Part 203
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow
Economy ::Vanuatu
Economy - overview:
This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for over 70% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with more than 167,000 visitors in 2007 are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. In mid-2002, the government stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$990.8 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 $929.5 million (2007 est.)
$870.3 million (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$573 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 6.8% (2007 est.)
7.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $4,400 (2007 est.)
$4,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 26%
industry: 12%
services: 62% (2000 est.)
Labor force:
115,900 (2007) country comparison to the world: 175
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 65%
industry: 5%
services: 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.7% (1999) country comparison to the world: 15
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $78.7 million
expenditures: $72.23 million (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Central bank discount rate:
6% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 75 6% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.29% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 104 8.16% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$101.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 112 $107.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$430 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 111 $421.8 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$274 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 120 $229.5 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables; beef; fish
Industries:
food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Electricity - production:
42 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Electricity - consumption:
39.06 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Oil - imports:
653.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 143
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
Current account balance:
-$60 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Exports:
$40 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 199
Exports - commodities:
copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee
Exports - partners:
Thailand 83%, Japan 5.9%, Belgium 1.8% (2008)
Imports:
$156 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 201
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels
Imports - partners:
Australia 17.6%, US 15.9%, Japan 12%, Singapore 10.8%, China 8.5%, NZ 7.5%, Fiji 6.7% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$40.54 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 154
Debt - external:
$81.2 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 188
Exchange rates:
vatu (VUV) per US dollar - NA (2007), 111.93 (2006), NA (2005), 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003)
Communications ::Vanuatu
Telephones - main lines in use:
10,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 203
Telephones - mobile cellular:
36,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 199
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2004)
Internet country code:
.vu
Internet hosts:
1,023 (2009) country comparison to the world: 160
Internet users:
17,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 192
Transportation ::Vanuatu
Airports:
31 (2009) country comparison to the world: 115
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 23 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 1,070 km country comparison to the world: 183 paved: 256 km
unpaved: 814 km (1999)
Merchant marine:
total: 54 country comparison to the world: 68 by type: bulk carrier 32, cargo 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 4, vehicle carrier 5
foreign-owned: 54 (Australia 2, Belgium 4, Canada 5, Estonia 1, Greece 1, Japan 29, Monaco 1, Poland 7, Russia 2, Switzerland 1, US 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)
Military ::Vanuatu
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF; includes Police Maritime Wing (PMW)) (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 58,900 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 41,533
females age 16-49: 42,837 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,368
female: 2,272 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Transnational Issues ::Vanuatu
Disputes - international:
Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Venezuela (South America)
Introduction ::Venezuela
Background:
Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, seeks to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalization and undermining regional stability. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.
Geography ::Venezuela
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Geographic coordinates:
8 00 N, 66 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 912,050 sq km country comparison to the world: 33 land: 882,050 sq km
water: 30,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,993 km
border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
Coastline:
2,800 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 15 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain:
Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds
Land use:
arable land: 2.85%
permanent crops: 0.88%
other: 96.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:
5,750 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1,233.2 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 8.37 cu km/yr (6%/7%/47%)
per capita: 313 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall
People ::Venezuela
Population:
26,814,843 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.5% (male 4,157,194/female 4,022,595)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 8,480,872/female 8,754,620)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 620,657/female 778,905) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.5 years
male: 24.8 years
female: 26.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.508% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Birth rate:
20.61 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Death rate:
5.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Net migration rate:
-0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Urbanization:
urban population: 93% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.54 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 100 male: 25.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.61 years country comparison to the world: 103 male: 70.54 years
female: 76.83 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.48 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.7%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
110,000 (1999 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Venezuelan(s)
adjective: Venezuelan
Ethnic groups:
Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people
Religions:
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Languages:
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93%
male: 93.3%
female: 92.7% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 124
Government ::Venezuela
Country name:
conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
conventional short form: Venezuela
local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
local short form: Venezuela
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Caracas
geographic coordinates: 10 30 N, 66 56 W
time difference: UTC-4.5 (half an hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 capital district* (distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia
note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands
Independence:
5 July 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 5 July (1811)
Constitution:
30 December 1999
Legal system:
open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2012)
note: in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution that increased the presidential term to six years; an election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of this constitution
election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 62.9%, Manuel ROSALES 36.9%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (167 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)
elections: last held 4 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - pro-government 167 (MVR 114, PODEMOS 15, PPT 11, indigenous 2, other 25), opposition 0; total seats by party as of 1 January 2008 - pro-government 152 (PSUV 114, PPT 11, indigenous 2, other 25), PODEMOS 15
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia (magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term)
Political parties and leaders:
A New Time or UNT [Manuel ROSALES]; Christian Democrats or COPEI [Cesar PEREZ Vivas]; Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Jeronimo CARRERA]; Democratic Action or AD [Henry RAMOS Allup]; Fatherland for All or PPT [Jose ALBORNOZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Hector MUJICA]; United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Hugo CHAVEZ]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer]; We Can or PODEMOS [Ismael GARCIA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action)
International organization participation:
Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ Herrera
chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214
FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick DUDDY
embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080
mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037
telephone: [58] (212) 975-6411, 907-8400 (after hours)
FAX: [58] (212) 907-8199
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band
Economy ::Venezuela
Economy - overview:
Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which account for roughly 90% of export earnings, about 50% of the federal budget revenues, and around 30% of GDP. A nationwide strike between December 2002 and February 2003 had far-reaching economic consequences - real GDP declined by around 9% in 2002 and 8% in 2003 - but economic output since then has recovered strongly. Fueled by high oil prices, record government spending helped to boost GDP by about 10% in 2006, 8% in 2007, and nearly 5% in 2008. This spending, combined with recent minimum wage hikes and improved access to domestic credit, has created a consumption boom but has come at the cost of higher inflation - roughly 20% in 2007 and more than 30% in 2008. Imports also have jumped significantly. Declining oil prices in the latter part of 2008 are expected to undermine the govenment's ability to continue the high rate of spending. President Hugo CHAVEZ in 2008 continued efforts to increase the government's contol of the economy by nationalizing firms in the cement and steel sectors. In 2007, he nationalized firms in the petroleum, communications, and electricity sectors. In July 2008, CHAVEZ implemented by decree a number of laws that further consolidate and centralize authority over the economy through his plan for "21st Century Socialism."
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$356.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $340 billion (2007 est.)
$314.2 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$319.4 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 8.2% (2007 est.)
9.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$13,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $13,100 (2007 est.)
$12,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.8%
industry: 37.6%
services: 58.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
12.59 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 23%
services: 64% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 8.5% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
37.9% (end 2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 32.7% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
48.2 (2003) country comparison to the world: 29 49.5 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Budget:
revenues: $94.14 billion
expenditures: $97.69 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
13.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 43.1% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
30.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 219 18.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
33.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 2 28.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
22.37% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 29 17.11% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$79.91 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 16 $63.18 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$10.93 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 49 $8.889 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$62.42 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 $50.24 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$8.251 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Industries:
petroleum, construction materials, food processing, textiles; iron ore mining, steel, aluminum; motor vehicle assembly
Industrial production growth rate:
2.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Electricity - production:
113.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Electricity - consumption:
83.02 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Electricity - exports:
540 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.651 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
2.643 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Oil - consumption:
760,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Oil - exports:
2.182 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Oil - proved reserves:
99.38 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Natural gas - production:
24.01 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - consumption:
25.51 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 93
Natural gas - imports:
1.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - proved reserves:
4.84 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Current account balance:
$39.21 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $20 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$93.54 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $69.17 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
Exports - partners:
US 40.7%, Netherlands Antilles 7.8%, China 4.7% (2008)
Imports:
$48.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $45.46 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials
Imports - partners:
US 26.3%, Colombia 12.7%, Brazil 10.3%, China 7%, Mexico 4.8% (2008)