The Project Gutenberg EBook of The 1996 CIA Factbook, by
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
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Title: The 1996 CIA Factbook
Author: United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Release Date: December 31, 2008 [EBook #27675]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 1996 CIA FACTBOOK ***
Produced by Al Haines
THE 1996 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK
[Transcriber's note: At the time of the preparation of this
file (December 2008), the various supplementary sections
of the 1996 Factbook (Appendixes, Notes and Definitions,
History, etc.) were no longer available. Users of this
edition should refer to the Project Gutenberg's versions
of the 1995 and 1997 Factbooks for those sections. Note
that there may be changes in this material from year to year.]
A
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Arctic Ocean
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Atlantic Ocean
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
B
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Baker Island
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bassas da India
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burma
Burundi
C
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Clipperton Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Coral Sea Islands
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
D
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
E
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Europa Island
F
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
G
Gabon
The Gambia
Gaza Strip
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Glorioso Islands
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
H
Haiti
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Holy See (Vatican City)
Honduras
Hong Kong
Howland Island
Hungary
I
Iceland
India
Indian Ocean
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
J
Jamaica
Jan Mayen
Japan
Jarvis Island
Jersey
Johnston Atoll
Jordan
Juan de Nova Island
K
Kazakstan
Kenya
Kingman Reef
Kiribati
Korea, North
Korea, South
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
L
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
M
Macau
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Man, Isle of
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States of
Midway Islands
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
N
Namibia
Nauru
Navassa Island
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
O
Oman
P
Pacific Ocean
Pakistan
Palau
Palmyra Atoll
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paracel Islands
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Q
Qatar
R
Reunion
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
S
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia and Montenegro
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Spain
Spratly Islands
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
T
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tromelin Island
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
U
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
V
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands
W
Wake Island
Wallis and Futuna
West Bank
Western Sahara
Western Samoa
World
Y
Yemen
Z
Zaire
Zambia
Zimbabwe
=====================================================================
@Afghanistan
-----------
Map
---
Location: 33 00 N, 65 00 E -- Southern Asia, north of Pakistan
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white,
and black with a gold emblem centered on the three bands; the emblem
features a temple-like structure with Islamic inscriptions above and
below, encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bolder
Islamic inscription above, all of which are encircled by two crossed
scimitars
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, north of Pakistan
Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 65 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 647,500 sq km
land area: 647,500 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,529 km
border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km,
Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: periodic disputes with Iran over Helmand
water rights; Iran supports clients in country, private Pakistani
and Saudi sources also are active; power struggles among various
groups for control of Kabul, regional rivalries among emerging
warlords, traditional tribal disputes continue; support to Islamic
fighters in Tajikistan's civil war; border dispute with Pakistan
(Durand Line); support to Islamic militants worldwide by some
factions
Climate: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m
highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, talc,
barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and
semiprecious stones
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 46%
forest and woodland: 3%
other: 39%
Irrigated land: 26,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much
of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building
materials); desertification
natural hazards: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains;
flooding
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban;
signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life
Conservation
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 22,664,136 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 4,972,469; female 4,784,900)
15-64 years: 54% (male 6,377,231; female 5,916,954)
65 years and over: 3% (male 325,808; female 286,774) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 4.78% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 43.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 18.16 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 22.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.14 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 149.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 45.85 years
male: 46.43 years
female: 45.24 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.14 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Afghan(s)
adjective: Afghan
Ethnic divisions: Pashtun 38%, Tajik 25%, Uzbek 6%, Hazara 19%,
minor ethnic groups (Chahar Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others)
Religions: Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1%
Languages: Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages
(primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily
Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 31.5%
male: 47.2%
female: 15%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Islamic State of Afghanistan
conventional short form: Afghanistan
local long form: Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan
local short form: Afghanestan
former: Republic of Afghanistan
Data code: AF
Type of government: transitional government
Capital: Kabul
Administrative divisions: 30 provinces (velayat, singular -
velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah,
Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar,
Kapisa, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Oruzgan,
Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, Zabol
note: there may be two new provinces of Nurestan (Nuristan) and
Khowst
Independence: 19 August 1919 (from UK)
National holiday: Victory of the Muslim Nation, 28 April;
Remembrance Day for Martyrs and Disabled, 4 May; Independence Day,
19 August
Constitution: none
Legal system: a new legal system has not been adopted but the
transitional government has declared it will follow Islamic law
(Shari'a)
Suffrage: undetermined; previously males 15-50 years of age
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Burhanuddin RABBANI (interim president
July-December 1992, president since 2 January 1993) was elected to a
two-year term (later amended by multi-party agreement to 18 months)
by a national shura (council); election last held 31 December 1992
(next to be held NA); results - percent of vote NA; Vice President
Mohammad NABI MOHAMMADI (since NA) was appointed by the president;
note - in June 1994 failure to agree on a transfer mechanism
resulted in RABBANI's extending his term to 28 December 1994;
following the expiration of the term and while negotiations on the
formation of a new government go on, RABBANI continues in office
head of government: Prime Minister Ahmad Shah AHMADZAI (since NA)
was appointed by President RABBANI as de facto prime minister, but
does not have any real authority; First Deputy Prime Minister
Qutbuddin HELAL (since 17 March 1993) and Deputy Prime Minister
Arsala RAHMANI (since 17 March 1993)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; note - term of present government
expired 28 December 1994; factional fighting since 1 January 1994
has kept government officers from actually occupying ministries and
discharging government responsibilities; the government's authority
to remove cabinet members, including the prime minister, following
the expiration of their term is questionable
Legislative branch: a unicameral parliament consisting of 205
members was chosen by a national shura (council) in January 1993;
non-functioning as of June 1993
Judicial branch: an interim Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has
been appointed by the president in consultation with the prime
minister, but a new court system has not yet been organized
Political parties and leaders: current political organizations
include Jamiat-i-Islami (Islamic Society), Burhanuddin RABBANI,
Ahmad Shah MASOOD; Hizbi Islami-Gulbuddin (Islamic Party), Gulbuddin
HIKMATYAR faction; Hizbi Islami-Khalis (Islamic Party), Yunis KHALIS
faction; Ittihad-i-Islami Barai Azadi Afghanistan (Islamic Union for
the Liberation of Afghanistan), Abdul Rasul SAYYAF;
Harakat-Inqilab-i-Islami (Islamic Revolutionary Movement), Mohammad
Nabi MOHAMMADI; Jabha-i-Najat-i-Milli Afghanistan (Afghanistan
National Liberation Front), Sibghatullah MOJADDEDI;
Mahaz-i-Milli-Islami (National Islamic Front), Sayed Ahamad GAILANI;
Hizbi Wahdat-Khalili faction (Islamic Unity Party), Abdul Karim
KHALILI; Hizbi Wahdat-Akbari faction (Islamic Unity Party), Mohammad
Akbar AKBARI; Harakat-i-Islami (Islamic Movement), Mohammed Asif
MOHSENI; Jumbesh-i-Milli Islami (National Islamic Movement), Abdul
Rashid DOSTAM; Taliban (Religious Students Movement), Mohammad OMAR
note: the former ruling Watan Party has been disbanded
Other political or pressure groups: the former resistance
commanders are the major power brokers in the countryside and their
shuras (councils) are now administering most cities outside Kabul;
tribal elders and religious students are trying to wrest control
from them; ulema (religious scholars); tribal elders; religious
students (talib)
International organization participation: AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Abdul RAHIM
chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-3770, 3771
FAX: [1] (202) 328-3516
consulate(s) general: New York
consulate(s): Washington, DC
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Afghanistan (embassy closed January 1989)
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and
black with a gold emblem centered on the three bands; the emblem
features a temple-like structure with Islamic inscriptions above and
below, encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bolder
Islamic inscription above, all of which are encircled by two crossed
scimitars
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked
country, highly dependent on farming (wheat especially) and
livestock raising (sheep and goats). Economic considerations have
played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during more
than 16 years of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military
occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). Over the past decade,
one-third of the population fled the country, with Pakistan and Iran
sheltering more than 6 million refugees. Now, only 1.0 million
Afghan refugees remain in Pakistan and about 1.3 million in Iran.
Another 1 million probably moved into and around urban areas within
Afghanistan. Gross domestic product has fallen substantially over
the past 15 years because of the loss of labor and capital and the
disruption of trade and transport. Millions of people continue to
suffer from insufficient food, clothing, housing, and lack of
medical care. Numerical data are extremely shaky.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 65%
industry: 15%
services: 20%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 4.98 million
by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 67.8%, industry
10.2%, construction 6.3%, commerce 5.0%, services and other 10.7%
(1980 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture,
shoes, fertilizer, and cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, oil,
coal, copper
Electricity:
capacity: 480,000 kW
production: 550 million kWh
consumption per capita: 39 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, fruits, nuts, karakul pelts; wool, mutton
Illicit drugs: an illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis
for the international drug trade; world's second-largest opium
producer after Burma (1,250 metric tons in 1995) and a major source
of hashish
Exports: $188.2 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities: fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides
and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
partners: FSU countries, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, India, UK,
Belgium, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia
Imports: $616.4 million (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities: food and petroleum products; most consumer goods
partners: FSU countries, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Singapore, India,
South Korea, Germany
External debt: $2.3 billion (March 1991 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: US provided $450 million assistance (1985-93); the UN provides
assistance in the form of food aid, immunization, land mine removal,
and a wide range of aid to refugees and displaced persons
Currency: 1 afghani (AF) = 100 puls
Exchange rates: afghanis (Af) per US$1 - 7,000 (January 1995),
1,900 (January 1994), 1,019 (March 1993), 850 (1991); note - these
rates reflect the free market exchange rates rather than the
official exchange rate, which is a fixed rate of 50.600 afghanis to
the dollar
Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 24.6 km
broad gauge: 9.6 km 1.524-m gauge from Gushgy (Turkmenistan) to
Towraghondi; 15 km 1,524-m gauge from Termiz (Uzbekistan) to
Kheyrabad transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya
Highways:
total: 21,000 km
paved: 2,800 km
unpaved: 18,200 km (1984 est.)
Waterways: 1,200 km; chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up
to about 500 DWT
Pipelines: petroleum products - Uzbekistan to Bagram and
Turkmenistan to Shindand; natural gas 180 km
Ports: Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Airports:
total: 35
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 31,200 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: very limited telephone and telegraph service; 1 public
telephone in Kabul
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
linked only to Iran and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 0, shortwave 2
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
note: several television stations run by factions and local councils
which provide intermittent service
Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: NA; note - the military still does not exist on a
national scale; some elements of the former Army, Air and Air
Defense Forces, National Guard, Border Guard Forces, National Police
Force (Sarandoi), and tribal militias still exist but are
factionalized among the various mujahedin and former regime leaders
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 5,549,602
males fit for military service: 2,976,741
males reach military age (22) annually: 220,532 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Albania
-------
Map
---
Location: 41 00 N, 20 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the
Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
Flag
----
Description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and
Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 28,750 sq km
land area: 27,400 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 720 km
border countries: Greece 282 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia 151 km, Serbia and Montenegro 287 km (114 km with Serbia,
173 km with Montenegro)
Coastline: 362 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: the Albanian Government supports
protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside of its borders;
Albanian majority in Kosovo seeks independence from Serbian
Republic; Albanians in Macedonia claim discrimination in education,
access to public-sector jobs and representation in government;
Albania is involved in negotiations with Greece over border
demarcation, the treatment of Albania's ethnic Greek minority, and
migrant Albanian workers in Greece
Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear,
dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Maja e Korabit 2,753 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper,
timber, nickel
Land use:
arable land: 21%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 15%
forest and woodland: 38%
other: 22%
Irrigated land: 4,230 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from
industrial and domestic effluents
natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunami occur along
southwestern coast
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change
Geographic note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links
Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
People
------
Population: 3,249,136 (July 1996 est.)
note: the IMF, working with Albanian government figures, estimates
that the population was 3,120,000 in 1993 and that it has fallen
since 1990
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 570,978; female 529,147)
15-64 years: 60% (male 910,873; female 1,049,662)
65 years and over: 6% (male 77,799; female 110,677) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.34% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.21 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.64 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.92 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 49.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.92 years
male: 64.91 years
female: 71.17 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Albanian(s)
adjective: Albanian
Ethnic divisions: Albanian 95%, Greeks 3%, other 2% (Vlachs,
Gypsies, Serbs, and Bulgarians) (1989 est.)
note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from
1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Religions: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%
note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious
observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing
private religious practice
Languages: Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek
Literacy: age 9 and over can read and write (1955 est.)
total population: 72%
male: 80%
female: 63%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Albania
conventional short form: Albania
local long form: Republika e Shqiperise
local short form: Shqiperia
former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Data code: AL
Type of government: emerging democracy
Capital: Tirane
Administrative divisions: 26 districts (rrethe, singular - rreth);
Berat, Dibre, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Gramsh, Kolonje,
Korce, Kruje, Kukes, Lezhe, Librazhd, Lushnje, Mat, Mirdite, Permet,
Pogradec, Puke, Sarande, Shkoder, Skrapar, Tepelene, Tirane,
Tropoje, Vlore; note - some new administrative units may have been
created
Independence: 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Constitution: an interim basic law was approved by the People's
Assembly on 29 April 1991; a draft constitution was rejected by
popular referendum in the fall of 1994 and a new draft is pending
Legal system: has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the Republic Sali BERISHA (since 9
April 1992) was elected for a five-year term by the People's Assembly
head of government: Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers
Aleksander Gabriel MEKSI (since 10 April 1992) was appointed by the
president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
People's Assembly (Kuvendi Popullor): elections last held 22 March
1992; results - DP 62.29%, ASP 25.57%, SDP 4.33%, RP 3.15%, UHP
2.92%, other 1.74%; seats - (140 total) DP 92, ASP 38, SDP 7, RP 1,
UHP 2
note: six members of the Democratic Party defected, making the
present seating in the Assembly DP 86, ASP 38, SDP 7, DAP 6, RP 1,
UHP 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman of the Supreme Court is
elected by the People's Assembly
Political parties and leaders: there are at least 28 political
parties; most prominent are the Albanian Socialist Party (ASP;
formerly the Albania Workers Party), Fatos NANO, first secretary;
Democratic Party (DP); Albanian Republican Party (RP), Sabri GODO;
Omonia (Greek minority party), Sotir QIRJAZATI, first secretary;
Social Democratic Party (SDP), Skender GJINUSHI; Democratic Alliance
Party (DAP), Neritan CEKA, chairman; Unity for Human Rights Party
(UHP), Vasil MELO, chairman; Ecology Party (EP), Namik HOTI, chairman
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE, EBRD,
ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNOMIG, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lublin DILJA
chancery: Suite 1000, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942, 8187
FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LAKE
embassy: Rruga E. Labinoti 103, Tirane
mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100 (A), APO AE 09624
telephone: [355] (42) 328-75, 335-20
FAX: [355] (42) 322-22
Flag: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: An extremely poor country by European
standards, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more
open-market economy. The economy rebounded in 1993-95 after a severe
depression accompanying the collapse of the previous centrally
planned system in 1990 and 1991. Stabilization policies - including
a strict monetary policy, public sector layoffs, and reduced social
services - have improved the government's fiscal situation and
reduced inflation. The recovery has been spurred by the remittances
of some 20% of the labor force which works abroad, mostly in Greece
and Italy. These remittances supplement GDP and help offset the
large foreign trade deficit. Foreign assistance and humanitarian aid
also supported the recovery. Most agricultural land was privatized
in 1992, substantially improving peasant incomes. Albania's
industrial sector ended its five-year, 78% decline in 1995,
recording roughly 6% growth. A sharp fall in chromium prices has
reduced hard currency receipts from the mining sector. Large
segments of the population, especially those living in urban areas,
continue to depend on humanitarian aid to meet basic food
requirements. Unemployment remains a severe problem accounting for
approximately one-fifth of the work force. Now that sanctions on
Serbia have been suspended, the falloff in hard currency earnings
from smuggling will aggravate unemployment problems. Growth is
expected to continue in 1996, but could falter if workers'
remittances from Greece are reduced or foreign assistance declines.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,210 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 55%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1.692 million (1994 est.) (including 352,000 emigrant
workers and 261,000 domestically unemployed)
by occupation (of those domestically employed): agriculture (nearly
all private) 49.5%, private sector 22.2%, state (nonfarm) sector
28.3% (including state-owned industry 7.8%)
Unemployment rate: 19% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $486.3 million
expenditures: $550.4 million, including capital expenditures of $124
million (1994)
Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil,
cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,662,000 kW
production: 3.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,219 kWh (1994 est.)
Agriculture: wide range of temperate-zone crops and livestock
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
transiting the Balkan route and cocaine from South America destined
for Western Europe; limited opium production
Exports: $141 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: asphalt, metals and metallic ores, electricity, crude
oil, vegetables, fruits, tobacco
partners: Italy, US, Greece, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia
Imports: $601 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: machinery, consumer goods, grains
partners: Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, The Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
External debt: $977 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 lek (L) = 100 qintars
Exchange rates: leke (L) per US$1 - 95.65 (January 1996), 100.00
(January 1995), 99.00 (January 1994), 97.00 (January 1993), 50.00
(January 1992), 25.00 (September 1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 670 km
standard gauge: 670 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 18,450 km
paved: 17,450 km
unpaved: 1,000 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 43 km plus Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake
Ohrid, and Lake Prespa (1990)
Pipelines: crude oil 145 km; petroleum products 55 km; natural gas
64 km (1991)
Ports: Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore
Merchant marine:
total: 11 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 52,967 GRT/76,887
DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 11
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 55,000
Telephone system:
domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for
every village; in 1992, following the fall of the communist
government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used
it to build fences
international: inadequate; international traffic carried by
microwave radio relay from the Tirane exchange to Italy and Greece
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 577,000 (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 300,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior
Ministry Troops, Border Guards
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 723,231
males fit for military service: 588,304
males reach military age (19) annually: 29,340 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $45 million, 2.5%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Algeria
-------
Map
---
Location: 28 00 N, 3 00 E -- Northern Africa, bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Flag
----
Description: two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and
white with a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent; the
crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
(the state religion)
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea,
between Morocco and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 2,381,740 sq km
land area: 2,381,740 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 6,343 km
border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km,
Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Coastline: 998 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: part of southeastern region claimed by
Libya; land boundary dispute with Tunisia settled in 1993
Climate: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers
along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high
plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in
summer
Terrain: mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow,
discontinuous coastal plain
lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m
highest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates,
uranium, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 2%
other: 82%
Irrigated land: 3,360 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming
practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum
refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the
pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in
particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and
fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water
natural hazards: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes;
mud slides
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
People
------
Population: 29,183,032 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 5,910,543; female 5,701,647)
15-64 years: 56% (male 8,319,650; female 8,162,816)
65 years and over: 4% (male 510,308; female 578,068) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.21% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 28.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 48.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.31 years
male: 67.22 years
female: 69.46 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.59 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Algerian(s)
adjective: Algerian
Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%
Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish
1%
Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 61.6%
male: 73.9%
female: 49%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria
conventional short form: Algeria
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash
Shabiyah
local short form: Al Jaza'ir
Data code: AG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Algiers
Administrative divisions: 48 provinces (wilayas, singular -
wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna,
Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira,
Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf,
Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara,
Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el
Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras,
Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi
Ouzou, Tlemcen
Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 1 November (1954)
Constitution: 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976;
revised 3 November 1988 and 23 February 1989
Legal system: socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial
review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed
of various public officials, including several Supreme Court
justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Liamine ZEROUAL (appointed president 31
January 1994, elected president 16 November 1995) was elected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 16 November
1995 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote NA
head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 31 December
1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral; note - suspended since 1992
National People's Assembly (Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani):
first-round elections held 26 December 1991; second round canceled
by the military after President BENDJEDID resigned 11 January 1992,
effectively suspending the assembly (next election promised by late
1996 or early 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(281 total) the fundamentalist FIS won 188 of the 231 seats
contested in the first round
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Islamic Salvation Front (FIS,
outlawed April 1992), Ali BELHADJ, Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR
(self-exile in Germany); National Liberation Front (FLN), Boualem
BENHAMOUDA, secretary general; Socialist Forces Front (FFS), Hocine
Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exile in Switzerland); Hamas,
Mahfoud NAHNAH, chairman; Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD),
Said SAADI, secretary general; Algerian Renewal Party (PRA),
Noureddine BOUKROUH, chairman
note: the government established a multiparty system in September
1989 and, as of 31 December 1990, over 50 legal parties existed
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPEC, OSCE
(partner), UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Osmane BENCHERIF
chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANN
embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers
mailing address: B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers
telephone: [213] (2) 69-11-86, 69-18-54, 69-38-75, 69-12-55
FAX: [213] (2) 69-39-79
Flag: two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white
with a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent; the crescent,
star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state
religion)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the
economy, accounting for roughly 57% of government revenues, 25% of
GDP, and almost all export earnings; Algeria has the fifth-largest
reserves of natural gas in the world and ranks fourteenth for oil.
Algiers' efforts to reform one of the most centrally planned
economies in the Arab world began after the 1986 collapse of world
oil prices plunged the country into a severe recession. In 1989, the
government launched a comprehensive, IMF-supported program to
achieve economic stabilization and to introduce market mechanisms
into the economy. Despite substantial progress toward economic
adjustment, in 1992 the reform drive stalled as Algiers became
embroiled in political turmoil. In September 1993, a new government
was formed, and one priority was the resumption and acceleration of
the structural adjustment process. Buffeted by the slump in world
oil prices and burdened with a heavy foreign debt, Algiers concluded
a one-year standby arrangement with the IMF in April 1994. Following
a Paris Club debt rescheduling in 1995 and a robust harvest, the
economy experienced a strong recovery and key economic improvements.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $108.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 50%
services: 38%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 28% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 6.2 million (1992 est.)
by occupation: government 29.5%, agriculture 22%, construction and
public works 16.2%, industry 13.6%, commerce and services 13.5%,
transportation and communication 5.2% (1989)
Unemployment rate: 25% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $14.3 billion
expenditures: $17.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: petroleum, light industries, natural gas, mining,
electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 5,370,000 kW
production: 18.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 587 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits;
sheep, cattle
Exports: $9.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum and natural gas 97%
partners: Italy 21%, France 16%, US 14%, Germany 13%, Spain 9%
Imports: $10.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: capital goods 39.7%, food and beverages 21.7%, consumer
goods 11.8% (1990)
partners: France 29%, Italy 14%, Spain 9%, US 9%, Germany 7%
External debt: $26 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $316 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Algerian dinar (DA) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Algerian dinars (DA) per US$1 - 53.003 (January
1996), 47.663 (1995), 35.059 (1994), 23.345 (1993), 21.836 (1992),
18.473 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 4,772 km
standard gauge: 3,616 km 1.435-m gauge (301 km electrified; 215 km
double track)
narrow gauge: 1,156 km 1.055-m gauge
Highways:
total: 95,576 km
paved: 63,080 km (including 400 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,496 km (1992 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 6,612 km; petroleum products 298 km; natural
gas 2,948 km
Ports: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys,
Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda, Tenes
Merchant marine:
total: 77 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 916,701 GRT/1,086,324
DWT
ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 27, chemical tanker 7, liquefied gas
tanker 10, oil tanker 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea
passenger 5, specialized tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 119
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 24
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 17
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 19
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 31 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 862,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: excellent service in north but sparse in south; domestic
satellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domestic
earth stations are planned)
international: 5 submarine cables; microwave radio relay to Italy,
France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and
Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik, and
1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 6 million (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: National Popular Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Air
Defense, National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 7,391,946
males fit for military service: 4,534,267
males reach military age (19) annually: 326,229 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion,
2.7% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@American Samoa
--------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 14 20 S, 170 00 W -- Oceania, group of islands in the
South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New
Zealand
Flag
----
Description: blue with a white triangle edged in red that is based
on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white
American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two
traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 199 sq km
land area: 199 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC
note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 116 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds;
annual rainfall averages 124 inches; rainy season from November to
April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature
variation
Terrain: five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited
coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata 966 m
Natural resources: pumice, pumicite
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 75%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; in many areas
of the island, water supplies come from roof catchments
natural hazards: typhoons common from December to March
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater
harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough
seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds;
strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
People
------
Population: 59,566 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 3.77% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 35.75 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.01 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.91 years
male: 71.03 years
female: 74.85 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.24 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: American Samoan(s)
adjective: American Samoan
Ethnic divisions: Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan
4%, other 5%
Religions: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%,
Protestant denominations and other 30%
Languages: Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other
Polynesian languages), English
note: most people are bilingual
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form: American Samoa
abbreviation: AS
Data code: AQ
Type of government: unincorporated and unorganized territory of
the US; administered by the US Department of Interior, Office of
Territorial and International Affairs
Capital: Pago Pago
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US)
Independence: none (territory of the US)
National holiday: Territorial Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Constitution: ratified 1966, in effect 1967
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of the US) William Jefferson CLINTON
(since 20 January 1993) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since
20 January 1993) are popularly elected by the citizens of the US
head of government: Governor A. P. LUTALI (since 3 January 1993) and
Lieutenant Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1993) were
elected for a four-year term by popular vote; election last held 3
November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - A. P.
LUTALI (Democrat) 53%, Peter Tali COLEMAN (Republican) 36%
Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono)
House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next
to be held NA November 1996); results - representatives popularly
elected from 17 house districts; percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (21 total, 20 elected, and 1 nonvoting delegate from Swains
Island); number of seats by party NA
Senate: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA
November 1996); results - senators elected by village chiefs from 12
senate districts; percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total)
number of seats by party NA
US House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994
(next to be held NA November 1996); results - Eni R. F. H.
FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate
Judicial branch: High Court, chief justice and associate justices
are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior
Political parties and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate),
Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US)
Flag: blue with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the
outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American
bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional
Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic activity is strongly linked to the US,
with which American Samoa conducts 80%-90% of its foreign trade.
Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the
private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. The tuna
canneries and the government are by far the two largest employers.
Other economic activities include a slowly developing tourist
industry. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to
American Samoa's economic well-being.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $128 million (1991 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $2,600 (1991 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA
Labor force: 14,400 (1990)
by occupation: government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 12% (1991)
Budget:
revenues: $97 million ($43 million in local revenue and $54 million
in grant revenue)
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90/91)
Industries: tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign fishing
vessels), meat canning, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 30,000 kW
production: 90 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,505 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit,
yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy farming
Exports: $306 million (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities: canned tuna 93%
partners: US 99.6%
Imports: $360.3 million (c.i.f., 1989)
commodities: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum
products 7%, machinery and parts 6%
partners: US 62%, Japan 9%, NZ 7%, Australia 11%, Fiji 4%, other 7%
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: $21 million in operational funds and $1.2 million in
construction funds for capital improvement projects from the US
Department of Interior (1991)
Currency: 1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 350 km
paved: 150 km
unpaved: 200 km
Ports: Aanu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago,
Ta'u
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
note: small airstrips on Fituita and Ofu (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 8,399
Telephone system:
domestic: good telex, telegraph, and facsimile services; domestic
satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 8,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Andorra
-------
Map
---
Location: 42 30 N, 1 30 E -- Southwestern Europe, between France
and Spain
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side),
yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the
yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar
to the flags of Chad and Romania that do not have a national coat of
arms in the center
Geography
---------
Location: Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 450 sq km
land area: 450 sq km
comparative area: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 125 km
border countries: France 60 km, Spain 65 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Terrain: rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
lowest point: Riu Valira 840 m
highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore,
lead
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 56%
forest and woodland: 22%
other: 20%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows
contributes to soil erosion
natural hazards: snowslides, avalanches
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 72,766 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16% (male 5,829; female 5,851)
15-64 years: 73% (male 28,724; female 24,757)
65 years and over: 11% (male 3,718; female 3,887) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.96% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.2 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 2.9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 22.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.96 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.11 male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 90.94 years
male: 86.47 years
female: 95.2 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.14 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Andorran(s)
adjective: Andorran
Ethnic divisions: Spanish 61%, Andorran 30%, French 6%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic (predominant)
Languages: Catalan (official), French, Castilian
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Principality of Andorra
conventional short form: Andorra
local long form: Principat d'Andorra
local short form: Andorra
Data code: AN
Type of government: parliamentary democracy (since March 1993)
that retains as its heads of state a coprincipality; the two princes
are the president of France and Spanish bishop of Seo de Urgel, who
are represented locally by officials called veguers
Capital: Andorra la Vella
Administrative divisions: 7 parishes (parroquies, singular -
parroquia); Andorra, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Les Escaldes,
Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Independence: 1,278
National holiday: Mare de Deu de Meritxell, 8 September
Constitution: Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in
1991; adopted 14 March 1993
Legal system: based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial
review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chiefs of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995)
and Spanish Episcopal Coprince Monseigneur Juan MARTI Alanis (since
31 January 1971); each coprince is represented by a veguer (current
names NA)
head of government: Executive Council President Marc FORNE Molne
(since 21 December 1994) was elected by the General Council and
formally appointed by the coprinces
cabinet: Executive Council was designated by the executive council
president
Legislative branch: unicameral
General Council of the Valleys (Consell General de las Valls:
elections last held 12 December 1993 (next to be held NA 1997);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) AND 8, UL
5, ND 5, CNA 2, IDN 2, other 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Andorra at Perpignan (France)
for civil cases, two civil judges appointed by the veguers, one
appeals judge appointed by the co-princes alternately;
Ecclesiastical Court of the Bishop of Seo de Urgel (Spain) for civil
cases; Tribunal of the Courts (Tribunal des Cortes) for criminal
cases, presided over by the two civil judges, one appeals judge, the
veguers, and two members of the General Council
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Group (AND),
Oscar RIBAS Reig and Jordi FARRAS; Liberal Union (UL), Francesc
CERQUEDA; New Democracy (ND), Jaume BARTOMEU; Andorran National
Coalition (CNA), Antoni CERQUEDA; National Democratic Initiative
(IDN), Vincenc MATEU; Liberal Union (UL), Marc FORNE
note: there are two other small parties
International organization participation: CE, ECE, IFRCS,
Interpol, IOC, ITU, UN, UNESCO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Juli MINOVES-TRIQUELL (also Permanent
Representative to the UN)
embassy: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: (212) 750-8064
FAX: (212) 750-6630
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate
General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina
Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: (343) 280-2227;
FAX: (343) 205-7705; note - Consul General Maurice S. PARKER makes
periodic visits to Andorra
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the
coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of
Chad and Romania that do not have a national coat of arms in the
center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny,
well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 13
million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free
status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative
advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France
and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of
goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven"
status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural
production is limited by a scarcity of arable land, and most food
has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep
raising. Manufacturing consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and
furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is
treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs)
and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $16,200 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 0%
Budget:
revenues: $138 million
expenditures: $177 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993)
Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), sheep, timber, tobacco,
banking
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 35,000 kW
production: 140 million kWh
consumption per capita: 2,570 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, barley,
oats, vegetables; sheep raising
Exports: $46.2 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: electricity, tobacco products, furniture
partners: France 35%, Spain 59%
Imports: $920.2 million (1993)
commodities: consumer goods, food
partners: France, Spain, US 2.6% (1992)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes; 1 peseta (Pta) = 100
centimos; the French and Spanish currencies are used
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991); Spanish pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 123.19 (January
1996), 124.69 (1995), 133.96 (1994), 127.26 (1993), 102.38 (1992),
103.91 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 269 km
paved: 198 km
unpaved: 71 km (1991 est.)
Ports: none
Airports: none
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 21,258 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections
between exchanges
international: landline circuits to France and Spain
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 10,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
======================================================================
@Angola
------
Civil war has been the norm since independence from Portugal on 11
November 1975; a cease-fire lasted from 31 May 1991 until October
1992 when the insurgent National Union for the Total Independence of
Angola (UNITA) refused to accept its defeat in internationally
monitored elections and fighting resumed throughout much of the
countryside. The two sides signed another peace accord on 20
November 1994; the cease-fire is generally holding, but most
provisions of the accord remain to be implemented.
Map
---
Location: 12 30 S, 18 30 E -- Southern Africa, bordering the South
Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Zaire
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black
with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star
within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a
hammer and sickle)
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean,
between Namibia and Zaire
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 18 30 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1,246,700 sq km
land area: 1,246,700 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,198 km
border countries: Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zaire 2,511 km,
Zambia 1,110 km
Coastline: 1,600 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 20 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has
cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to
April)
Terrain: narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior
plateau
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Moro de Moco 2,620 m
Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates,
copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 23%
forest and woodland: 43%
other: 32%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: population pressures contributing to overuse of
pastures and subsequent soil erosion; desertification; deforestation
of tropical rain forest attributable to the international demand for
tropical timber and domestic use as a fuel; deforestation
contributing to loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to
water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate
supplies of potable water
natural hazards: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on
the plateau
international agreements: party to - Law of the Sea; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification
Geographic note: Cabinda is separated from rest of country by Zaire
People
------
Population: 10,342,899 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 2,340,804; female 2,275,689)
15-64 years: 53% (male 2,748,417; female 2,706,295)
65 years and over: 2% (male 128,067; female 143,627) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.68% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.58 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 138.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.8 years
male: 44.65 years
female: 49.06 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.35 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Angolan(s)
adjective: Angolan
Ethnic divisions: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%,
mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other
22%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant
15% (est.)
Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 42%
male: 56%
female: 28%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Angola
conventional short form: Angola
local long form: Republica de Angola
local short form: Angola
former: People's Republic of Angola
Data code: AO
Type of government: transitional government nominally a multiparty
democracy with a strong presidential system
Capital: Luanda
Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza
Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda
Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire
Independence: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution: 11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August
1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992
Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary
law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and
increased use of free markets
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21
September 1979) was originally elected without opposition under a
one party system and stood for election in Angola's first multiparty
elections on 29-30 September 1992; DOS SANTOS received 49.6% of the
total vote, making a run-off election necessary between him and
second-place Jonas SAVIMBI; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) disputed
the results of the first election; the civil war was resumed
head of government: Prime Minister Marcolino Jose Carlos MOCO (since
2 December 1992) was appointed by the president and is answerable to
the Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional): elections last held 29-30
September 1992 (next to be held NA); results (disputed) - percentage
of vote by party NA; seats (223 total) - seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal da Relacao), judges of
the Supreme Court are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Popular Movement for the Liberation
of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, is the ruling
party and has been in power since 1975; National Union for the Total
Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, is a legal
party despite its history of armed resistance to the government;
five minor parties have small numbers of seats in the National
Assembly
Other political or pressure groups: Front for the Liberation of
the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), N'ZITA Tiago, leader of largest
faction (FLEC-FAC)
note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed
struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC
(observer), ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAS
(observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio dos Santos FRANCA "N'dalu"
embassy: 1819 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald K. STEINBERG
embassy: No. 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne, Miramar, Luanda
mailing address: C.P. 6484, Luanda; American Embassy, Luanda,
Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 (pouch)
telephone: [244] (2) 345-481, 346-418
FAX: [244] (2) 346-924
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a
centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half
a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Angola is an economy in disarray. Despite its
abundant natural resources, output per capita is among the world's
lowest. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for
80%-90% of the population but accounts for less than 15% of GDP. Oil
production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy,
contributing about 50% to GDP. Despite the signing of a peace accord
in November 1994 between the Angola Government and the UNITA
insurgents, sporadic fighting continues and many farmers remain
reluctant to return to their fields. As a result, much of the
country's food must still be imported. To take advantage of its rich
resources - notably gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic
fisheries, and arable land, in addition to its large oil deposits -
Angola will need to observe the cease-fire, implement the peace
agreement, and reform government policies.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 56%
services: 32% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% monthly average (1994 est.)
Labor force: 2.783 million economically active
by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry 15% (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: 24% with extensive underemployment (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $928 million
expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963
million (1992 est.)
Industries: petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar,
bauxite, uranium, and gold; fish processing; food processing;
brewing; tobacco; sugar; textiles; cement; basic metal products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 620,000 kW
production: 1.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 189 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton,
manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest
products; fish
Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for
cocaine and heroin destined for Western Europe and other African
states
Exports: $3 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee,
sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
partners: US, France, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil
Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities: capital equipment (machinery and electrical equipment),
food, vehicles and spare parts, textiles and clothing, medicines,
substantial military deliveries
partners: Portugal, Brazil, US, France, Spain
External debt: $12 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $189 million (1993)
Currency: 1 new kwanza (NKz) = 100 lwei
Exchange rates: new kwanza (NKz) per US$1 - 900,000 (official rate
25 April 1995), 1,900,000 (black market rate 6 April 1995), 600,000
(official rate 10 January 1995), 90,000 (official rate 1 June 1994),
180,000 (black market rate 1 June 1994); 7,000 (official rate 16
December 1993), 50,000 (black market rate 16 December 1993); 3,884
(July 1993); 550 (April 1992); 90 (November 1991); 60 (October 1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,952 km (1995 est.); note - limited trackage in use because
of landmines still in place from the civil war
narrow gauge: 2,798 km 1.067-m gauge; 154 km 0.600-m gauge
Highways:
total: 72,626 km
paved: 18,157 km
unpaved: 54,469 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 1,295 km navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 179 km
Ports: Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malogo, Namibe, Porto
Amboim, Soyo
Merchant marine:
total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 63,776 GRT/99,863 DWT
ships by type: cargo 11, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 143
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 11
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 40
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 24
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 48 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 78,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: telephone service limited mostly to government
and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military
links
domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and
tropospheric scatter
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 13, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 50,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police
Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,373,087
males fit for military service: 1,195,176
males reach military age (18) annually: 106,456 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, 31%
of GDP (1993)
======================================================================
@Anguilla
--------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 18 15 N, 63 10 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean
Sea, east of Puerto Rico
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half
of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an
interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy
water below
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto
Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 91 sq km
land area: 91 sq km
comparative area: about half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 61 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Natural resources: salt, fish, lobster
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some
commercial salt ponds)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet
increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
natural hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July
to October)
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 10,424 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 1,491; female 1,450)
15-64 years: 64% (male 3,418; female 3,275)
65 years and over: 8% (male 342; female 448) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.45% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.84 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 22.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.7 years
male: 73.75 years
female: 79.74 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.04 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Anguillan(s)
adjective: Anguillan
Ethnic divisions: black African
Religions: Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%,
Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%
Languages: English (official)
Literacy: age 12 and over can read and write (1984 est.)
total population: 95%
male: 95%
female: 95%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Anguilla
Data code: AV
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: The Valley
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May
Constitution: Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended
1990
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch; represented by Governor Alan HOOLE (since 1
November 1995)
head of government: Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 March
1994) was appointed by the governor from members of the House of
Assembly
cabinet: Executive Council was appointed by the governor from among
the elected members of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 16 March 1994 (next to be
held March 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11
total, 7 elected) ANA 2, AUP 2, ADP 2, independent 1
Judicial branch: High Court, judge provided by Eastern Caribbean
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Anguilla National Alliance (ANA),
David CARFY; Anguilla United Party (AUP), Hubert HUGHES; Anguilla
Democratic Party (ADP), Victor BANKS
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB,
Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half
of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an
interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy
water below
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the
economy depends heavily on tourism, offshore banking, lobster
fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Output growth has averaged
about 7% in recent years, mainly as a result of boom in tourism
thanks to economic expansion in North America and the UK. The
economy, and especially the tourism sector, suffered a setback in
late 1995 due to the effects of Hurricane Luis in September.
Agricultural output had only just begun to recover from a drought in
1994 when Luis hit. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort
into developing the offshore financing sector. A comprehensive
package of financial services legislation was enacted in late 1994.
In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend on the
tourism sector and, therefore, on continuing income growth in the
industrialized nations.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $53 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,600 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1994)
Labor force: 4,400 (1992)
by occupation: commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%,
transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%,
agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%
Unemployment rate: 7% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $13.5 million (1993)
expenditures: $17.6 million, including capital expenditures of
$740,000 (1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 2,000 kW
production: 6 million kWh
consumption per capita: 862 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes; sheep, goats,
pigs, cattle, poultry; fishing (including lobster)
Exports: $556,000 (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: lobster and salt
partners: NA
Imports: $33.5 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: NA
partners: NA
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70
(fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 105 km
paved: 65 km
unpaved: 40 km (1992 est.)
Ports: Blowing Point, Road Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 890
Telephone system:
domestic: modern internal telephone system
international: microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin
(Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Antarctica
----------
Map
---
Location: 90 00 S, 0 00 E -- continent mostly south of the
Antarctic Circle
Geography
---------
Location: continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geographic coordinates: 90 00 S, 0 00 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:
total area: 14 million sq km (est.)
land area: 14 million sq km (est.)
comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
note: second-smallest continent (after Australia)
Land boundaries: 0 km
note: see entry on International disputes
Coastline: 17,968 km
Maritime claims: none, but see entry on International disputes
International disputes: Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see
Antarctic Treaty Summary below); sections (some overlapping) claimed
by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France (Adelie Land), New Zealand
(Ross Dependency), Norway (Queen Maud Land), and UK; the US and most
other nations do not recognize the territorial claims of other
nations and have made no claims themselves (the US reserves the
right to do so); no formal claims have been made in the sector
between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west
Climate: severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation,
and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West
Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has
the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January
along the coast and average slightly below freezing
Terrain: about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock,
with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain
ranges up to about 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include
parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic
Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers
form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice
shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Vinson Massif 5,140 m
Natural resources: none presently exploited; iron ore, chromium,
copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and
hydrocarbons have been found in small, uncommercial quantities
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: in October 1991 it was reported that the ozone
shield, which protects the Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet
radiation, had dwindled to the lowest level recorded over Antarctica
since 1975 when measurements were first taken
natural hazards: katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward
from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the
plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise
along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of
West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: the coldest, windiest, highest, and driest
continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface
at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent
period; mostly uninhabitable
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are seasonally
staffed research stations
Summer (January) population: over 4,115 total; Argentina 207,
Australia 268, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Chile 256, China NA, Ecuador
NA, Finland 11, France 78, Germany 32, Greenpeace 12, India 60,
Italy 210, Japan 59, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 264, Norway
23, Peru 39, Poland NA, South Africa 79, Spain 43, Sweden 10, UK
116, Uruguay NA, US 1,666, former USSR 565 (1989-90)
Winter (July) population: over 1,046 total; Argentina 150, Australia
71, Brazil 12, Chile 73, China NA, France 33, Germany 19, Greenpeace
5, India 1, Japan 38, South Korea 14, NZ 11, Poland NA, South Africa
12, UK 69, Uruguay NA, US 225, former USSR 313 (1989-90)
Year-round stations: 42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1,
Chile 3, China 2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 2,
South Korea 1, NZ 1, Poland 1, South Africa 3, UK 5, Uruguay 1, US
3, former USSR 6 (1990-91)
Summer-only stations: over 38 total; Argentina 7, Australia 3, Chile
5, Germany 3, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 4, NZ 2, Norway 1, Peru 1,
South Africa 1, Spain 1, Sweden 2, UK 1, US numerous, former USSR 5
(1989-90); note - the disintegration of the former USSR has placed
the status and future of its Antarctic facilities in doubt; stations
may be subject to closings at any time because of ongoing economic
difficulties
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Antarctica
Data code: AY
Type of government:
Antarctic Treaty Summary: The Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December
1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal
framework for the management of Antarctica. Administration is
carried out through consultative member meetings - the 18th
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was in Japan in April 1993.
Currently, there are 42 treaty member nations: 26 consultative and
16 acceding. Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations
that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims
overlap) and 19 nonclaimant nations. The US and some other nations
that have made no claims have reserved the right to do so. The US
does not recognize the claims of others. The year in parentheses
indicates when an acceding nation was voted to full consultative
(voting) status, while no date indicates the country was an original
1959 treaty signatory. Claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia,
Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant
consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), China (1985),
Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy
(1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989),
Poland (1977), South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay
(1985), the US, and Russia. Acceding (nonvoting) members, with year
of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Bulgaria (1978),
Canada (1988), Colombia (1988), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993),
Denmark (1965), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984),
North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971),
Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), and Ukraine (1992).
Article 1: area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military
activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military
personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any
other peaceful purpose
Article 2: freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall
continue
Article 3: free exchange of information and personnel in cooperation
with the UN and other international agencies
Article 4: does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial
claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in
force
Article 5: prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive
wastes
Article 6: includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south
of 60 degrees 00 minutes south
Article 7: treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial
observation, to any area and may inspect all stations,
installations, and equipment; advance notice of all activities and
of the introduction of military personnel must be given
Article 8: allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by
their own states
Article 9: frequent consultative meetings take place among member
nations
Article 10: treaty states will discourage activities by any country
in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty
Article 11: disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties
concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ
Articles 12 13 14: deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending
the treaty among involved nations
Other agreements: more than 170 recommendations adopted at treaty
consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed
Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora (1964);
Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972);
Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
(1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but was
subsequently rejected; in 1991 the Protocol on Environmental
Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed and awaits
ratification; this agreement provides for the protection of the
Antarctic environment through five specific annexes on marine
pollution, fauna, and flora, environmental impact assessments, waste
management, and protected areas; it also prohibits all activities
relating to mineral resources except scientific research; 21 parties
have ratified Protocol as of April 1996
Legal system: US law, including certain criminal offenses by or
against US nationals, such as murder, may apply to areas not under
jurisdiction of other countries. Some US laws directly apply to
Antarctica. For example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C.
section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the
following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute:
The taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of
nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected or
scientific areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the
importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica. Violation
of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000
in fines and 1 year in prison. The Departments of Treasury,
Commerce, Transportation, and Interior share enforcement
responsibilities. Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation
Act of 1978, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to
notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs, Room
5801, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such
plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty. For more
information contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs,
National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230 (703)
306-1031.
Economy
-------
Economic overview: No economic activity at present except for
fishing off the coast and small-scale tourism, both based abroad.
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage
Airports: 50 landing facilities at different locations operated by
16 national governments party to the Treaty; one additional air
facility operated by commercial (nongovernmental) tourist
organization; helicopter pads at 25 of these locations; runways at
13 locations are gravel, sea ice, glacier ice, or compacted snow
surface suitable for wheeled fixed-wing aircraft; no paved runways;
12 locations have snow-surface skiways limited to use by
ski-equipped planes - 8 runways/skiways greater than 3,000 m,10
runways/skiways 1,000 to 3,000 m, 3 runways/skiways less than 1,000
m, and 4 of unspecified or variable length; airports generally
subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from
extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; airports do not meet
ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective governmental or
non-governmental operating organization required for landing (1995
est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a
military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and
fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the
testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military
personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other
peaceful purposes
======================================================================
@Antigua and Barbuda
-------------------
Map
---
Location: 17 03 N, 61 48 W -- Caribbean, islands between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto
Rico
Flag
----
Description: red with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the
top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands
of black (top), light blue, and white with a yellow rising sun in
the black band
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 17 03 N, 61 48 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 440 sq km
land area: 440 sq km
comparative area: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes Redonda
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 153 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands with some
higher volcanic areas
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m
Natural resources: negligible; pleasant climate fosters tourism
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 16%
other: 59%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: water management - a major concern because of
limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the
clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to
run off quickly
natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October);
periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People
------
Population: 65,647 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 8,386; female 8,043)
15-64 years: 69% (male 22,589; female 22,548)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,820; female 2,261) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.76% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.83 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.32 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.64 years
male: 71.55 years
female: 75.84 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s)
adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan
Ethnic divisions: black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian
Religions: Anglican (predominant), other Protestant sects, some
Roman Catholic
Languages: English (official), local dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of
schooling (1960 est.)
total population: 89%
male: 90%
female: 88%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda
Data code: AC
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Saint John's
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*;
Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint
Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
Independence: 1 November 1981 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 November (1981)
Constitution: 1 November 1981
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General James B.
CARLISLE (since NA 1993) who was chosen by the queen on advice from
the prime minister
head of government: Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March
1994) was appointed by the governor general
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the governor general
on the advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: 17- member body appointed by the governor general
House of Representatives: elections last held 8 March 1994 (next to
be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17
total) ALP 11, UPP 5, independent 1
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint
Lucia), one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands
and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders: Antigua Labor Party (ALP), Lester
Bryant BIRD; United Progressive Party (UPP), headed by Baldwin
SPENCER, a coalition of three opposition political parties-the
United National Democratic Party (UNDP); the Antigua Caribbean
Liberation Movement (ACLM); and the Progressive Labor Movement (PLM)
Other political or pressure groups: Antigua Trades and Labor Union
(ATLU), William ROBINSON; People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Hugh
MARSHALL
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO
(subscriber), ITU, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lionel Alexander HURST
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 362-5211, 5166, 5122
FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225
consulate(s) general: Miami
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador
to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda
Flag: red with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top
edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of
black (top), light blue, and white with a yellow rising sun in the
black band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Tourism continues to be by far the dominant
activity in the economy but the combined share in GDP of transport
and communications, trade, and public utilities has increased
markedly in recent years. Tourism's direct contribution to output in
1994 was about 20%. In addition, increased tourist arrivals helped
spur growth in the construction and transport sectors. The dual
island nation's agricultural production is mainly directed to the
domestic market; the sector is constrained by the limited water
supply and labor shortages that reflect the pull of higher wages in
tourism and construction. Manufacturing - which accounts for 3.5% of
GDP - comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products
being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for
economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income
growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which
accounts for about half of all tourist arrivals.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $425 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.2% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,600 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.5%
industry: 19.3%
services: 77.2% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (1994)
Labor force: 30,000
by occupation: commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry
7% (1983)
Unemployment rate: 5%-10%(1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $134 million
expenditures: $135.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing,
alcohol, household appliances)
Industrial production growth rate: -4.9% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 52,100 kW
production: 95 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,242 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts,
cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock
Illicit drugs: a long-time but relatively minor transshipment
point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe and recent
transshipment point for heroin from Europe to the US; more
significant as a drug money laundering center
Exports: $40.9 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, food and live
animals 4%, machinery and transport equipment 17%
partners: OECS 26%, Barbados 15%, Guyana 4%, Trinidad and Tobago 2%,
US 0.3%
Imports: $443.8 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport
equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil
partners: US 27%, UK 16%, Canada 4%, OECS 3%, other 50%
External debt: $377 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70
(fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 77 km
narrow gauge: 64 km 0.760-m gauge; 13 km 0.610-m gauge (used almost
exclusively for handling sugarcane)
Highways:
total: 240 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Saint John's
Merchant marine:
total: 367 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,573,063
GRT/2,147,243 DWT
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 247, chemical tanker 6, combination
bulk 1, container 72, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 3,
refrigerated cargo 14, roll-on/roll-off cargo 16
note: a flag of convenience registry: Germany owns 12 ships,
Slovenia 3, Croatia 2, Cyprus 1, and US 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 6,700
Telephone system:
domestic: good automatic telephone system
international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station -
1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Saba
(Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 2
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 28,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua
and Barbuda Police Force (includes the Coast Guard)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 million, 1%
of GDP (FY90/91)
======================================================================
@Arctic Ocean
------------
Map
---
Location: 90 00 N, 0 00 E -- body of water mostly north of the
Arctic Circle
Geography
---------
Location: body of water mostly north of the Arctic Circle
Geographic coordinates: 90 00 N, 0 00 E
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:
total area: 14.056 million sq km
comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of the US;
smallest of the world's four oceans (after Pacific Ocean, Atlantic
Ocean, and Indian Ocean)
note: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea,
East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara
Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies
Coastline: 45,389 km
International disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral
states); Svalbard is the focus of a maritime boundary dispute
between Norway and Russia
Climate: polar climate characterized by persistent cold and
relatively narrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized
by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and
clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and
foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow
Terrain: central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar
icepack that averages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure
ridges may be three times that size; clockwise drift pattern in the
Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight line movement from the
New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland
and Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the
summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends
to the encircling land masses; the ocean floor is about 50%
continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the
remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges
(Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonsov Ridge)
lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources: sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits,
polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals
(seals and whales)
Environment:
current issues: endangered marine species include walruses and
whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from
disruptions or damage
natural hazards: ice islands occasionally break away from northern
Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland
and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually
icelocked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure
icing from October to May
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea
(northern access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait);
strategic location between North America and Russia; shortest marine
link between the extremes of eastern and western Russia, floating
research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover
in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean;
snow cover lasts about 10 months
Government
----------
Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard for
hydrographic codes - see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic
Data Codes appendix
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to the
exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas,
fish, and seals.
Transportation
--------------
Ports: Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)
Transportation note: sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land
routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route
(Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways
Communications
--------------
Telephone system:
international: no submarine cables
======================================================================
@Argentina
---------
Map
---
Location: 34 00 S, 64 00 W -- Southern South America, bordering
the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top),
white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant
yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May
Geography
---------
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic
Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay
Geographic coordinates: 34 00 S, 64 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 2,766,890 sq km
land area: 2,736,690 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 9,665 km
border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km,
Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km
Coastline: 4,989 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: short section of the boundary with Uruguay
is in dispute; short section of the boundary with Chile is
indefinite; claims British-administered Falkland Islands (Islas
Malvinas); claims British-administered South Georgia and the South
Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica
Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in
southwest
Terrain: rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to
rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western
border
lowest point: Salinas Chicas -40 m
highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,962 m
Natural resources: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin,
copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 52%
forest and woodland: 22%
other: 13%
Irrigated land: 17,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: erosion results from inadequate flood controls and
improper land use practices; irrigated soil degradation;
desertification; air pollution in Buenos Aires and other major
cities; water pollution in urban areas; rivers becoming polluted due
to increased pesticide and fertilizer use
natural hazards: Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to
earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the
Pampas and northeast; heavy flooding
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification,
Marine Life Conservation
Geographic note: second-largest country in South America (after
Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between South
Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle
Channel, Drake Passage)
People
------
Population: 34,672,997 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 4,904,380; female 4,707,293)
15-64 years: 63% (male 10,851,004; female 10,834,593)
65 years and over: 9% (male 1,414,412; female 1,961,315) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.1% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 19.41 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.62 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 28.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.66 years
male: 68.37 years
female: 75.12 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.62 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Argentine(s)
adjective: Argentine
Ethnic divisions: white 85%, mestizo, Indian, or other nonwhite
groups 15%
Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 90% (less than 20%
practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 6%
Languages: Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 96.2%
male: 96.2%
female: 96.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Argentine Republic
conventional short form: Argentina
local long form: Republica Argentina
local short form: Argentina
Data code: AR
Type of government: republic
Capital: Buenos Aires
Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia), and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Buenos
Aires; Catamarca; Chaco; Chubut; Cordoba; Corrientes; Distrito
Federal*; Entre Rios; Formosa; Jujuy; La Pampa; La Rioja; Mendoza;
Misiones; Neuquen; Rio Negro; Salta; San Juan; San Luis; Santa Cruz;
Santa Fe; Santiago del Estero; Tierra del Fuego, Antartida e Islas
del Atlantico Sur; Tucuman
note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica or
Argentina's claims to the Falkland Islands
Independence: 9 July 1816 (from Spain)
National holiday: Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)
Constitution: 1 May 1853; revised August 1994
Legal system: mixture of US and West European legal systems; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Carlos Saul MENEM
(since 8 July 1989) was elected for a four-year term by universal
suffrage; election last held 14 May 1995 (next to be held May 1999);
results - Carlos Saul MENEM was reelected; Vice President Carlos
RUCKAUF
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate: elections last held NA May 1995 (next to be held NA);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) PJ 38,
others 34
Chamber of Deputies: one-half of the members elected every two years
to four-year terms; elections last held 14 May 1995; (next to be
held NA 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (257
total) PJ 132, UCR 68, Frepaso 26, other 31
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), the nine Supreme
Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of the
Senate
Political parties and leaders: Justicialist Party (PJ), Carlos
Saul MENEM, Peronist umbrella political organization; Radical Civic
Union (UCR), Rodolfo TERRAGNO, moderately left-of-center party;
Union of the Democratic Center (UCD), conservative party; Dignity
and Independence Political Party (MODIN), Aldo RICO, right-wing
party; Grand Front (Frente Grande), Carlos ALVAREZ, center-left
coalition; Front for a Country in Solidarity (Frepaso, a four party
coalition), leader Jose Octavio BORDON; several provincial parties
Other political or pressure groups: Peronist-dominated labor
movement; General Confederation of Labor (CGT), Peronist-leaning
umbrella labor organization; Argentine Industrial Union
(manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society (large
landowners' association); business organizations; students; the
Roman Catholic Church; the Armed Forces
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
Australia Group, BCIE, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G- 6, G-11, G-15, G-19,
G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MTCR, NSG (observer), OAS,
OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMIR, UNAVEM
III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR,
UNMIH, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raul Enrique GRANILLO OCAMPO
chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6400 through 6403
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador James R. CHEEK
embassy: 4300 Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires
mailing address: Unit 4334, APO AA 34034
telephone: [54] (1) 777-4533, 4534
FAX: [54] (1) 777-0197
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and
light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with
a human face known as the Sun of May
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Argentina, rich in natural resources, benefits
also from a highly literate population, an export-oriented
agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base.
Nevertheless, following decades of mismanagement and statist
policies, the economy in the late 1980s was plagued with huge
external debts and recurring bouts of hyperinflation. Elected in
1989, in the depths of recession, President MENEM has implemented a
comprehensive economic restructuring program that shows signs of
putting Argentina on a path of stable, sustainable growth.
Argentina's currency has traded at par with the US dollar since
April 1991, and inflation has fallen to its lowest level in 20
years. Argentines have responded to the relative price stability by
repatriating flight capital and investing in domestic industry.
After registering impressive 7.4% growth in 1994, based largely on
inflows of foreign capital and strong domestic consumption, the
Argentine economy stumbled in 1995 as financial pressures fueled by
the Mexican peso crisis and political squabbling within the MENEM
administration undermined investor confidence and triggered capital
outflows. By yearend, GDP had contracted 4.4%, unemployment reached
16%, and Buenos Aires struggled to meet fiscal targets. On the trade
front, exports soared during the first half of 1995 - largely
because of strong demand in Brazil and high commodity prices - while
anemic domestic consumption lowered imports; the resulting yearend
trade surplus was about $1.2 billion. However, because exports
contribute only 7.5% to GDP, increased foreign sales had little
impact on aggregate growth. High unemployment will continue to
plague the MENEM administration for the next several years as
provincial entities are readied for privatization and more public
sector employees are laid off.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $278.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -4.4%
GDP per capita: $8,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 31%
services: 63% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 10.9 million
by occupation: agriculture 12%, industry 31%, services 57% (1985
est.)
Unemployment rate: 16% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $48.46 billion
expenditures: $46.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.5
billion (1994 est.)
Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables,
textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
Industrial production growth rate: -4.6% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 17,330,000 kW
production: 54.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,610 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, corn, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets; livestock
Illicit drugs: increasing use as a transshipment country for
cocaine headed for Europe and the US
Exports: $20.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: meat, wheat, corn, oilseed, manufactures
partners: US 9%, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Netherlands
Imports: $19.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, fuels and
lubricants, agricultural products
partners: US 21%, Brazil, Germany, Bolivia, Japan, Italy, Netherlands
External debt: $90 billion (December 1995)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 nuevo peso argentino = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: pesos per US$1 - 1.00000 (January 1996), 0.99975
(1995), 0.99901 (1994), 0.99895 (1993), 0.99064 (1992), 0.95355
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 37,910 km
broad gauge: 24,124 km 1.676-m gauge (142 km electrified)
standard gauge: 2,765 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 11,021 km 1.000-m gauge (26 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 215,578 km
paved: 61,440 km
unpaved: 154,138 km
Waterways: 11,000 km navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 4,090 km; petroleum products 2,900 km;
natural gas 9,918 km
Ports: Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion
del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Rio Gallegos,
Rosario, Santa Fe, Ushuaia
Merchant marine:
total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 303,448 GRT/458,864 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 11, chemical tanker 1, container 3, oil
tanker 14, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1,253
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 25
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 54
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 46
with paved runways under 914 m: 511
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 60
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 549 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2.7 million (1983 est.)
Telephone system: 12,000 public telephones; extensive modern
system but many families do not have telephones; despite extensive
use of microwave radio relay, the telephone system frequently
grounds out during rainstorms, even in Buenos Aires
domestic: microwave radio relay and a domestic satellite system with
40 earth stations serve the trunk network
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 171, FM 0, shortwave 13
Radios: 22.3 million (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 231
Televisions: 7.165 million (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic,
Argentine Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Argentine Naval
Prefecture (Coast Guard only), National Aeronautical Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 8,707,014
males fit for military service: 7,063,304
males reach military age (20) annually: 310,107 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.7 billion,
1.5% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Armenia
-------
Map
---
Location: 40 00 N, 45 00 E -- Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and
gold
Geography
---------
Location: Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 29,800 sq km
land area: 28,400 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 1,254 km
border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan
exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: supports ethnic Armenians in
Nagorno-Karabakh in their separatist conflict against the
Azerbaijani Government; traditional demands on former Armenian lands
in Turkey have subsided
Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Terrain: high Armenian Plateau with mountains; little forest land;
fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
lowest point: Debed River 400 m
highest point: Aragats Lerr 4,095 m
Natural resources: small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum,
zinc, alumina
Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 60%
Irrigated land: 3,050 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT;
energy blockade, the result of conflict with Azerbaijan, has led to
deforestation as citizens scavenge for firewood; pollution of
Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich, a
result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking
water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant without
adequate (IAEA-recommended) safety and backup systems
natural hazards: occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 3,463,574 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 497,461; female 476,649)
15-64 years: 64% (male 1,085,935; female 1,132,282)
65 years and over: 8% (male 111,661; female 159,586) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.02% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.27 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.73 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -8.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 38.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.06 years
male: 64.44 years
female: 73.92 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Armenian(s)
adjective: Armenian
Ethnic divisions: Armenian 93%, Azeri 3%, Russian 2%, other
(mostly Yezidi Kurds) 2% (1989)
note: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from
======================================================================
@Aruba
-----
(part of the Dutch realm)
Map
---
Location: 12 30 N, 69 58 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean
Sea, north of Venezuela
Flag
----
Description: blue with two narrow horizontal yellow stripes across
the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in
the upper hoist-side corner
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of
Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 N, 69 58 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 193 sq km
land area: 193 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 68.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Natural resources: negligible; white sandy beaches
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 67,794 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 7,850; female 7,155)
15-64 years: 69% (male 22,499; female 24,596)
65 years and over: 9% (male 2,353; female 3,341) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.31% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.62 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -5.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.93 male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.68 years
male: 73 years
female: 80.55 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Aruban(s)
adjective: Aruban
Ethnic divisions: mixed European/Caribbean Indian 80%
Religions: Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim,
Confucian, Jewish
Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese,
Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Aruba
Data code: AA
Type of government: part of the Dutch realm; full autonomy in
internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the
Netherlands Antilles
Capital: Oranjestad
Administrative divisions: none (self-governing part of the
Netherlands)
Independence: none (part of the Dutch realm; in 1990, Aruba
requested and received from the Netherlands cancellation of the
agreement to automatically give independence to the island in 1996)
National holiday: Flag Day, 18 March
Constitution: 1 January 1986
Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English
common law influence
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (of the Netherlands
since 30 April 1980), a constitutional monarch, is represented by
Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992) who was
appointed for a six-year term by the queen
head of government: Prime Minister Jan (Henny) H. EMAN (since 29
July 1994) and Deputy Prime Minister Glenbert F. CROES were
appointed by the legislature
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the legislature
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislature (Staten): elections last held 29 July 1994 (next to be
held by NA July 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (21 total) AVP 10, MEP 9, OLA 2
Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice
Political parties and leaders: Electoral Movement Party (MEP),
Nelson ODUBER; Aruban People's Party (AVP), Jan (Henny) H. EMAN;
National Democratic Action (ADN), Pedro Charro KELLY; New Patriotic
Party (PPN), Eddy WERLEMEN; Aruban Patriotic Party (PPA), Benny
NISBET; Aruban Democratic Party (PDA), Leo BERLINSKI; Democratic
Action '86 (AD '86), Arturo ODUBER; Aruban Liberal Party (OLA),
Glenbert CROES
note: governing coalition includes the AVP and OLA
International organization participation: ECLAC (associate),
Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing part of the
Netherlands)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing part of the
Netherlands)
Flag: blue with two narrow horizontal yellow stripes across the
lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the
upper hoist-side corner
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Tourism is the mainstay of the Aruban economy,
although offshore banking and oil refining and storage are also
important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last
decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities.
Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985
level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in
1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings,
has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and less than
1% unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job
vacancies despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.1% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $18,000 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (1994)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: most employment is in the tourist industry (1995)
Unemployment rate: 0.5% (1994)
Budget:
revenues: $145 million
expenditures: $185 million, including capital expenditures of $42
million (1988)
Industries: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 90,000 kW
production: 330 million kWh
consumption per capita: 4,761 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: aloes; livestock; fishing
Illicit drugs: major drug money laundering center and minor
transit point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe
Exports: $1.3 billion (including oil re-exports) (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: mostly refined petroleum products
partners: US 64%, EU
Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: food, consumer goods, manufactures, petroleum products,
crude oil for refining and reexport
partners: US 8%, EU
External debt: $669 million (December 1995)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Aruban florin (Af.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Aruban florins (Af.) per US$1 - 1.7900 (fixed rate
since 1986)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
note: government-owned airport east of Oranjestad accepts
transatlantic flights (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 22,922 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: more than adequate
international: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands
Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 19,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands
======================================================================
@Ashmore and Cartier Islands
---------------------------
(territory of Australia)
Map
---
Location: 12 14 S, 123 05 E -- Southeastern Asia, islands in the
Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean,
northwest of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 12 14 S, 123 05 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 5 sq km
land area: 5 sq km
comparative area: about eight times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and
Cartier Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 74.1 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low with sand and coral
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (all grass and sand)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose
maritime hazards
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established
in August 1983
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are only
seasonal caretakers
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Data code: AT
Type of government: territory of Australia administered by the
Australian Ministry for the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
Legal system: relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic
visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
======================================================================
@Atlantic Ocean
--------------
Map
---
Location: 0 00 N, 25 00 W -- body of water between Africa, Europe,
Antarctica, and the Western Hemisphere
Geography
---------
Location: body of water between Africa, Europe, Antarctica, and
the Western Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 W
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 82.217 million sq km
comparative area: slightly less than nine times the size of the US;
second-largest of the world's four oceans (after the Pacific Ocean,
but larger than Indian Ocean or Arctic Ocean)
note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait,
Denmark Strait, Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea,
North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other
tributary water bodies
Coastline: 111,866 km
International disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral
states)
Climate: tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of
Africa near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea;
hurricanes can occur from May to December, but are most frequent
from August to November
Terrain: surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea,
Denmark Strait, and Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm
water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern
Atlantic, counterclockwise warm water gyre in the southern Atlantic;
the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged
north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin
lowest point: Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals
and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits,
polymetallic nodules, precious stones
Environment:
current issues: endangered marine species include the manatee,
seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is
hastening the decline of fish stocks and contributing to
international disputes; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US,
southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean
Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North
Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea,
North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea
natural hazards: icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait,
and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have
been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands;
icebergs from Antarctica occur in the extreme southern Atlantic
Ocean; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern
Atlantic from October to May and extreme southern Atlantic from May
to October; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to
September
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: major choke points include the Dardanelles,
Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic
straits include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona
Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator
divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South
======================================================================
@Australia
---------
Map
---
Location: 27 00 S, 133 00 E -- Oceania, continent between the
Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side
quadrant; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern
Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and
four, larger, seven-pointed stars
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the
South Pacific Ocean
Geographic coordinates: 27 00 S, 133 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 7,686,850 sq km
land area: 7,617,930 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than the US
note: includes Macquarie Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 25,760 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica
(Australian Antarctic Territory)
Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east;
tropical in north
Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in
southeast
lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m
highest point: Mount Kosciusko 2,229 m
Natural resources: bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver,
uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds,
natural gas, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 58%
forest and woodland: 14%
other: 22%
Irrigated land: 18,800 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial
development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity
rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification;
clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of
many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the
northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened
by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited
natural fresh water resources
natural hazards: cyclones along the coast; severe droughts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest
country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern
coasts; regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the
Doctor" occurs along the west coast in the summer
People
------
Population: 18,260,863 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 2,009,915; female 1,912,605)
15-64 years: 66% (male 6,129,285; female 5,980,315)
65 years and over: 13% (male 967,291; female 1,261,452) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.99% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.99 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.88 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.39 years
male: 76.44 years
female: 82.5 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.84 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Australian(s)
adjective: Australian
Ethnic divisions: Caucasian 95%, Asian 4%, aboriginal and other 1%
Religions: Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian
24.3%
Languages: English, native languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia
conventional short form: Australia
Data code: AS
Type of government: federal parliamentary state
Capital: Canberra
Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian
Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*,
Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Dependent areas: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island,
Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and
McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island
Independence: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution: 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Legal system: based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Sir William
DEANE (since 16 February 1996) who was appointed by the queen
head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11
March 1996) was appointed by the governor general; Deputy Prime
Minister Timothy Andrew FISCHER (since 11 March 1996)
cabinet: Cabinet was selected from among the members of Federal
Parliament by the governor general on the advice of the prime
minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Parliament
Senate: elections last held 2 March 1996 (next to be held NA 1999);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (76 total)
Liberal-National 37, Labor 29, Australian Democrats 8, Greens 1,
independent 1
House of Representatives: elections last held 2 March 1996 (next to
be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(148 total) Liberal-National 94, Labor 49, independent 5
Judicial branch: High Court, the Chief Justice and six other
justices are appointed by the governor general
Political parties and leaders:
government: coalition of Liberal Party, John Winston HOWARD and
National Party, Timothy Andrew FISCHER
opposition: Australian Labor Party, Kim BEAZLEY; Australian
Democratic Party, Cheryl KERNOT; Green Party, Bob BROWN
Other political or pressure groups: Australian Democratic Labor
Party (anti-Communist Labor Party splinter group); Peace and Nuclear
Disarmament Action (Nuclear Disarmament Party splinter group)
International organization participation: AG (observer), ANZUS,
APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-
8, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM
(guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAMIR,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John Phillip MCCARTHY
chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000
FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New
York, Pago Pago (American Samoa), and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward J. PERKINS
embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital
Territory 2600
mailing address: APO AP 96549
telephone: [61] (6) 270-5000
FAX: [61] (6) 270-5970
consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney
consulate(s): Brisbane
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side
quadrant; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern
Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and
four, larger, seven-pointed stars
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Australia has a prosperous Western-style
capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP comparable to levels in
highly industrialized West European countries. Rich in natural
resources, Australia is a major exporter of agricultural products,
minerals, metals, and fossil fuels. Commodities account for more
than 80% of the value of total exports, so that, as in 1983-84, a
downturn in world commodity prices can have a big impact on the
economy. The government is pushing for increased exports of
manufactured goods, but competition in international markets
continues to be severe. Australia has suffered from the low growth
and high unemployment characterizing the OECD countries in the early
1990s. In 1992-93 the economy recovered slowly from the prolonged
recession of 1990-91, a major restraining factor being weak world
demand for Australia's exports. Growth picked up so strongly in 1994
that the government felt the need for fiscal and monetary tightening
by yearend. Australia's GDP grew 6.4% in 1994, largely due to
increases in industrial output and business investment. A severe
drought in 1994 reduced the value of Australia's net farm
production, but rising world commodity prices are likely to boost
commodity exports by 15% to $42.4 billion in 1995/96, according to
government statistics. Short-term economic problems include a
balancing of output growth and inflationary pressures and the
stimulation of exports to offset rising imports.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $405.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $22,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.1%
industry: 27.7%
services: 69.2% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.75% (1995)
Labor force: 8.63 million (September 1991)
by occupation: finance and services 33.8%, public and community
services 22.3%, wholesale and retail trade 20.1%, manufacturing and
industry 16.2%, agriculture 6.1% (1987)
Unemployment rate: 8.1% (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $95.69 billion
expenditures: $95.15 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96 est.)
Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food
processing, chemicals, steel
Industrial production growth rate: 3.9% (FY93/94)
Electricity:
capacity: 34,540,000 kW
production: 155 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 8,021 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep,
poultry
Illicit drugs: Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of
licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over
areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw
concentrate
Exports: $51.57 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and
transport equipment
partners: Japan 25%, US 11%, South Korea 6%, NZ 5.7%, UK, Taiwan,
Singapore, Hong Kong (1992)
Imports: $57.41 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office
machines, crude oil and petroleum products
partners: US 23%, Japan 18%, UK 6%, Germany 5.7%, NZ 4% (1992)
External debt: $147.2 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $953 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January
1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3668 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992),
1.2835 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 38,563 km (2,914 km electrified; 172 km dual gauge)
broad gauge: 6,083 km 1.600-m gauge
standard gauge: 16,752 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 15,728 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 810,264 km
paved: 283,592 km (including 1,200 km of expressways)
unpaved: 526,672 km (1989 est.)
Waterways: 8,368 km; mainly by small, shallow-draft craft
Pipelines: crude oil 2,500 km; petroleum products 500 km; natural
gas 5,600 km
Ports: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport, Fremantle,
Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceton (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne,
Sydney, Townsville
Merchant marine:
total: 76 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,547,869 GRT/3,679,534
DWT
ships by type: bulk 30, cargo 4, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk
1, container 6, liquefied gas tanker 6, oil tanker 18,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, short-sea passenger 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 442
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 13
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 106
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 116
with paved runways under 914 m: 30
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 22
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 146 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 8.7 million (1987 est.)
