telephone: (202) 797-8518 or 8519, 8520, 8609, 8610 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard MELTON embassy: Avenida La Paz, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La, Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Independence: 25 May 1991 Other political or pressure groups: military remains important political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small mountains in west and lowlands in north Natural resources: gold, timber, iron ore, copper, gold, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas 1,495 km Ports: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mers el Kebir, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda Merchant marine: 80 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 246,631 GRT/451,843 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 1 passenger cargo, 18 short-sea passenger, 272 cargo, 26 container, 2 passenger-cargo,
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