Administrator Robert POMMIES (since 26 September 1990) Member of: FZ, SPC Diplomatic representation in US: as an overseas territory of France, local interests are represented in the US by France *Wallis and Futuna, Government US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France) Flag: the flag of France is used *Wallis and Futuna, Economy Overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of the labor force earning its livelihood from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. Wallis and Futuna imports food, fuel, clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, but its exports are negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $25 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $1,500 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $2.7 million; expenditures $2.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1983) Exports: negligible commodities: copra, handicrafts partners: NA Imports: $13.3 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment, fuel partners: France, Australia, New Zealand External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 1,200 kW capacity; 1 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber Agriculture: dominated by coconut production, with subsistence crops of yams, taro, bananas, and herds of pigs and goats Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $118 million Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 99.65 (January 1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.0 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: NA *Wallis and Futuna, Communications Highways: 100 km on Ile Uvea, 16 km sealed; 20 km earth surface on Ile Futuna Inland waterways: none Ports: Mata-Utu, Leava Airports: total: 2 useable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 225 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV *Wallis and Futuna, Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France *West Bank, Header The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David Accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. In the view of the US, the term West Bank describes all of the area west of the Jordan River under Jordanian administration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. However, with respect to negotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, it is US policy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city's special status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the rest of the West Bank. *West Bank, Geography Location: Middle East, between Jordan and Israel Map references: Middle East Area: total area: 5,860 km2 land area:
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