The 1997 CIA World FactbookPart 45 out of 47Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 11,527,058 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $35.1 billion (FY95/96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.1% (FY95/96) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Northern Ireland question with Ireland; Gibraltar question with Spain; Argentina claims Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); Argentina claims South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Mauritius claims island of Diego Garcia in British Indian Ocean Territory; Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and Ireland (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) Illicit drugs: gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market; producer of synthetic drugs, precursor chemicals; transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering center ______________________________________________________________________ UNITED STATES @United States:Geography Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico Geographic coordinates: 38 00 N, 97 00 W Map references: North America Area: total: 9,629,091 sq km land: 9,158,960 sq km water : 470,131 sq km note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia Area - comparative: about one-half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about one-half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; about two and one-half times the size of Western Europe Land boundaries: total: 12,248 km border countries : Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Cuba 29 km (US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay), Mexico 3,326 km note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba Coastline: 19,924 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone : 12 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida and arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains Terrain: vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii Elevation extremes: lowest point: Death Valley -86 m highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 30% other: 26% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 207,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic coast; tornadoes in the midwest; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska is a major impediment to development Environment - current issues: air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; very limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes Geography - note: world's third-largest country (after Russia and Canada) @United States:People Population: 267,954,764 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 29,837,393; female 28,450,028) 15-64 years: 65% (male 87,170,245; female 88,400,551) 65 years and over : 13% (male 13,975,746; female 20,120,801) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.89% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 14.6 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 8.8 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.55 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.04 years male: 72.75 years female : 79.49 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: American(s) adjective: American Ethnic groups: white 83.4%, black 12.4%, Asian 3.3%, Amerindian 0.8% (1992) Religions: Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other 4%, none 10% (1989) Languages: English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority) Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1979 est.) @United States:Government Country name: conventional long form : United States of America conventional short form: United States abbreviation: US or USA Data code: US Government type: federal republic; strong democratic tradition National capital: Washington, DC Administrative divisions: 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Dependent areas: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently entered into a new political relationship with all four political units: the Northern Mariana Islands is a Commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986) Independence: 4 July 1776 (from England) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776) Constitution: 17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms; election last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held 7 November 2000) election results: William Jefferson CLINTON elected president; percent of popular vote - William Jefferson CLINTON (Democratic Party) 49.2%, Bob DOLE (Republican Party) 40.7%, Ross PEROT (Reform Party) 8.4%, other 1.7% Legislative branch: bicameral Congress consists of Senate (100 seats, one-third are renewed every two years; two members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and House of Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held 2 November 1998); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held 2 November 1998) election results : Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 55, Democratic Party 45; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 227, Democratic Party 205, independent 1, vacant 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed for life by the president with confirmation by the Senate Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Jim NICHOLSON, national committee chairman; Democratic Party, Steve GROSSMAN, national committee chairman; several other groups or parties of minor political significance International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE (observer), CP, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP, FAO, G- 2, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNRWA, UNTAES, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Flag description: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small white five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico Economy Economy - overview: The US has the most powerful, diverse, and technologically advanced economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $28,600, the largest among major industrial nations. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and government buys needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, lay off surplus workers, and develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals' home markets than the barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets. In all economic sectors, US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers, and medical, aerospace, and military equipment, although their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. The years 1994-96 witnessed moderate gains in real output, low inflation rates, and a drop in unemployment below 6%. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical costs of an aging population, sizable budget and trade deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. The outlook for 1997 is for continued moderate growth, low inflation, and about the same level of unemployment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.61 trillion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $28,600 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 23% services: 75% (1996 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 3% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 133.943 million (includes unemployed) (1996) by occupation: managerial and professional 28.8%, technical, sales and administrative support 29.7%, services 13.6%, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and crafts 25.1%, farming, forestry, and fishing 2.8% Unemployment rate: 5.4% (1996) Budget: revenues: $1.351 trillion expenditures: $1.514 trillion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995) Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (1996) Electricity - capacity: 702.7 million kW (1995) Electricity - production: 3.5357 trillion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 11,636 kWh (1994 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, other grains, corn, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish Exports: total value: $584.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities : capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products partners: Canada 22%, Western Europe 21%, Japan 11%, Mexico 8% (1995) Imports: total value: $771 billion (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages partners : Canada, 20%, Western Europe 18%, Japan 16.5%, Mexico 8% (1995) Debt - external: $862 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid: donor : ODA, $9.721 billion (1993) Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: British pounds (£) per US$ - 0.6023 (January 1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992); Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$ - 1.3486 (January 1997), 1.3635 (1996), 1.3724 (1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992); French francs (F) per US$ - 5.4169 (January 1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992); Italian lire (Lit) per US$ - 1,568.1 (January 1997), 1,542.9 (1996), 1,628.9 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992); Japanese yen (¥) per US$ - 118.02 (January 1997), 108.78 (1996), 94.06 (1995), 102.21 (1994), 111.20 (1993), 126.65 (1992); German deutsche marks (DM) per US$ - 1.6043 (January 1997), 1.5048 (1996), 1.4331 (1995), 1.6228 (1994), 1.6533 (1993), 1.5617 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @United States:Communications Telephones: 182.558 million (1987 est.) Telephone system: domestic: large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites international : 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean) (1990 est.), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4,987, FM 4,932, shortwave 0 Radios: 540.5 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1,092 (in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems) Televisions: 215 million (1993 est.) @United States:Transportation Railways: total: 240,000 km mainline routes (nongovernment owned) standard gauge: 240,000 km 1.435-m gauge (1989) Highways: total : 6,261,154 km paved: 3,759,516 km (including 88,500 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,501,638 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland channels, exclusive of the Great Lakes Pipelines: petroleum products 276,000 km; natural gas 331,000 km (1991) Ports and harbors: Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Portland (Oregon), Prudhoe Bay, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo Merchant marine: total: 305 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,319,000 GRT/14,454,000 DWT ships by type : bulk 15, cargo 22, chemical tanker 16, intermodal 119, liquefied gas tanker 14, passenger-cargo 3, tanker 104, tanker tug-barge 12 note: in addition, there are 193 government-owned vessels (1996 est.) Airports: 13,396 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11,677 over 3,047 m: 180 2,438 to 3,047 m: 201 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,217 914 to 1,523 m: 2,354 under 914 m : 7,725 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1,719 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m : 152 914 to 1,523 m: 1,559 (1996 est.) Heliports: 103 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy (includes Marine Corps), Department of the Air Force note: the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Transportation, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 69,414,007 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: NA Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1,864,580 (1996 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $267.2 billion (1997 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.4% (1997 est.) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: maritime boundary disputes with Canada (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island); US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation; Republic of Marshall Islands claims Wake Island Illicit drugs: consumer of cocaine shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, and increasingly methamphetamines from Mexico; consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamines; drug money-laundering center ______________________________________________________________________ URUGUAY @Uruguay:Geography Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil Geographic coordinates: 33 00 S, 56 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 176,220 sq km land: 173,620 sq km water: 2,600 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Washington State Land boundaries: total: 1,564 km border countries : Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km Coastline: 660 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea : 200 nm; overflight and navigation guaranteed beyond 12 nm Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m Natural resources: fertile soil, hydropower potential, minor minerals Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 77% forests and woodland: 5% other : 11% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 1,400 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in weather fronts Environment - current issues: substantial pollution