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: