Y (continued 46)
Reading edition
Natural gas - consumption:
70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Natural gas - imports:
70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Current account balance:
-$377 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $258.8 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$7.413 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $6.389 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products
Exports - partners:
Brazil 21.05%, China 9.45%, Argentina 7.36%, Germany 5.16%, Mexico 4.88%, Netherlands 4.13%, US 3.96% (2009)
Imports:
$8.519 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $6.664 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
crude petroleum and petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, paper, plastics
Imports - partners:
Argentina 20.77%, Brazil 17.53%, China 10.23%, US 9.82%, Paraguay 6.87% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$7.407 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $8.038 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$13.39 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $13.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA (31 December 2010)
$4.19 billion (2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$156 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Exchange rates:
Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 20.276 (2010), 22.568 (2009), 20.936 (2008), 23.947 (2007), 24.048 (2006)
Communications ::Uruguay
Telephones - main lines in use:
953,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 81
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.802 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 106
Telephone system:
general assessment: fully digitalized
domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 135 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
mixture of privately-owned and state-run broadcast media; more than 100 commercial radio stations and about 20 television channels broadcasting; cable TV is available; large number of community radio and TV stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.uy
Internet hosts:
765,525 (2010) country comparison to the world: 47
Internet users:
1.405 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 86
Transportation ::Uruguay
Airports:
58 (2010) country comparison to the world: 82
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 9
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 49
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 20
under 914 m: 26 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 226 km; oil 155 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,641 km (1,200 km operational) country comparison to the world: 79 standard gauge: 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)
Roadways:
total: 77,732 km country comparison to the world: 63 paved: 7,743 km
unpaved: 69,989 km (2010)
Waterways:
1,600 km (2010) country comparison to the world: 52
Merchant marine:
total: 18 country comparison to the world: 101 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 4, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 9 (Argentina 2, Denmark 1, Greece 1, Spain 5)
registered in other countries: 1 (Liberia 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Montevideo
Military ::Uruguay
Military branches:
Uruguayan Armed Forces: Uruguayan National Army (Ejercito Nacional Uruguaya, ENU), Uruguayan National Navy (Armada Nacional del Uruguay; includes naval air arm, Naval Rifle Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales, Fusna), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Uruguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; up to 40 years of age for specialists; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies; minimum 6-year education (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 849,358
females age 16-49: 832,774 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 713,223
females age 16-49: 697,197 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 27,631
female: 26,703 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 95
Transnational Issues ::Uruguay
Disputes - international:
in Jan 2007, ICJ provisionally ruled Uruguay may begin construction of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina, while the court examines further whether Argentina has the legal right to stop such construction with potential environmental implications to both countries; two uncontested boundary disputes with Brazil over Isla Brasilera at the tripoint with Argentina at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Uruguay rivers, and, in the 235 square kilometer Invernada River region, over which tributary represents the legitimate source of the Quarai/Cuareim River
Illicit drugs:
small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Uzbekistan (Central Asia)
Introduction ::Uzbekistan
Background:
Russia conquered the territory of present-day Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after the Boshevik Revolution was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic established in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization.
Geography ::Uzbekistan
Location:
Central Asia, north of Afghanistan
Geographic coordinates:
41 00 N, 64 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 447,400 sq km country comparison to the world: 56 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, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km
Coastline:
0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline
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, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sariqamish Kuli -12 m
highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
Land use:
arable land: 10.51%
permanent crops: 0.76%
other: 88.73% (2005)
Irrigated land:
42,810 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
72.2 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 58.34 cu km/yr (5%/2%/93%)
per capita: 2,194 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world
People ::Uzbekistan
Population:
27,865,738 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28.1% (male 3,970,386/female 3,787,371)
15-64 years: 67% (male 9,191,439/female 9,309,791)
65 years and over: 4.9% (male 576,191/female 770,829) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.2 years
male: 24.7 years
female: 25.8 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.938% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Birth rate:
17.51 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Death rate:
5.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Net migration rate:
-2.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Urbanization:
urban population: 37% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 22.66 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 91 male: 26.81 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.24 years country comparison to the world: 124 male: 69.22 years
female: 75.44 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.92 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
16,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Nationality:
noun: Uzbekistani
adjective: Uzbekistani
Ethnic groups:
Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)
Religions:
Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%
Languages:
Uzbek (official) 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.3%
male: 99.6%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
9.4% of GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 7
Government ::Uzbekistan
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan
conventional short form: Uzbekistan
local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi
local short form: Ozbekiston
former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
Capital:
name: Tashkent (Toshkent)
geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 69 18 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi [Karakalpakstan Republic]* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri [Tashkent City]**, Toshkent Viloyati [Tashkent province], Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence:
1 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 September (1991)
Constitution:
adopted 8 December 1992
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet; elected president of independent Uzbekistan in 1991)
head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV (since 11 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam AZIMOV (since 2 January 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president
election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 88.1%, Asliddin RUSTAMOV 3.2%, Dilorom T0SHMUHAMEDOVA 2.9%, Akmal SAIDOV 2.6%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an upper house or Senate (100 seats; 84 members elected by regional governing councils and 16 appointed by the president; members to serve five-year terms) and a lower house or Legislative Chamber (150 seats; 135 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, while 15 spots reserved for the new Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan)
elections: last held on 27 December 2009 and 10 January 2010 (next to be held in December 2014)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDPU 53, NDP 32, National Rebirth Party 31, Adolat 19
note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Ismoil SAIFNAZAROV]; Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan [Boriy ALIXONOV, chairman]; Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan or LDPU [Muhammadjon AHMADJONOV]; National Rebirth Party (Milliy Tiklanish) [Ahtam TURSUNOV]; People's Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Latif GULOMOV]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
there are no significant opposition political parties or pressure groups operating in Uzbekistan
International organization participation:
ADB, CICA, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ilxamdjan NEMATOV
chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 887-5300
FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard B. NORLAND
embassy: 3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 100093
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450
FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon (closed side to the hoist) and 12 white stars shifted to the hoist on the top band; blue is the color of the Turkic peoples and of the sky, white signifies peace and the striving for purity in thoughts and deeds, while green represents nature and is the color of Islam; the red stripes are the vital force of all living organisms that links good and pure ideas with the eternal sky and with deeds on earth; the crescent represents Islam and the 12 stars the months and constellations of the Uzbek calendar
National anthem:
name: "O'zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi" (National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
lyrics/music: Abdulla ARIPOV/Mutal BURHANOV
note: adopted 1992; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet Republic but adopted new lyrics
Economy ::Uzbekistan
Economy - overview:
Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country; 11% of the land is intensely cultivated, in irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of the population lives in densely populated rural communities. Export of hydrocarbons, including natural gas and petroleum, provided about 40% of foreign exchange earnings in 2009. Other major export earners include gold and cotton. Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter and fifth largest producer; it has come under increasing international criticism for the use of child labor in its annual cotton harvest. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan enjoyed a bumper cotton crop in 2010 amidst record high prices. Following independence in September 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate, the government still sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted Article VIII obligations under the IMF, providing for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further stifled economic activity. The Central Bank often delays or restricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods. Potential investment by Russia and China in Uzbekistan's gas and oil industry, as well as increased cooperation with South Korea in the realm of civil aviation, may boost growth prospects. However, decreased demand for natural gas in Europe and Russia in the wake of the global financial crisis could reduce energy-related revenues in the near term. In November 2005, Russian President Vladimir PUTIN and Uzbekistan President KARIMOV signed an "alliance," which included provisions for economic and business cooperation. Russian businesses have shown increased interest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining, telecom, and oil and gas. In 2006, Uzbekistan took steps to rejoin the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurASEC), which it subsequently left in 2008, both organizations dominated by Russia. In the past Uzbek authorities had accused US and other foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbek tax laws and have frozen their assets, but no new expropriations occurred in 2008-09. Instead, the Uzbek Government has actively courted several major U.S. and international corporations, offering attractive financing and tax advantages, and has landed a significant US investment in the automotive industry. Although growth slowed in 2009-10, Uzbekistan has seen few other effects from the global economic downturn, primarily due to its relative isolation from the global financial markets.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$86.07 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $79.55 billion (2009 est.)
$73.59 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$37.72 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
8.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 8.1% (2009 est.)
9% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,100 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $2,900 (2009 est.)
$2,700 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.2%
industry: 32.3%
services: 46.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
16 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 44%
industry: 20%
services: 36% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
1.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 1.1% (2009 est.)
note: officially measured by the Ministry of Labor, plus another 20% underemployed
Population below poverty line:
26% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.8 (2003) country comparison to the world: 80 44.7 (1998)
Public debt:
9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 9.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 14.1% (2009 est.)
note: official data; based on independent analysis of consumer prices, inflation reached 38% in 2008
Stock of narrow money:
$4.895 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 90 $3.829 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$7.197 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $5.648 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$6.482 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $5.484 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2009)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$715.3 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock
Industries:
textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold, petroleum, natural gas, chemicals
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Electricity - production:
44.8 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Electricity - consumption:
40.1 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Electricity - exports:
11.52 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
11.44 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
70,910 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Oil - consumption:
145,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Oil - exports:
6,104 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Oil - imports:
35,810 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Oil - proved reserves:
594 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - production:
67.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Natural gas - consumption:
52.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Natural gas - exports:
15 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.841 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Current account balance:
$5.588 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $3.595 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$13.13 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $10.74 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
energy products, cotton, gold, mineral fertilizers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, textiles, food products, machinery, automobiles
Exports - partners:
Ukraine 29.91%, Russia 13.94%, Turkey 7.53%, Kazakhstan 7.26%, Bangladesh 6.83%, China 5.69%, South Korea 4.19% (2009)
Imports:
$9.44 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $9.023 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals
Imports - partners:
Russia 23.72%, China 20.36%, South Korea 13.03%, Germany 6.09%, Ukraine 5.39%, Kazakhstan 4.68% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$10.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.236 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $4.053 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Uzbekistani soum (UZS) per US dollar - 1,588.1 (2010), 1,466.7 (2009), 1,317 (2008), 1,263.8 (2007), 1,219.8 (2006)
Communications ::Uzbekistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.857 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 60
Telephones - mobile cellular:
16.418 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 45
Telephone system:
general assessment: digital exchanges in large cities but still antiquated and inadequate in rural areas
domestic: the state-owned telecommunications company, Uzbektelecom, owner of the fixed line telecommunications system, has used loans from the Japanese government and the China Development Bank to upgrade fixed-line services including conversion to digital exchanges; mobile-cellular services are growing rapidly, with the subscriber base exceeding 16 million in 2009
international: country code - 998; linked by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan plans to establish a fiber-optic connection to Afghanistan (2009)
Broadcast media:
government controls media; 8 state-owned broadcasters - 4 TV and 4 radio - provide service to virtually the entire country; about 20 privately-owned TV stations, overseen by local officials, broadcast to local markets; privately-owned TV stations are required to lease transmitters from the government-owned Republic TV and Radio Industry Corporation and are prohibited from broadcasting live; about 15 privately-owned radio broadcasters; programming content includes news updates, music, call-in talk shows, and other entertainment in a half-Russian, half-Uzbek format mandated for private radio (2007)
Internet country code:
.uz
Internet hosts:
47,718 (2010) country comparison to the world: 89
Internet users:
4.689 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 50
Transportation ::Uzbekistan
Airports:
54 (2010) country comparison to the world: 87
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 33
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 13
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 4 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 21
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
under 914 m: 19 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 9,706 km; oil 868 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 3,645 km country comparison to the world: 47 broad gauge: 3,645 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 86,496 km country comparison to the world: 56 paved: 75,511 km
unpaved: 10,985 km (2000)
Waterways:
1,100 km (2009) country comparison to the world: 63
Ports and terminals:
Termiz (Amu Darya)
Military ::Uzbekistan
Military branches:
Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; 1-year conscript service obligation; moving toward a professional military, but conscription will continue; the military cannot accommodate everyone who wishes to enlist, and competition for entrance into the military is similar to the competition for admission to universities (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,776,645
females age 16-49: 7,783,901 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,456,675
females age 16-49: 6,658,475 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 306,743
female: 299,264 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.5% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 33
Transnational Issues ::Uzbekistan
Disputes - international:
prolonged drought and cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2004; border delimitation of 130 km of border with Kyrgyzstan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 39,202 (Tajikistan); 1,060 (Afghanistan)
IDPs: 3,400 (forced population transfers by government from villages near Tajikistan border) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Uzbekistan is a source country for women and girls trafficked to Kazakhstan, Russia, Middle East, and Asia for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Kazakhstan and Russia for purposes of forced labor in the construction, cotton, and tobacco industries; men and women are also trafficked internally for the purposes of domestic servitude, forced labor in the agricultural and construction industries, and for commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Uzbekistan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in 2007; the government did not amend its criminal code to increase penalties for convicted traffickers; in March 2008, Uzbekistan adopted ILO Conventions on minimum age of employment and on the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and is working with the ILO on implementation; the government also demonstrated its increasing commitment to combat trafficking in March 2008 by adopting a comprehensive anti-trafficking law; Uzbekistan has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan
page last updated on January 24, 2011
======================================================================
@Vanuatu (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Vanuatu
Background:
Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language, migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the new name of Vanuatu was adopted.
Geography ::Vanuatu
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: 12,189 sq km country comparison to the world: 163 land: 12,189 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
2,528 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April
Terrain:
mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
Natural resources:
manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Land use:
arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops: 6.97%
other: 91.39% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis
volcanism: Vanuatu experiences significant volcanic activity, with many volcanoes erupting in recent years; Yasur (elev. 361 m, 1,184 ft), one of the world's most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries; other historically active volcanoes include, Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor's Head
Environment - current issues:
most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes
People ::Vanuatu
Population:
221,552 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.7% (male 34,263/female 32,833)
15-64 years: 65.3% (male 72,670/female 69,970)
65 years and over: 4% (male 4,516/female 4,267) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.6 years
male: 24.5 years
female: 24.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.359% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Birth rate:
21.08 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Death rate:
7.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 102
Urbanization:
urban population: 25% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 48.17 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 54 male: 50.65 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 45.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.33 years country comparison to the world: 169 male: 62.7 years
female: 66.04 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.43 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
Ethnic groups:
Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 Census)
Religions:
Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Roman Catholic 13.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, other Christian 13.8%, indigenous beliefs 5.6% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 9.6%, none 1%, unspecified 1.3% (1999 Census)
Languages:
local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) 23.1%, English (official) 1.9%, French (official) 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified 0.7% (1999 Census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 74%
male: NA
female: NA (1999 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
6.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 24
Government ::Vanuatu
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form: Vanuatu
local long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatu
local short form: Vanuatu
former: New Hebrides
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Port-Vila (on Efate)
geographic coordinates: 17 44 S, 168 19 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba
Independence:
30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
Constitution:
30 July 1980
Legal system:
unified system being created from former dual French and British systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Iolu Johnson ABBIL (since 3 September 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 2 December 2010); note - Edward NATAPEI loses office in a no confidence vote on 2 December 2010
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of parliament and the presidents of the regional councils; election for president last held on 2 September 2009 (next to be held in 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held on 22 September 2008 (next to be held following general elections in 2012)
election results: Iolu Johnson ABBIL elected president, with 41 votes out of 58, on the third ballot on 2 September 2009
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 2 September 2008 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VP 11, NUP 8, UMP 7, VRP 7, PPP 4, GC 2, MPP 1, NA 1, NAG 1, PAP 1, Shepherds Alliance 1, VFFP 1, VLP 1, VNP 1, VPRFP 1, and independent 4; note - political party associations are fluid
note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission)
Political parties and leaders:
Greens Confederation or GC [Moana CARCASSES]; Jon Frum Movement or JF [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; Nagriamel movement or NAG [Havo MOLI]; Namangi Aute or NA [Paul TELUKLUK]; National United Party or NUP [Ham LINI]; People's Action Party or PAP [Peter VUTA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Sato KILMAN]; Shepherds Alliance Party [leader NA]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Family First Party or VFFP [Eta RORI]; Vanuatu Labor Party or VLP [Joshua KALSAKAU]; Vanuatu National Party or VNP [Issac HAMARILIU]; Vanuatu Republican Farmers Party or VPRFP [Jean RAVOU]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the US 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 fern fronds, all in yellow; red represents the blood of boars and men, green the richness of the islands, and black the ni-Vanuatu people; the yellow Y-shape - which reflects the pattern of the islands in the Pacific Ocean - symbolizes the light of the Gospel spreading through the islands; the boar's tusk is a symbol of prosperity frequently worn as a pendant on the islands; the fern fronds represent peace
National anthem:
name: "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (We, We, We)
lyrics/music: Francois Vincent AYSSAV
note: adopted 1980, the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language that mixes Pidgin English and French
Economy ::Vanuatu
Economy - overview:
This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for about two-thirds of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with nearly 197,000 visitors in 2008, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. In mid-2002, the government stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.216 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 $1.168 billion (2009 est.)
$1.126 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$721 million (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 3.8% (2009 est.)
6.6% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $5,300 (2009 est.)
$5,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 26%
industry: 12%
services: 62% (2000 est.)
Labor force:
115,900 (2007) country comparison to the world: 181
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 65%
industry: 5%
services: 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.7% (1999) country comparison to the world: 9
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Central bank discount rate:
6% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 77 6% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.5% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 5.29% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$229.2 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 171 $177.7 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$614.2 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 169 $531.6 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$274 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 $229.5 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables; beef; fish
Industries:
food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Electricity - production:
42 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Electricity - consumption:
39.06 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Oil - imports:
654 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Current account balance:
-$60 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Exports:
$40 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 200
Exports - commodities:
copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee
Exports - partners:
Thailand 53.15%, Japan 12.22%, Poland 11.78% (2009)
Imports:
$156 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 203
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels
Imports - partners:
Japan 17.3%, Australia 13.46%, China 12.26%, Singapore 12%, NZ 6.88%, Poland 6.61%, France 5.86%, Fiji 5.52% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$40.54 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 133
Debt - external:
$81.2 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 181
Exchange rates:
vatu (VUV) per US dollar - 97.93 (2009), NA (2007), 111.93 (2006), NA (2005), 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003)
Communications ::Vanuatu
Telephones - main lines in use:
7,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 206
Telephones - mobile cellular:
126,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 181
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Broadcast media:
1 state-owned television station; multi-channel pay TV is available; state-owned Radio Vanuatu operates 2 radio stations; 2 privately-owned radio broadcasters; programming from multiple international broadcasters is accessible (2008)
Internet country code:
.vu
Internet hosts:
1,347 (2010) country comparison to the world: 164
Internet users:
17,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 196
Transportation ::Vanuatu
Airports:
31 (2010) country comparison to the world: 114
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 23 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 1,070 km country comparison to the world: 183 paved: 256 km
unpaved: 814 km (1999)
Merchant marine:
total: 72 country comparison to the world: 60 by type: bulk carrier 35, cargo 5, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 26, vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned: 70 (Australia 2, Belgium 1, Canada 5, Greece 4, Japan 44, Monaco 1, Norway 1, Poland 7, Russia 1, UAE 1, Ukraine 3) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Forari Bay, Luganville (Santo, Espiritu Santo), Port-Vila
Military ::Vanuatu
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF; includes Police Maritime Wing (PMW)) (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 61,178 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 42,450
females age 16-49: 43,894 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,346
female: 2,249 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Transnational Issues ::Vanuatu
Disputes - international:
Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Venezuela (South America)
Introduction ::Venezuela
Background:
Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, seeks to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking capitalist globalization and existing democratic institutions. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.
Geography ::Venezuela
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 country comparison to the world: 33 land: 882,050 sq km
water: 30,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,993 km
border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
Coastline:
2,800 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 15 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain:
Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Bolivar 5,007 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds
Land use:
arable land: 2.85%
permanent crops: 0.88%
other: 96.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:
5,750 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1,233.2 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 8.37 cu km/yr (6%/7%/47%)
per capita: 313 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall
People ::Venezuela
Population:
27,223,228 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.5% (male 4,157,194/female 4,022,595)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 8,480,872/female 8,754,620)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 620,657/female 778,905) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.8 years
male: 25.1 years
female: 26.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.515% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Birth rate:
20.29 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Death rate:
5.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Urbanization:
urban population: 93% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.07 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 96 male: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.77 years country comparison to the world: 109 male: 70.69 years
female: 77 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.45 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.7%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
110,000 (1999 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Venezuelan(s)
adjective: Venezuelan
Ethnic groups:
Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people
Religions:
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Languages:
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93%
male: 93.3%
female: 92.7% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 15 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 122
Government ::Venezuela
Country name:
conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
conventional short form: Venezuela
local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
local short form: Venezuela
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Caracas
geographic coordinates: 10 30 N, 66 56 W
time difference: UTC-4.5 (half an hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 capital district* (distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales (Federal Dependencies)**, Distrito Capital (Capital District)*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, 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:
30 December 1999
Legal system:
open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Elias JAUA Milano (since 26 January 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Elias JAUA Milano (since 26 January 2010)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for unlimited reelection); election last held on 3 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2012)
note: in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution that increased the presidential term to six years; an election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of this constitution; in 2009, a national referendum approved the elimination of term limits on all elected officials, including the presidency
election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 62.9%, Manuel ROSALES 36.9%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (165 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)
elections: last held on 26 September 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - pro-government 48.9%, opposition coalition 47.9%, other 3.2%; seats by party - pro-government 98, opposition 65, other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (32 magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term)
Political parties and leaders:
A New Time or UNT [Omar BARBOZA]; Brave People's Alliance or ABP [Oscar PEREZ]; Christian Democrats or COPEI [Luis Ignacio PLANAS]; Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Oscar FIGUERA]; Democratic Action or AD [Henry RAMOS Allup]; Fatherland for All or PPT [Jose ALBORNOZ]; For Social Democracy or PODEMOS [Ramon MARTINEZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Felipe MUJICA]; United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Hugo CHAVEZ]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action)
International organization participation:
Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, PetroCaribe, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ Herrera
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, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080
mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037
telephone: [58] (212) 975-6411, 907-8400 (after hours)
FAX: [58] (212) 907-8199
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 eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band; the flag retains the three equal horizontal bands and three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; yellow is interpreted as standing for the riches of the land, blue for the courage of its people, and red for the blood shed in attaining independence; the seven stars on the original flag represented the seven provinces in Venezuela that united in the war of independence; in 2006, President Hugo CHAVEZ ordered an eighth star added to the star arc - a decision that sparked much controversy
National anthem:
name: "Gloria al bravo pueblo" (Glory to the Brave Nation)
lyrics/music: Vicente SALIAS/Juan Jose LANDAETA
note: adopted 1881; the lyrics were written in 1810, the music some years later; both SALIAS and LANDAETA were executed in 1814 during Venezuela's struggle for independence
Economy ::Venezuela
Economy - overview:
Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which account for roughly 95% of export earnings, about 55% of the federal budget revenues, and around 30% of GDP. A nationwide strike between December 2002 and February 2003 had far-reaching economic consequences - real GDP declined by around 9% in 2002 and 8% in 2003 - but economic output since then has recovered strongly. Fueled by high oil prices, record government spending helped to boost GDP by about 10% in 2006, 8% in 2007, and nearly 5% in 2008, before a sharp drop in oil prices caused a contraction in 2009-10. This spending, combined with recent minimum wage hikes and improved access to domestic credit, has created a consumption boom but has come at the cost of higher inflation - roughly 32% in 2008, and slowing only slightly to 30% in 2010, despite the lengthy downturn. Imports also jumped significantly before the recession of 2009. President Hugo CHAVEZ's continued efforts to increase the government's control of the economy by nationalizing firms in the agribusiness, financial, construction, oil, and steel sectors have hurt the private investment environment, reduced productive capacity, and slowed non-petroleum exports. In the first half of 2010 Venezuela faced the prospect of lengthy nationwide blackouts when its main hydroelectric power plant - which provides more than 35% of the country's electricity - nearly shut down. In January, 2010, CHAVEZ announced a dual exchange rate system for the bolivar and closed the unofficial foreign exchange market - the "parallel" market - in an effort to stem inflation and slow the currency's depreciation. The foreign exchange system offers a 2.6 bolivar per dollar rate for imports of essentials, including food, medicine, and industrial machinery, and a 4.3 bolivar per dollar rate for imports of other products, including cars and telephones.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$344.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $354.1 billion (2009 est.)
$366.2 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$285.2 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-2.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 -3.3% (2009 est.)
4.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $13,200 (2009 est.)
$13,900 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.1%
industry: 34.9%
services: 61.1% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
13.3 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 23%
services: 64% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 7.9% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
37.9% (yearend 2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 32.7% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
41 (2009) country comparison to the world: 57 49.5 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
16.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Public debt:
25.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 18% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
29.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 224 27.1% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
29.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 3 33.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
19.89% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 22.37% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$69.36 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 37 $93.19 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$78.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $107 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$54.22 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $75.87 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$8.251 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Industries:
petroleum, construction materials, food processing, textiles; iron ore mining, steel, aluminum; motor vehicle assembly
Industrial production growth rate:
-8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Electricity - production:
113.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Electricity - consumption:
83.02 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Electricity - exports:
540 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.651 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
2.472 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Oil - consumption:
740,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Oil - exports:
2.182 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Oil - proved reserves:
97.77 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7
Natural gas - production:
23.06 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - consumption:
24.86 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Natural gas - imports:
1.8 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Natural gas - proved reserves:
4.983 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Current account balance:
$22.07 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $8.561 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$64.87 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $57.6 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, minerals, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
Exports - partners:
US 35.18%, Netherlands Antilles 8.56%
note: excludes oil exports; Venezuela last published petroleum figures by country in 2008 (2009)
Imports:
$31.37 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $38.44 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
agricultural products, raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials
Imports - partners:
US 23.66%, Colombia 14.43%, Brazil 9.13%, China 8.44%, Mexico 5.47% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$29.49 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $35 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$55.61 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $53.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$37.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $41.21 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$20.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $17.67 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 4.3039 (2010), 2.1522 (2009), 2.147 (2008), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006)
Communications ::Venezuela
Telephones - main lines in use:
6.867 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 28
Telephones - mobile cellular:
28.124 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 32
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern and expanding
domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services; combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 130 per 100 persons
international: country code - 58; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network (2009)
Broadcast media:
government supervises a mixture of state-run and private broadcast media; 1 state-run television network, 4 privately-owned TV networks, and a government-backed pan-American channel; state-run radio network includes 15 stations; large number of private broadcast radio stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.ve
Internet hosts:
238,665 (2010) country comparison to the world: 64
Internet users:
8.918 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 32
Transportation ::Venezuela
Airports:
409 (2010) country comparison to the world: 20
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 129
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 34
914 to 1,523 m: 63
under 914 m: 17 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 280
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 91
under 914 m: 172 (2010)
Heliports:
4 (2010)
Pipelines:
extra heavy crude 980 km; gas 5,258 km; oil 6,695 km; refined products 1,484 km; unknown 141 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 806 km country comparison to the world: 101 standard gauge: 806 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 96,155 km country comparison to the world: 47 paved: 32,308 km
unpaved: 63,847 km (2002)
Waterways:
7,100 km country comparison to the world: 21 note: Orinoco River (400 km) and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing vessels (2010)
Merchant marine:
total: 59 country comparison to the world: 66 by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 15, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas 5, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 16
foreign-owned: 10 (Denmark 1, Estonia 1, Germany 1, Greece 4, Mexico 1, Norway 1, Spain 1)
registered in other countries: 9 (Panama 8, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Caribbean Sea as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen
Military ::Venezuela
Military branches:
National Bolivarian Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB): Bolivarian Army (Ejercito Bolivariano, EB), Bolivarian Navy (Armada Bolivariana, AB); includes Naval Infantry, Coast Guard, Naval Aviation), Bolivarian Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Bolivariana, AMB), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB), Bolivarian Militia (Milicia Bolivariana, MB) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 30-month conscript service obligation; all citizens of military service age (18-60 years old) are obligated to register for military service (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,891,648
females age 16-49: 7,047,565 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,504,152
females age 16-49: 5,976,339 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 276,612
female: 273,819 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Transnational Issues ::Venezuela
Disputes - international:
claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana, preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; dispute with Colombia over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela's shared border region; in 2006, an estimated 139,000 Colombians sought protection in 150 communities along the border in Venezuela; US, France, and the Netherlands recognize Venezuela's granting full effect to Aves Island, thereby claiming a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protest Venezuela's full effect claim
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, lured from the nation's interior to urban and tourist areas; child prostitution in urban areas and child sex tourism in resort destinations appear to be growing; Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation to Western Europe, Mexico, and Caribbean destinations
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Venezuela is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List, up from Tier 3, as it showed greater resolve to address trafficking through law enforcement measures and prevention efforts in 2007, although stringent punishment of offenders and victim assistance remain lacking (2008)
Illicit drugs:
small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border
page last updated on January 24, 2011
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@Vietnam (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Vietnam
Background:
The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by Communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the Communist North and anti-Communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under Communist rule. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies, the persecution and mass exodus of individuals - many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants - and growing international isolation. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The Communist leaders, however, maintain control on political expression and have resisted outside calls to improve human rights. The country continues to experience small-scale protests from various groups, the vast majority connected to land-use issues, calls for increased political space and the lack of equitable mechanisms for resolving disputes. Various ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards of the Central Highlands and the Khmer Krom in the southern delta region, have also held protests.
Geography ::Vietnam
Location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia
Geographic coordinates:
16 10 N, 107 50 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 331,210 sq km country comparison to the world: 65 land: 310,070 sq km
water: 21,140 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:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to 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: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m
Natural resources:
phosphates, coal, manganese, rare earth elements, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 20.14%
permanent crops: 6.93%
other: 72.93% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
891.2 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 71.39 cu km/yr (8%/24%/68%)
per capita: 847 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta
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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point
People ::Vietnam
Population:
89,571,130 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.1% (male 12,069,408/female 11,033,738)
15-64 years: 68.3% (male 30,149,986/female 30,392,043)
65 years and over: 5.6% (male 1,892,505/female 3,039,078) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 27.4 years
male: 26.4 years
female: 28.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.096% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Birth rate:
17.29 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Death rate:
5.97 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Net migration rate:
-0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Urbanization:
urban population: 28% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.115 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.57 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 95 male: 21.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.94 years country comparison to the world: 127 male: 69.48 years
female: 74.69 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.93 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
290,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
24,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and plague
water contact disease: leptospirosis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural)
adjective: Vietnamese
Ethnic groups:
Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999 census)
Religions:
Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)
Languages:
Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.3%
male: 93.9%
female: 86.9% (2002 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
5.3% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 55
Government ::Vietnam
Country name:
conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
conventional short form: Vietnam
local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam
local short form: Viet Nam
abbreviation: SRV
Government type:
Communist state
Capital:
name: Hanoi (Ha Noi)
geographic coordinates: 21 02 N, 105 51 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural)
provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dac Lak, Dac Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai
municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City
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; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nguyen Minh TRIET (since 27 June 2006); Vice President Nguyen Thi DOAN (since 25 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 27 June 2006); Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh HUNG (since 28 June 2006), Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung HAI (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien NHAN (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia KHIEM (since 28 June 2006), and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh TRONG (since 28 June 2006)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of prime minister and confirmed by National Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for five-year term; last election held 27 June 2006 (next to be held in January 2011); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministers confirmed by National Assembly
election results: Nguyen Minh TRIET elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 94%; Nguyen Tan DUNG elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 92%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi (493 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 20 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPV 450, non-party CPV-approved 42, self-nominated 1; note - 493 candidates were elected; CPV and non-party CPV-approved delegates were members of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front
Judicial branch:
Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president for a five-year term)
Political parties and leaders:
Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc MANH]; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders:
8406 Bloc; Democratic Party of Vietnam or DPV; People's Democratic Party Vietnam or PDP-VN; Alliance for Democracy
note: these groups advocate democracy but are not recognized by the government
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Le Cong PHUNG
chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737
FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917
consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. MICHALAK
embassy: 7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone: [84] (4) 3850-5000
FAX: [84] (4) 3850-5010
consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City
Flag description:
red field with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center; red symbolizes revolution and blood, the five-pointed star represents the five elements of the populace - peasants, workers, intellectuals, traders, and soldiers - that unite to build socialism
National anthem:
name: "Tien quan ca" (The Song of the Marching Troops)
lyrics/music: Nguyen Van CAO
note: adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; although it consists of two verses, only the first is used as the official anthem
Economy ::Vietnam
Economy - overview:
Vietnam is a densely-populated developing country that in the last 30 years 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. Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to economic liberalization and international integration. They have moved to implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive export-driven industries. Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007 following more than a decade-long negotiation process. WTO membership has provided Vietnam an anchor to the global market and reinforced the domestic economic reform process. Agriculture's share of economic output has continued to shrink from about 25% in 2000 to about 21% in 2009. Deep poverty has declined significantly and Vietnam is working to create jobs to meet the challenge of a labor force that is growing by more than one million people every year. The global recession has hurt Vietnam's export-oriented economy with GDP growing less than the 7% per annum average achieved during the last decade. In 2009 exports fell nearly 10% year-on-year, prompting the government to consider adjustments to tariffs to limit the trade deficit. The government has used stimulus spending, including a subsidized lending program, to help the economy through the global financial crisis. Vietnam's managed currency, the dong, faced downward pressure during the recession and the government devalued it by nearly 7% in December 2009. Foreign donors pledged $8 billion in new development assistance for 2010. Export growth resumed in 2010, driving GDP upward. However, Hanoi has struggled to control one of the region's highest inflation rates, which stands at 11.1% with interest hikes and multiple devaluations of the dong. Vietnam's economy faces higher lending rates, additional IMF scrutiny, domestic inflationary pressures, and an underperforming stock market.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$278.1 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $260.3 billion (2009 est.)
$247.2 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$102 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 5.3% (2009 est.)
6.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,100 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 $2,900 (2009 est.)
$2,800 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 20.5%
industry: 40.2%
services: 39.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
47.49 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 51.8%
industry: 15.4%
services: 32.7% (April 2009)
Unemployment rate:
6.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 6.5% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
12.3% (2009 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.1%
highest 10%: 29.8% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
37 (2004) country comparison to the world: 78 36.1 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
35.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Public debt:
53.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 52.4% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 7% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 43 10.25% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
15.78% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 11.18% (31 December 2007)
Stock of narrow money:
$33.76 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 53 $31.75 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$118.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $107.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$132.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $114.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$21.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $9.589 billion (31 December 2008)
$19.54 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
paddy rice, coffee, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas; poultry; fish, seafood
Industries:
food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, paper
Industrial production growth rate:
7.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Electricity - production:
86.9 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Electricity - consumption:
74.5 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Electricity - exports:
535 million kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
3.85 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
338,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Oil - consumption:
302,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Oil - exports:
29,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Oil - imports:
134,200 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Oil - proved reserves:
4.7 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Natural gas - production:
7.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - consumption:
8.1 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Natural gas - imports:
380,000 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Natural gas - proved reserves:
610 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Current account balance:
-$9.622 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 -$7.44 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$70.76 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $57.1 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoes
Exports - partners:
US 21.43%, Japan 11.44%, China 7.27%, Australia 4.43%, Germany 4.27% (2009)
Imports:
$81.73 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $65.4 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles
Imports - partners:
China 16.42%, Singapore 9.61%, Japan 8.96%, Taiwan 8.23%, South Korea 7.72%, Thailand 6.41%, Hong Kong 4.45%, US 4.27% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$16.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $16.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$33.45 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $27.84 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$59.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $49.92 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$7.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $NA (31 December 2008)
Exchange rates:
dong (VND) per US dollar - 19,148.9 (2010), 17,799.6 (2009), 16,548.3 (2008), 16,119 (2007), 15,983 (2006)
Communications ::Vietnam
Telephones - main lines in use:
17.427 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 17
Telephones - mobile cellular:
98.224 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 10
Telephone system:
general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system
domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly
international: country code - 84; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3, the C2C, and Thailand-Vietnam-Hong Kong submarine cable systems; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable system, scheduled for completion by the end of 2008, will provide new access links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Broadcast media:
government controls all broadcast media exercising oversight through the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC); government-controlled national television provider, Vietnam Television (VTV), operates a network of 9 channels with several regional broadcasting centers; programming is relayed nationwide via a network of provincial and municipal TV stations; law limits access to satellite TV but many households are able to access foreign programming via home satellite equipment; government-controlled Voice of Vietnam, the national radio broadcaster, broadcasts on 6 channels and is repeated on AM, FM, and shortwave stations throughout Vietnam (2008)
Internet country code:
.vn
Internet hosts:
129,318 (2010) country comparison to the world: 73
Internet users:
23.382 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 17
Transportation ::Vietnam
Airports:
44 (2010) country comparison to the world: 98
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 37
over 3,047 m: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate/gas 42 km; gas 66 km; refined products 206 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,347 km country comparison to the world: 67 standard gauge: 178 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 2,169 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 171,392 km country comparison to the world: 29 paved: 125,789 km
unpaved: 45,603 km (2008)
Waterways:
17,702 km (5,000 km navigable by vessels up to 1.8 m draft) (2011) country comparison to the world: 7
Merchant marine:
total: 537 country comparison to the world: 21 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 103, cargo 330, chemical tanker 24, container 20, liquefied gas 7, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 46, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1
registered in other countries: 84 (Cambodia 1, Honduras 1, Liberia 3, Mongolia 34, Panama 37, Taiwan 1, Tuvalu 6, unknown 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Cam Pha Port, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu My, Quy Nhon
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift
Military ::Vietnam
Military branches:
People's Armed Forces: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes People's Navy Command (with Naval Infantry, Coast Guard), Air and Air Defense Force (Khong Quan Nhan Dan), Border Defense Command), People's Public Security Forces, Militia Force, Self-Defense Forces (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (male) for compulsory military service; females may volunteer for active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (3 to 4 years in the navy); 18-45 years of age (male) or 18-40 years of age (female) for Militia Force or Self Defense Forces (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 25,402,395
females age 16-49: 24,834,928 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 20,153,269
females age 16-49: 20,980,830 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 877,075
female: 816,076 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Transnational Issues ::Vietnam
Disputes - international:
southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed encroachments along border; an estimated 300,000 Vietnamese refugees reside in China; establishment of a maritime boundary with Cambodia is hampered by unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of offshore islands; the decade-long demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary was completed in 2009; China occupies the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in complex dispute with Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan over the Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands
Illicit drugs:
minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; government continues to face domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding crackdowns
page last updated on January 19, 2011
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@Virgin Islands (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Virgin Islands
Background:
During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.
Geography ::Virgin Islands
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: 1,910 sq km country comparison to the world: 181 land: 346 sq km
water: 1,564 sq km
Area - comparative:
twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
188 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September 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: 5.71%
permanent crops: 2.86%
other: 91.43% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
lack of natural freshwater resources
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
People ::Virgin Islands
Population:
109,750 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.4% (male 11,394/female 11,048)
15-64 years: 65.9% (male 33,843/female 38,574)
65 years and over: 13.6% (male 6,747/female 8,219) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.8 years
male: 39.2 years
female: 40.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.072% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Birth rate:
11.51 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Death rate:
6.96 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Net migration rate:
-5.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Urbanization:
urban population: 95% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.059 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 166 male: 8.14 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.19 years country comparison to the world: 38 male: 76.14 years
female: 82.41 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.81 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups:
black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census)
Religions:
Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Languages:
English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90-95% est.
male: NA
female: NA (2005 est.)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Virgin Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands
conventional short form: Virgin Islands
former: Danish West Indies
abbreviation: USVI
Dependency status:
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Charlotte Amalie
geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
Independence:
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)
Constitution:
Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Legal system:
based on US laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007)
cabinet: NA (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2014)
election results: John DeJONGH reelected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 56.3%, Kenneth MAPP 43.6%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
elections: last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, ICM 2, independent 3
note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 2 November 2010 (next to be held on November 2012)
Judicial branch:
US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
IOC, UPU, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
white field 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 its right talon and three arrows in the left with a superimposed shield of seven red and six white vertical stripes below a blue panel; white is a symbol of purity, the letters stand for the Virgin Islands
National anthem:
name: "Virgin Islands March"
lyrics/music: multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr.
note: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
Economy ::Virgin Islands
Economy - overview:
Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.4 million visitors in 2008. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, rum distilling, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.577 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 19%
services: 80% (2003 est.)
Labor force:
49,820 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 19%