The 1995 CIA World FactbookPart 39 out of 45Telephone system: 337,000 telephones; telephone density 10/100 persons; some modern facilities local: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo intercity: new nationwide microwave network international: 2 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth stations Radio: broadcast stations: AM 99, FM 0, shortwave 9 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 26 televisions: NA @Uruguay:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, Marines), Air Force, Grenadier Guards, Coracero Guard, Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 775,060; males fit for military service 629,385 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $216 million, 2.3% of GDP (1991 est.) ________________________________________________________________________ UZBEKISTAN @Uzbekistan:Geography Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian States Area: total area: 447,400 sq km land area: 425,400 sq km 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 borders the Aral Sea (420 km) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya and Sirdaryo Rivers; 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: 1% meadows and pastures: 47% forest and woodland: 0% other: 42% Irrigated land: 41,550 sq km (1990) Environment: current issues: drying up 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 salinization; soil contamination from agricultural chemicals, including DDT natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection Note: landlocked @Uzbekistan:People Population: 23,089,261 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (female 4,553,432; male 4,670,496) 15-64 years: 55% (female 6,400,578; male 6,384,862) 65 years and over: 5% (female 656,933; male 422,960) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 2.08% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 29.45 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.44 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -2.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 52 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.79 years male: 65.5 years female: 72.24 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.67 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Uzbek(s) adjective: Uzbek Ethnic divisions: Uzbek 71.4%, Russian 8.3%, Tajik 4.7%, Kazakh 4.1%, Tatar 2.4%, Karakalpak 2.1%, other 7% Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) total population: 97% male: 98% female: 96% Labor force: 8.234 million by occupation: agriculture and forestry 43%, industry and construction 22%, other 35% (1992) @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 wiloyatlar (singular - wiloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublikasi), and 1 city** (shahri); Andijon Wiloyati, Bukhoro Wiloyati, Jizzakh Wiloyati, Farghona Wiloyati, Qoraqalpoghiston* (Nukus), Qashqadaryo Wiloyati (Qarshi), Khorazm Wiloyati (Urganch), Namangan Wiloyati, Nawoiy Wiloyati, Samarqand Wiloyati, Sirdaryo Wiloyati (Guliston), Surkhondaryo Wiloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Wiloyati 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) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991) Constitution: new constitution adopted 8 December 1992 Legal system: evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicial system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Islam KARIMOV (since NA March 1990); election last held 29 December 1991 (next to be held NA); results - Islam KARIMOV 86%, Mukhammad SOLIKH 12%, other 2%; note - a 26 March 1995 referendum extended KARIMOV's term until 2000 (99.6% approval) head of government: Prime Minister Abdulhashim MUTALOV (since 13 January 1992), First Deputy Prime Minister Ismail DJURABEKOV (since NA); Deputy Prime Ministers Viktor CHIZHEN, Bakhtiyar HAMIDOV, Kayim KHAKKULOV, Yuriy PAYGIN, Saidmukhtar SAIDKASYMOV, Utkur SULTANOV, Mirabror USMANOV, Murat SHARIFKHOJAYEV (since NA) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers; appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council: elections last held 25 December 1994 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (250 total) People's Democratic Party 207, Fatherland Progress Party 12, other 31; note - final runoffs were held 22 January 1995; seating was as follows: People's Democratic Party 69, Fatherland Progress Party 14, Social Democratic Party 47, local government 120 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Party (PDP; formerly Communist Party), Islam A. KARIMOV, chairman; Fatherland Progress Party (FPP), Anwar YULDASHEV, chairman; Social Democratic Party, Anvar JORABAYEV, chairman; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party (EDP), Muhammad SOLIKH, chairman (in exile); note - EDP was banned 9 December 1992 Other political or pressure groups: Birlik (Unity) People's Movement (BPM), Abdul Rakhim PULATOV, chairman (in exile); Islamic Rebirth Party (IRP), Abdullah UTAYEV, chairman; Adolat-94 (formed by former Vice President Shukhrat MIRSAIDOV and Ibragim BURIEV note: PULATOV (BPM) is in exile in the West; UTAYEV (IRP) is either in prison or in exile Member of: AsDB, CCC, CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Fatikh TESHABAYEV chancery: (temporary) Suites 619 and 623, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 638-4266, 4267 FAX: [1] (202) 638-4268 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Henry L. CLARKE embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (3712) 77-14-07, 77-10-81 FAX: [7] (3712) 77-69-53 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: Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 10% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. It is one of the poorest states of the former USSR with 60% of its population living in overpopulated rural communities. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan is the world's third largest cotton exporter, a major producer of gold and natural gas, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery. Since independence, the government has sought to prop up the Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on prices and production. Such policies have buffered the economy from the sharp declines in output and high inflation experienced by many other former Soviet republics. They had become increasingly unsustainable, however, as inflation moves along at 14% per month and as Russia has forced the Uzbek government to introduce its own currency. Faced with mounting economic problems, the government has begun to move on a reform agenda and cooperate with international financial institutions, announced an acceleration of privatization, and stepped up efforts to attract foreign investors. Nevertheless, the regime is likely to find it difficult to sustain its drive for economic reform. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $54.5 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: -4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,400 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% per month (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 0.3% includes only officially registered unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers (December 1994) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $943.7 million to outside the FSU countries (1994) commodities: cotton, gold, natural gas, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products partners: Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, US Imports: $1.15 billion from outside the FSU countries (1994) commodities: grain, machinery and parts, consumer durables, other foods partners: principally other FSU countries, Czech Republic External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 1% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 11,690,000 kW production: 47.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,130 kWh (1994) Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas Agriculture: cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain, livestock Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication programs; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: recipient: the IMF has established a Systemic Transformation Facility of $74 million and the World Bank has made a rehabilitation loan of $160 million with other project loans pending; estimated annual external financing requirements for 1995-96 of $600 million to $700 million Currency: introduced provisional som-coupons 10 November 1993 which circulated parallel to the Russian rubles; became the sole legal currency 31 January 1994; was replaced in July 1994 by the som currency Exchange rates: soms per US$1 - 25 (yearend 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Uzbekistan:Transportation Railroads: total: 3,460 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 3,460 km 1.520-m gauge (1990) Highways: total: 78,400 km paved and graveled: 67,000 km unpaved: earth 11,400 km (1990) Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 810 km (1992) Ports: Termiz Airports: total: 261 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 6 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 14 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 8 with paved runways under 914 m: 5 with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 7 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 216 @Uzbekistan:Communications Telephone system: 1,458,000 telephones; 63 telephones/1,000 persons (1995); poorly developed local: NMT-450 analog cellular network established in Tashkent intercity: NA international: linked by landline or microwave with CIS member states and by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch to other countries; new INTELSAT links to Tokyo and Ankara give Uzbekistan international access independent of Russian facilities; Orbita and INTELSAT earth stations Radio: broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: NA televisions: NA @Uzbekistan:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,567,580; males fit for military service 4,537,455; males reach military age (18) annually 222,506 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ VANUATU @Vanuatu:Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 14,760 sq km land area: 14,760 sq km 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 to the edge of the 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 sq km Environment: current issues: a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water natural hazards: tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea @Vanuatu:People Population: 173,648 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41% (female 34,819; male 36,128) 15-64 years: 56% (female 47,320; male 50,456) 65 years and over: 3% (female 2,217; male 2,708) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 2.22% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 31.26 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.06 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 66.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.71 years male: 57.9 years female: 61.61 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.14 children born/woman (1995 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: 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jean Marie LEYE (since 2 March 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Maxime CARLOT Korman (since 16 December 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Sethy REGENVANU (since 17 December 1991) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister, responsible to parliament Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held NA November 1995); note - after election, a coalition was formed by the Union of Moderate Parties and the National United Party to form a new government on 16 December 1991, but political party associations are fluid; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (46 total) UMP 19, NUP 10, VP 10, MPP 4, TUP 1, Nagriamel 1, Friend 1 note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Vanuatu Party (VP), Donald KALPOKAS; Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), Maxime CARLOT Korman; 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; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Sethy REGENVANU note: the VP, MPP, TUP, and Nagriamel Party have formed a coalition called the United Front (UF) heading into the November 1995 elections Member of: ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: Vanuatu does not have a mission in the US US diplomatic representation: the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu 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, with 43,000 visitors in 1992. 