from Brazilian industry along border; one-fifth of country affected by acid rain generated by Brazil; water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified : Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation @Uruguay:People Population: 3,270,707 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24% (male 405,016; female 385,863) 15-64 years: 63% (male 1,021,166; female 1,042,401) 65 years and over: 13% (male 173,345; female 242,916) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.7% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 16.98 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 8.97 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 75.23 years male: 72.09 years female : 78.55 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan Ethnic groups: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian, specifically, the Charrua, which are practically nonexistent and make up probably less than 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 66% (less than one-half of the adult population attends church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, nonprofessing or other 30% Languages: Spanish, Portunon, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier) Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.3% male: 96.9% female: 97.7% (1995 est.) @Uruguay:Government Country name: conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form : Uruguay Data code: UY Government type: republic National capital: Montevideo Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Independence: 25 August 1828 (from Brazil) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1828) Constitution: 27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 7 January 1997 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Julio Maria SANGUINETTI (since 1 March 1995) and Vice President Hugo BATALLA (since 1 March 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government as well as the Senate president head of government : President Julio Maria SANGUINETTI (since 1 March 1995) and Vice President Hugo BATALLA (since 1 March 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government as well as the Senate president cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections : president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999) election results: Julio Maria SANGUINETTI elected president; percent of vote - NA Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999); Chamber of Representatives - last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - Colorado 36%, Blanco 34%, Encuentro Progresista 27%, New Sector 3%; seats by party - Colorado 11, Blanco 10, Encuentro Progresista 8, New Sector 1; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Colorado 32%, Blanco 31%, Encuentro Progresista 31%, New Sector 5%; seats by party - Colorado 32, Blanco 31, Encuentro Progresista 31, New Sector 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly Political parties and leaders: National (Blanco) Party, Alberto VOLONTE Berro; Herrerista faction of the Blanco Party, Luis LACALLE; Colorado Party, Jorge BATLLE; Broad Front Coalition, Tabare VAZQUEZ (as of 22 December 1996); New Sector Coalition, Rafael MICHELINI; Party for the Government by the People (PGP), Hugo BATALLA; Progressive Encounter (Encuentro Progresista), Tabare VAZQUEZ International organization participation: AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alvaro DIEZ DE MEDINA SUAREZ chancery : 2715 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 FAX : [1] (202) 331-8147 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. DODD embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo mailing address : APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 23 60 61, 48 77 77 FAX: [598] (2) 48 86 11 Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy Economy Economy - overview: Uruguay's small economy benefits from a favorable climate for agriculture and substantial hydropower potential. Economic development has been restrained in recent years by high - though declining - inflation and extensive government regulation. The SANGUINETTI government's conservative monetary and fiscal policies are aimed at continuing to reduce inflation, at 24.3% at yearend 1996; other priorities include extensive reform of the social security system and increased investment in education. Uruguay recovered from recession in 1996 - partly due to the recovery in Argentina - and ended the year with a nearly 5% rise in GDP. Uruguayan trade continued to expand and the potential for new markets continued to open through the negotiations of Mercosur (Southern Cone Common Market) with neighboring countries and the European Union (EU). The economy is expected to continue growing at a healthy rate in 1997 along with other regional economies. GDP: purchasing power parity - $26 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.9% (1996) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 10.8% industry: 27.4% services: 61.8% (1995) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 24.4% (December 1996) Labor force: total: 1.436 million (1996 est.) by occupation: government 25%, manufacturing 19%, agriculture 11%, commerce 12%, utilities, construction, transport, and communications 12%, other services 21% (1988 est.) Unemployment rate: 12% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $3.03 billion expenditures : $3.37 billion with capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.) Industries: meat processing, wool and hides, sugar, textiles, footwear, leather apparel, tires, cement, petroleum refining, wine Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (1996) Electricity - capacity: 2.142 million kW (1995) Electricity - production: 6.308 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,568 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, rice, corn, sorghum; livestock; fishing Exports: total value : $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: wool and textile manufactures, beef and other animal products, leather, rice partners: Brazil, Argentina, US, China, Italy Imports: total value: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals, minerals, plastics, oil partners: Brazil, Argentina, US, Nigeria Debt - external: $5 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $91 million (1993) Currency: 1 Uruguayan peso ($Ur) = 100 centesimos Exchange rates: Uruguayan pesos ($Ur) per US$1 - 8.6550 (January 1997), 7.9718 (1996), 6.3491 (1995), 5.0529 (1994), 3.9484 (1993), 3.0270 (1992) note: on 1 March 1993 the former new peso (N$Ur) was replaced as Uruguay's unit of currency by the peso which is equal to 1,000 of the new pesos Fiscal year: calendar year @Uruguay:Communications Telephones: 451,000 (1991 est.) Telephone system: some modern facilities domestic : most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 99, FM 0, shortwave 9 Radios: 1.89 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 26 Televisions: 725,000 (1992 est.) @Uruguay:Transportation Railways: total: 2,070 km (461 km closed; additional 460 km only partially operational) standard gauge: 2,070 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: total: 50,900 km paved: 6,973 km unpaved: 43,927 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 1,600 km; used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft Ports and harbors: Fray Bentos, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Punta del Este Merchant marine: total: 2 oil tanker ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 44,042 GRT/83,684 DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 60 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 45 2,438 to 3,047 m : 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 31 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 13 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, Marines), Air Force, Grenadier Guards, Coracero Guard, Police Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 792,365 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 643,137 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $256 million (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: two short sections of the boundary with Brazil are in dispute - Arroyo de la Invernada (Arroio Invernada) area of the Rio Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the Uruguay River ______________________________________________________________________ UZBEKISTAN @Uzbekistan:Geography Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States Area: total: 447,400 sq km land: 425,400 sq km water: 22,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 6,221 km border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakstan 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 (doubly landlocked) Climate: mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya and Syr Darya; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops : 1% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 3% other: 41% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 40,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA 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 Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Uzbekistan and Liechtenstein are the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world @Uzbekistan:People Population: 23,467,724 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39% (male 4,609,766; female 4,474,481) 15-64 years: 57% (male 6,593,525; female 6,703,482) 65 years and over : 4% (male 421,609; female 664,861) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.35% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 24.02 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 7.63 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -2.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 70.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.31 years male : 60.69 years female: 68.11 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.92 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Uzbekistani(s) adjective: Uzbekistani Ethnic groups: Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazak 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.) Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 98% female: 96% (1989 est.) @Uzbekistan:Government Country name: conventional long form : Republic of Uzbekistan conventional short form: Uzbekistan local long form: Uzbekiston Respublikasi local short form: none former : Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic Data code: UZ Government type: republic National 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: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (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 Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet) head of government: Prime Minister Utkur SULTONOV (since December 1995); First Deputy Prime Minister Ismoil JURABEKOV (since NA); First Deputy Prime Minister for Agriculture Qobiljon OBIDOV (since NA); Deputy Prime Ministers Viktor CHIZHEN (since NA), Bakhtiyor HAMIDOV (since NA), Kayim HAQQULOV (since NA), Dilbar GHOLOMOVA (since NA), Alisher AZIZKHOJAYEV (since NA), Mirabror USMONOV (since NA), Murat SHARIFKHOJAYEV (since NA), Rustam YUNUSOV (since NA) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 December 1991 (next to be held NA 2000; note - extension of President KARIMOV's term for an additional four years overwhelmingly approved - 99.6% of total vote in favor - by national referendum held 26 March 1995); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Islom KARIMOV elected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 86%, Mukhammad SOLIKH 12%, other 2% Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis (250 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 December 1994 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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 note: all parties in parliament support President KARIMOV Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Party or PDP (formerly Communist Party) [Islom A. KARIMOV, chairman]; Fatherland Progress Party or FPP [Anwar YULDASHEV, chairman]; Social Democratic Party [Anvar JORABAYEV, chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: Birlik (Unity) People's Movement or BPM [Ibrahim BURIYEV, chairman]; Islamic Rebirth Party or IRP [Abdullah UTAYEV, chairman]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party was banned 9 December 1992 note: UTAYEV or IRP is either in prison or in exile International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM, OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sodyk SAFAYEV chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 887-5300 FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804 consulate(s) general : New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent mailing address: use embassy street address telephone : [7] (3712) 77-14-07, 77-10-81, 77-69-86 FAX: [7] (3712) 40-63-35 Flag description: 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 Economy Economy - overview: Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 10% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. It was one of the poorest areas of the former Soviet