litary strongmen, who promoted
the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically
elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns
include: a polarized political environment, 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.

Vietnam
The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was
completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887.
Independence was declared after World War II, but the French
continued to rule until 1954 when they were defeated by Communist
forces under Ho Chi MINH, who took control of the North. US economic
and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an
attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were
withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later,
North Vietnamese forces overran the South. Despite the return of
peace, for over two decades the country experienced little economic
growth because of conservative leadership policies. Since 2001,
Vietnamese authorities have committed to economic liberalization and
enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to
produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The country
continues to experience protests from the Montagnard ethnic minority
population of the Central Highlands over loss of land to Vietnamese
settlers and religious persecution.

Virgin Islands
During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided
into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish.
Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy
during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased
the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the
abolition of slavery in 1848.

Wake Island
The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station.
An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In
December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held
until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was
developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and
commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's
airstrip has been used by the US military and some commercial cargo