Chapter 99

Population: 98,130 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: -0.76% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 20.26 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -22.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 73.6 years female: 77.2 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.64 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander; US citizens Ethnic divisions: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8%; black 80%, white 15%, other 5%; Hispanic origin 14% Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 45,500 (1988) by occupation: tourism 70%

*Virgin Islands, Government

Names: conventional long form: Virgin Islands of the United States conventional short form: Virgin Islands Digraph: VQ Type: organized, unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital: Charlotte Amalie Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US) Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Legal system: based on US National holiday: Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to US) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Governor: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - Governor Alexander FARRELLY (Democratic Party) 56.5% defeated Juan LUIS (independent) 38.5% Senate: last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) number of seats by party NA US House of Representatives: last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994); results - Ron DE LUGO reelected as delegate; seats - (1 total); seat by party NA; note - the Virgin Islands elect one representative to the US House of Representatives Executive branch: US president, popularly elected governor and lieutenant governor Legislative branch: unicameral Senate Judicial branch: US District Court: handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age and over), and federal cases Territorial Court: handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases Leaders: Chief of State: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) Head of Government: Governor Alexander A. FARRELLY (since 5 January 1987); Lieutenant Governor Derek M. HODGE (since 5 January 1987) Member of: ECLAC (associate), IOC

*Virgin Islands, Government

Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US) Flag: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel

*Virgin Islands, Economy

Overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The manufacturing sector consists of textile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector is small, most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.2 billion (1987) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $11,000 (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 3.7% (1992) Budget: revenues $364.4 million; expenditures $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90) Exports: $2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: refined petroleum products partners: US, Puerto Rico Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials partners: US, Puerto Rico External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 12%; accounts for NA% of GDP Electricity: 380,000 kW capacity; 565 million kWh produced, 5,710 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Agriculture: truck gardens, food crops (small scale), fruit, sorghum, Senepol cattle Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $42 million Currency: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

*Virgin Islands, Communications

Highways: 856 km total Ports: Saint Croix - Christiansted, Frederiksted; Saint Thomas - Long Bay, Crown Bay, Red Hook; Saint John - Cruz Bay Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways : 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 note: international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix Telecommunications: modern telephone system using fiber-optic cable, submarine cable, microwave radio, and satellite facilities; 58,931 telephones; 98,000 radios; 63,000 TV sets in use; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 8 FM, 4 TV (1988)

*Virgin Islands, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

*Wake Island, Header

Affiliation: (territory of the US)

*Wake Island, Geography

Location: in the North Pacific Ocean, 3,700 km west of Honolulu, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and the Northern Mariana Islands Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 6.5 km2 land area: 6.5 km2 comparative area: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 19.3 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m or depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by the Republic of the Marshall Islands 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; average elevation less than 4 meters Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 km2 Environment: subject to occasional typhoons Note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights

*Wake Island, People

Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 302 US Air Force personnel, civilian weather service personnel, and US and Thai contractors; population peaked about 1970 with over 1,600 persons during the Vietnam conflict

*Wake Island, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island Digraph: WQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Air Force (under an agreement with the US Department of Interior) since 24 June 1972 Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Independence: none (territory of the US) Flag: the US flag is used

*Wake Island, Economy

Overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Electricity: supplied by US military

*Wake Island, Communications

Ports: none; because of the reefs, there are only two offshore anchorages for large ships Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: underwater cables to Guam and through Midway to Honolulu; 1 Autovon circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS); Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio and television service provided by satellite; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV Note: formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used only by US military and some commercial cargo planes

*Wake Island, Defense Forces

defense is the responsibility of the US

*Wallis and Futuna, Header

Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)

*Wallis and Futuna, Geography

Location: in the South Pacific Ocean, 4,600 km southwest of Honolulu, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 274 km2 land area: 274 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October) Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 20% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 75% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: both island groups have fringing reefs

*Wallis and Futuna, People

Population: 14,175 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.15% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 26.42 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.38 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -9.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 27.59 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.2 years male: 70.54 years female: 71.9 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.34 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic divisions: Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) Literacy: all ages can read and write (1969) total population: 50% male: 50% female: 51% Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (est.)