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 - purchasing power parity - $200 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $1,200 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $90 million expenditures: $103 million, including capital expenditures of $45 million (1989 est.) Exports: $14.9 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: copra, beef, cocoa, timber, coffee partners: Netherlands, Japan, France, New Caledonia, Belgium Imports: $74 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: machines and vehicles, food and beverages, basic manufactures, raw materials and fuels, chemicals partners: Australia 36%, Japan 13%, NZ 10%, France 8%, Fiji 8% External debt: $40 million (yearend 1992) Industrial production: growth rate 8.1% (1990); accounts for about 10% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 17,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 181 kWh (1993) Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Agriculture: export crops - coconuts, cocoa, coffee, fish; subsistence crops - taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables Economic aid: recipient: 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 - 112.42 (December 1994), 116.41 (1994), 121.58 (1993), 113.39 (1992), 111.68 (1991), 116.57 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Vanuatu:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,027 km paved: 240 km unpaved: 787 km Ports: Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo) Merchant marine: total: 116 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,874,698 GRT/2,758,783 DWT ships by type: bulk 52, cargo 18, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 4, liquefied gas tanker 5, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 17, vehicle carrier 10 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes 21 countries among which are ships of the US 117, Japan 39, Netherlands 12, China 11, UAE 6, Greece 6, Canada 6, Hong Kong 4, Russia 2, Australia 2 Airports: total: 31 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 17 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 11 @Vanuatu:Communications Telephone system: 3,000 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth station Radio: broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 0 televisions: NA @Vanuatu:Defense Forces Branches: no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force or VMF) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ VENEZUELA @Venezuela:Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana Map references: South America Area: total area: 912,050 sq km land area: 882,050 sq km 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 the 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); Guiana 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 sq km (1989 est.) 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 natural hazards: subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping Note: on major sea and air routes linking North and South America @Venezuela:People Population: 21,004,773 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (female 3,650,705; male 3,795,032) 15-64 years: 60% (female 6,350,466; male 6,313,887) 65 years and over: 5% (female 486,020; male 408,663) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 25.11 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.57 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.31 years male: 70.48 years female: 76.29 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.97 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan Ethnic divisions: mestizo 67%, white 21%, black 10%, Amerindian 2% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2% Languages: Spanish (official), native dialects spoken by about 200,000 Amerindians in the remote interior Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 90% male: 91% female: 89% Labor force: 7.6 million by occupation: services 63%, industry 25%, agriculture 12% (1993) @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 dependency*** (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 dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands Independence: 5 July 1811 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811) 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez (since 2 February 1994); election last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1998); results - Rafael CALDERA (National Convergence) 30.45%, Claudio FERMIN (AD) 23.59%, Oswaldo ALVAREZ PAZ (COPEI) 22.72%, Andres VELASQUEZ (Causa R) 21.94%, other 1.3% cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica) Senate (Senado): elections last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (53 total) AD 18, COPEI 15, Causa R 9, MAS 5, National Convergence 6; note - 3 former presidents (2 from AD, 1 from COPEI) hold lifetime senate seats Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1998); results - AD 27.9%, COPEI 26.9%, MAS 12.4%, National Convergence 12.9%, Causa R 19.9%; seats - (203 total) AD 55, COPEI 53, MAS 24, National Convergence 26, Causa R 40, other 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Roberto YEPES, President Political parties and leaders: National Convergence (Convergencia), Jose Miguel UZCATEGUI, president, Juan Jose CALDERA, national coordinator; Social Christian Party (COPEI), Luis HERRERA Campins, president, and Donald RAMIREZ, secretary general; Democratic Action (AD), Pedro PARIS Montesinos, president, and Luis ALFARO Ucero, secretary general; Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), Gustavo MARQUEZ, president, and Enrique OCHOA Antich, secretary general; Radical Cause (La Causa R), Pablo MEDINA, secretary general Other political or pressure groups: FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers (CTV, labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action); VECINOS groups Member of: AG, BCIE, CARICOM (observer), CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIH, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Luis ECHEVERRIA chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey DAVIDOW embassy: Avenida Francisco de Miranda and Avenida Principal de la Floresta, Caracas mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (2) 285-2222, 3111 FAX: [58] (2) 285-0366 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: Despite efforts to broaden the base of the economy, petroleum continues to play a dominant role. In 1994, as GDP declined 3.3%, the oil sector - which accounts for 24% of the total - enjoyed a 6% expansion, provided 45% of the budget revenues, and generated 70% of the export earnings. President CALDERA, who assumed office in February 1994, has used an interventionist, reactive approach to managing the economy, instituting price and foreign exchange controls in mid-year to slow inflation and stop the loss of foreign exchange reserves. The government claims it will remove these controls once inflationary pressures abate, but the $8 billion bailout of the banking sector in 1994 has made it difficult for the government to make good on its promise. Economic controls, coupled with political uncertainty driven by recurrent coup rumors, continue to deter foreign and domestic investment; private forecasters see the recession persisting for a third year in 1995. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $178.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -3.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $8,670 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 71% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 9% (1994 est.) Budget: revenues: $10.3 billion expenditures: $14.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $103 million (1994 est.) Exports: $15.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: petroleum 72%, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures partners: US and Puerto Rico 55%, Japan, Netherlands, Italy Imports: $7.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials partners: US 40%, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Canada External debt: $40.1 billion (1994) Industrial production: growth rate -1.4% (1993 est.); accounts for 41% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 18,740,000 kW production: 72 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,311 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum, iron-ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly Agriculture: accounts for 6% of GDP; 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, opium, and coca leaf for the international drug trade on a small scale; however, large quantities of cocaine and heroin transit the country from Colombia; important money-laundering hub Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-86), $488 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $10 million Currency: 1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: bolivares (Bs) per US$1 - 169.570 (January 1995), 148.503 (1994), 90.826 (1993), 68.38 (1992), 56.82 (1991), 46.90 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Venezuela:Transportation Railroads: total: 542 km (363 km single track; 179 km privately owned) standard gauge: 542 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: total: 81,000 km paved: 31,200 km unpaved: gravel 24,800 km; earth and unimproved earth 25,000 km 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, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon Merchant marine: total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 686,811 GRT/1,110,829 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 11, combination bulk 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 15, passenger-cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 1 Airports: total: 431 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 4 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 65 with paved runways under 914 m: 191 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 12 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 114 @Venezuela:Communications Telephone system: 1,440,000 telephones; modern and expanding local: NA intercity: 3 domestic satellite earth stations international: 3 submarine coaxial cables; 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station Radio: broadcast stations: AM 181, FM 0, shortwave 26 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 59 televisions: NA @Venezuela:Defense Forces Branches: National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales or FAN) includes Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada), Air Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperation or Guardia Nacional) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,491,524; males fit for military service 3,981,190; males reach military age (18) annually 227,292 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.95 billion, 4% of GDP (1991) ________________________________________________________________________ VIETNAM @Vietnam:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, between China and Cambodia Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total area: 329,560 sq km land area: 325,360 sq km 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 to the edge of the 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 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices are contributing to deforestation; soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threatening marine life populations; inadequate supplies of potable water because of groundwater contamination natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Nuclear Test Ban @Vietnam:People Population: 74,393,324 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (female 13,225,916; male 13,918,321) 15-64 years: 59% (female 22,353,710; male 21,223,739) 65 years and over: 5% (female 2,236,453; male 1,435,185) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 1.71% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 26.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.6 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 44.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.72 years male: 63.66 years female: 67.91 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.21 children born/woman (1995 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, Islam, Protestant Languages: Vietnamese (official), French, Chinese, English, Khmer, tribal languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) total population: 88% male: 93% female: 83% 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* (thu do, 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-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phu, Yen Bai Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945) Constitution: 15 April 1992 Legal system: based on Communist legal theory and French civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President 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) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president on proposal of the prime minister and ratification of the Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi): elections 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 Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Political parties and leaders: only party - Vietnam Communist Party (VCP), DO MUOI, general secretary Member of: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Liaison Officer Le Van BANG liaison office: address NA, Washington, DC mailing address: NA telephone: NA FAX: NA note: negotiations between representatives of the US and Vietnam concluded 28 January 1995 with the signing of an agreement to establish liaison offices in Hanoi and Washington US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Liaison Officer James HALL liaison office: address NA, Hanoi mailing address: NA telephone: NA FAX: NA note: negotiations between representatives of the US and Vietnam concluded 28 January 1995 with the signing of an agreement to establish liaison offices in Hanoi and Washington 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 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. Nearly three-quarters of export earnings are generated by only two commodities, rice and crude oil. Led by industry and construction, the economy did well in 1993 and 1994 with output rising 7% and 9% respectively. However, the industrial sector remains burdened by noncompetitive state-owned enterprises the government is unwilling or unable to privatize. Unemployment looms as a serious problem with roughly 20% of the work force without jobs and with population growth swelling the ranks of the labor force yearly. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $83.5 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 8.8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,140 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.4% (1994) Unemployment rate: 20% (1994 est.) Budget: revenues: $3.6 billion expenditures: $4.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.) Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: petroleum, rice, agricultural products, marine products, coffee partners: Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, South Korea Imports: $4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, steel products, fertilizer, raw cotton, grain partners: Singapore, Japan, South Korea, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan External debt: $4 billion Western countries; $4.5 billion CEMA debts primarily to Russia; Industrial production: growth rate 13% (1994 est.); accounts for 21% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 2,200,000 kW production: 9.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 125 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing, textiles, machine building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil Agriculture: accounts for 36% of GDP; 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.); note - the third largest exporter of rice in the World, behind the US and Thailand Illicit drugs: opium producer and increasingly important transit point for Southeast Asian heroin destined for the US and Europe; growing opium addiction; small-scale heroin producer Economic aid: recipient: $2 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 1995, Japan largest contributor with $650 million pledged for 1995 Currency: 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1 - 11,000 (October 1994), 10,800 (November 1993), 8,100 (July 1991), 7,280 (December 1990), 3,996 (March 1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Vietnam:Transportation Railroads: total: 3,059 km (including 224 km not restored to service after war damage) standard gauge: 151 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 2,454 km 1.000-m gauge other gauge: 230 km NA-m dual gauge (three rails) Highways: total: 85,000 km paved: 9,400 km unpaved: gravel, improved earth 48,700 km; unimproved earth 26,900 km 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, Hon Gai, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang Merchant marine: total: 109 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 449,963 GRT/932,837 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 92, oil tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 Airports: total: 48 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 8 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 13 with paved runways under 914 m: 7 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 5 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 5 @Vietnam:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; 2 telephones/1,000 persons; the inadequacies of the obsolete switching equipment and cable system are a serious constraint on the business sector and on economic growth, and restrict access to the international links that Vietnam has established with most major countries; the telephone system is not generally available for private use local: NA intercity: NA international: 3 satellite earth stations Radio: broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 228, shortwave 0 radios: 7 million (1991) Television: broadcast stations: 36 (repeaters 77) televisions: 2.5 million (1991) @Vietnam:Defense Forces Branches: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN; includes Ground forces, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), and Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 18,799,370; males fit for military service 11,913,116; males reach military age (17) annually 742,394 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $435 million, 2.5% of GDP (1994) ________________________________________________________________________ VIRGIN ISLANDS (territory of the US) @Virgin Islands:Geography Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 352 sq km land area: 349 sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 188 km Maritime claims: 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 sq km Environment: current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources natural hazards: rarely affected by hurricanes; frequent and severe droughts, floods, and earthquakes international agreements: NA 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: 97,229 (July 1995 est.) note: 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% Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: -0.29% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 18.49 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -16.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 73.6 years female: 77.2 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.41 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander Ethnic divisions: black 80%, white 15%, other 5% Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole Literacy: 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) National holiday: Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to US) Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Legal system: based on US Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) head of government: Governor Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (since 5 January 1995); Lieutenant Governor Kenneth E. MAPP (since 5 January 1995); election last held 22 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998); results - Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (Independent) 54.7%, former Lieutenant Governor Derek HODGE 42.6% Legislative branch: unicameral Senate: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) Democrats 7, Independents 7, Republican 1 US House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - Victor O. FRAZER (Independent) 54.5%, Eileen R. PETERSON (Democrat) 45.5%; seats - (1 total) Independent 1; note - the Virgin Islands elects one representative to the US House of Representatives 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 Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS Member of: ECLAC (associate), IOC Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US) US diplomatic representation: 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 parity - $1.2 billion (1987 est.) 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 (1990 est.) 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% (year NA); accounts for NA% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 320,000 kW production: 970 million kWh consumption per capita: 9,172 kWh (1993) 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: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $42 million Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Virgin Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 856 km paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 2 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 note: international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix @Virgin Islands:Communications Telephone system: 58,931 telephones; modern telephone system using fiber-optic cable, submarine cable, microwave radio, and satellite facilities local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 8, shortwave 0 (1988) radios: 98,000 Television: broadcast stations: 4 (1988) televisions: 63,000 @Virgin Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ WAKE ISLAND (territory of the US) @Wake Island:Geography Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 6.5 sq km land area: 6.5 sq km comparative area: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 19.3 km Maritime claims: 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 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: occasional typhoons international agreements: NA Note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights @Wake Island:People Population: 302 (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 0% (1995 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman @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 Army and Strategic Defense Command since 1 October 1994 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:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Ports: none; two offshore anchorages for large ships Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 Note: formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, as well as the US Army Space and Strategic Defense Command for missile launches @Wake Island:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; satellite communications; 1 Autovon circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) local: NA intercity: NA international: NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio and television service provided by satellite Radio: broadcast stations: AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA radios: NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio and television service provided by satellite Television: broadcast stations: NA televisions: NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio and television service provided by satellite Note: formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US military, as well as the US Army Space and Strategic Defense Command for missile launches @Wake Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ WALLIS AND FUTUNA (overseas territory of France) @Wallis And Futuna:Geography Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 274 sq km land area: 274 sq km 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 sq km Environment: current issues: deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural fresh water resources natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: both island groups have fringing reefs @Wallis And Futuna:People Population: 14,499 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.11% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 25.06 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.14 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -8.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.92 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.24 years male: 71.62 years female: 72.9 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.11 children born/woman (1995 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: age 15 and over 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) head of government: High Administrator Philippe LEGRIX (since NA); President of the Territorial Assembly Soane Mani UHILA (since NA March 1992) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of 3 kings and 3 members appointed by the high administrator on advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale): elections last held 15 March 1987 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 7, UPL 5, UDF 4, UNF 4 French Senate: elections 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: elections 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; note - Wallis and Futuna elect one deputy 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 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) Member of: FZ, SPC Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory of France) 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 - particularly sugar and beef - fuel, clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, but its exports are negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $28.7 million (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $2,000 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $2.7 million expenditures: $2.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1983 est.) Exports: $6.6 million (f.o.b., 1986) commodities: copra, handicrafts partners: NA Imports: $13.3 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment, fuel, clothing partners: France, Australia, New Zealand External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 1,200 kW production: 1 million kWh consumption per capita: 70 kWh (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: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $118 million
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