Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity
to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank;
the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish
residents and military facilities; at the same time, some Palestinian
municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own electricity
from small power plants
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear:
NA% other: NA%
Electricity - consumption: NA kWh
Electricity - imports: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products
Exports: $603 million (includes Gaza Strip) (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
Exports - commodities: olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone
Exports - partners: Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip
Imports: $1.9 billion (includes Gaza Strip) (c.i.f., 2001 est.)
Imports - commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials
Imports - partners: Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip
Debt - external: $108 million (includes Gaza Strip) (1997 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $800 million disbursed (includes Gaza Strip)
(2001 est.)
Currency: new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Currency code: ILS; JOD
Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.2757 (December
2001), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000), 4.1397 (1999), 3.8001 (1998), 3.4494
(1997); Jordanian dinars per US dollar - fixed rate of 0.7090 (from 1996)
Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
Communications West Bank
Telephones - main lines in use: 95,729 (total for West Bank and Gaza
Strip) (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international:
NA note: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are
responsible for communication services in the West Bank
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 note: the Palestinian
Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts from an AM station in Ramallah on
675 kHz; numerous local, private stations are reported to be in operation
(2000)
Radios: NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999)
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA; note - many Palestinian households have televisions
(1999)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 8 (1999)
Internet users: 60,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2001)
Transportation West Bank
Railways: 0 km
Highways: 1,800 km (1997 est.) note: Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 3 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to
2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2001)
Military West Bank
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues West Bank
Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied
with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement -
permanent status to be determined through further negotiation
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Wallis and Futuna
Introduction
Wallis and Futuna
Background: Although discovered by the Dutch and the British in the
17th and 18th centuries, it was the French who declared a protectorate
over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted
to become a French overseas territory.
Geography Wallis and Futuna
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds
of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 274 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile
Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets water: 0 sq km land:
274 sq km
Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 129 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry
season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity);
average temperature 26.6 degrees C
Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point:
Mont Singavi 765 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 20% other: 75% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: deforestation (only small portions of the
original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood
as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests,
the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion;
there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of
natural fresh water resources
Geography - note: both island groups have fringing reefs
People Wallis and Futuna
Population: 15,585 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA%
Population growth rate: NA (2002 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders
adjective: Ethnic groups: Polynesian
Religions: Roman Catholic 100%
Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 50% male: 50% female: 50% (1969 est.)
Government Wallis and Futuna
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna
Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local short form:
Wallis et Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
Dependency status: overseas territory of France
Government type: NA
Capital: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are
no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government,
but there are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis
Independence: none (overseas territory of France)
National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France
(since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Alain WAQUET (since
12 July 2000) elections: French president elected by popular vote for
a five-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president
on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents
of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected
by the members of the assembly note: there are three traditional kings
with limited powers head of government: President of the Territorial
Assembly Patalione KANIMOA (since NA January 2001) cabinet: Council of
the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by
the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee
Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms) elections: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator
to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly;
French Senate - elections last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held
by NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats -
RPR 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 25 May-1 June 1997
(next to be held by NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats - RPR 1 election results: Judicial branch: none; justice generally
administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three
traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate
in Mata-Utu
Political parties and leaders: Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) [leader
NA]; Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG [leader NA]; Rally for the
Republic or RPR [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA];
Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie
Francaise or UDF [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: FZ, SPC
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of
France)
Flag description: a large white modified Maltese cross centered on a red
background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the
upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy Wallis and Futuna
Economy - overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence
agriculture, with about 80% labor force earnings from agriculture
(coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About
4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from
French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and
South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in
New Caledonia.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $30 million (1997 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,000 (1997 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%,
government 4% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $20 million expenditures: $17 million, including
capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% other:
NA% nuclear: NA%
Electricity - consumption: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats
Exports: $250,000 (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: copra, chemicals, construction materials
Exports - partners: Italy 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark 13%
Imports: $300,000 (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities: chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer
goods
Imports - partners: France 97%, Australia 2%, New Zealand 1%
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid - recipient: assistance from France
Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Currency code: XPF
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US
dollar - 135.04 (January 2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.43 (2000), 111.93
(1999), 107.25 (1998), 106.11 (1997); note - linked at the rate of 119.25
XPF to the euro
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Wallis and Futuna
Telephones - main lines in use: 1,125 (1994)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1994)
Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2 (2000)
Televisions: NA
Internet country code: .wf
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000)
Internet users: NA
Transportation Wallis and Futuna
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) paved:
16 km (all on Ile Uvea) unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Leava, Mata-Utu
Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 71,868
GRT/7,422 DWT ships by type: passenger 4 note: includes some foreign-owned
ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 3, United States 1
(2002 est.)
Airports: 2 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2001)
Military Wallis and Futuna
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Wallis and Futuna
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Western Sahara
Introduction
Western Sahara
Background: Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of
Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the
territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war
with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991
cease-fire; a referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed.
Geography Western Sahara
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Mauritania and Morocco
Geographic coordinates: 24 30 N, 13 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 266,000 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 266,000 sq km
Area - comparative: about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km,
Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Coastline: 1,110 km
Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
Climate: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents
produce fog and heavy dew
Terrain: mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy
surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point:
unnamed location 463 m
Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur
during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time,
often severely restricting visibility
Environment - current issues: sparse water and lack of arable land
Environment - international agreements: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: Geography - note: the waters off the coast
are particularly rich fishing areas
People Western Sahara
Population: 256,177 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA%
Population growth rate: NA (2002 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Sex ratio: NA
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawian,
Sahraouian
Ethnic groups: Arab, Berber
Religions: Muslim
Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Western Sahara
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form:
Western Sahara former: Spanish Sahara
Government type: legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty
unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular
Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in
February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi
Arab Democratic Republic (SADR),led by President Mohamed ABDELAZIZ and
recognized by 54 nations; territory partitioned between Morocco and
Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds;
Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all
claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector
shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the
Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984;
guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored
cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991
Capital: none
Administrative divisions: none (under de facto control of Morocco)
Suffrage: none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet
completed
Executive branch: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none
Diplomatic representation from the US: none
Economy Western Sahara
Economy - overview: Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism,
fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for
the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable
agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population
must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled
by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed
contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has
angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara
are substantially below the Moroccan level.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services:
40%-45% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 12,000
Labor force - by occupation: animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures
of $NA
Industries: phosphate mining, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 90 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0%
(2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 83.7 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases);
camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads)
Exports: $NA
Exports - commodities: phosphates 62%
Exports - partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara,
so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Imports: $NA
Imports - commodities: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs
Imports - partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara,
so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Currency code: MAD
Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 11.584 (January 2002),
11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Western Sahara
Telephones - main lines in use: about 2,000 (1999 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1999)
Telephone system: NA international: and satellite; satellite earth
stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 56,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: 6,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .eh
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000)
Internet users: NA
Transportation Western Sahara
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 6,200 km paved: 1,350 km unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun)
Airports: 11 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to
1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2001)
Military Western Sahara
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues Western Sahara
Disputes - international: Morocco claims and administers Western
Sahara, but sovereignty remains unresolved; UN-administered cease-fire
has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a
referendum have failed and parties reject other proposals
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Wake Island
Introduction Wake Island
Background: The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An
important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December
1941 the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of
World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover
and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting
the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the
US military and some commercial cargo planes, as well as for emergency
landings. There are over 700 landings a year on the island.
Geography Wake Island
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds
of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
Geographic coordinates: 19 17 N, 166 36 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 6.5 sq km
Area - comparative: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 19.3 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: tropical
Terrain: atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano;
central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point:
unnamed location 6 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: occasional typhoons
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean;
emergency landing location for transpacific flights
People Wake Island
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: US military personnel have
left the island, but civilian personnel remain; as of December 2000,
one US Army civilian and 123 contractor personnel were present (July
2002 est.)
Population growth rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
Government Wake Island
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form:
Wake Island
Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered
from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities on
the island are managed by the US Army under a US Air Force permit
Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
Economy Wake Island
Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services
to contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods
must be imported.
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Communications Wake Island
Telephone system: general assessment: satellite communications;
1 DSN circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA note: Armed Forces
Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite
(1998)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997)
Transportation Wake Island
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none; two offshore anchorages for large ships
Airports: 1 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2001)
Transportation - note: formerly an important commercial aviation base,
now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, and for emergency
landings
Military Wake Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Wake Island
Disputes - international: claimed by Marshall Islands
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Samoa
Introduction
Samoa
Background: New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa
at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the
islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the
islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in
the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997.
Geography Samoa