The 1997 CIA World FactbookPart 46 out of 47914 to 1,523 m: 58 under 914 m: 153 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 99 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 92 (1996 est.) Military Military 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 Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 5,997,099 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 4,333,497 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 238,650 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $902 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo River; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuela 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; active aerial eradication program primarily targeting opium ______________________________________________________________________ VIETNAM @Vietnam:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, between China and Cambodia Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 106 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 329,560 sq km land: 325,360 sq km water : 4,200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 4,639 km border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 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 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 Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Ngoc Linh 3,143 m Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, forests Land use: arable land: 17% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures : 1% forests and woodland: 30% other: 48% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 18,600 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding Environment - current issues: logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban @Vietnam:People Population: 75,123,880 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 13,713,340; female 12,946,322) 15-64 years: 59% (male 21,547,228; female 22,997,231) 65 years and over : 5% (male 1,573,823; female 2,345,936) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.51% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 22.3 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.8 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 37.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.38 years male: 65.03 years female: 69.86 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.6 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) adjective: Vietnamese Ethnic groups: Vietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese 3%, Muong, Tai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham Religions: Buddhist, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islam, Protestant, Cao Dai, Hoa Hao Languages: Vietnamese (official), Chinese, English, French, Khmer, tribal languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 96.5% female: 91.2% (1995 est.) @Vietnam:Government Country name: 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 Data code: VM Government type: Communist state National 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 note: eight existing provinces (Bac Thai, Ha Bac, Hai Hung, Minh Hai, Nam Ha, Quang Nam-Da Nang, Song Be, and Vinh Phu) may have been abolished and from their territory 15 new provinces and one new municipality* (Bac Can, Bac Giang, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ca Mau, Da Nang City*, Ha Nam, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Nam Dinh, Phu Tho, Quang Nam, Thai Nguyen, and Vinh Phuc) may have been created 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 Ministers Nguyen KHANH (since NA February 1987) and Tran Duc LUONG (since NA February 1987) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a five-year term; election last held 23 September 1992 (next to be held when National Assembly meets following legislative elections in July 1997); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister election results: Le Duc ANH elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Quoc-Hoi (395 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 July 1992 (next to be held 20 July 1997) election results: percent of vote by party - CPV or CPV-approved 100%; seats by party - CPV or CPV-approved 395 Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court, chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president Political parties and leaders: only party - Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), DO MUOI, general secretary International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Le Van BANG chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, Suite 501 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas "Pete" Peterson embassy : 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [84] (4) 8431500 FAX: [84] (4) 8350484 or 8431510 Flag description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center Economy Economy - overview: Vietnam is a poor, densely populated country that has had to recover from the ravages of war, the loss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a centrally planned economy. Substantial progress has been achieved over the past 10 years in moving forward from an extremely low starting point. Economic growth continued at a strong pace during 1996 with industrial output rising by 14% and real GDP expanding by 9.4%. Foreign direct investment rose to an estimated $2.3 billion for the year, up by about 30% from 1995. These positive numbers, however, masked some major difficulties that are emerging in economic performance. Many domestic industries, including coal, cement, steel, and paper, reported large stockpiles of inventory and tough competition from more efficient foreign producers. Vietnam's trade deficit widened to $4 billion in 1996, up over 80% from a year ago. While disbursements of aid and foreign direct investment have risen, they are not large enough to finance the rapid increase in imports and it is widely believed that Vietnam may be using short-term trade credits to bridge the gap - a risky strategy that could result in a foreign exchange crunch during 1997. Meanwhile, Vietnamese authorities continue to move very slowly toward implementing the structural reforms needed to revitalize the economy and produce more competitive, export-driven industries. Privatization of state enterprises remains bogged down in political controversy, while the country's dynamic private sector is denied both financing and access to markets. Reform of the banking sector is proceeding slowly, raising concerns that the country will be unable to tap sufficient domestic savings to maintain current high levels of growth. Administrative and legal barriers are also causing costly delays for foreign investors and are raising similar doubts about Vietnam's ability to maintain the inflow of foreign capital. Ideological bias in favor of state intervention and control of the economy is slowing progress toward a more liberalized investment environment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $108.7 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,470 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 28% industry: 28% services: 44% (1996 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 4.5% (1996) Labor force: total: 32.7 million by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry and services 35% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1995 est.) Budget: revenues: $4.67 billion expenditures: $5 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.36 