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.

United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
no economic activity

Uruguay
Uruguay's well-to-do 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. For
instance, in 2001-02 Argentina made massive withdrawals of dollars
deposited in Uruguayan banks, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayan
peso and a massive rise in unemployment. Total GDP in these four
years dropped by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to the
banking crisis. The unemployment rate rose to nearly 20% in 2002,
inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled.
Cooperation with the IMF helped stem the damage. A debt swap with
private-sector creditors in 2003 extended the maturity dates on
nearly half of Uruguay's then $11.3 billion of public debt and
helped restore public confidence. The economy grew about 12% in 2004
as a result of high commodity prices for Uruguayan exports, a
competitive peso, growth in the region, and low international
interest rates, and it continued to grow nearly 7% annually in 2005
and 2006.

Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11%
consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than
60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities.
Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter and
fifth largest producer; it relies heavily on cotton production as
the major source of export earnings. Other major export earners
include gold, natural gas, and oil. Following independence in
September 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style
command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and
prices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate,
the government still sponsors measures that often increase, not
decrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp incre