*Wallis and Futuna, Government

Names: conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna Digraph: WF Type: overseas territory of France Capital: Mata Utu (on Ile Uvea) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France) Independence: none (overseas territory of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union Populaire Locale (UPL); Union Pour la Democratie Francaise (UDF); Lua kae tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche (MRG) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Territorial Assembly: last held 15 March 1987 (next to be held NA March 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 7, UPL 5, UDF 4, UNF 4 French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPR 1 French National Assembly: last held 21 and 28 March 1992 (next to be held by NA September 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MRG 1 Executive branch: French president, chief administrator; note - there are three traditional kings with limited powers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale) Judicial branch: none; justice generally administered under French law by the chief administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata Utu Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Chief Administrator Robert POMMIES (since 26 September 1990) Member of: FZ, SPC Diplomatic representation in US: as an overseas territory of France, local interests are represented in the US by France

*Wallis and Futuna, Government

US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France) Flag: the flag of France is used

*Wallis and Futuna, Economy

Overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of the labor force earning its livelihood 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. Wallis and Futuna imports food, fuel, clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, but its exports are negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $25 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $1,500 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $2.7 million; expenditures $2.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1983) Exports: negligible commodities: copra, handicrafts partners: NA Imports: $13.3 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment, fuel partners: France, Australia, New Zealand External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 1,200 kW capacity; 1 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber Agriculture: dominated by coconut production, with subsistence crops of yams, taro, bananas, and herds of pigs and goats Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $118 million Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 99.65 (January 1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.0 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: NA

*Wallis and Futuna, Communications

Highways: 100 km on Ile Uvea, 16 km sealed; 20 km earth surface on Ile Futuna Inland waterways: none Ports: Mata-Utu, Leava Airports: total: 2 useable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 225 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV

*Wallis and Futuna, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of France

*West Bank, Header

The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David Accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. In the view of the US, the term West Bank describes all of the area west of the Jordan River under Jordanian administration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. However, with respect to negotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, it is US policy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city's special status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the rest of the West Bank.

*West Bank, Geography

Location: Middle East, between Jordan and Israel Map references: Middle East Area: total area: 5,860 km2 land area: 5,640 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Delaware note: includes West Bank, East Jerusalem, Latrun Salient, Jerusalem No Man's Land, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus Land boundaries: total 404 km, Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: Israeli occupied with status to be determined Climate: temperate, temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Terrain: mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 32% forest and woodland: 1% other: 40% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers Note: landlocked; there are 175 Jewish settlements in the West Bank and 14 Israeli-built Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem

*West Bank, People

Population: 1,404,114 (July 1993 est.) note: in addition, there are 102,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank and 134,000 in East Jerusalem (1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.9% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 33.78 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.32 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 35.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.93 years male: 68.48 years female: 71.46 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.37 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 88%, Jewish 12% Religions: Muslim 80% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 12%, Christian and other 8% Languages: Arabic, Hebrew spoken by Israeli settlers, English widely understood Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: small industry, commerce, and business 29.8%, construction 24.2%, agriculture 22.4%, service and other 23.6% (1984) note: excluding Israeli Jewish settlers

*West Bank, Government

Note: The West Bank is currently governed by Israeli military authorities and Israeli civil administration. It is US policy that the final status of the West Bank will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties. These negotiations will determine how the area is to be governed. Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank Digraph: WG

*West Bank, Economy

Overview: Economic progress in the West Bank has been hampered by Israeli military administration and the effects of the Palestinian uprising (intifadah). Industries using advanced technology or requiring sizable investment have been discouraged by a lack of local capital and restrictive Israeli policies. Capital investment consists largely of residential housing, not productive assets that would enable local firms to compete with Israeli industry. A major share of GNP is derived from remittances of workers employed in Israel and Persian Gulf states, but such transfers from the Gulf dropped dramatically after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In the wake of the Persian Gulf crisis, many Palestinians have returned to the West Bank, increasing unemployment, and export revenues have plunged because of the loss of markets in Jordan and the Gulf states. Israeli measures to curtail the intifadah also have pushed unemployment up and lowered living standards. The area's economic outlook remains bleak. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion (1990 est.) National product real growth rate: -10% (1990 est.) National product per capita: $1,200 (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $31.0 million; expenditures $36.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY88) Exports: $150 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.) commodities: NA partners: Jordan, Israel Imports: $410 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.) commodities: NA partners: Jordan, Israel External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 1% (1989); accounts for about 4% of GNP Electricity: power supplied by Israel Industries: generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers Agriculture: accounts for about 15% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables, beef, and dairy products Economic aid: NA Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot; 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils

*West Bank, Economy

Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.6480 (November 1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987); Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.6890 (January 1993), 0.6797 (1992), 0.6808 (1991), 0.6636 (1990), 0.5704 (1989), 0.3709 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)

*West Bank, Communications

Highways: small road network, Israelis developing east-west axial highways to service new settlements Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: open-wire telephone system currently being upgraded; broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV

*West Bank, Defense Forces

Branches: NA Manpower availability: males age 15-49 NA; fit for military service NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP

*Western Sahara, Geography

Location: Northern Africa, along the Atlantic Ocean, between Morocco and Mauritania Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 266,000 km2 land area: 266,000 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: total 2,046 km, Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km Coastline: 1,110 km Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue International disputes: claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been currently in effect since September 1991 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 Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 19% forest and woodland: 0% other: 81% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility; sparse water and arable land

*Western Sahara, People