current issues: air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US
and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide
from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of
pesticides and fertilizers; very limited natural fresh water
resources in much of the western part of the country require careful
management; desertification
natural hazards: tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around
Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic coast; tornadoes in the
midwest; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west;
flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska is a major impediment to
development
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,
Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but
not ratified - Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Desertification,
Hazardous Wastes, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia,
Canada, and China)
People
------
Population: 266,476,278 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 29,718,390; female 28,335,934)
15-64 years: 65% (male 86,225,056; female 87,411,573)
65 years and over: 13% (male 13,850,234; female 20,021,655) (July
1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.91% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.8 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.8 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.95 years
male: 72.65 years
female: 79.41 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: American(s)
adjective: American
Ethnic divisions: white 83.4%, black 12.4%, Asian 3.3%, Native
American 0.8% (1992)
Religions: Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other
4%, none 10% (1989)
Languages: English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: United States of America
conventional short form: United States
abbreviation: US or USA
Data code: US
Type of government: federal republic; strong democratic tradition
Capital: Washington, DC
Administrative divisions: 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama,
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico,
New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee,
Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia,
Wisconsin, Wyoming
Dependent areas: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland
Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands,
Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto
Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island
note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered
the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently entered
into a new political relationship with all four political units: the
Northern Mariana Islands is a Commonwealth in political union with
the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of
Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994); the
Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association
with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the
Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US
(effective 21 October 1986)
Independence: 4 July 1776 (from England)
National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Constitution: 17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President William Jefferson
CLINTON (since 20 January 1993) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr.
(since 20 January 1993) were elected for four-year terms by a
college of representatives elected directly from each state;
election last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 5 November
1996); results - William Jefferson CLINTON (Democratic Party) 43.2%,
George BUSH (Republican Party) 37.7%, Ross PEROT (independent)
19.0%, other 0.1%
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president with Senate approval
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress
Senate: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5
November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (100
total) Republican Party 54, Democratic Party 46
House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next
to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (435 total) Republican Party 231, Democratic Party 203,
independent 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed for life by
the president with confirmation by the Senate
Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Haley BARBOUR,
national committee chairman and Jeanie AUSTIN, co-chairman;
Democratic Party, David C. WILHELM, national committee chairman;
several other groups or parties of minor political significance
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CP, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC,
ESCAP, FAO, G- 2, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR,
NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security
Council, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNOMIG,
UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO, ZC
Flag: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner bearing 50 small white five-pointed stars arranged
in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom)
alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50
states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as
Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of
other flags including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The US has the most powerful, diverse, and
technologically advanced economy in the world, with a per capita GDP
of $27,500, the largest among major industrial nations. In this
market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make
most of the decisions, and government purchases of goods and
services are made predominantly in the marketplace. US business
firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts
in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant,
lay off surplus workers, and develop new products. At the same time,
they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals' home markets
than the barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets. In all
economic sectors, US firms are at or near the forefront in
technological advances, especially in computers, medical equipment,
and aerospace, although their advantage has steadily narrowed since
the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains
the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those
at the bottom lack the education and professional/technical skills
of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get pay raises,
health insurance coverage, and other benefits. The years 1994-95
witnessed moderate gains in real output, low inflation rates, and a
drop in unemployment below 6%. The capture of both houses of
Congress by the Republicans in the elections of 8 November 1994 has
intensified the debate over how the US should address its major
economic problems. These problems include inadequate investment in
economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical costs of an aging
population, sizable budget and trade deficits, and stagnation of
family income in the lower economic groups. The outlook for 1996 is
for continued moderate growth, low inflation, and about the same
level of unemployment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.2477 trillion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $27,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 23%
services: 75% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1995)
Labor force: 132.304 million (includes unemployed) (1995)
by occupation: managerial and professional 28.3%, technical, sales
and administrative support 30.0%, services 13.5%, manufacturing,
mining, transportation, and crafts 25.3%, farming, forestry, and
fishing 2.8%
Unemployment rate: 5.6% (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $1.258 trillion
expenditures: $1.461 trillion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)
Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly
diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor
vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics,
food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining
Industrial production growth rate: 5.4% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 695,120,000 kW
production: 3.1 trillion kWh
consumption per capita: 11,236 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, other grains, corn, fruits, vegetables,
cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for domestic
consumption with 1987 production estimated at 3,500 metric tons or
about 25% of the available marijuana; ongoing eradication program
aimed at small plots and greenhouses has not reduced production
Exports: $578 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw
materials, consumer goods, agricultural products
partners: Western Europe 24.3%, Canada 22.1%, Japan 10.5% (1993)
Imports: $751 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery,
automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and
beverages
partners: Canada, 19.3%, Western Europe 18.1%, Japan 18.1% (1993)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $9.721 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
British pounds: (L) per US$ - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995),
0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991)
Canadian dollars: (Can$) per US$ - 1.3666 (January 1996), 1.3724
(1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992), 1.1457 (1991)
French francs: (F) per US$ - 5.0056 (January 1996), 4.9915 (1995),
5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991)
Italian lire: (Lit) per US$ - 1,583.8 (January 1996), 1,629.6
(1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6
(1991)
Japanese yen: (Y) per US$ - 105.84 (January 1996), 94.06 (1995),
102.21 (1994), 111.20 (1993), 126.65 (1992), 134.71 (1991)
German deutsche marks: (DM) per US$ - 1.4617 (January 1996), 1.4331
(1995), 1.6228 (1994), 1.6533 (1993), 1.5617 (1992), 1.6595 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 240,000 km mainline routes (nongovernment owned)
standard gauge: 240,000 km 1.435-m gauge (1989)
Highways:
total: 6,284,488 km
paved: 5,574,341 km (in 1991, included 85,267 km of expressways)
unpaved: 710,147 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland channels, exclusive of
the Great Lakes
Pipelines: petroleum 276,000 km; natural gas 331,000 km (1991)
Ports: Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Duluth,
Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New
Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Portland (Oregon),
Prudhoe Bay, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo
Merchant marine:
total: 322 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,716,000
GRT/15,259,000 DWT
ships by type: bulk 21, cargo 20, chemical tanker 17, intermodal
125, liquefied gas tanker 14, passenger-cargo 2, tanker 110, tanker
tug-barge 13
note: in addition, there are 190 government-owned vessels (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 13,387
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 179
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 201
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1,204
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2,361
with paved runways under 914 m: 7,720
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 151
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1,563 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 63 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 182.558 million (1987 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay,
coaxial cable, and domestic satellites
international: 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth
stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean)
(1990 est.), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat
(Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4,987, FM 4,932, shortwave 0
Radios: 540.5 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1,092 (in addition, there are about
9,000 cable TV systems)
Televisions: 215 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy (includes
Marine Corps), Department of the Air Force
note: the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Transportation,
but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 69,302,573
males fit for military service: NA
males reach military age (18) annually: 1,864,580 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $272.2 billion, 3.8% of GDP (1995 est.)
======================================================================
@Uruguay
-------
Map
---
Location: 33 00 S, 56 00 W -- Southern South America, bordering
the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil
Flag
----
Description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and
bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper
hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as
the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy
Geography
---------
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic
Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil
Geographic coordinates: 33 00 S, 56 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 176,220 sq km
land area: 173,620 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Washington State
Land boundaries:
total: 1,564 km
border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km
Coastline: 660 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 200 nm; overflight and navigation guaranteed beyond
12 nm
International disputes: short section of boundary with Argentina
is in dispute; two short sections of the boundary with Brazil are in
dispute - Arroyo de la Invernada (Arroio Invernada) area of the Rio
Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio
Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the Uruguay River
Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal
lowland
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m
Natural resources: fertile soil, hydropower potential, minor
minerals
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 78%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: 1,100 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: substantial pollution from Brazilian industry along
border; one-fifth of country affected by acid rain generated by
Brazil; water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry;
inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal
natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and
occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine
pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains,
which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly
vulnerable to rapid changes in weather fronts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation
People
------
Population: 3,238,952 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 405,041; female 386,155)
15-64 years: 63% (male 1,004,089; female 1,035,336)
65 years and over: 13% (male 170,109; female 238,222) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.7% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.05 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.94 years
male: 71.8 years
female: 78.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.32 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Uruguayan(s)
adjective: Uruguayan
Ethnic divisions: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%
Religions: Roman Catholic 66% (less than one-half of the adult
population attends church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%,
nonprofessing or other 30%
Languages: Spanish, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the
Brazilian frontier)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 97.3%
male: 96.9%
female: 97.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
conventional short form: Uruguay
local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay
local short form: Uruguay
Data code: UY
Type of government: republic
Capital: Montevideo
Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno,
Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio
Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta
y Tres
Independence: 25 August 1828 (from Brazil)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1828)
Constitution: 27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended
27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November
1980
Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Julio Maria
SANGUINETTI (since 1 March 1995) and Vice President Hugo BATALLA
(since 1 March 1995) were elected for five-year terms by popular
vote; election last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA
November 1999)
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly (Asamblea General)
Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores): elections last held 27
November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999); results - Colorado
36%, Blanco 34 %, Encuentro Progresista 27%, New Sector 3%; seats -
(30 total) Colorado 11, Blanco 10, Encuentro Progresista 8, New
Sector 1
Chamber of Representatives (Camara de Representantes): elections
last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999);
results - Colorado 32%, Blanco 31%, Encuentro Progresista 31%, New
Sector 5%; seats - (99 total) Colorado 32, Blanco 31, Encuentro
Progresista 31, New Sector 5
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the
president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly
Political parties and leaders: National (Blanco) Party, Alberto
VOLONTE Berro; Colorado Party, Jorge BATLLE; Broad Front Coalition,
12 member Executive Secretariat (as of 11 March 1996); New Sector
Coalition, Hugo BATALLA; Encuentro Progresista (EP), Tabare VAZQUEZ
International organization participation: AG (observer), CCC,
ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG,
UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP,
UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alvaro DIEZ DE MEDINA SUAREZ
chancery: 1918 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. DODD
embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo
mailing address: APO AA 34035
telephone: [598] (2) 23 60 61, 48 77 77
FAX: [598] (2) 48 86 11
Flag: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom)
alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper
hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as
the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Uruguay's small economy benefits from a
favorable climate for agriculture and substantial hydropower
potential. Economic development has been restrained in recent years
by high - though declining - inflation and extensive government
regulation. The SANGUINETTI government's conservative monetary and
fiscal policies are aimed at continuing to reduce inflation,
currently at 35.4%; other priorities include extensive reform of the
social security system and increased investment in education.
Uruguay went into recession during second quarter 1995 and ended the
year with an estimated 2% fall in GDP and a two percentage point
rise in unemployment to 11%. This was partly due to Argentina's
recession and the slowdown in Brazilian growth in 1995, which
contributed to declines in the Uruguayan manufacturing,
construction, and service sectors. However, despite its Mercosur
(Southern Cone Common Market) partners' troubles, Uruguayan trade
expanded and potential new markets are being explored through
Mercosur negotiations with neighboring countries and the European
Union (EU). Uruguay also recently augmented its transport and
agricultural sector ties with the US. The economy is expected to
come out of recession as regional growth prospects improve.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $24.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -2.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.5%
industry: 27.5%
services: 62% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35.4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.355 million (1991 est.)
by occupation: government 25%, manufacturing 19%, agriculture 11%,
commerce 12%, utilities, construction, transport, and communications
12%, other services 21% (1988 est.)
Unemployment rate: 11% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $3.03 billion
expenditures: $3.37 billion with capital expenditures of $NA (1994
est.)
Industries: meat processing, wool and hides, sugar, textiles,
footwear, leather apparel, tires, cement, petroleum refining, wine
Industrial production growth rate: -19% (1995 est.)