Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (77)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 16 years

male: 15 years

female: 16 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

5.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 57

Government ::United States

Country name:

conventional long form: United States of America

conventional short form: United States

abbreviation: US or USA

Government type:

Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition

Capital:

name: Washington, DC

geographic coordinates: 38 53 N, 77 02 W

time difference: UTC-5 (during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

note: the 50 United States cover six time zones

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; it entered into a political relationship with all four political units: the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union 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); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994)

Independence:

4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

Constitution:

17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789

Legal system:

federal court system based on English common law; each state has its own unique legal system, of which all but one (Louisiana, which is still influenced by the Napoleonic Code) is based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held on 6 November 2012)

election results: Barack H. OBAMA elected president; percent of popular vote - Barack H. OBAMA 52.4%, John MCCAIN 46.3%, other 1.3%;

Legislative branch:

bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, 2 members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third are elected every two years) and the House of Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held November 2010); House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 57, Republican Party 41, independent 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 257, Republican Party 178

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (nine justices; nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; appointed to serve for life); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party [Timothy KAINE]; Green Party; Libertarian Party [William (Bill) REDPATH]; Republican Party [Michael STEELE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

environmentalists; business groups; labor unions; churches; ethnic groups; political action committees or PAC; health groups; education groups; civic groups; youth groups; transportation groups; agricultural groups; veterans groups; women's groups; reform lobbies

International organization participation:

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Flag description:

13 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 ::United States

Economy - overview:

The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $46,900. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has 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 the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The war in March-April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the subsequent occupation of Iraq, required major shifts in national resources to the military. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage in the Gulf Coast region in August 2005, but had a small impact on overall GDP growth for the year. Soaring oil prices between 2005 and the first half of 2008 threatened inflation and unemployment, as higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets. Imported oil accounts for about two-thirds of US consumption. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. The merchandise trade deficit reached a record $819 billion in 2007 and $821 billion in 2008. The global economic downturn, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, investment bank failures, falling home prices, and tight credit pushed the United States into a recession by mid-2008. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and other industrial corporations. In January 2009 the US Congress passed and President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$14.44 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $14.38 trillion (2007 est.)

$14.09 trillion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$14.44 trillion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 2.1% (2007 est.)

2.7% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$47,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $47,700 (2007 est.)

$47,200 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 1.2%

industry: 19.2%

services: 79.6% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

154.3 million (includes unemployed) (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Labor force - by occupation:

farming, forestry, and fishing 0.6%, manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts 22.6%, managerial, professional, and technical 35.5%, sales and office 24.8%, other services 16.5%

note: figures exclude the unemployed (2007)

Unemployment rate:

5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 4.6% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

12% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 30% (2007 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

45 (2007) country comparison to the world: 44 40.8 (1997)

Investment (gross fixed):

14.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Budget:

revenues: $2.524 trillion

expenditures: $2.978 trillion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

37.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 65% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 2.9% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

0.5% (31 March 2009) country comparison to the world: 110 4.83% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

5.09% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 105 8.05% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$1.436 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 4 $1.395 trillion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$10.99 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 1 $7.466 trillion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$15.06 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 2 $14.21 trillion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 1 $19.95 trillion (31 December 2007)

$19.43 trillion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products

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:

-2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Electricity - production:

4.11 trillion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Electricity - consumption:

3.873 trillion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Electricity - exports:

24.08 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

57.02 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

8.514 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3

Oil - consumption:

19.5 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Oil - exports:

1.433 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Oil - imports:

13.47 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Oil - proved reserves:

21.32 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Natural gas - production:

582.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

Natural gas - consumption:

657.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Natural gas - exports:

28.49 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 10

Natural gas - imports:

112.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Natural gas - proved reserves:

6.731 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Current account balance:

-$706.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 -$731.2 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$1.277 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $1.148 trillion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrial supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0% (2003)

Exports - partners:

Canada 20.1%, Mexico 11.7%, China 5.5%, Japan 5.1%, Germany 4.2%, UK 4.1% (2008)

Imports:

$2.117 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $1.968 trillion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9% (crude oil 8.2%), capital goods 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment, motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery), consumer goods 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture, toys) (2003)

Imports - partners:

