Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [Jorge BROVETTO] (a broad
governing coalition that includes Movement of the Popular
Participation or MPP [Jose MUJICA], New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio)
[Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista)
[Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [Eduardo FERNANDEZ], the
Communist Party [Marina ARISMENDI], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea
Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI], and Vertiente Artiguista [Mariano ARANA]);
Colorado Party (Foro Batllista) [Julio Maria SANGUINETTI]; National
Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE and Jorge LARRANAGA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization); Chamber
of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association); Chemist and
Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization); PIT/CNT
(powerful federation of Uruguayan Unions - umbrella labor
organization); Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association);
Uruguayan Construction League; Uruguayan Network of Political Women
other: Catholic Church; students
International organization participation:
CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH,
MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG,
UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois
chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316
FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robin H.
MATTHEWMAN
embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200
mailing address: APO AA 34035
telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777
FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611
Flag description:
nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating
with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a
yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays
that alternate between triangular and wavy
Economy ::Uruguay
Economy - overview:
Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented
agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of
social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during
1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn,
stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems
of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. In 2001-02, Argentine
citizens made massive withdrawals of dollars deposited in Uruguayan
banks after bank deposits in Argentina were frozen, which led to a
plunge in the Uruguayan peso, a banking crisis, and a sharp economic
contraction. Real GDP fell in four years by nearly 20%, with 2002
the worst year. The unemployment rate rose, inflation surged, and
the burden of external debt doubled. Financial assistance from the
IMF helped stem the damage. Uruguay restructured its external debt
in 2003 without asking creditors to accept a reduction on the
principal. Economic growth for Uruguay resumed, and averaged 8%
annually during the period 2004-08.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$43.27 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
$39.73 billion (2007 est.)
$36.99 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$32.19 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
8.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
7.4% (2007 est.)
7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,400 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
$11,500 (2007 est.)
$10,700 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.5%
industry: 23.4%
services: 67.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.641 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 15%
services: 76% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
9.2% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
27.4% of households (2006)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 34.8% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
45.2 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 43
44.8 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Budget:
revenues: $8.16 billion
expenditures: $8.555 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
59.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
64.8% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
8.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
10% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 39
10% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
12.45% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 118
7.25% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$2.247 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 68
$2.145 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$9.409 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 52
$7.919 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$9.096 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 73
$6.396 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 108
$159 million (31 December 2007)
$125.1 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
rice, wheat, soybeans, barley; livestock, beef; fish; forestry
Industries:
food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment,
petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Electricity - production:
9.265 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Electricity - consumption:
7.14 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - exports:
996 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
789 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
946.1 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Oil - consumption:
41,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Oil - exports:
7,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Oil - imports:
52,730 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 120
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Natural gas - consumption:
70 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 95
Natural gas - imports:
70 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Current account balance:
-$1.484 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
-$82.7 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$7.084 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$5.043 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products
Exports - partners:
Brazil 18.7%, China 8.5%, Argentina 7.3%, Germany 6.5%, Mexico 4.9%,
Netherlands 4.5%, Russia 4.3% (2008)
Imports:
$8.799 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$5.598 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
crude petroleum and petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, road
vehicles, paper, plastics
Imports - partners:
Argentina 19.9%, Brazil 16.5%, China 11.2%, US 9.9%, Paraguay 6.6%,
Nigeria 4.6% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$6.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$4.121 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$10.73 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 83
$11.07 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$4.19 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 90
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$156 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 78
Exchange rates:
Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 20.936 (2008 est.), 23.947
(2007), 24.048 (2006), 24.479 (2005), 28.704 (2004)
Communications ::Uruguay
Telephones - main lines in use:
959,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 83
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.508 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 98
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 130 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) (2002)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 93, FM 191, shortwave 7 (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
62 (2005)
Internet country code:
.uy
Internet hosts:
498,232 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 48
Internet users:
1.34 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 79
Transportation ::Uruguay
Airports:
57 (2009)
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 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 48
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 20
under 914 m: 25 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 226 km; oil 155 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 1,641 km
country comparison to the world: 79
standard gauge: 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 77,732 km
country comparison to the world: 63
paved: 7,743 km
unpaved: 69,989 km (2004)
Waterways:
1,600 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 52
Merchant marine:
total: 17
country comparison to the world: 102
by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum
tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 10 (Argentina 3, Greece 1, Spain 6)
registered in other countries: 3 (Liberia 3) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Montevideo
Military ::Uruguay
Military branches:
Uruguayan Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito), National Navy (Armada
Nacional; includes naval air arm, Marine Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros
Navales, FUSNA), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Air Force (Fuerza
Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service;
enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the
authority to conscript in emergencies (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 837,252
females age 16-49: 824,096 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 708,545
females age 16-49: 693,622 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 27,452
female: 26,479 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 103
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; uncontested dispute
with Brazil over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada
streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina
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 November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Uzbekistan (Central Asia)
Introduction ::Uzbekistan
Background:
Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff
resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually
suppressed and a socialist republic set up 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: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m
highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead
and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
Land use:
arable land: 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:
27,606,007 (July 2009 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) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.7 years
male: 24.2 years
female: 25.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.935% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Birth rate:
17.58 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Death rate:
5.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Net migration rate:
-2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
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 (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 23.43 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 92
male: 27.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.96 years
country comparison to the world: 123
male: 68.95 years
female: 75.15 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.95 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
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: 85
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
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 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 (2007)
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]* (Nukus), Samarqand
Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati
(Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, 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)
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
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 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 are elected by regional governing
councils and 16 appointed by the president; to serve five-year
terms) and a lower house or Legislative Chamber (120 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be
held in December 2009)
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 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9,
unaffiliated 10
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 [Dilorom TOSHMUHAMEDOVA];
Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milliy Tiklanish) or MTP [Hurshid
DOSMUHAMMEDOV]; Fidokorlar National Democratic Party
(Self-Sacrificers) [Ahtam TURSUNOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of
Uzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHADMANOV; People's Democratic Party or
NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik (Unity)
Movement [Abdurahim POLAT, chairman]; Committee for the Protection
of Human Rights [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party
[Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] (was banned 9 December 1992); Ezgulik
Human Rights Society [Vasila INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers' Party or Ozod
Dehqonlar [Nigora HIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
[Talib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Organization of
Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum; Sunshine Coalition
[Sanjar UMAROV, chairman]
International organization participation:
ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICCt (signatory), 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 Abdulaziz KAMILOV
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 and 12
white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
Economy ::Uzbekistan
Economy - overview: