Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,021 km
paved: 238 km
unpaved: 783 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)
Merchant marine:
total: 112 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587,286
GRT/2,173,970 DWT
ships by type: bulk 38, cargo 29, chemical tanker 3, combination
bulk 1, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 5, livestock carrier 1,
oil tanker 6, refrigerated cargo 16, vehicle carrier 10
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 20
countries among which are Japan 37, US 19, Netherlands 10, Greece 6,
Hong Kong 6, China 4, Canada 4, UAE 3, Russia 2, and Australia 2
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 31
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 17
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF;
includes the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force or VMF)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Venezuela
---------
Map
---
Location: 8 00 N, 66 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and
Guyana
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue,
and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band
and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue
band
Geography
---------
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and
the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 66 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 912,050 sq km
land area: 882,050 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,993 km
border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
Coastline: 2,800 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 15 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo
River; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of
======================================================================
@Vietnam
-------
Map
---
Location: 16 00 N, 106 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, bordering the
Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, between China
and Cambodia
Flag
----
Description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the
center
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf
of Tonkin, and South China Sea, between China and Cambodia
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 106 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 329,560 sq km
land area: 325,360 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 3,818 km
border countries: Cambodia 982 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 1,555 km
Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary with Cambodia not
defined; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands in
the South China Sea with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and
possibly Brunei; unresolved maritime boundary with Thailand;
maritime boundary dispute with China in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel
Islands in the South China Sea occupied by China but claimed by
Vietnam and Taiwan; offshore islands and sections of boundary with
Cambodia are in dispute
Climate: tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy
season (mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October
to mid-March)
Terrain: low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands;
hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Ngoc Linh 3,143 m
Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate,
offshore oil deposits, forests
Land use:
arable land: 22%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 40%
other: 35%
Irrigated land: 18,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices
are contributing to deforestation; soil degradation; water pollution
and overfishing threatening marine life populations; inadequate
supplies of potable water because of groundwater contamination
natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive
flooding
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban
People
------
Population: 73,976,973 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 13,739,304; female 12,988,929)
15-64 years: 59% (male 20,956,735; female 22,448,944)
65 years and over: 5% (male 1,548,513; female 2,294,548) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 38.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.02 years
male: 64.69 years
female: 69.48 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural)
adjective: Vietnamese
Ethnic divisions: Vietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese 3%, Muong, Thai,
Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham
Religions: Buddhist, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs,
Islam, Protestant
Languages: Vietnamese (official), French, Chinese, English, Khmer,
tribal languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 93.7%
male: 96.5%
female: 91.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
conventional short form: Vietnam
local long form: Cong Hoa Chu Nghia Viet Nam
local short form: Viet Nam
abbreviation: SRV
Data code: VM
Type of government: Communist state
Capital: Hanoi
Administrative divisions: 50 provinces (tinh, singular and
plural), 3 municipalities* (thu do, singular and plural); An Giang,
Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Bac Thai, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Can Tho,
Cao Bang, Dac Lac, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Bac, Ha Giang,
Ha Noi*, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hai Hung, Hai Phong*, Ho Chi Minh*, Hoa
Binh, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son,
Lao Cai, Long An, Minh Hai, Nam Ha, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan,
Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam-Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh,
Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Song Be, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thanh
Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long,
Vinh Phu, Yen Bai
Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945)
Constitution: 15 April 1992
Legal system: based on communist legal theory and French civil law
system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Le Duc ANH (since 23 September 1992) was
elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly from among its
members
head of government: Prime Minister Vo Van KIET (since 9 August 1991)
was appointed by the president from among the members of the
National Assembly; First Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since
10 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Ministers Nguyen KHANH (since NA
February 1987) and Tran Duc LUONG (since NA February 1987) were
appointed by the prime minister
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president on proposal of the
prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi): elections last held 19 July 1992 (next
to be held NA July 1997); results - CPV is the only party; seats -
(395 total) CPV or CPV-approved 395
Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court, chief justice is elected
for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation
of the president
Political parties and leaders: only party - Communist Party of
Vietnam (CPV), DO MUOI, general secretary
International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,
Mekong Group, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim
Le Van BANG
chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, Suite 501
telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737
FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917
note: on 11 July 1995, President CLINTON announced the normalization
of diplomatic relations with Vietnam; the liaison offices in both
countries were upgraded to full embassies on 5 August 1995
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires L. Desaix
ANDERSON
embassy: 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone: [84] (4) 431500
FAX: [84] (4) 350484
note: on 11 July 1995, President CLINTON announced the normalization
of diplomatic relations with Vietnam; the liaison offices in both
countries were upgraded to full embassies on 5 August 1995
Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Vietnam's economic performance has been
impressive in 1990-95, with real growth averaging over 8% annually.
Much of this growth comes from a surge in foreign investment outlays
which are estimated at $750 million in 1995, up 50% from 1993
levels. Utilization rates for official development assistance are
also increasing, rising to an estimated $535 million in 1995.
Foreign capital is contributing to a boom in commercial construction
and strong growth in services and industrial output. Crude oil
remains the country's largest single export but now accounts for
only one-quarter of total exports, slightly more than manufactures.
Imports are dominated by capital and intermediate goods closely
related to investment outlays. Vietnamese authorities may not be
moving quickly enough to establish the financial and legal
infrastructure needed to sustain growth through the remainder of the
decade. Reform of the banking sector is proceeding slowly, raising
concerns that the country will be unable to tap sufficient domestic
savings to maintain rapid growth. Administrative and legal barriers
are leading to costly delays for foreign investors, raising doubts
about Vietnam's ability to maintain the inflow of foreign capital.
While government officials are leading an effort to accelerate
reform, their continuing ideological bias in favor of state
intervention and control of the economy may slow progress toward a
more liberalized investment environment. Even with the strong growth
of the economy, unemployment at 25% remains a major problem.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $97 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 9.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 28%
services: 44% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1995)
Labor force: 32.7 million
by occupation: agricultural 65%, industrial and service 35% (1990
est.)
Unemployment rate: 25% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $4.67 billion
expenditures: $5 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.36
billion (1995 est.)
Industries: food processing, textiles, machine building, mining,
cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil
Industrial production growth rate: 14% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 4,470,000 kW
production: 20 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 200 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture: paddy rice, corn, potatoes, rubber, soybeans, coffee,
tea, bananas; poultry, pigs; fish catch of 943,100 metric tons (1989
est.)
Illicit drugs: opium producer and increasingly important transit
point for Southeast Asian heroin destined for the US and Europe;
growing opium addiction; possible small-scale heroin production
Exports: $5.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: crude oil, rice, marine products, coffee, rubber, tea,
and garments
partners: Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, France, South Korea
Imports: $7.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, steel
products, fertilizer, raw cotton, grain
partners: Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan
External debt: $7.3 billion Western countries; $4.5 billion CEMA
debts primarily to Russia; $9 billion to $18 billion nonconvertible
debt (former CEMA, Iraq, Iran)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $57 million (1993)
note: $2.31 billion in credits and grants pledged by international
donors for 1996
Currency: 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu
Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1 - 11,193 (1995 average),
11,000 (October 1994), 10,800 (November 1993), 8,100 (July 1991),
7,280 (December 1990), 3,996 (March 1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,835 km (in addition, there are 224 km not restored to
service after war damage)
standard gauge: 151 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 2,454 km 1.000-m gauge
other gauge: 230 km NA-m dual gauge (three rails)
Highways:
total: 105,000 km
paved: 10,500 km
unpaved: 94,500 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at
all times by vessels up to 1.8 m draft
Pipelines: petroleum products 150 km
Ports: Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hon Gai, Qui Nhon, Nha
Trang
Merchant marine:
total: 112 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 569,269 GRT/947,938 DWT
ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 95, oil tanker 10, refrigerated cargo
3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
note: Vietnam owns an additional 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 120,320 DWT operating under the registries of Honduras,
Panama, The Bahamas, and Malta (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 48
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 800,000 (1995 est.)
Telephone system: while Vietnam's telecommunication sector lags
far behind other countries in Southeast Asia, Hanoi has made
considerable progress since 1991 in upgrading the system; Vietnam
has digitized fully 100% of provincial switch boards, while
fiber-optic and microwave transmission systems have been extended
from Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City to all provinces; the
density of telephone receivers nationwide doubled from 1993 to 1995,
but is still far behind other countries in the region; Vietnam's
telecommunications strategy aims to increase telephone density to 30
per 1,000 inhabitants by the year 2000 and authorities estimate that
approximately $2.7 billion will be spent on telecommunications
upgrades through the end of the decade
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian
Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 228, shortwave 0
Radios: 7.215 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 36 (repeaters 77)
Televisions: 2.9 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes Ground Forces,
Navy, and Air Force)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 18,593,129
males fit for military service: 11,769,955
males reach military age (17) annually: 796,312 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $544 million,
2.7% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Virgin Islands
--------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 18 20 N, 64 50 W -- Caribbean, islands between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Flag
----
Description: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center
between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a
yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows
in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white
stripes below a blue panel
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 352 sq km
land area: 349 sq km
comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 188 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively
low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season
May to November
Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level
land
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf
Land use:
arable land: 15%
permanent crops: 6%
meadows and pastures: 26%
forest and woodland: 6%
other: 47%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources
natural hazards: rarely affected by hurricanes; frequent and severe
droughts, floods, and earthquakes
international agreements: NA
Geographic 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
------
Population: 97,120 (July 1996 est.)
note: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born
elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%,
other 8%
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -0.06% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.57 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.29 years
male: 73.6 years
female: 77.2 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions: black 80%, white 15%, other 5%
Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%,
other 7%
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Virgin Islands of the United States
conventional short form: Virgin Islands
former: Danish West Indies
Data code: VQ
Type of government: organized, unincorporated territory of the US
administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs,
US Department of the Interior
Capital: Charlotte Amalie
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US)
National holiday: Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to
US)
Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Legal system: based on US laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous
inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential
elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of the United States) William Jefferson
CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr.
(since 20 January 1993)
head of government: Governor Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (since 5 January
1995) and Lieutenant Governor Kenneth E. MAPP (since 5 January 1995)
were elected for four-year terms by universal suffrage; election
last held 22 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998);
results - Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (ICM) 54.7%, former Lieutenant
Governor Derek HODGE 42.6%
Legislative branch: unicameral
Senate: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5
November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15
total) Democrats 7, independents 7, Republican 1
US House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994
(next to be held 5 November 1996); results - Victor O. FRAZER (ICM)
54.5%, Eileen R. PETERSON (Democrat) 45.5%; seats - (1 total) ICM 1;
note - the Virgin Islands elects one representative to the US House
of Representatives
Judicial branch: US District Court, handles civil matters over
$50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age and over), and federal
cases, judges are appointed by the president; Territorial Court,
handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, juvenile,
domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases, judges appointed by the
governor
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn
STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN;
Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS
International organization participation: ECLAC (associate), IOC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US)
Flag: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between
the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow
eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the
other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes
below a blue panel
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity,
accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The
manufacturing sector consists of textile, electronics,
pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector
is small, most food being imported. International business and
financial services are a small but growing component of the economy.
One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1987 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $12,500 (1987 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 47,443 (1990 est.)
by occupation: agriculture, industry, services, other (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.7% (1992)
Budget:
revenues: $364.4 million
expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1990 est.)
Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum
distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Industrial production growth rate: 12% (year NA)
Electricity:
capacity: 320,000 kW
production: 970 million kWh
consumption per capita: 9,172 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: truck garden products, fruit, vegetables, sorghum;
Senepol cattle
Exports: $2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities: refined petroleum products
partners: US, Puerto Rico
Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building
materials
partners: US, Puerto Rico