2002-08-25

There are none.  Old and obsolete information states Burma (Myanmar) and
Liberia are not metric, but information from people who have visited these
countries states otherwise.  Both countries are very poor, with Liberia
presently and for a long time in the midst of a civil war.  Goods and
services entering these countries comes from neighbouring countries which
are 100 % metric, thus even if these countries never made an official
commitment, they have changed none the less.

No country is 100 % metric, just like the US is not 100 % FFU.  There is
some degree of non-metric use in all countries, but the amount is minimal.
Older unit names still persist in many countries, but they have been
standardised to rational metric values, (such as 1 pound being equal to 500
g) and are strictly used in slang speech.  No device exists to measure these
old units.  For example, if an Australian asks for a pound of ham at the
deli counter, the attendant will weigh out 500 g on a pure metric scale,
price it at 500 g and as far as the store is concerned only a metric amount
was vended.  The customer who has no clue as to what a pound is, just the
use of the name, does not feel cheated if he/she did not get exactly what he
asked for based on the American concept of a pound, that is 454 g.

I hope this answered your question.

John






----- Original Message -----
From: "Terri E Williams" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, 2002-08-25 10:37
Subject: [USMA:21914] question


> Trying to find information for a class project - need to know name of two
> countries - not including the U.S. - who do NOT use the metric system.
> Thanks to anyone who can help.
> terri
>

Reply via email to