(official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language taught in high Tien Shan; subtropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands Terrain: mostly plateau with rolling plains, hills, and plateaus Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 26% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 0% other: 28% Irrigated land: 42,300 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: air pollution from metallurgical plants; water scarce; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; subject to wide fluctuations Fiscal year: calendar year *Latvia, Communications Railroads: 5,570 km; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 36,700 km total (1990); 21,400 km hard surface, 1,650 km 1.000-meter gauge; 12 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm territorial sea: 6 nm International disputes: none Climate: mostly arid or
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