billion (1995 est.) Industries: food processing, garments, shoes, machine building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil Industrial production growth rate: 14% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 5.32 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 11.78 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 154 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: paddy rice, corn, potatoes, rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas; poultry, pigs; fish Exports: total value : $7.1 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: crude oil, rice, marine products, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoes partners: Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, France, South Korea Imports: total value: $11.1 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, steel products, fertilizer, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles partners: Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan Debt - external: $7.3 billion Western countries; $4.5 billion CEMA debts primarily to Russia; $9 billion to $18 billion nonconvertible debt (former CEMA, Iraq, Iran) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: $2.4 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 1997 Currency: 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1 - 11,100 (December 1996), 11,193 (1995 average), 11,000 (October 1994), 10,800 (November 1993), 8,100 (July 1991) Fiscal year: calendar year @Vietnam:Communications Telephones: 800,000 (1995 est.) Telephone system: while Vietnam's telecommunication sector lags far behind other countries in Southeast Asia, Hanoi has made considerable progress since 1991 in upgrading the system; Vietnam has digitized all provincial switch boards, while fiber-optic and microwave transmission systems have been extended from Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City to all provinces; the density of telephone receivers nationwide doubled from 1993 to 1995, but is still far behind other countries in the region; Vietnam's telecommunications strategy aims to increase telephone density to 30 per 1,000 inhabitants by the year 2000 and authorities estimate that approximately $2.7 billion will be spent on telecommunications upgrades through the end of the decade domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 228, shortwave 0 Radios: 7.215 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 36 (repeaters 77) Televisions: 2.9 million (1992 est.) @Vietnam:Transportation Railways: total : 2,835 km (in addition, there are 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 : 106,048 km paved: 27,466 km unpaved: 78,582 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at all times by vessels up to 1.8 m draft Pipelines: petroleum products 150 km Ports and harbors: Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Gai, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang Merchant marine: total : 121 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 534,937 GRT/863,307 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 100, chemical tanker 1, oil tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 note: Vietnam owns an additional 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 107,592 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas, Honduras, Malta, Panama, and Vanuatu (1996 est.) Airports: 48 (1994 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m : 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 7 (1994 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m : 5 under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.) Military Military branches: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes Ground Forces, Navy, and Air Force) Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 19,172,473 (1996 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 12,123,118 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 802,154 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $544 million (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.7% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: maritime boundary with Cambodia not defined; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea 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 in the South China Sea occupied by China but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; offshore islands and sections of boundary with Cambodia are in dispute Illicit drugs: key growing areas in Vietnam cultivated 3,150 hectares of poppy in 1996, producing 25 tons of opium; opium producer and increasingly important transit point for Southeast Asian heroin destined for the US and Europe; growing opium addiction; possible small-scale heroin production ______________________________________________________________________ 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 Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 352 sq km land: 349 sq km water: 3 sq km Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 188 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 6% permanent pastures : 26% forests and woodland: 6% other: 47% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts, floods, and earthquakes Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified : NA Geography - 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: 97,240 (July 1997 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: 0.18% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 16.72 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -9.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population: NA male(s)/female Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 73.6 years female: 77.2 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.18 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander Ethnic groups: black 80%, white 15%, other 5% Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole Literacy: NA @Virgin Islands:Government Country name: conventional long form : Virgin Islands of the United States conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies Data code: VQ Dependency status: organized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Government type: NA National 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 laws 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 of the US 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) and Lieutenant Governor Kenneth E. MAPP (since 5 January 1995) cabinet: NA elections : governor and lieutenant governor of the Virgin Islands elected by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 22 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998) election results: Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER elected governor of the Virgin Islands; percent of vote - Roy L. SCHNEIDER (ICM) 54.7%, former Lieutenant Governor Derek HODGE 42.6% Legislative branch: unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 6, Democrats 5, Republicans 2, Independent Citizens Movement 2 note: the Virgin Islands elects one representative to the US House of Representatives; elections last held 19 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 1998); results - Dr. Donna GREEN (ICM) 51.5%, Victor O. FRAZER (independent) 48.5% Judicial branch: US District Court, handles civil matters over $200,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age and over), and federal cases; judges are appointed by the president; Territorial Court, handles civil matters of unlimited cash amount; felonies, small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases; judges appointed by the governor Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS International organization participation: ECLAC (associate), IOC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US) Flag description: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow 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 Economy Economy - overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The number of US tourists in the first five months of 1996 was down by 55% from the same period in 1995, the lingering result of the fierce hurricanes of 1995. Unemployment rose sharply in 1996. 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. A major economic problem at the beginning of 1997 was the more than $1 billion in governmental arrears, in income tax refunds, payments to vendors, and overdue wages. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1987 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $12,500 (1987 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services : NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: total: 47,443 (1990 est.) by occupation: agriculture, industry, services, other (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.2% (March 1994) Budget: revenues: $364.4 million expenditures : $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Industrial production growth rate: 12% (year NA) Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: 990 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 9,565 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: truck garden products, fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle Exports: total value: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities : refined petroleum products partners: US, Puerto Rico Imports: total value: $2.2 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials partners: US, Puerto Rico Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Virgin Islands:Communications Telephones: 60,000 (1990 est.) Telephone system: domestic : modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 8, shortwave 0 (1988) Radios: 105,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1988 est.) Televisions: 65,000 (1992 est.) @Virgin Islands:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total : 856 km paved: NA km unpaved : NA km Ports and harbors: Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix Merchant marine: none Airports: 2 note: international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ 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 Geographic coordinates: 19 17 N, 166 36 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 19.3 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea : 12 nm 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 Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights @Wake Island:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are 302 US military and contract personnel (July 1995 est.) @Wake Island:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form : Wake Island Data code: WQ Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the US Army and Strategic Defense Command since 1 October 1994 National capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Independence: none (territory of the US) Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy 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 - capacity: NA kW note: electricity supplied by the US military Electricity - production: NA kWh note: electricity supplied by the US military Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh @Wake Island:Communications Telephones: NA Telephone system: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) domestic : NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA note : Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) television service provided by satellite Televisions: NA @Wake Island:Transportation Railways: 0 km Ports and harbors: none; two offshore anchorages for large ships Merchant marine: none Airports: 1 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1996 est.) Transportation - 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 Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Disputes - international: claimed by the Republic of the Marshall Islands ______________________________________________________________________ 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 Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 274 sq km land: 274 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone : 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point : Mount Singavi 765 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land : 5% permanent crops: 20% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 75% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main 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 Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified : NA Geography - note: both island groups have fringing reefs @Wallis and Futuna:People Population: 14,817 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over : NA Population growth rate: 1.08% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 23.7 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 4.9 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -7.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population: NA male(s)/female Infant mortality rate: 22.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.29 years male : 72.7 years female: 73.9 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic groups: Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic 100% Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50% male: 50% female: 50% (1969 est.) @Wallis and Futuna:Government Country name: 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 Data code: WF Dependency status: overseas territory of France Government type: NA National capital: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms named Wallis, Sigave, Alo 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 of France Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Claude PIERRET (since NA) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Keleto LAKALAKA (since NA) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note : there are three traditional kings with limited powers elections: high administrator appointed by the president of France on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections : last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 9, Taumu'a Lelei 11 note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; 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 1993 (next to be held by 25 May-1 June 1997 - special election); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - (1 total) MRG 1 Judicial branch: none; justice generally administered under French law by the high 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 or RPR; Union Populaire Locale or UPL; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF; Lua kae tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG; Taumu'a Lelei International organization participation: FZ, SPC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) Flag description: a large white modified Maltese cross centered on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions Economy 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, rice, and beef - fuel, clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, but its exports are negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts. GDP: purchasing power parity - $28.7 million (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,000 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $17 million expenditures : $17 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.) Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats Exports: total value: $370,000 (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: copra, handicrafts partners: NA Imports: total value: $13.5 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment, fuel, clothing partners : France, Australia, New Zealand Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 98.48 (January 1997), 93.00 (1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.94 (1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year @Wallis and Futuna:Communications Telephones: 340 (1985 est.) Telephone system: domestic : NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 0 Televisions: NA @Wallis and Futuna:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) paved: 16 km (all on Ile Uvea) unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Leava, Mata-Utu Merchant marine: total: 1 oil tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 25,060 GRT/40,406 DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ WEST BANK Introduction Current issues: The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Permanent status negotiations began on 5 May 1996. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes a Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part of interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external security and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israelis. Permanent status is to be determined through direct negotiations which began on 5 May 1996. @West Bank:Geography Location: Middle East, west of Jordan Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 35 15 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 5,860 sq km land: 5,640 sq km water: 220 sq km note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967 Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: total : 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate, temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Terrain: mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 32% forests and woodland: 1% other: 40% Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified : none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 203 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank and 26 in East Jerusalem (August 1996 est.) @West Bank:People Population: 1,495,683 (July 1997 est.) note: in addition, there are 136,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and 156,000 in East Jerusalem (August 1996 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 347,152; female 329,906) 15-64 years : 51% (male 387,847; female 380,629) 65 years and over: 3% (male 21,223; female 28,926) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 4.32% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 37.71 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 4.5 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 10.03 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: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.11 years male: 70.43 years female: 73.88 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.06 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : NA adjective: NA Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17% Religions: Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8% Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) Literacy: NA @West Bank:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank Data code: WE Economy Economy - overview: Economic progress in the West Bank has been hampered by tight Israeli security restrictions. Industries using advanced technology or requiring sizable investment have been discouraged by a lack of local capital and restrictive Israeli policies. Capital investment consists largely of residential housing, not productive assets that would enable local Palestinian firms to compete with Israeli industry. GDP has been substantially supplemented by remittances of workers employed in Israel. Such transfers from the Persian Gulf states dropped after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In the wake of the Persian Gulf crisis, many Palestinians have returned to the West Bank, increasing unemployment, and export revenues have dropped because of the decline of markets in Jordan and the Gulf states. An estimated 147,000 people were in refugee camps in 1996. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.8 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1% to -2% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,600 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 33% industry: 25% services: 42% (1995 est., includes Gaza Strip) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 11% (1995 est.) Labor force: NA by occupation: construction 28.2%, agriculture 21.8%, industry 14.5%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 12.6%, other services 22.9% (1991) note: excluding Israeli settlers Unemployment rate: 35% to 40% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $684 million expenditures: $779 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996) note : includes Gaza Strip Industries: generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: NA kW note: most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; at the same time, some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nabulus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plants Electricity - production: NA kWh note: most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; at the same time, some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nabulus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plants Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables; beef, dairy products Exports: total value: $235 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) (includes Gaza Strip) commodities : olives, fruit, vegetables partners: Jordan, Israel Imports: total value: $1.55 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) (includes Gaza Strip) commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials partners : Jordan, Israel Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot; 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 3.41 (May 1997), 3.2882 (1996), 3.0113 (1995), 3.0111 (1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591 (1992); Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.7090 (January 1997), 0.7090 (1996), 0.7005 (1995), 0.6987 (1994), 0.6928 (1993), 0.6797 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992) @West Bank:Communications Telephones: NA note: 3.1% of Palestinian households have telephones Telephone system: domestic: NA international : NA note: Israeli company BEZEK is responsible for communication services in the West Bank Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: NA; note - 82% of Palestinian households have radios (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0 note: 1 broadcast station is planned for Jericho Televisions: NA; note - 54% of Palestinian households have televisions (1992 est.) @West Bank:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: small road network; Israelis have developed many highways to service Jewish settlements Ports and harbors: none Airports: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: NA 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: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation ______________________________________________________________________ WESTERN SAHARA @Western Sahara:Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Geographic coordinates: 24 30 N, 13 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 266,000 sq km land: 266,000 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about the size of Colorado Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km Coastline: 1,110 km Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue Climate: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew Terrain: mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point : unnamed location 463 m Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land : 19% permanent crops: 24% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 47% other: 10% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility Environment - current issues: sparse water and arable land Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements @Western Sahara:People Population: 228,138 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years : NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 2.43% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 46.14 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.53 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -4.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population: NA male(s)/female Infant mortality rate: 142.75 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.71 years male: 46.66 years female: 49.09 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian Ethnic groups: Arab, Berber Religions: Muslim Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic Literacy: NA @Western Sahara:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Western Sahara Data code: WI Government type: legal status of territory and question of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR); territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991 National capital: none Administrative divisions: none (under de facto control of Morocco) Suffrage: none; a UN sponsored voter identification campaign has yet to be completed Executive branch: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none Diplomatic representation from the US: none Economy Economy - overview: Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and having little rainfall, depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. Most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Incomes and standards of living are substantially below the Moroccan level. GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: 40%-45% (1996 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: total: 12,000 by occupation: animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: phosphate mining, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 56,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 85 million kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by the nomads) Exports: $NA commodities: phosphates 62% partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts Imports: $NA commodities: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs partners : Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 9.018 (January 1997), 8.716 (1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Western Sahara:Communications Telephones: 2,000 Telephone system: sparse and limited system domestic: NA international: tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 Televisions: NA @Western Sahara:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 6,200 km paved : 1,350 km unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est.) Ports and harbors: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, El Aaiun Airports: 12 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: NA 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: claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991 ______________________________________________________________________ WESTERN SAMOA @Western Samoa:Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 2,860 sq km land: 2,850 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 403 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October) Terrain: narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish Land use: arable land : 19% permanent crops: 24% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 47% other: 10% Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: occasional typhoons; active volcanism Environment - current issues: soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified : none of the selected agreements @Western Samoa:People Population: 219,509 (July 1997 est.) note: other estimates range as low as 162,000 Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 44,281; female 42,876) 15-64 years: 56% (male 64,433; female 59,006) 65 years and over : 4% (male 4,225; female 4,688) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.34% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 30.4 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.22 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: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 33 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 69.09 years male: 66.7 years female : 71.6 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.82 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Western Samoan(s) adjective: Western Samoan Ethnic groups: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4% Religions: Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist) Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1971 est.) @Western Samoa:Government Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Western Samoa conventional short form: Western Samoa Data code: WS Government type: constitutional monarchy under native chief National capital: Apia Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: National Day, 1 June (1962) Constitution: 1 January 1962 Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state : Chief Susuga MALIETOA Tanumafili II (cochief of state from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963) head of government: Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana (since 7 April 1988); Deputy Prime Minister TUILA'EPA Sailele Malielegaoi (since NA 1992) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the chief of state with the prime minister's advice elections : upon the death of Chief Susuga MALIETOA Tanumafili II, a new chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term; prime minister appointed by the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 April 1996 (next to be held 26 April 2001) election results : percent of vote by party - HRPP 45.17%, SNDP 27.1%, independents 23.7%; seats by party - HRPP 25, SNDP 13, independents 11 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), TOFILAU Eti Alesana, chairman; Samoan National Development Party (SNDP), TAPUA Tamasese Efi, chairman; Samoan Progressive Conservative Party, LEOTA Ituau Ale; Samoa All People's Party (SAPP), Matatumua MAIMOAGA International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni SLADE chancery: 820 Second Avenue, Suite 800D, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197 FAX : [1] (212) 599-0797 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMAN (Ambassador to New
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