Union with more than 60% of its population living in overpopulated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world's third largest cotton exporter, a major producer of gold and natural gas, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery. Following independence in December 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. Faced with high rates of inflation, however, the government stepped up the pace of reform in mid-1994, by introducing tighter monetary policies, expanding privatization, slightly reducing the role of the state in the economy, and improving the environment for foreign investors. Nevertheless, the state continues to be a dominating influence in the economy, and reforms have so far failed to bring about much-needed structural changes. The IMF suspended Uzbekistan's $185 million standby arrangement in late 1996 because of governmental steps that made impossible fulfillment of Fund conditions. GDP: purchasing power parity - $57 billion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994) GDP - real growth rate: 1.6% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,430 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29% industry: 24% services: 47% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 55% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 8.2 million by occupation: agriculture and forestry 44%, industry and construction 20%, other 36% (1995) Unemployment rate: 0.3% includes only officially registered unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers (December 1996) Budget: revenues : $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 11.82 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 45.15 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,970 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock Exports: total value: $3.2 billion (1996) commodities: cotton, gold, natural gas, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products, autos partners: Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Western Europe Imports: total value: $3.2 billion (1996) commodities : grain, machinery and parts, consumer durables, other foods partners: principally other FSU, Czech Republic, Western Europe Debt - external: $1.285 billion (of which $510 million to Russia) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $71 million (1993) note: commitments, $2,915 million ($135 million in disbursements) (1992-95) 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: Uzbekistani soms (UKS) per US$1 - 51.1 (January 1997), 35.8 (end December 1995), 25 (yearend 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Uzbekistan:Communications Telephones: 1.458 million (1995 est.) Telephone system: poorly developed domestic: NMT-450 analog cellular network established in Tashkent international: linked by landline or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; new Intelsat links to Tokyo and Ankara give Uzbekistan international access independent of Russian facilities; satellite earth stations - NA Orbita and NA Intelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there is at least one state-owned broadcast station of NA type Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 national, many local Televisions: NA @Uzbekistan:Transportation Railways: total: 3,380 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 3,380 km 1.520-m gauge (300 km electrified) (1993) Highways: total: 80,000 km paved : 69,760 km (note - these roads are said to be hard surfaced, meaning that some are paved and some are all-weather gravel surfaced) unpaved: 10,240 km dirt (1995 est.) Waterways: 1,100 (1990) Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 810 km (1992) Ports and harbors: Termiz (Amu Darya river) Airports: 261 (1994 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m : 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 226 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m : 216 (1994 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 5,833,862 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 4,748,539 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 239,978 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: 164 million soms (1993); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.7% (1993) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy; mostly for domestic consumption; limited government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia and Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________ VANUATU @Vanuatu:Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Geographic coordinates: 16 00 S, 167 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total : 14,760 sq km land: 14,760 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes more than 80 islands Area - comparative: slightly larger than Connecticut 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 Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Tabwemasana 1,877 m Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 10% permanent pastures : 2% forests and woodland: 75% other: 11% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes Environment - current issues: a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea @Vanuatu:People Population: 181,358 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 36,655; female 35,359) 15-64 years: 57% (male 53,506; female 50,508) 65 years and over: 3% (male 2,904; female 2,426) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.12% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 29.87 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 1.2 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 62.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.56 years male: 58.65 years female: 62.58 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.88 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 53% male: 57% female: 48% (1979 est.) @Vanuatu:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides Data code: NH Government type: republic National 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 Rialuth Serge VOHOR (since 30 September 1996); Deputy Prime Minister Donald KALPOKAS (since 25 October 1996) cabinet : Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils for a five-year term; election for president last held 2 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 30 September 1996 (next to be held NA November 1999); note - the general legislative elections in November 1995 did not give a majority to any of the political parties; since the election, there have been three changes of government - all of which have been coalitions formed by Parliamentary vote; Rialuth Serge VOHOR was prime minister from November 1995 until he resigned 7 February 1996 when faced with a no-confidence vote in Parliament; Maxime Carlot KORMAN was then elected prime minister and served until he was ousted in a no-confidence motion on 30 September 1996; VOHOR was then elected prime minister for a second time election results: Jean Marie LEYE elected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA; Serge VOHOR elected prime minister by a Parliamentary vote of 28 to 22 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : last held 30 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 1999) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 17, VP 14, NUP 9, MPP 5, TU 2, Na-Griamel Movement 1, Friend Melanesian Party 1, independent 1; note - political party associations are fluid; there have been three changes of government since the November 1995 elections note : the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission Political parties and leaders: Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), Serge VOHOR; National United Party (NUP), Walter LINI; Vanuatu Party (VP), Donald KALPOKAS; Melanesian Progressive Party (MPP), Barak SOPE; Tan Union (TU), Vincent BOULEKONE; Na-Griamel Movement, Frankie STEVENS; Friend Melanesian Party, Albert RAUUTIA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow Economy Economy - overview: The economy is based primarily on subsistence or small-scale agriculture which provides a living for 65% 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. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. GDP: purchasing power parity - $219 million (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (1995) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,230 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 25% industry: 9% services: 66% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 4% (1995) Labor force: total: 66,597 (1989 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 32%, industry 3% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $74.8 million expenditures: $76.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.) Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (1993 est.) Electricity - capacity: 11,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 30 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef Exports: total value: $28 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: copra, beef, cocoa, timber, coffee partners : EU 32%, Japan 29%, Australia 11%, New Caledonia 7% (1993) Imports: total value: $93 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: machines and vehicles, food and beverages, basic manufactures, raw materials and fuels, chemicals partners: Australia 41%, France 15%, NZ 11%, Japan 9%, Fiji 6% (1992) Debt - external: $38.2 million (yearend 1993) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $9.6 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.); $3.1 million from NZ (FY95/96) Currency: 1 vatu (VT) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: vatu (VT) per US$1 - 112.36 (January 1997), 111.72 (1996), 112.11 (1995), 116.41 (1994), 121.58 (1993), 113.39 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Vanuatu:Communications Telephones: 3,000 (1987 est.) Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 0 Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.) @Vanuatu:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total : 1,050 km paved: 250 km unpaved: 800 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo) Merchant marine: total : 100 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,451,548 GRT/1,945,514 DWT ships by type: bulk 32, cargo 30, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 1, container 2, liquefied gas tanker 5, oil tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 13, vehicle carrier 8 note : a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 17 countries among which are Japan 31, India 10, Greece 7, Netherlands 7, US 7, Hong Kong 6, Canada 4, France 4, Australia 2, and Singapore 2 (1996 est.) Airports: 30 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 17 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 10 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force or VMF) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: NA Military manpower - fit for military service: males: NA Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: claims Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia ______________________________________________________________________ VENEZUELA @Venezuela:Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 66 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 912,050 sq km land: 882,050 sq km water: 30,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km Coastline: 2,800 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 15 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea : 12 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Terrain: Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point : Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds Land use: arable land : 4% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures : 20% forests and woodland: 34% other: 41% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 1,900 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: subject to floods, rockslides, mud slides; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Tropical Timber 94 Geography - note: on major sea and air routes linking North and South America @Venezuela:People Population: 22,396,407 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 34% (male 3,964,886; female 3,720,984) 15-64 years: 61% (male 6,877,890; female 6,838,799) 65 years and over: 5% (male 456,182; female 537,666) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.83% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 23.67 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.03 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 28.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 72.37 years male: 69.4 years female : 75.58 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.78 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan Ethnic groups: 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: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.1% male: 91.8% female: 90.3% (1995 est.) @Venezuela:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Venezuela conventional short form: Venezuela local long form: Republica de Venezuela local short form : Venezuela Data code: VE Government type: republic National capital: Caracas Administrative divisions: 22 states (estados, singular - estado),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: President Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez (since 2 February 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez (since 2 February 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1998) election results : Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez elected president; percent of vote - Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez (National Convergence) 30.45%, Claudio FERMIN (AD) 23.59%, Oswaldo ALVAREZ PAZ (COPEI) 22.72%, Andres VELASQUEZ (Causa R) 21.94%, other 1.3% Legislative branch: bicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica consists of the Senate or Senado (53 seats, two from each state and the Federal District, and retired presidents; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (203 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1998); Chamber of Deputies - last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1998) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AD 18, COPEI 15, Causa R 9, MAS 5, National Convergence 6; note - three former presidents (2 from AD, 1 from COPEI) hold lifetime Senate seats; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - AD 27.9%, COPEI 26.9%, MAS 12.4%, National Convergence 12.9%, Causa R 19.9%; seats by party - AD 55, COPEI 53, MAS 24, National Convergence 26, Causa R 40, other 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), magistrates are elected by both chambers in joint session 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), Lucas MATHEUS, secretary general Political pressure groups and leaders: FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers (CTV, labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action); VECINOS groups International organization participation: AG, BCIE, Caricom (observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Luis ECHEVERRIA chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone : [1] (202) 342-2214 FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador John Francis MAISTO embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1060 mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (2) 977-2011 FAX: [58] (2) 977-0843 Flag description: 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 Economy Economy - overview: The petroleum sector dominates the economy, accounting for roughly 25% of GDP, 70% of export earnings, and 50% of central government revenues. It is likely to become even more important as the state petroleum company plans to double its production over the next ten years. The non-petroleum sectors have been contracting, however, with GDP shrinking by 1.6% during 1996. Realizing the failure of interventionist policies, the CALDERA administration embarked on a comprehensive reform program and successfully negotiated a $1.4 billion stand-by agreement with the IMF. The state eliminated price and exchange controls, reduced the long-standing subsidy on gasoline, and revitalized its stalled privatization program. Foreign investors reacted positively and the Caracas stock exchange ended 1996 as the world's best performing stock market. The influx of foreign investment and a windfall of oil revenues resulting from higher-than-expected international oil prices raised Venezuela's reserves to over $15 billion. As a result, Venezuela used only the first tranche of the IMF credit - $400 million. The currency depreciated sharply following the exchange liberalization, and caused an inflationary burst that led to a 103% yearly rate of inflation, the highest in Venezuelan history. The bolivar has since strengthened and inflation fell near the end of the year. The macroeconomic adjustments should take hold in 1997, and the economy is expected to grow by 4% or more. Increased salary demands by public and private sector workers, however, threaten a renewal of inflationary pressures. GDP: purchasing power parity - $197 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1.6% (1996) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 41% services: 54% (1993) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 103% (1996) Labor force: total: 8.8 million by occupation : services 64%, industry 23%, agriculture 13% (1993) Unemployment rate: 13% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $11.99 billion expenditures : $11.48 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.3 billion (1996 est.) Industries: petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly Industrial production growth rate: 0.5% (1995 est.) Electricity - capacity: 18.966 million kW (1995) Electricity - production: 74.886 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 2,887 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish Exports: total value : $22.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: petroleum 72%, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures partners: US and Puerto Rico 55%, Japan, Netherlands, Italy Imports: total value : $10.2 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials partners: US 40%, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Canada Debt - external: $26.5 billion (1996) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $46 million (1993) Currency: 1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: bolivares (Bs) per US$1 - 476.840 (January 1997), 417.333 (1996), 176.843 (1995), 148.503 (1994), 90.826 (1993), 68.376 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Venezuela:Communications Telephones: 1.44 million (1987 est.) Telephone system: modern and expanding domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 181, FM 0, shortwave 26 Radios: 9.04 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 59 Televisions: 3.3 million (1992 est.) @Venezuela:Transportation Railways: total : 584 km (336 km single track; 248 km privately owned) standard gauge: 584 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: total: 82,700 km paved: 32,501 km unpaved: 50,199 km (1995 est.) 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 and harbors: 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: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 525,123 GRT/933,016 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 7, combination bulk 1, container 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 9, passenger-cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 360 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 261 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 35
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