China 16.5%, Canada 15.7%, Mexico 10.1%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 4.6% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$77.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $70.57 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$13.75 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 1 $13.43 trillion (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$2.367 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $2.093 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$3.162 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $2.791 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

British pounds per US dollar: 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004)

Canadian dollars per US dollar: 1.0364 (2008), 1.0724 (2007), 1.1334 (2006), 1.2118 (2005), 1.3010 (2004)

Chinese yuan per US dollar: 6.9385 (2008), 7.61 (2007), 7.97 (2006), 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004)

euros per US dollar: 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)

Japanese yen per US dollar: 103.58 (2008), 117.99 (2007), 116.18 (2006) 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004)

Communications ::United States

Telephones - main lines in use:

150 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 2

Telephones - mobile cellular:

270 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 3

Telephone system:

general assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system

domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country

international: country code - 1; multiple ocean cable systems provide international connectivity; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 4,789, FM 8,961, shortwave 19 (2006)

Television broadcast stations:

2,218 (2006)

Internet country code:

.us

Internet hosts:

383 million (2009); note - the US Internet total host count includes the following top level domain host addresses: .us, .com, .edu, .gov, .mil, .net, and .org country comparison to the world: 1

Internet users:

231 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 2

Transportation ::United States

Airports:

15,095 (2009) country comparison to the world: 1

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 5,174

over 3,047 m: 190

2,438 to 3,047 m: 229

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,477

914 to 1,523 m: 2,309

under 914 m: 969 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 9,921

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 158

914 to 1,523 m: 1,757

under 914 m: 8,000 (2009)

Heliports:

126 (2009)

Pipelines:

petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km (2006)

Railways:

total: 226,427 km country comparison to the world: 1 standard gauge: 226,427 km 1.435-m gauge (2007)

Roadways:

total: 6,465,799 km country comparison to the world: 1 paved: 4,209,835 km (includes 75,040 km of expressways)

unpaved: 2,255,964 km (2007)

Waterways:

41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce) country comparison to the world: 4 note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with Canada (2008)

Merchant marine:

total: 422 country comparison to the world: 24 by type: barge carrier 6, bulk carrier 61, cargo 69, carrier 2, chemical tanker 22, container 81, passenger 19, passenger/cargo 59, petroleum tanker 53, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 25, vehicle carrier 22

foreign-owned: 74 (Australia 1, Denmark 31, Germany 5, Japan 7, Malaysia 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 9, Singapore 12, Sweden 5, UK 1)

registered in other countries: 732 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Australia 2, Bahamas 106, Bermuda 23, Cambodia 6, Canada 10, Cayman Islands 42, Comoros 2, Cyprus 5, Ecuador 1, Greece 8, Hong Kong 29, Ireland 2, Isle of Man 4, Italy 17, South Korea 7, Liberia 98, Luxembourg 4, Malta 23, Marshall Islands 123, Netherlands 14, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 8, Panama 126, Portugal 1, Puerto Rico 3, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 22, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Tuvalu 1, UK 12, Vanuatu 1, unknown 2) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Corpus Christi, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long Beach, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Texas City

Military ::United States

Military branches:

United States Armed Forces: US Army, US Navy (includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Coast Guard; note - Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; maximum enlistment age 42 (Army), 27 (Air Force), 34 (Navy), 28 (Marines); service obligation 8 years, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines) (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 72,715,332

females age 16-49: 71,638,785 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 59,764,677

females age 16-49: 59,437,663 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 2,196,124

female: 2,085,085 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

4.06% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Transnational Issues ::United States

Disputes - international:

the U.S. has intensified domestic security measures and is collaborating closely with its neighbors, Canada and Mexico, to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across the international borders; abundant rainfall in recent years along much of the Mexico-US border region has ameliorated periodically strained water-sharing arrangements; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Duma ratification; managed maritime boundary disputes with Canada at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other states; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island; Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island among the islands listed in its 2006 draft constitution

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): the US admitted 62,643 refugees during FY04/05 including; 10,586 (Somalia); 8,549 (Laos); 6,666 (Russia); 6,479 (Cuba); 3,100 (Haiti); 2,136 (Iran) (2006)

Illicit drugs:

world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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@United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges (Australia-Oceania)

Introduction ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

Background:

All of the following US Pacific island territories except Midway Atoll constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior. Midway Atoll NWR has been included in a Refuge Complex with the Hawaiian Islands NWR and also designated as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They sustain many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere.

Baker Island: The US took possession of the island in 1857. Its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.

Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the uninhabited atoll was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano deposits until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.

Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858 but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889 but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. It was abandoned in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.

Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934. Subsequently, the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s. Until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction, cleanup, and closure of the facility were completed by May 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Air Force are currently discussing future management options; in the interim, Johnston Atoll and the three-mile Naval Defensive Sea around it remain under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the US Air Force.

Kingman Reef: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a US NWR.

Midway Islands: The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a NWR and are the site of the world's largest Laysan albatross colony.

Palmyra Atoll: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy with the rest owned by the Federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These organizations are managing the atoll as a wildlife refuge. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nm US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and designated as a NWR in January 2001.

Geography ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

Location:

Oceania

Baker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,830 nm (3,389 km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia

Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 1,815 nm (3,361 km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia

Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 1,305 nm (2,417 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Cook Islands

Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 nm (1,328 km) southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands

Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 930 nm (1,722 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa

Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,260 nm (2,334 km) northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo

Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 960 nm (1,778 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa

Geographic coordinates:

Baker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 W

Howland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 W

Jarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 W

Johnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 W

Kingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 W

Midway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 W

Palmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total - 6,959.41 sq km; emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged - 6,937 sq km country comparison to the world: 237 Baker Island: total - 129.1 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km; submerged - 127 sq km

Howland Island: total - 138.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 136 sq km

Jarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged - 147 sq km

Johnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 274 sq km

Kingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km; submerged - 1,958 sq km

Midway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km; submerged - 2,349 sq km

Palmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km; submerged - 1,946 sq km

Area - comparative:

Baker Island: about two and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Howland Island: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Johnston Atoll: about four and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Kingman Reef: a little more than one and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Midway Islands: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

none

Coastline:

Baker Island: 4.8 km

Howland Island: 6.4 km

Jarvis Island: 8 km

Johnston Atoll: 34 km

Kingman Reef: 3 km

Midway Islands: 15 km

Palmyra Atoll: 14.5 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation

Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 1,067 mm (42 in) of annual rainfall occurs during the winter

Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 4,000-5,000 mm (160-200 in) of rainfall each year

Terrain:

low and nearly level sandy coral islands with narrow fringing reefs that have developed at the top of submerged volcanic mountains, which in most cases rise steeply from the ocean floor

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Baker Island, unnamed location - 8 m; Howland Island, unnamed location - 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location - 7 m; Johnston Atoll, Sand Island - 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location - less than 2 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location - 13 m; Palmyra Atoll, unnamed location - 3 m

Natural resources:

terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2008)

Natural hazards:

Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of less than 2 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard

Midway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA

Environment - current issues:

Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Johnston Atoll: no natural fresh water resources

Kingman Reef: none

Midway Islands and Palmyra Atoll: NA

Geography - note:

Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public

Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public

Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public

Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a NWR and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography

Palmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forest

People ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service

Johnston Atoll: in previous years, an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel were present; as of May 2005, all US government personnel had left the island

Midway Islands: approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services contractor living at the atoll

Palmyra Atoll: four to 20 Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife staff, and researchers

Government ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Baker Island; Howland Island; Jarvis Island; Johnston Atoll; Kingman Reef; Midway Islands; Palmyra Atoll

Dependency status:

unincorporated territories of the US; administered from Washington, DC by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system

note on Palmyra Atoll: incorporated Territory of the US; partly privately owned and partly federally owned; administered from Washington, DC by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nm territorial sea or within the lagoon

Legal system:

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territories of the US)

Flag description:

the flag of the US is used

Economy ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

Economy - overview:

no economic activity

Transportation ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

Airports:

Baker Island: one abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m covered with vegetation and unusable

Howland Island: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN; the aviators left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable

Johnston Atoll: one closed and not maintained

Kingman Reef: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938

Midway Islands: 3 - one operational (2,409 m paved); no fuel for sale except emergencies

Palmyra Atoll: 1 - 1,846 m unpaved runway; privately owned (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Kingman Reef: none; offshore anchorage only

Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island

Midway Islands: Sand Island

Palmyra Atoll: West Lagoon

Military ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

Disputes - international:

none

page last updated on August 26, 2009

======================================================================

@Uruguay (South America)

Introduction ::Uruguay

Background:

Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century established widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.

Geography ::Uruguay

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: 176,215 sq km country comparison to the world: 90 land: 175,015 sq km

water: 1,200 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than the state of Washington

Land boundaries:

total: 1,648 km

border countries: Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km

Coastline:

660 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or edge of continental margin

Climate:

warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Terrain:

mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m

Natural resources:

arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries

Land use:

arable land: 7.77%

permanent crops: 0.24%

other: 91.99% (2005)

Irrigated land:

2,100 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

139 cu km (2000)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 3.15 cu km/yr (2%/1%/96%)

per capita: 910 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that 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 from weather fronts

Environment - current issues:

water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising

People ::Uruguay

Population:

3,494,382 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Age structure:

0-14 years: 22.4% (male 397,942/female 385,253)

15-64 years: 64.3% (male 1,115,963/female 1,129,478)

65 years and over: 13.3% (male 187,176/female 278,570) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 33.4 years

male: 32 years

female: 34.8 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.466% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Birth rate:

13.91 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Death rate:

9.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Net migration rate:

-0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Urbanization:

urban population: 92% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 11.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 150 male: 12.73 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.35 years country comparison to the world: 68 male: 73.1 years

female: 79.72 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

10,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Nationality:

noun: Uruguayan(s)

adjective: Uruguayan

Ethnic groups:

white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006)

Languages:

Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 97.6%

female: 98.4% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 15 years

male: 14 years

female: 16 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

2.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 148

Government ::Uruguay

Country name:

conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay

conventional short form: Uruguay

local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay

local short form: Uruguay

former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province

Government type:

constitutional republic

Capital:

name: Montevideo

geographic coordinates: 34 53 S, 56 11 W

time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March

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 1825 (from Brazil)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 25 August (1825)

Constitution:

27 November 1966; effective 15 February 1967; suspended 27 June 1973; revised 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997

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: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 25 October 2009, with a runoff election scheduled for 29 November 2009 (next to be held in October 2014)

election results: Jose MUJICA wins first round; percent of vote - Jose MUJICA 48.5%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 29.2%, Pedro BORDABERRY 17%; other 5.3%; note - a runoff election will be held on 29 November 2009

Legislative branch:

bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; vice president has one vote in the Senate) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014)

election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 16, Blanco 9, Colorado Party 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 50, Blanco 30, Colorado Party 17, Independent Party 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:

Broad Front (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as the Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [Jorge BROVETTO] (a broad governing coalition that includes Movement of the Popular Participation or MPP [Jose MUJICA], New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [Eduardo FERNANDEZ], the Communist Party [Marina ARISMENDI], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI], and Vertiente Artiguista [Mariano ARANA]); Colorado Party (Foro Batllista) [Julio Maria SANGUINETTI]; National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE and Jorge LARRANAGA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization); Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association); Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization); PIT/CNT (powerful federation of Uruguayan Unions - umbrella labor organization); Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association); Uruguayan Construction League; Uruguayan Network of Political Women

other: Catholic Church; students

International organization participation:

CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois

chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316

FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robin H. MATTHEWMAN

embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200

mailing address: APO AA 34035

telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777

FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611

Flag description:

nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy

Economy ::Uruguay

Economy - overview:

Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn, stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. In 2001-02, Argentine citizens made massive withdrawals of dollars deposited in Uruguayan banks after bank deposits in Argentina were frozen, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayan peso, a banking crisis, and a sharp economic contraction. Real GDP fell in four years by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year. The unemployment rate rose, inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Financial assistance from the IMF helped stem the damage. Uruguay restructured its external debt in 2003 without asking creditors to accept a reduction on the principal. Economic growth for Uruguay resumed, and averaged 8% annually during the period 2004-08.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$43.27 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $39.73 billion (2007 est.)

$36.99 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$32.19 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

8.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 7.4% (2007 est.)

7% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$12,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $11,500 (2007 est.)

$10,700 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 9.5%

industry: 23.4%

services: 67.1% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

1.641 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 9%

industry: 15%

services: 76% (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 9.2% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

27.4% of households (2006)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 34.8% (2006)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

45.2 (2006) country comparison to the world: 43 44.8 (1999)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Budget:

revenues: $8.16 billion

expenditures: $8.555 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

59.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 64.8% of GDP (2007 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 8.1% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

10% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 39 10% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

12.45% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 118 7.25% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$2.247 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 68 $2.145 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$9.409 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 $7.919 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$9.096 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 73 $6.396 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 108 $159 million (31 December 2007)

$125.1 million (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

rice, wheat, soybeans, barley; livestock, beef; fish; forestry

Industries:

food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages

Industrial production growth rate:

8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Electricity - production:

9.265 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Electricity - consumption:

7.14 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Electricity - exports:

996 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

789 million kWh (2007 est.)

Oil - production:

946.1 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Oil - consumption:

41,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Oil - exports:

7,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Oil - imports:

52,730 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl country comparison to the world: 120

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Natural gas - consumption:

70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas - imports:

70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Current account balance:

-$1.484 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 -$82.7 million (2007 est.)

Exports:

$7.084 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $5.043 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products

Exports - partners:

Brazil 18.7%, China 8.5%, Argentina 7.3%, Germany 6.5%, Mexico 4.9%, Netherlands 4.5%, Russia 4.3% (2008)

Imports:

$8.799 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $5.598 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

crude petroleum and petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, paper, plastics

Imports - partners:

Argentina 19.9%, Brazil 16.5%, China 11.2%, US 9.9%, Paraguay 6.6%, Nigeria 4.6% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$6.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $4.121 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$10.73 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 $11.07 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$4.19 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 90

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$156 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 78

Exchange rates:

Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 20.936 (2008 est.), 23.947 (2007), 24.048 (2006), 24.479 (2005), 28.704 (2004)

Communications ::Uruguay

Telephones - main lines in use:

959,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 83

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3.508 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 98

Telephone system:

general assessment: fully digitalized

domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 telephones per 100 persons

international: country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 93, FM 191, shortwave 7 (2005)

Television broadcast stations:

62 (2005)

Internet country code:

.uy

Internet hosts:

498,232 (2009) country comparison to the world: 48

Internet users:

1.34 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 79

Transportation ::Uruguay

Airports:

57 (2009) country comparison to the world: 82

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 9

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 48

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 20

under 914 m: 25 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 226 km; oil 155 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 1,641 km country comparison to the world: 79 standard gauge: 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 77,732 km country comparison to the world: 63 paved: 7,743 km

unpaved: 69,989 km (2004)

Waterways:

1,600 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 52

Merchant marine:

total: 17 country comparison to the world: 102 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 10 (Argentina 3, Greece 1, Spain 6)

registered in other countries: 3 (Liberia 3) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Montevideo

Military ::Uruguay

Military branches:

Uruguayan Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito), National Navy (Armada Nacional; includes naval air arm, Marine Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales, FUSNA), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2008)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies (2007)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 837,252

females age 16-49: 824,096 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 708,545

females age 16-49: 693,622 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 27,452

female: 26,479 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 103

Transnational Issues ::Uruguay

Disputes - international:

in Jan 2007, ICJ provisionally ruled Uruguay may begin construction of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina, while the court examines further whether Argentina has the legal right to stop such construction with potential environmental implications to both countries; uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina

Illicit drugs:

small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs

page last updated on November 11, 2009

======================================================================

@Uzbekistan (Central Asia)

Introduction ::Uzbekistan

Background:

Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization.

Geography ::Uzbekistan

Location:

Central Asia, north of Afghanistan

Geographic coordinates:

41 00 N, 64 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 447,400 sq km country comparison to the world: 56 land: 425,400 sq km

water: 22,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than California

Land boundaries:

total: 6,221 km

border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km

Coastline:

0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline

Maritime claims:

none (doubly landlocked)

Climate:

mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east

Terrain:

mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m

highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

Natural resources:

natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum

Land use:

arable land: 10.51%

permanent crops: 0.76%

other: 88.73% (2005)

Irrigated land:

42,810 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

72.2 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 58.34 cu km/yr (5%/2%/93%)

per capita: 2,194 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world

People ::Uzbekistan

Population:

27,606,007 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Age structure:

0-14 years: 28.1% (male 3,970,386/female 3,787,371)

15-64 years: 67% (male 9,191,439/female 9,309,791)

65 years and over: 4.9% (male 576,191/female 770,829) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.7 years