Telephone system: good domestic and international service
domestic: domestic satellite system
international: submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea,
and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian
Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Pacific Ocean
Regions)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 258, FM 67, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 134 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 9.2 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian
Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 4,848,777
males fit for military service: 4,192,250
males reach military age (17) annually: 127,569 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $7.3 billion,
2.0% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Austria
-------
Map
---
Location: 47 20 N, 13 20 E -- Central Europe, north of Italy
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
red
Geography
---------
Location: Central Europe, north of Italy
Geographic coordinates: 47 20 N, 13 20 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 83,850 sq km
land area: 82,730 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
total: 2,558 km
border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366
km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 37 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 324
km, Switzerland 164 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with
frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with
occasional showers
Terrain: in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the
eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping
lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m
highest point: Grossglockner 3,797 m
Natural resources: iron ore, oil, timber, magnesite, lead, coal,
lignite, copper, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 24%
forest and woodland: 39%
other: 19%
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: some forest degradation caused by air and soil
pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural
chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and
oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks
transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur
94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Geographic note: landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads
of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and
valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on
eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low
temperatures elsewhere
People
------
Population: 8,023,244 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 720,696; female 685,179)
15-64 years: 67% (male 2,726,122; female 2,659,162)
65 years and over: 15% (male 451,231; female 780,854) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.41% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.19 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.43 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.53 years
male: 73.38 years
female: 79.84 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Austrian(s)
adjective: Austrian
Ethnic divisions: German 99.4%, Croatian 0.3%, Slovene 0.2%, other
0.1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 6%, other 9%
Languages: German
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1974 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Austria
conventional short form: Austria
local long form: Republik Oesterreich
local short form: Oesterreich
Data code: AU
Type of government: federal republic
Capital: Vienna
Administrative divisions: 9 states (bundeslaender, singular -
bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten, Niederoesterreich,
Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien
Independence: 12 November 1918 (from Austro-Hungarian Empire)
National holiday: National Day, 26 October (1955)
Constitution: 1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945)
Legal system: civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial
review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate
administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential
elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Thomas KLESTIL (since 8 July 1992) was
elected for a six-year term by popular vote; election last held 24
May 1992 (next to be held 1998); results of second ballot - Thomas
KLESTIL 57%, Rudolf STREICHER 43%
head of government: Chancellor Franz VRANITZKY (since 16 June 1986)
was chosen by the president from the majority party in the National
Council; Vice Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (since 22 April 1995)
was chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor
cabinet: Council of Ministers was chosen by the president on the
advice of the chancellor
Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung)
Federal Council (Bundesrat): consists of 63 members representing
each of the provinces on the basis of population, but with each
province having at least three representatives
National Council (Nationalrat): elections last held 17 December 1995
(next to be held Fall 1999); results - SPOE 38.3%, OEVP 28.3%, FPOE
22.1%, Greens 4.6%, LF 5.3%, other 1.4%; seats - (183 total) SPOE
71, OEVP 53, FPOE 40, Greens 9, LF 10
Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for
civil and criminal cases; Administrative Court
(Verwaltungsgerichtshof) for bureaucratic cases; Constitutional
Court (Verfassungsgerichtshof) for constitutional cases
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party of Austria
(SPOE), Franz VRANITZKY, chairman; Austrian People's Party (OEVP),
Wolfgang SCHUESSEL, chairman; Freedom Movement (F, formerly the
Freedom Party of Austria or FPOE), Joerg HAIDER, chairman; Communist
Party (KPOE), Walter SILBERMAYER, chairman; The Greens, Madeleine
PETROVIC; Liberal Forum (LF), Heide SCHMIDT
Other political or pressure groups: Federal Chamber of Commerce
and Industry; Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist);
three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party (OEVP)
representing business, labor, and farmers; OEVP-oriented League of
Austrian Industrialists; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief
lay organization, Catholic Action
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA,
EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIH, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU
(observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Helmut TUERK
chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035
telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700
FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Swanee G. HUNT
chancery: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091, Vienna
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [43] (1) 313-39
FAX: [43] (1) 310-0682
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Austria has a well-developed market economy
with a sizable - but falling - proportion of nationalized industry,
an extensive social system, and a high standard of living. Austria's
economy is closely integrated with Germany and other EU members -
Austria joined the EU on 1 January 1995. Since the early 1980s, the
Austrian economy has experienced stable growth. Following a mild
recession in 1993, Austria's economy - driven by strong exports,
investment, and private consumption - expanded 2.7% in 1994 and
about 2.4% in 1995. The slowdown in 1995 was largely due to an
appreciation of the Austrian schilling and its negative effect on
exports and tourism. EU membership has had a positive impact on
foreign investment and has helped to lower inflation. Despite
Austria's generally favorable economic prospects, the government
faces a number of economic challenges, especially budget
consolidation. Smaller than expected revenues and rising welfare
payments caused the budget deficit to climb to 7.1% of GDP in 1995.
Austria also faces a growing unemployment problem. Although low by
European standards, Austria's unemployment rate has risen gradually
during the 1990s as companies restructured to meet competition from
the EU single market and Eastern Europe.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $152 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $19,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 34%
services: 64% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 3.47 million (1989)
by occupation: services 56.4%, industry and crafts 35.4%,
agriculture and forestry 8.1%
note: an estimated 200,000 Austrians are employed in other European
countries; foreign laborers in Austria number 177,840, about 5% of
labor force (1988)
Unemployment rate: 4.6% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $65 billion
expenditures: $75.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: food, iron and steel, machines, textiles, chemicals,
electrical, paper and pulp, tourism, mining, motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 7.7% (first half 1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 17,230,000 kW
production: 50.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 5,824 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, fruit, potatoes, sugar beets; cattle, pigs,
poultry; sawn wood
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
transiting the Balkan route and Eastern Europe
Exports: $45.2 billion (1994)
commodities: machinery and equipment, iron and steel, lumber,
textiles, paper products, chemicals
partners: EU 64.8% (Germany 38.1%, Italy 8.1%), Eastern Europe
11.8%, Japan 1.6%, US 3.5% (1994)
Imports: $55.3 billion (1994)
commodities: petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment,
vehicles, chemicals, textiles and clothing, pharmaceuticals
partners: EU 68.4% (Germany 40%, Italy 8.8%), Eastern Europe 6.55%,
Japan 4.3%, US 4.4% (1994)
External debt: $28.7 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $544 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Austrian schilling (S) = 100 groschen
Exchange rates: Austrian schillings (S) per US$1 - 10.314 (January
1996), 10.081 (1995), 11.422 (1994), 11.632 (1993), 10.989 (1992),
11.676 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 5,624 km
standard gauge: 5,269 km 1.435-m gauge (3,263 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 355 km 1.000-m and 0.760-m gauge (86 km electrified)
(1995)
Highways:
total: 108,000 km
paved: 22,000 km (including 1,800 km of expressways)
unpaved: 86,000 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 446 km
Pipelines: crude oil 554 km; petroleum products 171 km; natural
gas 2,611 km
Ports: Linz, Vienna
Merchant marine:
total: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 88,617 GRT/122,475 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 23, combination bulk 2, container 1,
refrigerated cargo 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 55
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 41
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3.47 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: highly developed and efficient
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 2 Eutelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 21 (repeaters 545), shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 47 (repeaters 870)
Televisions: 2,418,584 (1984 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army (includes Flying Division)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,084,827
males fit for military service: 1,741,068
males reach military age (19) annually: 45,628 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.1 billion,
1.0% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Azerbaijan
----------
Azerbaijan continues to be plagued by an unresolved eight-year-old
conflict with Armenian separatists over its Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The Karabakh Armenians have declared independence and seized almost
20% of the country's territory, creating almost 1 million Azeri
refugees in the process. Both sides have generally observed a
Russian-mediated cease-fire in place since May 1994, and support the
OSCE-mediated peace process, now entering its fifth year.
Nevertheless, Baku and Xankandi (Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh
region) remain far apart on most substantive issues from the
placement and composition of a peacekeeping force to the enclave's
ultimate political status, and prospects for a negotiated settlement
remain dim.
Map
---
Location: 40 30 N, 47 30 E -- Southwestern Asia, bordering the
Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and
green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in
red band
Geography
---------
Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between
Iran and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 40 30 N, 47 30 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 86,600 sq km
land area: 86,100 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maine
note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the
Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by
Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991
Land boundaries:
total: 2,013 km
border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia
(with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran
(with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan
exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
note: Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: violent and longstanding dispute with
ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh over its status; Caspian Sea
boundaries are not yet determined
Climate: dry, semiarid steppe
Terrain: large, flat Kur-Araz Lowland (much of it below sea level)
with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag (Karabakh)
Upland in west; Baku lies on Abseron (Apsheron) Peninsula that juts
into Caspian Sea
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous
metals, alumina
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 25%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 53%
Irrigated land: 14,010 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: local scientists consider the Abseron (Apsheron)
Peninsula (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be
the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe
air, water, and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use
of DDT as a pesticide and also from toxic defoliants used in the
production of cotton
natural hazards: droughts; some lowland areas threatened by rising
levels of the Caspian Sea
international agreements: party to - Climate Change; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 7,676,953 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 1,270,812; female 1,215,781)
15-64 years: 61% (male 2,293,688; female 2,423,222)
65 years and over: 7% (male 179,048; female 294,402) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.78% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -5.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 74.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.84 years
male: 60.13 years
female: 69.78 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.64 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Azerbaijani(s)
adjective: Azerbaijani
Ethnic divisions: Azeri 90%, Dagestani Peoples 3.2%, Russian 2.5%,
Armenian 2.3%, other 2% (1995 est.)
note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh
region
Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox
2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)
note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; actual
practicing adherents are much lower
Languages: Azeri 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 96%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Azerbaijani Republic
conventional short form: Azerbaijan
local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
local short form: none
former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: AJ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Baku (Baki)
Administrative divisions: 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular),
11 cities* (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic**
(muxtar respublika); Abscron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu,
Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, AliBayramli Sahari*,
Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan
Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu,
Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca
Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli
Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin
Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli
Rayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar
Respublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax
Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu,
Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki
Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu,
Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar
Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*,
Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimb
Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala
Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu
Independence: 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 May
Constitution: adopted 12 November 1995
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Heydar ALIYEV (since 18 June 1993) was
elected by popular vote; election last held 3 October 1993 (next to
be held 1997 or 1998); results - Heydar ALIYEV won 97% of vote
head of government: Prime Minister Fuad QULIYEV (since 9 October
1994), First Deputy Prime Ministers Abbas ABBASOV (since NA), Samed
SADYKOV (since NA), Vahid AKHMEDOV (since NA), Elchin EFENDIYEV
(since NA) were appointed by the president and confirmed by the
Milli Mejlis
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president and
confirmed by the Mejlis
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Milli Mejlis): elections last held 12 and 26
November 1995 (next to be held NA); percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (125 total) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Azerbaijan Popular Front (APF),
Ebulfez ELCIBEY, chairman; Musavat Party, Isa GAMBAR, chairman;
National Independence Party, Etibar MAMEDOV, chairman; Social
Democratic Party (SDP), Araz ALIZADE, chairman; Communist Party,
Ramiz AKHMEDOV, chairman; People's Freedom Party, Yunus OGUZ,
chairman; Independent Social Democratic Party, Arif YUNUSOV and
Leila YUNOSOVA, cochairmen; New Azerbaijan Party, Heydar ALIYEV,
chairman; Boz Gurd Party, Iskander HAMIDOV, chairman; Azerbaijan
Democratic Independence Party, Qabil HUSEYNLI, chairman; Islamic
Party of Azerbaijan, Ali Akram, chairman; Ana Veten Party, Fazail
AGAMALIYEV; Azerbaijan Democratic Party, Sardar Jalaloglu MAMEDOV;
Azerbaijan Democratic Party of Proprietors (DPOP), Makhmud MAMEDOV;
Azerbaijan Patriotic Solidarity Party, Sabir RUSTAMHANLI; Azerbaijan
Republic Reform Party, Fuad ASADOV; Communist Party of Azerbaijan
(unregistered), Sayad SAYADOV; Equality of the Peoples Party,
Faukhraddin AYDAYEV; Independent Azerbaijan Party, Nizami
SULEYMANOV; Labor Party of Azerbaijan, Sabutai HAJIYEV;
Liberal-Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, Lyudmila NIKOLAYEVNA;
National Enlightenment Party, Hajy Osman EFENDIYEV; National
Liberation Party, Panak SHAKHSEVEV; Peasant Party, Firuz MUSTAFAYEV;
Radical Party of Azerbaijan, Malik SHARIFOV; United Azerbaijan
Party, Kerrar ABILOV; Vetan Adzhagy Party, Zakir TAGIYEV
Other political or pressure groups: self-proclaimed Armenian
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CIS, EBRD,
ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NACC, NAM (observer), OIC, OSCE,
PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV
chancery: (temporary) Suite 700, 927 15th Street NW, Washington, DC
20005
telephone: [1] (202) 842-0001
FAX: [1] (202) 842-0004
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard D. KAUZLARICH
embassy: Azadliq Prospekti 83, Baku
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [9] (9412) 96-00-19, 98-03-37, 98-03-36, 93-64-80,
96-36-21
FAX: [9] (9412) 98-37-55
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green;
a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Azerbaijan is less developed industrially than
either Armenia or Georgia, the other Transcaucasian states. It
resembles the Central Asian states in its majority nominally Muslim
population, high structural unemployment, and low standard of
living. The economy's most prominent products are oil, cotton, and
gas. Production from the Caspian oil and gas field has been in
decline for several years, but the November 1994 ratification of the
$7.5 billion oil deal with a consortium of Western companies should
generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development.
Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the ex-Soviet
republics in making the transition from a command to a market
economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its
long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on
economic reform, and old economic ties and structures have yet to be
replaced. Whereas the economies of most of the former Soviet
republics had begun to bottom out in 1995, Azerbaijan's economy
continued to plummet because of its late start on economic reform.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.5 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -17% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,480 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 85% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.789 million
by occupation: agriculture and forestry 32%, industry and
construction 26%, other 42% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 2.3% includes officially registered unemployed;
also large numbers of unregistered unemployed and underemployed
workers (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $465 million
expenditures: $488 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products,
oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and
petrochemicals; textiles
Industrial production growth rate: -21% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 4,900,000 kW
production: 17 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,200 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea,
tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy,
mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program;
transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe
Exports: $549.9 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textiles,
cotton
partners: mostly CIS and European countries
Imports: $681.5 million (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery and parts, consumer durables, foodstuffs,
textiles
partners: European countries
External debt: $100 million (of which $75 million to Russia)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $14 million (1993)
note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,000 million ($185 million in
disbursements); wheat from Turkey
Currency: 1 manat = 100 gopik
Exchange rates: manats per US$1 - 4,375 (April 1996), 4,500 (April
1995), 4,168 (end of December 1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,125 km in common carrier service; does not include
industrial lines
broad gauge: 2,125 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (1993)
Highways:
total: 36,700 km
paved: 31,800 km (includes graveled)
unpaved: 4,900 km (1990 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,130 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural
gas 1,240 km
Ports: Baku (Baki)
Airports:
total: 69
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 17
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 33 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 710,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: 202,000 persons waiting for telephone
installations (January 1991 est.)
domestic: telephone service is of poor quality and inadequate; a
joint venture to establish a cellular telephone system in the Baku
area was supposed to become operational in 1994
international: cable and microwave radio relay connections to former
Soviet republics; connection through Moscow international gateway
switch to other countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat and
1 Intersputnik (Intelsat provides service to Turkey and through
Turkey to 200 more countries; Intersputnik provides direct service
to New York)
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA (1
state-owned radio broadcast station)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
note: domestic and Russian TV programs are received locally and
Turkish and Iranian TV is received from an Intelsat satellite
through a receive-only earth station
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Maritime Border Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,952,390
males fit for military service: 1,574,813
males reach military age (18) annually: 68,006 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 33.5 billion manats, NA% of GDP (1994); note
- conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Bahrain
-------
Map
---
Location: 26 00 N, 50 33 E -- Middle East, archipelago in the
Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Flag
----
Description: red with a white serrated band (eight white points)
on the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of
Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 26 00 N, 50 33 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 620 sq km
land area: 620 sq km
comparative area: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 161 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: territorial dispute with Qatar over the
Hawar Islands; maritime boundary with Qatar
Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central
escarpment
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Natural resources: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas,
fish
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 90%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: desertification resulting from the degradation of
limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal
degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation)
resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers,
oil refineries, and distribution stations; no natural fresh water
resources so that groundwater and sea water are the only sources for
all water needs
natural hazards: periodic droughts; dust storms
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity
Geographic note: close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum
sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf which much of Western
world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
People
------
Population: 590,042 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 92,455; female 89,554)
15-64 years: 67% (male 236,048; female 156,556)
65 years and over: 2% (male 7,956; female 7,473) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.27% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.58 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 3.29 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.51 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.33 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.27 years
male: 71.78 years
female: 76.83 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.08 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bahraini(s)
adjective: Bahraini
Ethnic divisions: Bahraini 63%, Asian 13%, other Arab 10%, Iranian
8%, other 6%
Religions: Shi'a Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim 25%
Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 85.2%
male: 89.1%
female: 79.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: State of Bahrain
conventional short form: Bahrain
local long form: Dawlat al Bahrayn
local short form: Al Bahrayn
Data code: BA
Type of government: traditional monarchy
Capital: Manama
Administrative divisions: 12 municipalites (manatiq, singular -
mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al
Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar
Rifa'wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat
'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah; note - all municipalities administered
from Manama
Independence: 15 August 1971 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 December (1971)
Constitution: 26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973
Legal system: based on Islamic law and English common law
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state: Amir ISA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 2 November
1961) is a traditional Arab monarch; Heir Apparent HAMAD bin Isa bin
Salman Al Khalifa (son of the Amir, born 28 January 1949)
head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa
(since 19 January 1970) was appointed by the amir
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the amir
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26
August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet;
appointed Advisory Council established 16 December 1992
Judicial branch: High Civil Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders: political parties prohibited
Other political or pressure groups: several small, clandestine
leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active; following the
arrest of a popular Shi'a cleric, Shi'a activists fomented unrest
sporadically from late 1994 to September 1995, demanding the return
of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,
ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM,
OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad ABD AL-GHAFFAR al-Abdallah
chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 342-0741, 342-0742
FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David M. RANSOM
embassy: Building No. 979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club),
Zinj District, Manama
mailing address: FPO AE 09834-5100; P.O. Box 26431, Manama
(International Mail)
telephone: [973] 273-300
FAX: [973] 272-594
Flag: red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the
hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: In Bahrain, petroleum production and processing
account for about 80% of export receipts, 60% of government
revenues, and 30% of GDP. Economic conditions have fluctuated with
the changing fortunes of oil since 1985, for example, during and
following the Gulf crisis of 1990-91. With its highly developed
communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous
multinational firms with business in the Gulf. A large share of
exports consists of petroleum products made from imported crude.
Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of both
oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic
problems.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $12,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 140,000
by occupation: industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services
5%, government 3% (1982)
note: 42% of labor force is Bahraini
Unemployment rate: 25% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.38 billion
expenditures: $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting,
offshore banking, ship repairing
Industrial production growth rate: 13% (1992)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,050,000 kW
production: 3.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 5,453 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp,
fish
Exports: $3.2 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 80%, aluminum 7%
partners: India 20%, Japan 14%, Saudi Arabia 7%, US 6%, UAE 5% (1994)
Imports: $3.29 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: nonoil 59%, crude oil 41%
partners: Saudi Arabia 37%, US 12%, UK 6%, Japan 5%, Germany 4%
(1994)
External debt: $2.6 billion (1993)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Bahraini dinar (BD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Bahraini dinars (BD) per US$1 - 0.3760 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,671 km
paved: 2,011 km
unpaved: 660 km (1991 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas
32 km
Ports: Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah
Merchant marine:
total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 117,060 GRT/194,061 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, oil tanker 1
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 73,552 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: modern system; good domestic services and
excellent international connections
domestic: NA
international: tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave
radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and
Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 320,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 270,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense, Coast Guard,
Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 213,792
males fit for military service: 118,702 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $247 million,
5.5% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Baker Island
------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 0 13 N, 176 31 W -- Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific
Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 0 13 N, 176 31 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 1.4 sq km
land area: 1.4 sq km
comparative area: about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4.8 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain: low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow
fringing reef
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 8 m
Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until 1891)
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: no natural fresh water resources
natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can
be a maritime hazard
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation
consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs;
primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds,
shorebirds, and marine wildlife
People
------
Population: uninhabited; note - American civilians evacuated in
1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II;
occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the
war; public entry is by special-use permit only and generally
restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and cemetery
ruins are located near the middle of the west coast
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Baker Island
Data code: FQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US
administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department
of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one boat
landing area along the middle of the west coast
Airports: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m
Transportation note: there is a day beacon near the middle of the
west coast
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited
annually by the US Coast Guard
======================================================================
@Bangladesh
----------
Map
---
Location: 24 00 N, 90 00 E -- Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of
Bengal, between Burma and India
Flag
----
Description: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist
side of center; green is the traditional color of Islam
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between
Burma and India
Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 90 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 144,000 sq km
land area: 133,910 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Wisconsin
Land boundaries:
total: 4,246 km
border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
Coastline: 580 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: a portion of the boundary with India in
dispute; water-sharing problems with upstream riparian India over
the Ganges
Climate: tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humid
summer (March to June); cool, rainy monsoon (June to October)
Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Reng Tlang 957 m
Natural resources: natural gas, arable land, timber
Land use:
arable land: 67%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 16%
other: 11%
Irrigated land: 27,380 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: many people are landless and forced to live on and
cultivate flood-prone land; limited access to potable water;
water-borne diseases prevalent; water pollution especially of
fishing areas results from the use of commercial pesticides;
intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the
northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation;
deforestation; severe overpopulation
natural hazards: droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely
flooded during the summer monsoon season
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 123,062,800 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 24,434,219; female 23,436,359)
15-64 years: 58% (male 36,607,942; female 34,603,628)
65 years and over: 3% (male 2,175,017; female 1,805,635) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.85% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 30.5 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 102.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.86 years
male: 56.02 years
female: 55.69 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.57 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bangladeshi(s)
adjective: Bangladesh
Ethnic divisions: Bengali 98%, Biharis 250,000, tribals less than
1 million
Religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, Buddhist, Christian, other
Languages: Bangla (official), English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 38.1%
male: 49.4%
female: 26.1%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh
conventional short form: Bangladesh
former: East Pakistan
Data code: BG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Dhaka
Administrative divisions: 4 divisions; Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna,
Rajshahi
note: there may be two new divisions named Barisal and Sylhet
Independence: 16 December 1971 (from Pakistan)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971)
Constitution: 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972,
suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November
1986, amended many times
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Abdur Rahman BISWAS (since 8 October 1991)
was elected for a five-year term by National Parliament; election
last held 8 October 1991 (next to be held by NA October 1996);
results - Abdur Rahman BISWAS received 52.1% of parliamentary vote
head of government: Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammad Habibur RAHMAN
(since 31 March 1996) was appointed by the president (see note under
Legislative branch entry)
cabinet: Advisory Council was appointed by the president on 3 April
1996
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad): elections last held 15
February 1996 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (330 total, 300 elected and 30 seats reserved for
women) seats by party NA; note - the election was held despite the
fact that it was boycotted by the major opposition parties; Prime
Minister Khaleda ZIAur RAHMAN's party won a landslide victory, but,
under continuing pressure from the opposition, who called for an
annulment of the results, National Parliament passed a bill that
established a caretaker government to oversee new elections on a
date yet to be determined; President BISWAS then dissolved
Parliament and named a caretaker prime minister to replace Prime
Minister ZIAur RAHMAN
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the Chief Justices and other
judges are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP),
Khaleda ZIAur RAHMAN; Awami League (AL), Sheikh Hasina WAJED; Jatiyo
Party (JP), Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD (in jail); Jamaat-E-Islami (JI),
Motiur Rahman NIZAMI; Bangladesh Communist Party (BCP), Saifuddin
Ahmed MANIK; National Awami Party (Muzaffar); Workers Party, Rashid
Khan MENON; Jatiyo Samajtantik Dal (JSD), Serajul ALAM KHAN;
Ganotantri Party, leader NA; Islami Oikya Jote, leader NA; National
Democratic Party (NDP), leader NA; Muslim League, Khan A. SABUR;
Democratic League, Khondakar MUSHTAQUE Ahmed; United People's Party,
Kazi ZAFAR Ahmed
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCRO,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIH, UNMOT, UNOMIG,
UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Humayun KABIR
chancery: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 342-8372 through 8376
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David N. MERRILL
embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka
mailing address: G.P.O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000; Dhaka 1212
telephone: [880] (2) 884700 through 884722
FAX: [880] (2) 883-744
Flag: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of
center; green is the traditional color of Islam
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Despite sustained domestic and international
efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh
remains one of the world's poorest, most densely populated, and
least developed nations. Annual GDP growth has averaged over 4% in
recent years from a low base. Its economy is overwhelmingly
agricultural, with the cultivation of rice the single most important
activity in the economy. Major impediments to growth include
frequent cyclones and floods, the inefficiency of state-owned
enterprises, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed
by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas),
inadequate power supplies, and, most recently, political
disturbances. In 1995, progress on Bangladesh's development agenda
has been slowed by frequent political unrest before and after
national elections in early 1996. Opposition parties have challenged
the government's authority by resigning from Parliament and
sponsoring numerous countrywide strikes that have crippled
transport, hindered business activity, and threatened to slow
economic growth in 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $144.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,130 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 50.1 million
by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 21%, industry and mining
14% (1989)
note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman (1991)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $2.8 billion
expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8
billion (FY92/93)
Industries: jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing,
steel, fertilizer
Industrial production growth rate: 8.5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,740,000 kW
production: 9.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 70 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: jute, rice, wheat, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; beef,
milk, poultry
Illicit drugs: transit country for illegal drugs produced in
neighboring countries
Exports: $2.7 billion (1995 est.)
commodities: garments, jute and jute goods, leather, shrimp
partners: US 33%, Western Europe 39% (Germany 8.4%, Italy 6%)
(FY91/92 est.)
Imports: $4.7 billion (1995 est.)
commodities: capital goods, petroleum, food, textiles
partners: Hong Kong 7.5%, Singapore 7.4%, China 7.4%, Japan 7.1%
(FY91/92 est.)
External debt: $15.7 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $1.099 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 taka (Tk) = 100 poiska
Exchange rates: taka (Tk) per US$1 - 40.933 (January 19965),
40.278 (1995), 40.212 (1994), 39.567 (1993), 38.951 (1992), 36.596
(1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,892 km
broad gauge: 978 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,914 km 1.000-m gauge (1992)
Highways:
total: 13,627 km
paved: 8,546 km
unpaved: 5,081 km (1992)
Waterways: 5,150-8,046 km navigable waterways (includes
2,575-3,058 km main cargo routes)
Pipelines: natural gas 1,220 km
Ports: Chittagong, Dhaka, Chalna Port (Mongla)
Merchant marine:
total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 296,503 GRT/423,274 DWT
ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 29, oil tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 3
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 15
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 249,800 (1994 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: poor domestic telephone service
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean);
international radiotelephone communications and landline service to
neighboring countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 11
Televisions: 350,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces (includes
Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Armed Police Reserve, Village
Defense Parties, National Cadet Corps)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 31,795,848
males fit for military service: 18,814,818 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $481 million,
1.7% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Barbados
--------
Map
---
Location: 13 10 N, 59 32 W -- Caribbean, island between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side),
gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold
band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the
past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 13 10 N, 59 32 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 430 sq km
land area: 430 sq km
comparative area: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 97 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October)
Terrain: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 77%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 9%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 14%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by
ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens
contamination of aquifers
natural hazards: hurricanes (especially June to October); periodic
landslides
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Hazardous Wastes
Geographic note: easternmost Caribbean island
People
------
Population: 257,030 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 31,263; female 29,822)
15-64 years: 66% (male 83,565; female 86,697)
65 years and over: 10% (male 9,929; female 15,754) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.26% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.29 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.35 years
male: 71.65 years
female: 77.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Barbadian(s)
adjective: Barbadian
Ethnic divisions: African 80%, European 4%, other 16%
Religions: Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist
7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, unknown 3%, other 9%
(1980)
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1995 est.)
total population: 97.4%
male: 98%
female: 96.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Barbados
Data code: BB
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Bridgetown
Administrative divisions: 11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint
Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint
Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas
note: the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status
Independence: 30 November 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
Constitution: 30 November 1966
Legal system: English common law; no judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch, represented by Acting Governor General Denys
WILLIAMS (since 21 December 1995) who was appointed by the queen
head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6
September 1994) was appointed by the governor general; Deputy Prime
Minister Billie MILLER (since 6 September 1994)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on advice of
the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of a 21-member body appointed by the governor
general
House of Assembly: election last held 6 September 1994 (next to be
held by January 1999); results - percentage vote by party NA; seats
- (28 total) BLP 19, DLP 8,NDP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature, judges are appointed
by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Service
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Labor Party (DLP), David
THOMPSON; Barbados Labor Party (BLP), Owen ARTHUR; National
Democratic Party (NDP), Richard HAYNES
Other political or pressure groups: Barbados Workers Union, Leroy
TROTMAN; People's Progressive Movement, Eric SEALY; Workers' Party
of Barbados, Dr. George BELLE; Clement Payne Labor Union, David
COMMISSIONG
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU,
LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Courtney N. BLACKMAN
chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9218, 9219
FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467
consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
consulate(s): Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jeanette W. HYDE
embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street,
Bridgetown
mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055
telephone: [1] (809) 436-4950
FAX: [1] (809) 429-5246
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and
blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the
trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the
colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Historically, the Barbadian economy has been
dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but in
recent years the production has diversified into manufacturing and
tourism. Sluggish performances in the sugar and tourism sectors -
which declined by 25% and 8% respectively - tempered economic
expansion in 1995; output increased by 2% for the year, down from
nearly 4% in 1994. Improved weather conditions in 1995 are expected
to boost agriculture output in 1996. Since taking office in 1994,
Prime Minister ARTHUR has aggressively moved to promote foreign
direct investment as part of a policy designed to reduce nagging
unemployment. The government has also been active in promoting
regional integration initiatives.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $9,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.4%
industry: 39.3%
services: 54.3% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 126,000 (1993)
by occupation: services and government 41%, commerce 15%,
manufacturing and construction 18%, transportation, storage,
communications, and financial institutions 8%, agriculture 6%,
utilities 2% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: 19.9% (September 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $550 million
expenditures: $710 million, including capital expenditures of $86
million (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component
assembly for export
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 152,100 kW
production: 510 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,841 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, vegetables, cotton
Illicit drugs: one of many Caribbean transshipment points for
narcotics bound for the US and Europe
Exports: $158.6 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages,
chemicals, electrical components, clothing
partners: US 13%, UK 10%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%, Windward Islands 8%
Imports: $693 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction
materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components
partners: US 36%, UK 11%, Trinidad and Tobago 11%, Japan 3%
External debt: $408 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Barbadian dollar (Bds$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Barbadian dollars (Bds$) per US$1 - 2.0113 (fixed
rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,550 km
paved: 1,550 km
Ports: Bridgetown
Merchant marine:
total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 183,937 GRT/271,707 DWT
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 21, combination bulk 3, oil tanker 3,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 87,343 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: island wide automatic telephone system
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1 pay)
Televisions: 69,350 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Barbados Defense Force (includes Ground Forces and
Coast Guard), Royal Barbados Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 71,667
males fit for military service: 49,726 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Bassas da India
---------------
(possession of France)
Map
---
Location: 21 30 S, 39 50 E -- Southern Africa, islands in the
southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from
Madagascar to Mozambique
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique
Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 39 50 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 0.2 sq km
land area: 0.2 sq km
comparative area: about one-third the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 35.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar
Climate: tropical
Terrain: a volcanic rock 2.4 meters high
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (all rock)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: maritime hazard since it is usually under water
during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic
cyclones
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bassas da India
Data code: BS
Type of government: French possession administered by a
Commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Belarus
-------
Map
---
Location: 53 00 N, 28 00 E -- Eastern Europe, east of Poland
Flag
----
Description: red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band
one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe of white
on the hoist side bears in red the Belarusian national ornament
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Europe, east of Poland
Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 28 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 207,600 sq km
land area: 207,600 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries:
total: 3,098 km
border countries: Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 605 km,
Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional
between continental and maritime
Terrain: generally flat and contains much marshland
lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m
highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m
Natural resources: forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil
and natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 29%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 15%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 55%
Irrigated land: 1,490 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of
the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor
accident at Chornobyl'
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Biodiversity,
Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change, Law of
the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 10,415,973 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 1,136,499; female 1,090,101)
15-64 years: 66% (male 3,334,077; female 3,536,982)
65 years and over: 13% (male 429,574; female 888,740) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.2% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.64 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.57 years
male: 63.2 years
female: 74.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Belarusian(s)
adjective: Belarusian
Ethnic divisions: Byelorussian 77.9%, Russian 13.2%, Polish 4.1%,
Ukrainian 2.9%, other 1.9%
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 60%, other (including Roman Catholic
and Muslim) 40% (early 1990's)
Languages: Byelorussian, Russian, other
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Belarus
conventional short form: Belarus
local long form: Respublika Byelarus'
local short form: none
former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: BO
Type of government: republic
Capital: Minsk
Administrative divisions: 6 voblastsi (singular - voblasts') and
one municipality* (harady, singular - horad); Brestskaya (Brest),
Homyel'skaya (Homyel'), Horad Minsk*, Hrodzyenskaya (Hrodna),
Mahilyowskaya (Mahilyow), Minskaya, Vitsyebskaya (Vitsyebsk)
note: the administrative centers of the voblastsi are included in
parentheses
Independence: 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union); the Belarussian
Supreme Soviet issued a proclamation of independence; on 17 July
1990 Belarus issued a declaration of sovereignty
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 July (1990)
Constitution: adopted 15 March 1994; replaces constitution of
April 1978
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994)
was elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election last held
24 June and 10 July 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results -
Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 85%, Vyacheslav KEBICH 15%
head of government: Prime Minister Mikhail CHIGIR (since NA July
1994) was appointed by the president; Deputy Prime Ministers
Vladimir GARKUN (since NA), Sergey LING (since NA), Leonid SINITSYN
(since NA), Valeriy KOKAREV (since NA), Vladimir RUSAKEVICH (since
NA)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
note: first presidential elections took place in June-July 1994
Legislative branch: unicameral
Supreme Soviet: elections last held May, Nov-Dec 1995 (two rounds,
each with a run-off; next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (260 total) KPB 42, Agrarian 33, CAB 9,
Party of People's Concord 8, UPNAZ 2, SDPB 2, BPR 1, Green Party 1,
Republican Party of Labor and Justice 1, BSP 1, NFB 1, Social and
Sports Party 1, Ecological Party 1, independents 95, vacant 62
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
president; Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders: Belarusian Communist Party (KPB),
Vasiliy NOVIKOV, Viktor CHIKIN, chairmen; Agrarian Party, Semen
SHARETSKIY; Civic Accord Bloc (CAB); Party of People's Concord,
Gennadiy KARPENKO; Party of All-Belarusian Unity and Concord
(UPNAZ), Dmitriy BULAKOV; Belarusian Social-Democrat Hramada (SDBP),
Alex TRUSOV; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (BPR), Anatol
BARANKEVICH; Green Party of Belarus, Mikalay KARTASH; Republican
Party of Labor and Justice, Anatol NETSILKIN; Belarus Peasants
(BSP), Yevgeniy LUGIN, chairman; Belarusian Popular Front (NFB),
Zenon POZNYAK, chairman; Belarusian Social Sports Party, Vladimir
ALEKSANDROVICH; Ecological Party, Aleksiy MIKULICH; National
Democratic Party of Belarus (NDPB), Victor NAVUMENKA; United
Democratic Party of Belarus (ADPB), Aleksandr DOBROVOLSKIY;
Belarusian Socialist Party (SPB), Vyacheslav KUZNETSOV; Slavic
Assembly (SAB), Nikolai SYARECHEV; Liberal-Democratic Party (LDPB),
Vasil KRIVENKA; Belarusian Christian-Democratic Unity (BKDZ), Petr
SILKO; Polish Democratic Union (PDZ), Konstantin TARASEVICH; Party
of Beer Lovers, Yuriy GONCHAR; Belarusian Labor Party (BPP),
Aleksandr BUKHVOSTOV
International organization participation: CCC, CE (guest), CIS,
EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC,
OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sergey Nikolayevich MARTYNOV
chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604
FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth Spencer YALOWITZ
embassy: Starovilenskaya #46-220002, Minsk
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [375] (172) 31-50-00
FAX: [375] (172) 34-78-53
Flag: red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half
the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe of white on the
hoist side bears in red the Belarusian national ornament
Economy
-------
Economic overview: At the time of independence in late 1991,
Belarus was one of the most developed of the former Soviet states,
inheriting a modern - by Soviet standards - machine building sector
and robust agricultural sector. However, the breakup of the Soviet
Union and its traditional trade ties, as well as the government's
failure to embrace market reforms, has resulted in a sharp economic
decline. Privatization is virtually nonexistent and the system of
state orders and distribution persists. Although President
LUKASHENKO pronounces his 1995 macro stabilization policies a
success - annual inflation dropped from 2,220% in 1994 to 244% in
1995 - the IMF has criticized his insistence on maintaining the
steady exchange rate for Belarusian rubel, which has traded at
11,500 to the dollar since late 1994. The IMF suspended Minsk's $300
million standby program in November 1995 until the government would
agree to a devaluation of the rubel. The overvalued rubel has
especially hurt Belarusian exporters, most of which now operate at a
loss. In addition, the January 1995 Customs Union agreement with
Russia - which required Minsk to adjust its foreign trade practices
to mirror Moscow's - has resulted in higher import tariffs for
Belarusian consumers; tariffs have risen from 5%-20% to 20%-40%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $49.2 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -10% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 21%
industry: 49%
services: 30% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 244% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 4.259 million
by occupation: industry and construction 40%, agriculture and
forestry 21%, other 39% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 2.6% officially registered unemployed (December
1994); large numbers of underemployed workers
Budget:
revenues: $4.95 billion
expenditures: $5.47 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: tractors, metal-cutting machine tools, off-highway
dump trucks up to 110-metric-ton load capacity, wheel-type earth
movers for construction and mining, eight-wheel-drive,
high-flotation trucks with cargo capacity of 25 metric tons for use
in tundra and roadless areas, equipment for animal husbandry and
livestock feeding, motorcycles, television sets, chemical fibers,
fertilizer, linen fabric, wool fabric, radios, refrigerators, other
consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate: -11% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 7,010,000 kW
production: 24.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,300 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture: grain, potatoes, vegetables; meat, milk
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis;
mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit
drugs to Western Europe
Exports: $4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany
Imports: $4.6 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: fuel, natural gas, industrial raw materials, textiles,
sugar
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany
External debt: $2 billion (September 1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $186 million (1993)
note: commitments, $3,930 million ($1,845 million disbursements),
1992-95
Currency: Belarusian rubel (BR)
Exchange rates: Belarusian rubels per US$1 - 11,500 (yearend
1995), 10,600 (yearend 1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 5,488 km
broad gauge: 5,488 km 1.520-m gauge (873 km electrified) (1993)
Highways:
total: 92,200 km
paved: 61,000 km (including graveled)
unpaved: 31,200 km (1994 est.)
Waterways: NA km; note - Belarus has extensive and widely used
canal and river systems
Pipelines: crude oil 1,470 km; refined products 1,100 km; natural
gas 1,980 km (1992)
Ports: Mazyr
Merchant marine:
note: claims 5% of former Soviet fleet (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 118
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 18
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with paved runways under 914 m: 11
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 62 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.849 million (1991 est.)
Telephone system: telephone service inadequate for the purposes of
either business or the population; about 70% of the telephones are
in homes; over 750,000 applications from households for telephones
remain unsatisfied (1992 est.); new investment centers on
international connections and business needs
domestic: the new NMT-450 analog cellular system is now operating in
Minsk
international: international traffic is carried by the Moscow
international gateway switch and also by satellite; satellite earth
stations - 1 Intelsat (through Canada) and 1 Eutelsat (through the
UK)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 35, FM 18, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.17 million (1991 est.) (5,615,000 with multiple speaker
systems for program diffusion)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (one national and one private;
the license of the private station was suspended during the
parliamentary elections of 1994)
Televisions: 3.5 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Republic Security
Forces (internal and border troops)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,635,570
males fit for military service: 2,067,676
males reach military age (18) annually: 76,006 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 892 billion rubels, 1% of GDP (1995); note -
conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current
exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Belgium
-------
Map
---
Location: 50 50 N, 4 00 E -- Western Europe, bordering the North
Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side),
yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France
and the Netherlands
Geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 30,510 sq km
land area: 30,230 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 1,385 km
border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km,
Netherlands 450 km
Coastline: 64 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: median line with neighbors
exclusive fishing zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68
km from coast)
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid,
cloudy
Terrain: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills,
rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
lowest point: North Sea 0 m
highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Natural resources: coal, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 21%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: Meuse River, a major source of drinking water,
polluted from steel production wastes; other rivers polluted by
animal wastes and fertilizers; industrial air pollution contributes
to acid rain in neighboring countries
natural hazards: flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal
land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West
European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of
the EU
People
------
Population: 10,170,241 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 930,919; female 886,632)
15-64 years: 66% (male 3,380,105; female 3,326,853)
65 years and over: 16% (male 663,760; female 981,972) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.33% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.3 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.09 years
male: 73.86 years
female: 80.51 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Belgian(s)
adjective: Belgian
Ethnic divisions: Fleming 55%, Walloon 33%, mixed or other 12%
Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
Languages: Dutch 56%, French 32%, German 1%, legally bilingual 11%
(divided along ethnic lines)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium
conventional short form: Belgium
local long form: Royaume de Belgique
local short form: Belgique
Data code: BE
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Brussels
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (French: provinces, singular
- province; Flemish: provincien, singular - provincie); Antwerpen,
Brabant, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur,
Oost-Vlaanderen, West-Vlaanderen
note: constitutional reforms passed by Parliament in 1993 increased
the number of provinces to 10 by splitting the province of Brabant
into two new provinces, Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant
Independence: 4 October 1830 (from the Netherlands)
National holiday: National Day, 21 July (ascension of King LEOPOLD
to the throne in 1831)
Constitution: 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993;
parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state
Legal system: civil law system influenced by English
constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993) is a
constitutional monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Luc DEHAENE (since 6 March
1992) was appointed by the king and then approved by Parliament
cabinet: Cabinet is appointed by the king and approved by Parliament
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate (Flemish - Senaat French - Senat): elections last held 21 May
1995 (next to be held by the end of 1999); results - percent of vote
by party NA; seats - (71 total, 40 directly elected; 31 will be
indirectly elected at a later date) CVP 7, SP 6, VLD 6, VU 2, AGALEV
1, VB 3, PS 5, PRL 5, PSC 3, ECOLO 2; note - before the 1995
elections, there were 184 seats
Chamber of Deputies(Flemish - Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordig:
elections last held 21 May 1995 (next to be held by the end of
1999); results - CVP 17.2%, PS 11.9%, SP 12.6%, VLD 13.1%, PRL
10.3%, PSC 7.7%, VB 7.8%, VU 4.7%, ECOLO 4.0%, AGALEV 4.4%, FN 2.3%;
seats - (150 total) CVP 29, PS 21, SP 20, VLD 21, PRL 18, PSC 12, VB
11, VU 5, ECOLO 6, AGALEV 5, FN 2; note - before the 1995 elections,
there were 212 seats
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Flemish - Hof van
Cassatie, French - Cour de Cassation), judges are appointed for life
by the Belgian monarch
Political parties and leaders: Flemish Christian Democrats (CVP -
Christian People's Party), Johan VAN HECKE, president; Francophone
Christian Democrats (PSC - Social Christian Party), Gerard DEPREZ,
president; Flemish Socialist Party (SP), Louis TOBBACK, president;
Francophone Socialist Party (PS), Philippe BUSQUIN, president;
Flemish Liberal Democrats (VLD), Herman DE CROO, president;
Francophone Liberal Reformation Party (PRL), Louis MICHEL,
president; Francophone Democratic Front (FDF), Olivier MAINGAIN,
president; Volksunie (VU), Bert ANCIAUX, president; Vlaams Blok
(VB), Karel DILLEN, chairman; National Front (FN), Daniel FERET,
president; AGALEV (Flemish Greens), no president; ECOLO (Francophone
Greens), no president; other minor parties
Other political or pressure groups: Christian and Socialist Trade
Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other
associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class
artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various
organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and
Wallonia; various peace groups such as the Flemish Action Committee
Against Nuclear Weapons and Pax Christi
International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AG
(observer), AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN,
EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR,
NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCRO,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOGIP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA,
UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andre ADAM
chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900
FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alan J. BLINKEN
embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels
mailing address: APO AE 09724, PSC 82, Box 002, Brussels
telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111
FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725
Flag: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow,
and red; the design was based on the flag of France
Economy
-------
Economic overview: This small private enterprise economy has
capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed
transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base.
Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the
north, although the government is encouraging reinvestment in the
southern region of Walloon. With few natural resources, Belgium must
import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large
volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on
the state of world markets. Two-thirds of its trade is with other EU
countries. The economy grew at a strong 4% annual pace during the
period 1988-90, slowed to 1% in 1991-92, dropped by 1.5% in 1993,
and recovered with moderate 2.3% growth in 1994 and 1995. Belgium's
public debt has risen to 140% of GDP, and the government is trying
to control its expenditures to bring the figure more into line with
other industrialized countries.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $197 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $19,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 28%
services: 70% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 4.126 million
by occupation: services 63.6%, industry 28%, construction 6.1%,
agriculture 2.3% (1988)
Unemployment rate: 14% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle
assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals,
textiles, glass, petroleum, coal
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 14,040,000 kW
production: 66 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 6,334 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain,
tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American
cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine entering the
European market
Exports: $108 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic
Union (BLEU)
commodities: iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors,
diamonds, petroleum products
partners: EU 67.2% (Germany 19%), US 5.8%, former Communist
countries 1.4% (1994)
Imports: $140 billion (c.i.f., 1994) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic
Union
commodities: fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs
partners: EU 68% (Germany 22.1%), US 8.8%, former Communist
countries 0.8% (1994)
External debt: $31.3 billion (1992 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $808 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Belgian francs (BF) per US$1 - 30.036 (January
1996), 29.480 (1995), 33.456 (1994), 34.597 (1993), 32.150 (1992),
34.148 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,396 km (2,363 km electrified; 2,563 km double track)
standard gauge: 3,396 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 137,876 km
paved: 129,603 km (including 1,667 km of expressways)
unpaved: 8,273 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use)
Pipelines: crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural
gas 3,300 km
Ports: Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur,
Oostende, Zeebrugge
Merchant marine:
total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 64,220 GRT/83,360 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 8, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas
tanker 3, oil tanker 6 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 42
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 21
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 5.691 million (1992 est.)
Telephone system: highly developed, technologically advanced, and
completely automated domestic and international telephone and
telegraph facilities
domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable
network; limited microwave radio relay network
international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 39, shortwave 0
Radios: 100,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 32 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 3,315,662 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,571,588
males fit for military service: 2,135,375
males reach military age (19) annually: 61,986 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.6 billion,
1.7% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Belize
------
Map
---
Location: 17 15 N, 88 45 W -- Middle America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Flag
----
Description: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the
bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of
arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in
front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I
Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a
green garland
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between
Guatemala and Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 22,960 sq km
land area: 22,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 516 km
border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Coastline: 386 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from
the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's
territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act,
1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for
the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences
with Guatemala
International disputes: border with Guatemala in dispute; talks to
resolve the dispute are stalled
Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to
February)
Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 2%
forest and woodland: 44%
other: 52%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; water pollution from sewage,
industrial effluents, agricultural runoff
natural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to
December) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Whaling
Geographic note: national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize
City to Belmopan because of hurricanes; only country in Central
America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
People
------
Population: 219,296 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 48,291; female 46,451)
15-64 years: 53% (male 59,132; female 57,498)
65 years and over: 4% (male 3,881; female 4,043) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.42% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 32.8 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.73 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 33.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.53 years
male: 66.58 years
female: 70.58 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.12 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Belizean(s)
adjective: Belizean
Ethnic divisions: mestizo 44%, Creole 30%, Maya 11%, Garifuna 7%,
other 8%
Religions: Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%,
Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal
2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib)
Literacy: age 14 and over has ever attended school (1991 est.)
total population: 70.3%
male: 70.3%
female: 70.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Belize
former: British Honduras
Data code: BH
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Belmopan
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal,
Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Constitution: 21 September 1981
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Sir Colville
YOUNG (since 17 November 1993), who, according to the constitution,
must be a Belizean; was appointed by the queen
head of government: Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993)
was appointed by the governor general; Deputy Prime Minister Dean
BARROW (since NA 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the advice
of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly
Senate: consists of an eight-member appointed body; five members are
appointed on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of
the leader of the opposition, and one after consultation with the
Belize Advisory Council (this council serves as an independent body
to advise the governor general with respect to difficult decisions
such as granting pardons, commutations, stays of execution, the
removal of justices of appeal who appear to be incompetent, etc.)
National Assembly: elections last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held
NA June 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28
total) PUP 13 UDP 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by
the governor general on advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: People's United Party (PUP), George
PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA; United Democratic Party (UDP),
Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean BARROW; National Alliance for
Belizean Rights, Philip GOLDSON
Other political or pressure groups: Society for the Promotion of
Education and Research (SPEAR), Assad SHOMAN; United Workers Front,
leader NA
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,
IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dean R. LINDO
chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636
FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
consulate(s): New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador George Charles BRUNO
embassy: Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City
mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize City; APO: Unit 7401, APO AA
34025
telephone: [501] (2) 77161 through 77163
FAX: [501] (2) 30802
Flag: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom
edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the
coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a
mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in
the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green
garland
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The small, essentially private enterprise
economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and
merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing
importance. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides
75% of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for
almost 40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading
partner, is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with
an agricultural diversification program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $575 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,750 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: NA
services: NA (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 51,500
by occupation: agriculture 30%, services 16%, government 15.4%,
commerce 11.2%, manufacturing 10.3%
note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel
(1985)
Unemployment rate: 10% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $126.8 million
expenditures: $123.1 million, including capital expenditures of
$44.8 million (FY90/91 est.)
Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism,
construction
Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (1990)
Electricity:
capacity: 34,532 kW
production: 110 million kWh
consumption per capita: 490 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish,
cultured shrimp
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit
producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor
money-laundering center
Exports: $115 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: sugar, citrus fruits, bananas, clothing, fish products,
molasses, wood
partners: US 38%, UK, other EC (1994)
Imports: $281 million (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, food,
manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
partners: US 53%, UK, other EC, Mexico (1994)
External debt: $167.5 million (1992)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,560 km
paved: 336 km
unpaved: 2,224 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft;
seasonally navigable
Ports: Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Merchant marine:
total: 89 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 311,731 GRT/470,272 DWT
ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 60, container 6, liquefied gas tanker
1, oil tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4,
specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 35
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 25
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 15,917 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: above-average system
domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 27,048 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Navy, Air Force,
and Volunteer Guard), Belize National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 52,290
males fit for military service: 31,086
males reach military age (18) annually: 2,390 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $8.1 million, NA%
of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Benin
-----
Map
---
Location: 9 30 N, 2 15 E -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red
with a vertical green band on the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Nigeria and Togo
Geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 112,620 sq km
land area: 110,620 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 1,989 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km,
Togo 644 km
Coastline: 121 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low
mountains
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Tanekas 641 m
Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble,
timber
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 45%
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: recent droughts have severely affected marginal
agriculture in north; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in
winter
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification,
Law of the Sea
Geographic note: no natural harbors
People
------
Population: 5,709,529 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 1,376,531; female 1,367,394)
15-64 years: 50% (male 1,349,386; female 1,480,251)
65 years and over: 2% (male 60,030; female 75,937) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.32% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 46.76 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.53 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 105.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.69 years
male: 50.74 years
female: 54.7 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.64 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Beninese (singular and plural)
adjective: Beninese
Ethnic divisions: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important
being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15%
Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common
vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in
north)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 37%
male: 48.7%
female: 25.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Benin
conventional short form: Benin
local long form: Republique du Benin
local short form: Benin
former: Dahomey
Data code: BN
Type of government: republic under multiparty democratic rule
dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted
February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991
Capital: Porto-Novo
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique,
Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou
Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1990)
Constitution: 2 December 1990
Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU
(since 4 April 1996) was elected for a five-year term by popular
vote; election last held 18 March 1996 (next to be held March 2001);
results - Mathieu KEREKOU 52.49%, Nicephore SOGLO 47.51%
cabinet: Executive Council, appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 28
March 1995 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (83 total) Renaissance Party and allies 20, PRD 19,
FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 7, NCC 3, RDL-VIVOTEN 3, Communist Party 2,
Alliance Chameleon 1, RDP 1, ADP 1, other 16
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: as of February 1996, more than 80
political parties were officially recognized; the following are
represented in the National Assembly: Alliance of the National Party
for Democracy and Development (PNDD) and the Democratic Renewal
Party (PRD), Pascal Chabi KAO; Action for Renewal and Development
(FARD-ALAFIA), Mathieu KEREKOU; Alliance of the Social Democratic
Party (PSD) and the National Union for Solidarity and Progress
(UNSP), Bruno AMOUSSOU; Alliance Chameleon; Alliance for Democracy
and Progress (ADP), Adekpedjon AKINDES; Alliance for Social
Democracy (ASD), Robert DOSSOU; Assembly of Liberal Democrats for
National Reconstruction (RDL), Severin ADJOVI; Communist Party of
Benin, Pascal FATONDJI, First Secretary; Our Common Cause (NCC),
Albert TEVOEDJRE; Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP); The
Renaissance Party, Nicephore SOGLO
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA,
ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM,
OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lucien Edgar TONOUKOUIN
chancery: 2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656, 6657, 6658
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John M. YATES
embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou
mailing address: B. P. 2012, Cotonou
telephone: [229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92
FAX: [229] 30-14-39, 30-19-74
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a
vertical green band on the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and
dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and
regional trade. Growth in real output, which had averaged a sound 4%
in 1990-94, rose to 6% in 1995. Rapid population growth, now 3.3%
per year, offset much of this growth in output. Inflation jumped to
55% in 1994 (compared to 3% in 1993) following the 50% currency
devaluation in January 1994, but subsided gradually in 1995.
Commercial and transport activities, which make up 37% of GDP, are
extremely vulnerable to developments in Nigeria as evidenced by
decreased reexport trade in 1994 due to a severe contraction in
Nigerian demand. Support by the Paris Club and official bilateral
creditors has eased the external debt situation in recent years. The
government, still burdened with money-losing state enterprises and a
bloated civil service, has been gradually implementing a World Bank
supported structural adjustment program since 1991.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,380 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 36.8%
industry: 12.6%
services: 50.6% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 55% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1.9 million (1987)
by occupation: agriculture 60%, transport, commerce, and public
services 38%, industry less than 2%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $272 million (1993 est.)
expenditures: $375 million, including capital expenditures of $84
million (1993 est.)
Industries: textiles, cigarettes; beverages, food; construction
materials, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 30,000 kW
production: 10 million kWh
consumption per capita: 25 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice,
cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics associated with
Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for
Western Europe and the US
Exports: $310 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa
partners: France, Morocco 37%, Portugal 14%, Spain, Italy, UK, US,
Libya
Imports: $439 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products,
intermediate goods, capital goods, light consumer goods
partners: France 24%, Thailand 12%, Netherlands 7%, US 5%, China,
Hong Kong
External debt: $1.5 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 578 km (single track) (1995 est.)
narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 6,070 km
paved: 1,214 km
unpaved: 4,856 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: navigable along small sections, important only locally
Ports: Cotonou, Porto-Novo
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 16,200 (1986 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: fair system of open wire and microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 20,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National
Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,212,440
females age 15-49: 1,290,773
males fit for military service: 620,923
females fit for military service: 653,094
males reach military age (18) annually: 62,526
females reach military age (18) annually: 60,968 (1996 est.)
note: both sexes are liable for military service
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $33 million, 3.2%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Bermuda
-------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 32 20 N, 64 45 W -- North America, group of islands in
the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)
Flag
----
Description: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with
a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship
Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the
flag
Geography
---------
Location: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic
Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)
Geographic coordinates: 32 20 N, 64 45 W
Map references: North America
Area:
total area: 50 sq km
land area: 50 sq km
comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 103 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in
winter
Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 20%
other: 80%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: hurricanes (June to November)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: consists of about 360 small coral islands with
ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some reclaimed
land leased by US Government
People
------
Population: 62,099 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.76% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.03 years
male: 73.36 years
female: 76.97 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bermudian(s)
adjective: Bermudian
Ethnic divisions: black 61%, white and other 39%
Religions: Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist
Episcopal (Zion) 10%, Methodist 6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, other
28%
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 99%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bermuda
Data code: BD
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Hamilton
Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*;
Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*,
Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Bermuda Day, 24 May
Constitution: 8 June 1968
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor
Lord David WADDINGTON (since 25 August 1992), who was appointed by
the queen
head of government: Premier David SAUL (since 25 August 1995) was
appointed by the governor; Deputy Premier Jerome DILL (since 1
September 1995)
cabinet: Cabinet was nominated by the premier, appointed by the
governor
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of an 11-member body appointed by the governor
House of Assembly: elections last held 5 October 1993 (next to be
held by NA October 1998); results - UBP 50%, PLP 46%, independents
4%; seats - (40 total) UBP 22, PLP 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party (UBP), David
SAUL; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Frederick WADE; National
Liberal Party (NLP), Gilbert DARRELL
Other political or pressure groups: Bermuda Industrial Union
(BIU), Ottiwell SIMMONS
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CCC,
ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert A. FARMER
consulate general(s): Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire,
Hamilton
mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate
General Hamilton, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5300
telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342
FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592
Flag: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant
and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red
lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea
Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita
incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by
providing luxury tourist facilities and financial services. The
tourist industry attracts more than 90% of its business from North
America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely
limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are
imported. International business contributes over 60% of Bermuda's
economic output; a failed independence vote in late 1995 can be
partially attributed to Bermudian's fear of scaring away foreign
firms. Hurricane Felix, which hit Bermuda twice over three days,
caused an estimated $2.5 million in damages in August of 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.7 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $28,000 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 33,650 (1992)
by occupation: clerical 25%, services 22%, laborers 21%,
professional and technical 13%, administrative and managerial 10%,
sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1984)
Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $327.5 million
expenditures: $308.9 million, including capital expenditures of
$35.4 million (FY90/91 est.)
Industries: tourism, finance, structural concrete products,
paints, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 140,000 kW
production: 504 million kWh
consumption per capita: 7,745 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products
Exports: $60 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities: semitropical produce, light manufactures, reexports of
pharmaceuticals
partners: US 62.4%, UK 20%
Imports: $519 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: fuel, foodstuffs, machinery
partners: US 38%, UK 5%, Canada 5%
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed
rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 208 km
paved: 208 km
unpaved: 0 km (1986 est.)
note: in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that
are privately owned
Ports: Hamilton, Saint George
Merchant marine:
total: 69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,146,693 GRT/5,007,242
DWT
ships by type: bulk 10, cargo 3, container 7, liquefied gas tanker
16, oil tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4,
short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 11
countries among which are UK 17, US 13, Canada 10, Norway 9, Nigeria
4, Sweden 3, Hong Kong 2, Syria 2, Mexico 1, and NZ 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 54,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: modern, fully automatic telephone system
international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 78,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 57,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve
Constabulary
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Bhutan
------
Map
---
Location: 27 30 N, 90 30 E -- Southern Asia, between China and
India
Flag
----
Description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner;
the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange;
centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon
facing away from the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates: 27 30 N, 90 30 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 47,000 sq km
land area: 47,000 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than half the size of Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 1,075 km
border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot
summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in
Himalayas
Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
lowest point: Dangme Chu 97 m
highest point: Khula Kangri I 7,553 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 70%
other: 23%
Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable water
natural hazards: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are
the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the
Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; strategic location between China and
India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
People
------
Population: 1,822,625 (July 1996 est.)
note: other estimates range as low as 600,000
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 378,407; female 351,146)
15-64 years: 56% (male 524,972; female 496,715)
65 years and over: 4% (male 36,304; female 35,081) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.32% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 38.48 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.28 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 116.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 51.46 years
male: 51.96 years
female: 50.93 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Bhutanese
Ethnic divisions: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or
migrant tribes 15%
Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced
Hinduism 25%
Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan
dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 42.2%
male: 56.2%
female: 28.1%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan
Data code: BT
Type of government: monarchy; special treaty relationship with
India
Capital: Thimphu
Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and
plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi,
Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar,
Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang
Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India)
National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen
Wangchuck became first hereditary king)
Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights
note: Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the
National Assembly
Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections
Executive branch:
Chief of State and Head of Government (Druk Gyalpo): King Jigme
Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) is a hereditary monarch
Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde): was nominated by the king
cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) was appointed by
the king
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Tshogdu): members serve for three years; seats -
(150 total, 105 elected from village constituencies, 12 represent
religious bodies, and 33 designated by the king to represent
government and other secular interests)
Judicial branch: the Supreme Court of Appeal is the king; High
Court, judges appointed by the king
Political parties and leaders: no legal parties
Other political or pressure groups: Buddhist clergy; Indian
merchant community; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant
antigovernment campaign
International organization participation: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO,
G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, ITU, NAM, SAARC,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US: none; note - Bhutan has a
Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by Ugyen TSERING; address: 2
United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1]
(212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular
jurisdiction in the US
consulate(s) general: New York
honorary consulate(s): San Francisco; Washington, DC
US diplomatic representation: the US and Bhutan have no formal
diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained
between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the
upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered
along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing
away from the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy, one of the world's smallest and
least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide
the main livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about
half of GDP. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and
animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the
building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive.
The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and
monetary links. The industrial sector is small and technologically
backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most
development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian
migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for
tourists are key resources; however, the government limits the
number of tourists to 4,000 per year to minimize foreign influence.
The Bhutanese Government has made some progress in expanding the
nation's productive base and improving social welfare but growth
continues to be constrained by the government's desire to protect
the country's environment and cultural traditions. Growth picked up
in 1995 and the country's balance of payments remained strong with
comfortable reserves. The cautious fiscal stance planned for FY95/96
suggests continued economic stability in 1996. However, excessive
controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing,
trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $730 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.6% (FY94/95 est.)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%
note: massive lack of skilled labor
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $52 million
expenditures: $150 million, including capital expenditures of $95
million (FY93/94 est.)
note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of
Bhutan's budget expenditures
Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic
beverages, calcium carbide
Industrial production growth rate: 7.6% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 360,000 kW
production: 1.7 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 143 kWh (1993)
note: Bhutan exports electricity to India
Agriculture: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy
products, eggs
Exports: $70.9 million (f.o.b., FY94/95 est.)
commodities: cardamon, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit,
electricity (to India), precious stones, spices
partners: India 94%, Bangladesh
Imports: $113.6 million (c.i.f., FY94/95 est.)
commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts,
vehicles, fabrics, rice
partners: India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US
External debt: $141 million (October 1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is
also legal tender
Exchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 35.766 (January 1996),
32.427 (1995), 31.374 (1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918 (1992), 22.742
(1991); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,296 km
paved: 416 km
unpaved: 880 km (1988 est.)
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 4,620 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with very few
telephones in use
international: international telephone and telegraph service is by
landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1990)
Radios: 23,000 (1989 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1990 est.)
Televisions: 200 (1985 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 444,875
males fit for military service: 237,529
males reach military age (18) annually: 17,634 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Bolivia
-------
Map
---
Location: 17 00 S, 65 00 W -- Central South America, southwest of
Brazil
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow,
and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar
to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star
centered in the yellow band
Geography
---------
Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 S, 65 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 1,098,580 sq km
land area: 1,084,390 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 6,743 km
border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km,
Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: has wanted a sovereign corridor to the
South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in
1884; dispute with Chile over Rio Lauca water rights
Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and
semiarid
Terrain: rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau
(Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m
highest point: Cerro Illimani 6,882 m
Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten,
antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 25%
forest and woodland: 52%
other: 20%
Irrigated land: 1,650 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and
the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to
deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation
methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification;
loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used
for drinking and irrigation
natural hazards: cold, thin air of high plateau is obstacle to
efficient fuel combustion, as well as to physical activity by those
unaccustomed to it from birth; flooding in the northeast
(March-April)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection
Geographic note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca,
world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
People
------
Population: 7,165,257 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 1,422,313; female 1,390,885)
15-64 years: 56% (male 1,959,989; female 2,042,135)
65 years and over: 5% (male 153,111; female 196,824) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.82% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 32.37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.75 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 67.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 59.81 years
male: 56.94 years
female: 62.82 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bolivian(s)
adjective: Bolivian
Ethnic divisions: Quechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mestizo (mixed European
and Indian ancestry) 25%-30%, European 5%-15%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist)
Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara
(official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 83.1%
male: 90.5%
female: 76%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia
conventional short form: Bolivia
local long form: Republica de Bolivia
local short form: Bolivia
Data code: BL
Type of government: republic
Capital: La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and
seat of judiciary)
Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departamentos, singular -
departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando,
Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija
Independence: 6 August 1825 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1825)
Constitution: 2 February 1967
Legal system: based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21
years of age, universal and compulsory (single)
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE
LOZADA Bustamente (since 6 August 1993) and Vice President Victor
Hugo CARDENAS Conde (since 6 August 1993) were elected for four-year
terms by popular vote; election last held 6 June 1993 (next to be
held NA May 1997); results - Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (MNR) 34%,
Hugo BANZER Suarez (ADN/MIR alliance) 20%, Carlos PALENQUE Aviles
(CONDEPA) 14%, Max FERNANDEZ Rojas (UCS) 13%, Antonio ARANIBAR
Quiroga (MBL) 5%; no candidate received a majority of the popular
vote; Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA won a congressional runoff election
on 4 August 1993 after forming a coalition with Max FERNANDEZ and
Antonio ARANIBAR; FERNANDEZ died in a plane crash 26 November 1995
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president from panel of
candidates proposed by the Senate
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 6
June 1993 (next to be held NA May 1997); results - percent of vote
by party NA; seats - (130 total) MNR 52, UCS 20, ADN 17, MIR 17,
CONDEPA 13, MBL 7, ARBOL 1, ASD 1, EJE 1, PCD 1
Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores): elections last held 6
June 1993 (next to be held NA May 1997); results - percent of vote
by party NA; seats - (27 total) MNR 17, ADN 4, MIR 4, CONDEPA 1, UCS
1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges appointed
for a 10-year term by National Congress
Political parties and leaders:
Left parties: Free Bolivia Movement (MBL), Antonio ARANIBAR; April 9
Revolutionary Vanguard (VR-9), Carlos SERRATE; Alternative of
Democratic Socialism (ASD), Jerjes JUSTINIANO; Revolutionary Front
of the Left (FRI), Oscar ZAMORA; Bolivian Socialist Falange (FSB);
Socialist Unzaguista Movement (MAS); Socialist Party One (PS-1);
Bolivian Communist Party (PCB)
Center-Left parties: Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR),
Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA; Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR),
Jaime PAZ Zamora, Oscar EID; Christian Democrat (PCD), Jorge AGREDA
Center-Right party: Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN), Jorge
LANDIVAR, Hugo BANZER
Populist parties: Civic Solidarity Union (UCS), Johnny FERNANDEZ;
Conscience of the Fatherland (CONDEPA), Carlos PALENQUE Aviles;
Popular Patriotic Movement (MPP), Julio MANTILLA; Unity and Progress
Movement (MUP), Ivo KULJIS
Evangelical: Bolivian Renovating Alliance (ARBOL), Hugo VILLEGAS
indigenous: Tupac Katari Revolutionary Liberation Movement (MRTK-L),
Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde; Patriotic Axis of Convergence (EJE-P),
Ramiro BARRANCHEA; National Katarista Movement (MKN), Fernando UNTOJA
International organization participation: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11,
G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS,
OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando Alvaro COSSIO
chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410 through 4412
FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Curtis Warren KAMMAN
embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz
mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032
telephone: [591] (2) 430251
FAX: [591] (2) 433900
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green
with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the
flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in
the yellow band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: With its long history of semifeudal social
controls, dependence on volatile prices for its mineral exports, and
bouts of hyperinflation, Bolivia has remained one of the poorest and
least developed Latin American countries. However, Bolivia has
experienced generally improving economic conditions since the PAZ
Estenssoro administration (1985-89) introduced market-oriented
policies which reduced inflation from 11,700% in 1985 to about 20%
in 1988. PAZ Estenssoro was followed as president by Jaime PAZ
Zamora (1989-93) who continued the free-market policies of his
predecessor, despite opposition from his own party and from
Bolivia's once powerful labor movement. By maintaining fiscal
discipline, PAZ Zamora helped reduce inflation to 9.3% in 1993,
while GDP grew by an annual average of 3.25% during his tenure.
Inaugurated in August 1993, President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA has vowed to
advance the market-oriented economic reforms he helped launch as PAZ
Estenssoro's planning minister. His successes so far have included
the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico and progress on
his unique privatization plan. The main privatization bill was
passed by the Bolivian legislature in late March 1994. Since that
time, the administration has privatized the electric power
generation sector, the state airline, the state telephone company,
and the national railroad. The state mining and petroleum companies
are expected to be privatized in 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $20 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,530 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 3.54 million
by occupation: agriculture NA%, services and utilities 20%,
manufacturing, mining and construction 7% (1993)
Unemployment rate: urban rate 8% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $3.75 billion
expenditures: $3.75 billion, including capital expenditures of
$556.2 million (1995 est.)
Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages,
tobacco, handicrafts, clothing
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 756,200 kW
production: 2.116 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 367 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice,
potatoes; timber
Illicit drugs: world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after
Peru and Colombia) with an estimated 48,600 hectares under
cultivation in 1995, a one percent increase in overall cultivation
of coca over 1994 levels; Bolivia, however, is the second-largest
producer of harvested coca leaf; even so, voluntary and forced
eradication programs resulted in leaf production dropping from
89,800 metric tons in 1994 to 85,000 tons in 1995; government
considers all but 12,000 hectares illicit; intermediate coca
products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia and Brazil to
the US and other international drug markets; alternative crop
program aims to reduce illicit coca cultivation
Exports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: metals 39%, natural gas 9%, soybeans 11%, jewelry 11%,
wood 8%
partners: US 26%, Argentina 15% (1993 est.)
Imports: $1.21 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: capital goods 48%, chemicals 11%, petroleum 5%, food 5%
(1993 est.)
partners: US 24%, Argentina 13%, Brazil 11%, Japan 11% (1993 est.)
External debt: $4.4 billion (November 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $362 million (1993)
Currency: 1 boliviano ($B) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: bolivianos ($B) per US$1 - 4.9137 (December 1995),
4.8003 (1995), 4.6205 (1994), 4.2651 (1993), 3.9005 (1992), 3.5806
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,691 km (single track)
narrow gauge: 3,652 km 1.000-m gauge; 39 km 0.760-m gauge (13 km
electrified) (1995)
Highways:
total: 46,311 km
paved: 1,940 km (including 27 km of expressways)
unpaved: 44,371 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 10,000 km of commercially navigable waterways
Pipelines: crude oil 1,800 km; petroleum products 580 km; natural
gas 1,495 km
Ports: none; however, Bolivia has free port privileges in the
maritime ports of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,214 GRT/6,390 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1,017
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 750
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 69
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 186 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 144,300 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties;
most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities
domestic: microwave radio relay system being expanded
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 129, FM 0, shortwave 68
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 43
Televisions: 500,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval Boliviana,
includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana), National
Police Force (Policia Nacional de Bolivia)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,685,572
males fit for military service: 1,098,948
males reach military age (19) annually: 76,035 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $145 million;
1.9% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Bosnia and Herzegovina
----------------------
On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the former Yugoslavia's three
warring parties signed a peace agreement that brought to a halt over
three years of interethnic civil strife in Bosnia and Herzegovina
(the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The
Dayton Agreement, signed by Bosnian President IZETBEGOVIC, Croatian
President TUDJMAN, and Serbian President MILOSEVIC, divides Bosnia
and Herzegovina roughly equally between the Muslim/Croat Federation
and the Bosnian Serbs while maintaining Bosnia's currently
recognized borders. An international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of
60,000 troops began to enter Bosnia in late 1995 to implement and
monitor the military aspects of the agreement and is scheduled to
depart the country within one year. A High Representative appointed
by the UN Security Council is responsible for civilian
implementation of the accord, including monitoring implementation,
facilitating any difficulties arising in connection with civilian
implementation, and coordinating activities of the civilian
organizations and agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Bosnian
conflict began in the spring of 1992 when the Government of Bosnia
and Herzegovina held a referendum on independence and the Bosnian
Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia - responded with armed
resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and
joining Serb-held areas to form a "greater Serbia." In March 1994,
Bosnia's Muslims and Croats reduced the number of warring factions
from three to two by signing an agreement in Washington creating
their joint Muslim/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Map
---
Location: 44 00 N, 18 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the
Adriatic Sea and Croatia
Flag
----
Description: white with a large blue shield; the shield contains
white fleurs-de-lis with a white diagonal band running from the
upper hoist corner to the lower outer side
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and
Croatia
Geographic coordinates: 44 00 N, 18 00 E
Map references: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe
Area:
total area: 51,233 sq km
land area: 51,233 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,459 km
border countries: Croatia 932 km, Serbia and Montenegro 527 km (312
km with Serbia, 215 km with Montenegro)
Coastline: 20 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: none
Climate: hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation
have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy
winters along coast
Terrain: mountains and valleys
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Maglic 2,386 m
Natural resources: coal, iron, bauxite, manganese, forests,
copper, chromium, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 25%
forest and woodland: 36%
other: 17%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for
disposing of urban waste are limited; widespread casualties, water
shortages, and destruction of infrastructure because of civil strife
natural hazards: frequent and destructive earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection
Geographic note: as of January 1996, Bosnian Serb leaders
continued to demand revisions to the territorial aspects of the
Dayton Agreement, especially in Sarajevo - designated to be under
Federation control - and the Brcko/Posavina corridor area; members
of the Bosnian Croat community also reject several territorial
aspects of the agreement, citing that historically Bosnian Croat
lands are to be transferred to Bosnian Serb control; despite
disagreements, initial implementation of the agreement as of January
1996 appeared on course with the warring parties meeting the
deadline for withdrawal of forces from the front lines in Sarajevo
People
------
Population: 2,656,240 (July 1996 est.)
note: all data dealing with population is subject to considerable
error because of the dislocations caused by military action and
ethnic cleansing
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 276,530; female 248,519)
15-64 years: 68% (male 892,807; female 915,686)
65 years and over: 12% (male 133,081; female 189,617) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -2.84% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 6.34 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.92 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -18.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 43.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 56.11 years
male: 51.16 years
female: 61.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)
adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian
Ethnic divisions: Serb 40%, Muslim 38%, Croat 22% (est.)
Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%,
other 10%
Languages: Serbo-Croatian 99%
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Government note: The US recognizes the Republic of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, formed by the
Muslims and Croats in March 1994, remains in the implementation
stages.
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina
local long form: Republika Bosna i Hercegovina
local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina
note: under the new constitution initialed in Dayton, Ohio, on 21
November 1995, the name of the country will be changed from Republic
of Bosnia and Herzegovina to simply Bosnia and Herzegovina and will
be made up of the Muslim/Croat Federation and the Bosnian Serb
entity now called Republika Srpska
Data code: BK
Type of government: emerging democracy
Capital: Sarajevo
Administrative divisions: 109 districts (opstinas, singular -
opstina) Banovici, Banja Luka, Bihac, Bijeljina, Bileca, Bosanska
Dubica, Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanska Krupa, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski
Novi, Bosanski Petrovac, Bosanski Samac, Bosansko Grahovo, Bratunac,
Brcko, Breza, Bugojno, Busovaca, Cazin, Cajnice, Capljina, Celinac,
Citluk, Derventa, Doboj, Donji Vakuf, Foca, Fojnica, Gacko, Glamoc,
Gorazde, Gornji Vakuf, Gracanica, Gradacac, Grude, Han Pijesak,
Jablanica, Jajce, Kakanj, Kalesija, Kalinovik, Kiseljak, Kladanj,
Kljuc, Konjic, Kotor Varos, Kresevo, Kupres, Laktasi, Listica,
Livno, Lopare, Lukavac, Ljubinje, Ljubuski, Maglaj, Modrica, Mostar,
Mrkonjic-Grad, Neum, Nevesinje, Odzak, Olovo, Orasje, Posusje,
Prijedor, Prnjavor, Prozor, (Pucarevo) Novi Travnik, Rogatica, Rudo,
Sanski Most, Sarajevo-Centar, Sarajevo-Hadzici, Sarajevo-Ilidza,
Sarajevo-Ilijas, Sarajevo-Novi Grad, Sarajevo-Novo, Sarajevo-Pale,
Sarajevo-Stari Grad, Sarajevo-Trnovo, Sarajevo-Vogosca, Skender
Vakuf, Sokolac, Srbac, Srebrenica, Srebrenik, Stolac, Sekovici,
Sipovo, Teslic, Tesanj, Drvar, Duvno, Travnik, Trebinje, Tuzla,
Ugljevik, Vares, Velika Kladusa, Visoko, Visegrad, Vitez, Vlasenica,
Zavidovici, Zenica, Zvornik, Zepce, Zivinice
note: administrative reorganization is currently under negotiation
with the assistance of international mediators; spellings not yet
approved by the US Board on Geographic Names
Independence: NA April 1992 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: first promulgated in 1974 (under the Communists),
amended 1989, 1990, and 1991; constitution of Muslim/Croat
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina ratified April 1994; under the
Dayton Agreement signed 21 November 1995, the Muslim/Croat
Federation and the Serb republic government agreed to accept new
basic principles in their constitutions
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alija IZETBEGOVIC (since 20 December 1990)
was elected by a collective (seven-member) presidency (of which he
is a member); other members of the collective presidency are: Ejup
GANIC (since NA November 1990), Nijaz DURAKOVIC (since NA October
1993), Stjepan KLJUJIC (since NA October 1993), Ivo KOMSIC (since NA
October 1993), Mirko PEJANOVIC (since NA June 1992), Tatjana
LJUJIC-MIJATOVIC (since NA December 1992); the collective presidency
is elected from among the National Assembly with at least two
members drawn from each of the three main ethnic groups
head of government: Prime Minister Hasan MURATOVIC (since 30 January
1996) was elected by the collective presidency and the National
Assembly
cabinet: there is an executive body of ministers with no formal name
who are members of, and responsible to, the National Assembly
note: the president of the Muslim/Croat Federation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina is Kresimir ZUBAK (since 31 May 1994); Vice President
Ejup GANIC (since 31 May 1994); elections for the Presidency of
Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Presidency of the Republika Srpska
will take place between six and nine months after the entry into
force of the Dayton Agreement (14 December 1995)
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly
Chamber of Municipalities (Vijece Opeina): elections last held
November-December 1990 (next to be held NA); percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (110 total) SDA 43, SDS BiH 38, HDZ BiH 23, Party
of Democratic Changes 4, DSS 1, SPO 1
Chamber of Citizens (Vijece Gradanstvo): elections last held
November-December 1990 (next to be held NA); percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (130 total) SDA 43, SDS BiH 34, HDZ BiH 21, Party
of Democratic Changes 15, SRSJ BiH 12, LBO 2, DSS 1, DSZ 1, LS 1
note: the new constitution signed as part of the Dayton agreement on
21 November 1995 provides for a new bicameral Parliamentary assembly
which will consist of a House of Peoples with 15 delegates,
two-thirds from the Muslim/Croat Federation and one-third from the
Serbian republic, and a House of Representatives with 42 members,
two-thirds from the Muslim/Croat Federation and one-third from the
Serbian republic; elections are scheduled to be held six to nine
months after the entry into force of the Dayton Agreement
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders: Civic Democratic Party (GDS),
Ibrahim SPAHIC; Party for Bosnia, Haris SILAJDZIC; Croatian
Democratic Union of BiH (HDZ), Bozo RAJIC; Croatian Peasants' Party
of BiH (HSS), Stanko STISKOVIC; Independent Serbian Democratic Party
(NSDS), Petar DODIK; Liberal Bosniak Organization (LBO), Muhamed
FILIPOVIC; Liberal Party (LS), Rasim KADIC, president;
Muslim-Bosniac Organization (MBO), Adil ZULFIKARPASIC; Party of
Democratic Action (SDA), Alija IZETBEGOVIC; Republican Party of
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Stjepan KLUJIC; Serb Democratic Party (SDS),
Radovan KARADZIC, president; Serbian Civic Council (SGV), Mirko
PEJANOVIC; Serbian Consultative Council, Ljubomir BERBEROVIC; Social
Democratic Party (SDP - formerly the Democratic Party of Socialists
(DSS)), Nijaz DURAKOVIC, president; Socialist Party of Republika
Srpska, Zivko RADISIC; Union of Social Democrats (SSDB), Salim
BESLAGIC; United Left of the Bosnian Serb Republic (ULRS), Mile
IVOSEVIC; Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO), Milan TRIVUNCIC, note -
this party participated in the 1990 elections, but may not exist
now; Party of Democratic Changes, leader NA, note - this party
participated in the 1990 elections, but may not exist now; Alliance
of Reform Forces of Yugoslavia for Bosnia and Herzegovina (SRSJ
BiH), Dr. Nenad KECMANOVIC, president, note - this party
participated in the 1990 elections, but may not exist now;
Democratic League of Greens (DSZ), Drazen PETROVIC, note - this
party participated in the 1990 elections, but may not exist now;
Yugoslav United Left (JUL), CAREVIC; Serb Liberal Party, Miodrag
ZIVANOVIC; Serb Radical Party; Serb Patriotic Party, Slavko
ZUPLJANIN; Serb Homeland Party
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: CE (guest), CEI, ECE,
FAO, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,
IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sven ALKALAJ
chancery: Suite 760, 1707 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 833-3612, 3613, 3615
FAX: [1] (202) 833-2061
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John K. MENZIES
embassy: 43 Ul. Djure Djakovica, Sarajevo
mailing address: use street address
telephone: [387] (71) 645-992, 445-700, 659-743
Flag: white with a large blue shield; the shield contains white
fleurs-de-lis with a white diagonal band running from the upper
hoist corner to the lower outer side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to The
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the poorest republic in the
old Yugoslav federation. Although agriculture has been almost all in
private hands, farms have been small and inefficient, and the
republic traditionally has been a net importer of food. Industry has
been greatly overstaffed, one reflection of the rigidities of
communist central planning and management. TITO had pushed the
development of military industries in the republic with the result
that Bosnia hosted a large share of Yugoslavia's defense plants. The
bitter interethnic warfare in Bosnia caused production to plummet,
unemployment and inflation to soar, and human misery to multiply. No
economic statistics for 1992-95 are available, although output
clearly has fallen substantially below the levels of earlier years
and almost certainly is well below $1,000 per head. The country
receives substantial amounts of humanitarian aid from the
international community.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 1,026,254
by occupation: NA%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite,
vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank
and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining; much of
capacity damaged or shut down (1995)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 3,800,000 kW
production: NA kWh
consumption per capita: NA kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock
Illicit drugs: NA
Exports: $NA
commodities: NA
partners: NA
Imports: $NA
commodities: NA
partners: NA
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 dinar = 100 para; Croatian dinar used in Croat-held
area, presumably to be replaced by new Croatian kuna; old and new
Serbian dinars used in Serb-held area; hard currencies probably
supplanting local currencies in areas held by Bosnian Government
Exchange rates: NA
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,021 km (electrified 795 km)
standard gauge: 1,021 km 1.435-m gauge (1991)
Highways:
total: 21,168 km
paved: 11,436 km
unpaved: 9,732 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: NA km
Pipelines: crude oil 174 km; natural gas 90 km (1992); note -
pipelines now disrupted
Ports: Bosanski Brod
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 24
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 727,000
Telephone system: telephone and telegraph network is in need of
modernization and expansion; many urban areas are below average when
compared with services in other former Yugoslav republics
domestic: NA
international: no satellite earth stations
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 840,000
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 1,012,094
Defense
-------
Branches: Army
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 654,326
males fit for military service: 524,963
males reach military age (19) annually: 22,902 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Botswana
--------
Map
---
Location: 22 00 S, 24 00 E -- Southern Africa, north of South
Africa
Flag
----
Description: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe
in the center
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 24 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 600,370 sq km
land area: 585,370 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 4,013 km
border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe
813 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: short section of boundary with Namibia is
indefinite; quadripoint with Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in
disagreement; dispute with Namibia over uninhabited Kasikili
(Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River remained unresolved in
January 1996 and the parties have agreed to refer the matter to the
ICJ
Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Terrain: predominately flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari
Desert in southwest
lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
highest point: Tsodilo Hill 1,489 m
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash,
potash, coal, iron ore, silver
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 75%
forest and woodland: 2%
other: 21%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: overgrazing, primarily as a result of the expansion
of the cattle population; desertification; limited natural fresh
water resources
natural hazards: periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from
the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can
obscure visibility
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern
part of the country
People
------
Population: 1,477,630 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 317,254; female 309,617)
15-64 years: 54% (male 374,572; female 419,991)
65 years and over: 4% (male 22,314; female 33,882) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.63% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.34 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.01 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 54.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.01 years
male: 44.94 years
female: 47.11 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
Ethnic divisions: Batswana 95%, Kalanga, Basarwa, and Kgalagadi
4%, white 1%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50%
Languages: English (official), Setswana
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 69.8%
male: 80.5%
female: 59.9%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form: Botswana
former: Bechuanaland
Data code: BC
Type of government: parliamentary republic
Capital: Gaborone
Administrative divisions: 10 districts and four town councils*;
Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*,Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng,
Kweneng, Lobatse*, Ngamiland, North-East, Selebi-Phikwe*,
South-East, Southern,
Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 30 September (1966)
Constitution: March 1965, effective 30 September 1966
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law;
judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Sir Ketumile MASIRE
(since 13 July 1980) was elected for a five-year term by the
National Assembly; election last held 15 October 1994 (next to be
held October 1999); Vice President Festus MOGAE (since 9 March 1992)
was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
House of Chiefs: is a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of
the chiefs of the eight principal tribes, four elected subchiefs,
and three members selected by the other 12
National Assembly: elections last held 15 October 1994 (next to be
held October 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(44 total, 40 elected and 4 appointed by the majority party) BDP 27,
BNF 13
Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Botswana Democratic Party (BDP),
Sir Ketumile MASIRE; Botswana National Front (BNF), Kenneth KOMA;
Botswana People's Party (BPP), Knight MARIPE; Botswana Independence
Party (BIP), Motsamai MPHO
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UN Security
Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Archibald MOGWE
chancery: Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990, 4991
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Howard F. JETER
embassy: address NA, Gaborone
mailing address: P. O. Box 90, Gaborone
telephone: [267] 353982
FAX: [267] 356947
Flag: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the
center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy has historically been based on
cattle raising and crops. Agriculture today provides a livelihood
for more than 80% of the population but supplies only about 50% of
food needs and accounts for only 5% of GDP. Subsistence farming and
cattle raising predominate. The sector is plagued by erratic
rainfall and poor soils. The driving force behind the rapid economic
growth of the 1970s and 1980s has been the mining industry. This
sector, mostly on the strength of diamonds, has gone from generating
25% of GDP in 1980 to 39% in 1994. The unemployment rate remains a
problem at 21%. Hampered by a still sluggish diamond market in 1994
and 1995, GDP grew by only 1% in both years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 428,000 (1992)
by occupation: 220,000 formal sector employees; 14,300 are employed
in various mines in South Africa; most others are engaged in cattle
raising and subsistence agriculture (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: 21% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.7 billion
expenditures: $1.99 billion, including capital expenditures of $652
million (FY93/94)
Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash,
potash; livestock processing
Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (FY92/93)
Electricity:
capacity: 220,000 kW
production: 900 million kWh
consumption per capita: 694 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts (peanuts),
beans, cowpeas, sunflower seed; livestock
Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b. 1994)
commodities: diamonds 78%, copper and nickel 6%, meat 5%
partners: Switzerland, UK, Southern African Customs Union (SACU),
Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities: foodstuffs, vehicles and transport equipment, textiles,
petroleum products
partners: Switzerland, Southern African Customs Union (SACU), UK, US
External debt: $691 million (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $189 million (1993)
Currency: 1 pula (P) = 100 thebe
Exchange rates: pula (P) per US$1 - 2.8305 (January 1996), 2.7716
(1995), 2.6831 (1994), 2.4190 (1993), 2.1327 (1992), 2.0173 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 19,109 (1985 est.)
Telephone system: sparse system
domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay
links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations
international: microwave radio relay links to Zambia, Zimbabwe and
South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 13,800 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Botswana Defense Force (includes Army and Air Wing),
Botswana National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 334,177
males fit for military service: 175,471
males reach military age (18) annually: 17,088 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $199 million,
5.2% of GDP (FY93/94)
======================================================================
@Bouvet Island
-------------
(territory of Norway)
Map
---
Location: 54 26 S, 3 24 E -- Southern Africa, island in the South
Atlantic Ocean, south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South
Africa)
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Norway is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean,
south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Geographic coordinates: 54 26 S, 3 24 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:
total area: 58 sq km
land area: 58 sq km
comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 29.6 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 4 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: antarctic
Terrain: volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 meters; coast is
mostly inaccessible
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 780 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (all ice)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: covered by glacial ice
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island
Data code: BV
Type of government: territory of Norway
Capital: none; administered from Oslo, Norway
Independence: none (territory of Norway)
Flag: the flag of Norway is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Communications
--------------
Communications note: automatic meteorological station
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Norway
======================================================================
@Brazil
------
Map
---
Location: 10 00 S, 55 00 W -- Eastern South America, bordering the
Atlantic Ocean
Flag
----
Description: green with a large yellow diamond in the center
bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one
for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same
pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white
equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 55 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 8,511,965 sq km
land area: 8,456,510 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than the US
note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas,
Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao
Paulo
Land boundaries:
total: 14,691 km
border countries: Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia
1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km,
Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km
Coastline: 7,491 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: short section of the boundary with
Paraguay, just west of Salto das Sete Quedas (Guaira Falls) on the
Rio Parana, is in dispute; two short sections of boundary with
Uruguay are in dispute - Arroio Invernada (Arroyo de la Invernada)
area of the Rio Quarai (Rio Cuareim) and the islands at the
confluence of the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay River
Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains,
hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m
Natural resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel,
phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 19%
forest and woodland: 67%
other: 6%
Irrigated land: 27,000 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat
and endangers the existence of a multitude of plant and animal
species indigenous to the area; air and water pollution in Rio de
Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation
and water pollution caused by improper mining activities
natural hazards: recurring droughts in northeast; floods and
occasional frost in south
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: largest country in South America; shares common
boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador
People
------
Population: 162,661,214 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 25,286,278; female 24,422,897)
15-64 years: 65% (male 52,232,435; female 53,094,724)
65 years and over: 4% (male 3,072,720; female 4,552,160) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.16% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 20.8 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.19 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 55.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 61.62 years
male: 56.67 years
female: 66.81 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.34 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Brazilian(s)
adjective: Brazilian
Ethnic divisions: white (includes Portuguese, German, Italian,
Spanish, Polish) 55%, mixed white and African 38%, African 6%, other
(includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 70%
Languages: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 83.3%
male: 83.3%
female: 83.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil
conventional short form: Brazil
local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil
local short form: Brasil
Data code: BR
Type of government: federal republic
Capital: Brasilia
Administrative divisions: 26 states (estados, singular - estado)
and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa,
Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias,
Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para,
Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do
Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao
Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins
Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 7 September (1822)
Constitution: 5 October 1988
Legal system: based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70;
compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Fernando Henrique
CARDOSO (since 1 January 1995) was elected for a four-year term by
popular vote; election last held 3 October 1994; (next to be held
October 1998); results - Fernando Henrique CARDOSO 53%, Luis Inacio
LULA da Silva 26%, Eneas CARNEIRO 7%, Orestes QUERCIA 4%, Leonel
BRIZOLA 3%, Espiridiao AMIN 3%; note - second direct presidential
election since 1960; Vice President Marco MARCIEL (since NA)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congresso
Nacional)
Federal Senate (Senado Federal): election last held 3 October 1994
for two-thirds of Senate (next to be held October 1996 for one-third
of the Senate); results - PMBD 28%, PFL 22%, PSDB 12%, PPR 7%, PDT
7%, PT 6%, PTB 6%, other 12%; seats - (81 total) seats by party NA
Chamber of Deputies (Camara dos Deputados): election last held 3
October 1994 (next to be held October 1998); results - PMDB 21%, PFL
18%, PDT 7%, PSDB 12%, PPR 10%, PTB 6%, PT 10%, other 16%; seats -
(517 total) seats by party NA
note: party totals since Fall 1994 have changed considerably due to
extensive party-switching
Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal, judges are appointed
for life by the Senate
Political parties and leaders: National Reconstruction Party
(PRN), Daniel TOURINHO, president; Brazilian Democratic Movement
Party (PMDB), Paes DE ANDRADE, president; Liberal Front Party (PFL),
Jorge BORNHAUSEN, president; Workers' Party (PT), Jose DIRCEU,
president; Brazilian Workers' Party (PTB), Rodrigues PALMA,
president; Democratic Labor Party (PDT), Leonel BRIZOLA, president;
Brazilian Progressive Party (PPB), Espiridiao AMIN, president;
Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), Artur DA TAVOLA, president;
Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Roberto FREIRE, president; Communist
Party of Brazil (PCdoB), Joao AMAZONAS, chairman; Liberal Party
(PL), Alvaro VALLE, president
Other political or pressure groups: left wing of the Catholic
Church and labor unions allied to leftist Workers' Party are
critical of government's social and economic policies
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES,
LAIA, Mercosur, MTCR, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN,
UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR,
UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Paulo Tarso FLECHA de LIMA
chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 745-2700
FAX: [1] (202) 745-2827
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York,
San Juan (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco
consulate(s): Houston
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Melvyn LEVITSKY
embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 3, Brasilia, Distrito Federal
mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030
telephone: [55] (61) 321-7272
FAX: [55] (61) 225-9136
consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo
consulate(s): Porto Alegre, Recife
Flag: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a
blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each
state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the
night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with
the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: With its large and well-developed agricultural,
mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil has South
America's largest GDP by far and has the potential to become a major
player in the world economy. Prior to the institution of a
stabilization plan in mid-1994, stratospheric inflation rates had
devastated the economy and discouraged foreign investment. Since
then, tight monetary policy has apparently brought inflation under
control - consumer prices increased by 23% in 1995 compared to more
than 1,000% in 1994. At the same time, GDP growth slowed from 5.7%
to 4.2% as credit was tightened and the steadily appreciating real
encouraged imports while depressing export growth. The increased
stability of the Brazilian economy allowed it to weather the fallout
from the Mexican peso crisis relatively well, with foreign funds
flowing in during the second half of 1995 to swell official foreign
exchange reserves past the $50 billion mark. Stock market indices in
Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, however, ended 26% lower in 1995.
President CARDOSO remains committed to further reducing inflation in
1996 while boosting growth, but he faces key challenges. Servicing
domestic debt has become dramatically more burdensome for both
public and private sector entities because of very high real
interest rates which are contributing to growing budget deficits and
a surge in bankruptcies. Fiscal reforms, many of which require
constitutional amendments, are proceeding at a slow pace through the
Brazilian legislature; in their absence, the government is
maintaining its strict monetary policy. Brazil's natural resources
remain a major, long-run economic strength.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $976.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.2% (1995)
GDP per capita: $6,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 16%
industry: 25%
services: 59% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 23% (1995)
Labor force: 57 million (1989 est.)
by occupation: services 42%, agriculture 31%, industry 27%
Unemployment rate: 5% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $58.7 billion
expenditures: $54.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)
Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore,
tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and
equipment
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 55,130,000 kW
production: 241.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,589 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane,
cocoa, citrus; beef
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, coca cultivation in
the Amazon region has diminished in recent years because of its low
alkaloid content, mostly for domestic consumption; government has a
large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important
transshipment country for Bolivian and Colombian cocaine headed for
the US and Europe
Exports: $46.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: iron ore, soybean bran, orange juice, footwear, coffee,
motor vehicle parts
partners: EU 27.6%, Latin America 21.8%, US 17.4%, Japan 6.3% (1993)
Imports: $49.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: crude oil, capital goods, chemical products,
foodstuffs, coal
partners: US 23.3%, EU 22.5%, Middle East 13.0%, Latin America
11.8%, Japan 6.5% (1993)
External debt: $94 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $107 million (1993)
Currency: 1 real (R$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: R$ per US$1 - 0.975 (January 1996), 0.918 (1995),
0.639 (1994); CR$ per US$1 - 390.845 (January 1994), 88.449 (1993),
4.513 (1992), 0.407 (1991)
note: on 1 August 1993 the cruzeiro real (CR$), equal to 1,000
cruzeiros, was introduced; another new currency, the real (R$) was
introduced on 1 July 1994, equal to 2,750 cruzeiro reals
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 27,418 km (1,750 km electrified)
broad gauge: 5,730 km 1.600-m gauge
standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge
narrow gauge: 20,958 km 1.000-m gauge; 13 km 0.760-m gauge
dual gauge: 523 km 1.000-m and 1.600-m gauges
Highways:
total: 1,661,850 km
paved: 142,919 km
unpaved: 1,518,931 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 50,000 km navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 2,000 km; petroleum products 3,804 km;
natural gas 1,095 km
Ports: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus, Paranagua,
Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos,
Vitoria
Merchant marine:
total: 207 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,108,543
GRT/8,477,760 DWT
ships by type: bulk 48, cargo 29, chemical tanker 11, combination
ore/oil 12, container 14, liquefied gas tanker 11, multifunction
large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 64, passenger-cargo 5, refrigerated
cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 2,950
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 19
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 122
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 295
with paved runways under 914 m: 1,298
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 66
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1,145 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 14,426,673 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: good working system
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic
satellite system with 64 earth stations
international: 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations
- 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean Region
East)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1,223, FM 0, shortwave 151
Radios: 60 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 112
note: Brazil has the world's fourth largest television broadcasting
system
Televisions: 30 million (1993 est.)
======================================================================
@British Indian Ocean Territory
------------------------------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 6 00 S, 71 30 E -- Southern Asia, archipelago in the
Indian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia
Flag
----
Description: white with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and six blue wavy horizontal stripes bearing a palm tree
and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about
one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 71 30 E
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 60 sq km
land area: 60 sq km
comparative area: about 0.5 times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 698 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: the island of Diego Garcia is claimed by
Mauritius
Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain: flat and low (up to four meters in elevation)
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
Natural resources: coconuts, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia,
largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in
central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are UK-US military personnel and civilian contractors;
civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius
before construction of UK-US military facilities
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory
conventional short form: none
abbreviation: BIOT
Data code: IO
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: none
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Commissioner David Ross MACLENNAN (since NA
1994); Administrator Don CAIRNS (since NA); note - both reside in
the UK
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: white with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and six blue wavy horizontal stripes bearing a palm tree
and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: All economic activity is concentrated on the
largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities
are located. Construction projects and various services needed to
support the military installations are done by military and contract
employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There
are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands.
Electricity: provided by the US military
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: short stretch of paved road of NA km between port and
airfield on Diego Garcia
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Diego Garcia
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: facilities for military needs only
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@British Virgin Islands
----------------------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 18 30 N, 64 30 W -- Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea
and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer
half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either
side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing
the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 150 sq km
land area: 150 sq km
comparative area: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes the island of Anegada
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep,
hilly
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 33%
forest and woodland: 7%
other: 33%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for a
few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the island's
water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchment)
natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico
People
------
Population: 13,195 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.29% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 20.19 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.05 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 19.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.78 years
male: 70.93 years
female: 74.75 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: British Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: British Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions: black 90%, white, Asian
Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of
God 7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses
2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic 6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981)
Languages: English (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.)
total population: 97.8%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: British Virgin Islands
abbreviation: BVI
Data code: VI
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Road Town
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July
Constitution: 1 June 1977
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952), hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor David
MACKILLIGIN (since NA June 1995) who was appointed by the queen
head of government: Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May
1995; appointed after the death of former Chief Minister H. Lavity
STOUTT) was appointed by the governor from among the members of the
Legislative Council
cabinet: Executive Council is appointed by the governor
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: election last held 20 February 1995 (next to be
held NA February 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (13 total) VIP 6, CCM 2, UP 2, independents 3
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO;
Virgin Islands Party (VIP); Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), E.
Walwyln BREWLEY
International organization participation: Caricom (associate),
CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate),
UNESCO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer
half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either
side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing
the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy, one of the most prosperous in the
Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, which generates an
estimated 45% of the national income. In 1985, the government began
offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate
in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial
revenues. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late
1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated
statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is
expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to
international business. Livestock raising is the most important
agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet
domestic food requirements. Because of traditional close links with
the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands have used the
dollar as their currency since 1959.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $133 million (1991 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1991 est.)
GDP per capita: $10,600 (1991 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1990 est.)
Labor force: 4,911 (1980)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992)
Budget:
revenues: $77.1 million
expenditures: $76.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY93/94)
Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete
block, offshore financial center
Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1985)
Electricity:
capacity: 10,500 kW
production: 50 million kWh
consumption per capita: 3,148 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish
Exports: $2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities: rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animals
partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
Imports: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery
partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
External debt: $4.5 million (1985)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 106 km (1983 est.)
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Road Town
Merchant marine: none (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 6,291 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: worldwide telephone service
domestic: NA
international: submarine cable to Bermuda
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 9,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Brunei
------
Map
---
Location: 4 30 N, 114 40 E -- Southeastern Asia, bordering the
South China Sea and Malaysia
Flag
----
Description: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost
double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the
national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem
includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an
upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and
Malaysia
Geographic coordinates: 4 30 N, 114 40 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 5,770 sq km
land area: 5,270 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 381 km
border country: Malaysia 381 km
Coastline: 161 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient
that divides the country; all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by
China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia
and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive
fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef, but has not publicly
claimed the island
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly
lowland in west
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 79%
other: 18%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are very
rare
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Law
of the Sea
Geographic note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea
linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by
Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia
People
------
Population: 299,939 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 51,266; female 49,194)
15-64 years: 62% (male 98,806; female 88,323)
65 years and over: 5% (male 6,843; female 5,507) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.56% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 25.5 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.24 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.39 years
male: 69.82 years
female: 73.04 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.39 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bruneian(s)
adjective: Bruneian
Ethnic divisions: Malay 64%, Chinese 20%, other 16%
Religions: Muslim (official) 63%, Buddhism 14%, Christian 8%,
indigenous beliefs and other 15% (1981)
Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 88.2%
male: 92.6%
female: 83.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam
conventional short form: Brunei
Data code: BX
Type of government: constitutional sultanate
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Administrative divisions: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular -
daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Independence: 1 January 1984 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 23 February (1984)
Constitution: 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a
State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on
1 January 1984)
Legal system: based on Islamic law
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister His
Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji HASSANAL Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin
Waddaulah (since 5 October 1967) is a traditional Islamic monarch
cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers is composed chiefly of members
of the royal family, appointed and presided over by the sultan;
deals with executive matters
Religious Council: is appointed by the sultan; advises on religious
matters
Privy Council: is appointed by the sultan; deals with constitutional
matters
the Council of Succession: is appointed by the sultan; determines
the succession to the throne if the need arises
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council (Majlis Masyuarat Megeri): elections last held
in March 1962; in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body
by decree of the sultan; an elected Legislative Council is being
considered as part of constitutional reform, but elections are
unlikely for several years
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice and judges are sworn
in by the sultan for a three-year term
Political parties and leaders: Brunei United National Party
(inactive), Anak HASANUDDIN, chairman; Brunei National Solidarity
Party (the first legal political party and now banned), leader NA;
Brunei Peoples Party (banned), leader NA
International organization participation: APEC, ASEAN, C, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador JAYA bin Abdul Latif
chancery: Watergate, Suite 300, 3rd floor, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 342-0159
FAX: [1] (202) 342-0158
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Theresa A. TULL
embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri
Begawan
mailing address: American Embassy Box B, Bandar Seri Begawan, APO AP
96440
telephone: [673] (2) 229670
FAX: [673] (2) 225293
Flag: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double
width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national
emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a
swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned
crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is a mixture of foreign and
domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation and welfare
measures, and village tradition. It is almost totally supported by
exports of crude oil and natural gas, with revenues from the
petroleum sector accounting for more than 40% of GDP. Per capita GDP
is among the highest in the Third World, and substantial income from
overseas investment supplements domestic production. The government
provides for all medical services and subsidizes food and housing.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $15,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 42%
services: 55%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 119,000 (1993 est.); note - includes members of the
Army
by occupation: government 47.5%, production of oil, natural gas,
services, and construction 41.9%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing
3.8% (1986)
note: 33% of labor force is foreign (1988)
Unemployment rate: 4.8% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $2.1 billion
expenditures: $2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $427
million (1993)
Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas,
construction
Industrial production growth rate: 12.9% (1987)
Electricity:
capacity: 380,000 kW
production: 1.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,971 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, cassava (tapioca), bananas; water buffalo, pigs
Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: crude oil, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products
partners: Japan 50%, UK 19%, Thailand 10%, Singapore 9% (1994 est.)
Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,
food, chemicals
partners: Singapore 29%, UK 19%, US 13%, Malaysia 9%, Japan 5% (1994
est.)
External debt: 0
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Bruneian dollar (B$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (B$) per US$1 - 1.4214 (January
1996), 1.4174 (1995), 1.5274 (1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992),
1.7276 (1991); note - the Bruneian dollar is at par with the
Singapore dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 13 km private line
narrow gauge: 13 km 0.610-m gauge
Highways:
total: 2,443 km
paved: 1,296 km
unpaved: 1,147 km (1993)
Waterways: 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m
Pipelines: crude oil 135 km; petroleum products 418 km; natural
gas 920 km
Ports: Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong
Merchant marine:
total: 7 liquefied gas tankers (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 348,476
GRT/340,635 DWT (1994 est.)
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 76,900 (1993)
Telephone system: service throughout country is adequate for
present needs; international service good to adjacent Malaysia
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 115,000 (1993)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1984 est.)
Televisions: 78,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 83,641
males fit for military service: 48,559
males reach military age (18) annually: 2,918 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $312 million,
6.2% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Bulgaria
--------
Map
---
Location: 43 00 N, 25 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the
Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green,
and red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white
stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a
wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a
ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and
1944 (liberation from Nazi control)
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between
Romania and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 43 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 110,910 sq km
land area: 110,550 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total: 1,808 km
border countries: Greece 494 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia and Montenegro 318 km (all
with Serbia), Turkey 240 km
Coastline: 354 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Musala 2,925 m
Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber,
arable land
Land use:
arable land: 34%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers
polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation;
forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil
contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and
industrial wastes
natural hazards: earthquakes, landslides
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic
Treaty, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls
key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia
People
------
Population: 8,612,757 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 769,025; female 732,119)
15-64 years: 68% (male 2,891,197; female 2,923,440)
65 years and over: 15% (male 561,944; female 735,032) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.46% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 8.33 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.55 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 9.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71 years
male: 67.07 years
female: 75.12 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.17 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bulgarian(s)
adjective: Bulgarian
Ethnic divisions: Bulgarian 85.3%, Turk 8.5%, Gypsy 2.6%,
Macedonian 2.5%, Armenian 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, other 0.6%
Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 85%, Muslim 13%, Jewish 0.8%, Roman
Catholic 0.5%, Uniate Catholic 0.2%, Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian,
and other 0.5%
Languages: Bulgarian, secondary languages closely correspond to
ethnic breakdown
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria
conventional short form: Bulgaria
Data code: BU
Type of government: emerging democracy
Capital: Sofia
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (oblasti, singular -
oblast); Burgas, Grad Sofiya, Khaskovo, Lovech, Montana, Plovdiv,
Ruse, Sofiya, Varna
Independence: 22 September 1908 (from Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 March (1878)
Constitution: adopted 12 July 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system with Soviet law influence;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Zhelyu Mitev ZHELEV (since 1 August 1990,
when he was elected by the National Assembly); president and vice
president elected for five-year terms by popular vote; election last
held NA January 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - Zhelyu
ZHELEV elected by popular vote; Vice President (vacant)
head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime
Minister) Zhan VIDENOV (since 25 January 1995) appointed by the
president; Deputy Prime Ministers Doncho KONAKCHIEV (since 25
January 1995), Atanas PAPAKIZOV (since NA), Rumen GECHEV (since 25
January 1995), Svetoslav SHIVAROV (since 25 January 1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Narodno Sobranie): last held 18 December 1994
(next to be held NA 1997); results - BSP 43.5%, UDF 24.2%, PU 6.5%,
MRF 5.4%, BBB 4.7%; seats - (240 total) BSP 125, UDF 69, PU 18, MRF
15, BBB 13
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman appointed for a
seven-year term by the president; Constitutional Court, 12 justices
appointed or elected for a nine-year term
Political parties and leaders: Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP),
Zhan VIDENOV, chairman; Union of Democratic Forces (UDF - an
alliance of pro-Democratic parties), Ivan KOSTOV; People's Union
(PU), Stefan SAVOV; Movement for Rights and Freedoms (mainly ethnic
Turkish party) (MRF), Ahmed DOGAN; Bulgarian Business Bloc (BBB),
George GANCHEV
Other political or pressure groups: Democratic Alliance for the
Republic (DAR); New Union for Democracy (NUD); Ecoglasnost; Podkrepa
Labor Confederation; Fatherland Union; Bulgarian Communist Party
(BCP); Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (KNSB);
Bulgarian Agrarian National Union - United (BZNS); Bulgarian
Democratic Center; "Nikola Petkov" Bulgarian Agrarian National
Union; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Union of
Macedonian Societies (IMRO-UMS); numerous regional, ethnic, and
national interest groups with various agendas
International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC,
CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat (nonsignatory
user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OSCE,
PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOT, UPU, WEU
(associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant), ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Snezhana Damianova BOTUSHAROVA
chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-7969
FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
embassy: 1 Saborna Street, Sofia
mailing address: Unit 1335, APO AE 09213-1335
telephone: [359] (2) 88-48-01 through 05
FAX: [359] (2) 80-19-77
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red;
the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe
has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of
wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing
the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944
(liberation from Nazi control)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: One of the poorest countries of central Europe,
Bulgaria has continued the difficult process of moving from its old
command economy to a modern, market-oriented economy. GDP rose a
moderate 2.4% in 1995; inflation was down sharply; and unemployment
fell from an estimated 16% to 12%. Despite this progress, structural
reforms necessary to underpin macroeconomic stabilization were not
pursued vigorously. Mass privatization of state-owned industry
continued to move slowly, although privatization of small-scale
industry, particularly in the retail and service sectors,
accelerated. The Bulgarian economy will continue to grow in 1996,
but economic reforms will remain politically difficult as the
population has become weary of the process.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $43.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,920 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 36%
services: 52% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1995)
Labor force: 3.1 million
by occupation: industry 41%, agriculture 18%, other 41% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 11.9% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $3.8 billion
expenditures: $4.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)
Industries: machine building and metal working, food processing,
chemicals, textiles, construction materials, ferrous and nonferrous
metals
Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 11,500,000 kW
production: 38.1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 4,342 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: grain, oilseed, vegetables, fruits, tobacco; livestock
Illicit drugs: important transshipment point for Southwest Asian
heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine transiting
the Balkan route; limited producer of precursor chemicals
Exports: $4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: machinery and equipment 12.8%; agriculture and food
21.9%; textiles and apparel 14%; metals and ores 19.7%; chemicals
16.9%; minerals and fuels 9.3%
partners: former CEMA countries 35.7%; OECD 46.6% (EU 33.5%); Arab
countries 5.1%; other 12.6%
Imports: $4 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: fuels, minerals, and raw materials 30.1%; machinery and
equipment 23.6%; textiles and apparel 11.6%; agricultural products
10.8%; metals and ores 6.8%; chemicals 12.3%; other 4.8%
partners: former CEMA countries 40.3%; OECD 48.3% (EU 34.1%); Arab
countries 1.7%; other 9.7%
External debt: $10.4 billion (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $39 million (1993)
note: $700 million in balance of payments support from Western
nations (1994)
Currency: 1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki
Exchange rates: leva (Lv) per US$1 - 70.5 (December 1995), 54.2
(1994), 27.1 (1993), 23.3 (1992), 18.4 (1991); note - floating
exchange rate since February 1991
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 4,292 km
standard gauge: 4,047 km 1.435-m gauge (2,650 km electrified; 917
double track)
other: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 36,932 km
paved: 33,904 km (including 276 km of expressways)
unpaved: 3,028 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 470 km (1987)
Pipelines: crude oil 193 km; petroleum products 525 km; natural
gas 1,400 km (1992)
Ports: Burgas, Lom, Nesebur, Ruse, Varna, Vidin
Merchant marine:
total: 103 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,084,090
GRT/1,596,735 DWT
ships by type: bulk 45, cargo 27, chemical tanker 4, container 2,
oil tanker 13, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1
note: Bulgaria owns an additional 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 135,016 DWT operating under the registries of Liberia and
Malta (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 355
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 17
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10
with paved runways under 914 m: 88
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 226 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2,773,293 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: almost two-thirds of the lines are residential;
67% of Sofia households have telephones (November 1988 est.)
domestic: extensive but antiquated transmission system of coaxial
cable and microwave radio relay; telephone service is available in
most villages
international: direct dialing to 36 countries; satellite earth
stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region); Intelsat
available through a Greek earth station
Radio broadcast stations: AM 20, FM 15, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 29 (Russian repeater in Sofia 1)
Televisions: 2.1 million (May 1990 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Troops,
Internal Troops
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,155,332
males fit for military service: 1,797,318
males reach military age (19) annually: 64,568 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $352 million,
2.5% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Burkina Faso
------------
Map
---
Location: 13 00 N, 2 00 W -- Western Africa, north of Ghana
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green
with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular
pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 274,200 sq km
land area: 273,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Colorado
Land boundaries:
total: 3,192 km
border countries: Benin 306 km, Ghana 548 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km,
Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: following mutual acceptance of an
International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in December 1986 on
their international boundary dispute, Burkina Faso and Mali are
proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with
Niger
Climate: tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Terrain: mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in
west and southeast
lowest point: Black Volta River 200 m
highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m
Natural resources: manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of
gold, antimony, copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc,
silver
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 37%
forest and woodland: 26%
other: 27%
Irrigated land: 160 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: recent droughts and desertification severely
affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the
economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation
natural hazards: recurring droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification,
Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 10,623,323 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 2,569,806; female 2,537,106)
15-64 years: 49% (male 2,444,601; female 2,738,726)
65 years and over: 3% (male 145,479; female 187,605) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.53% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 47.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 19.99 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 117.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 43.21 years
male: 43.46 years
female: 42.95 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)
adjective: Burkinabe
Ethnic divisions: Mossi about 24%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo,
Mande, Fulani
Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly
Roman Catholic) 10%
Languages: French (official), tribal languages belonging to
Sudanic family, spoken by 90% of the population
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 19.2%
male: 29.5%
female: 9.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Burkina Faso
former: Upper Volta
Data code: UV
Type of government: parliamentary
Capital: Ouagadougou
Administrative divisions: 30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba,
Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Kadiogo,
Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi, Kouritenga, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri,
Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno,
Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Yatenga, Zoundweogo
Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 4 August (1983)
Constitution: 2 June 1991
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Captain Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October
1987) elected for a seven-year term by popular vote; election last
held NA December 1991 (next to be held NA 1998)
head of government: Prime Minister Roch KABORE (since NA March 1994)
appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Assembly of People's Deputies: elections last held 24 May 1992 (next
to be held NA 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(107 total), ODP-MT 78, CNPP-PSD 12, RDA 6, ADF 4, other 7
note: the current law also provides for a second consultative
chamber, which has not been formally constituted
Judicial branch: Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders: Organization for People's Democracy
- Labor Movement (ODP-MT), ruling party, Secretary General Simon
COMPAORE; National Convention of Progressive Patriots-Social
Democratic Party (CNPP-PSD), Moussa BOLY; African Democratic Rally
(RDA), Gerard Kango OUEDRAOGO; Alliance for Democracy and Federation
(ADF), Amadou Michel NANA
Other political or pressure groups: committees for the defense of
the revolution; watchdog/political action groups throughout the
country in both organizations and communities
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU,
NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gaetan R. OUEDRAOGO
chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577, 6895
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. MCCONNELL
embassy: Avenue Raoul Follerau, Ouagadougou
mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou
telephone: [226] 306723 through 306725
FAX: [226] 303890
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African
colors of Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic overview: One of the poorest countries in the world,
Burkina Faso has a high population density and a high population
growth rate, few natural resources, and a fragile soil. Economic
development is hindered by a poor communications network within a
landlocked country. Agriculture is mainly subsistence farming.
Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled
corporations. Following the Communaute Financiere Africaine currency
devaluation on 12 January 1994, exports appear to have risen, but no
official figures have been released yet. The upswing apparently
continued in 1995, with growth perhaps at 4%. The government has
updated its development program in conjunction with international
agencies, yet even with the best of plans, the government faces
formidable problems on all sides.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 32%
industry: 24%
services: 44% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: NA (most adults are employed in subsistence
agriculture)
by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry 15%, commerce, services,
and government 5%
note: 20% of male labor force migrates annually to neighboring
countries for seasonal employment (1984)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $483 million
expenditures: $548 million, including capital expenditures of $189
million (1992)
Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap,
cigarettes, textiles, gold
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 60,000 kW
production: 190 million kWh
consumption per capita: 17 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton, sorghum, millet,
corn, rice; livestock
Exports: $273 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: cotton, gold, animal products
partners: EC, Cote d'Ivoire, Taiwan, Thailand
Imports: $636 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: machinery, food products, petroleum
partners: EC, Africa, Japan
External debt: $1 billion (December 1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 622 km (1995 est.)
narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge (517 km Ouagadougou to Cote
d'Ivoire border and 105 km opened in 1993 from Ouagadougou to Kaya)
Highways:
total: 16,400 km
paved: 1,280 km
unpaved: 15,120 km (1987 est.)
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 23
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 8
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 21,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: all services only fair
domestic: microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone
communication stations
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 49,000 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police,
People's Militia
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,149,485
males fit for military service: 1,101,184 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $104 million,
6.4% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Burma
-----
Map
---
Location: 22 00 N, 98 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, bordering the
Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand
Flag
----
Description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side
corner bearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a
cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14
administrative divisions
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay
of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 N, 98 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 678,500 sq km
land area: 657,740 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,876 km
border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km,
Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km
Coastline: 1,930 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers
(southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall,
mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon,
December to April)
Terrain: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands
lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m
highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper,
tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones,
natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 15%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 49%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: 10,180 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil,
and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to
disease
natural hazards: destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and
landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic
droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea, Tropical
Timber 94
Geographic note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean
shipping lanes
People
------
Population: 45,975,625 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37% (male 8,637,102; female 8,308,282)
15-64 years: 59% (male 13,577,232; female 13,571,312)
65 years and over: 4% (male 853,403; female 1,028,294) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.84% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 30.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 80.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 56.14 years
male: 54.46 years
female: 57.92 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.83 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Burmese (singular and plural)
adjective: Burmese
Ethnic divisions: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%,
Chinese 3%, Mon 2%, Indian 2%, other 5%
Religions: Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic
1%), Muslim 4%, animist beliefs 1%, other 2%
Languages: Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 83.1%
male: 88.7%
female: 77.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Union of Burma
conventional short form: Burma
local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the
US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of
Myanmar)
local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw
former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma
Data code: BM
Type of government: military regime
Capital: Rangoon (regime refers to the capital as Yangon)
Administrative divisions: 7 divisions* (yin-mya, singular - yin)
and 7 states (pyine-mya, singular - pyine); Chin State, Ayeyarwady*,
Bago*, Kachin State, Kayin State, Kayah State, Magway*, Mandalay*,
Mon State, Rakhine State, Sagaing*, Shan State, Tanintharyi*, Yangon*
Independence: 4 January 1948 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 4 January (1948)
Constitution: 3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988);
national convention started on 9 January 1993 to draft a new
constitution; chapter headings and three of 15 sections have been
approved
Legal system: does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Prime Minister and Chairman
of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Gen. THAN SHWE (since
23 April 1992)
State Law and Order Restoration Council: military junta which
assumed power 18 September 1988
Legislative branch:
People's Assembly (Pyithu Hluttaw): election last held 27 May 1990,
but Assembly never convened; results - NLD 80%; seats - (485 total)
NLD 396, NUP 10, other 79
Judicial branch: limited; remnants of the British-era legal system
in place, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the
judiciary is not independent of the executive
Political parties and leaders: Union Solidarity and Development
Association (USDA; pro-regime), THAN AUNG, secretary; National Unity
Party (NUP), pro-regime, THA KYAW; National League for Democracy
(NLD), AUNG SAN SUU KYI, general secretary; and eight minor legal
parties
Other political or pressure groups: National Coalition Government
of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), headed by the elected prime minister
SEIN WIN - consists of individuals legitimately elected to the
People's Assembly but not recognized by the military regime; the
group fled to a border area and joined with insurgents in December
1990 to form a parallel government; Kachin Independence Army (KIA);
United Wa State Army (UWSA); Karen National Union (KNU); several
Shan factions, including the Mong Tai Army (MTA); All Burma Student
Democratic Front (ABSDF)
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Mekong Group,
NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador U THAUNG
chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-9044, 9045
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Marilyn A.
MEYERS
embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521)
mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546
telephone: [95] (1) 82055, 82182 (operator assistance required)
FAX: [95] (1) 80409
Flag: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
bearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel
containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14
administrative divisions
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Burma has a mixed economy with about 75%
private activity, mainly in agriculture, light industry, and
transport, and with about 25% state-controlled activity, mainly in
energy, heavy industry, and foreign trade. Government policy in the
last seven years, 1989-95, has aimed at revitalizing the economy
after three decades of tight central planning. Thus, private
activity has markedly increased; foreign investment has been
encouraged, so far with moderate success; and efforts continue to
increase the efficiency of state enterprises. Published estimates of
Burma's foreign trade are greatly understated because of the volume
of black market trade. A major ongoing problem is the failure to
achieve monetary and fiscal stability. Although Burma remains a poor
Asian country, its rich resources furnish the potential for
substantial long-term increases in income, exports, and living
standards.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $47 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 60%
industry: 10%
services: 30% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 38% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 16.007 million (1992)
by occupation: agriculture 65.2%, industry 14.3%, trade 10.1%,
government 6.3%, other 4.1% (FY88/89 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $5.3 billion
expenditures: $10 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: agricultural processing; textiles and footwear; wood
and wood products; petroleum refining; copper, tin, tungsten, iron;
construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer
Industrial production growth rate: 4.9% (FY92/93 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 845,000 kW
production: 3.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 46 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture: paddy rice, corn, oilseed, sugarcane, pulses; hardwood
Illicit drugs: world's largest illicit producer of opium (2,340
metric tons in 1995) and source for over 60% of US heroin imports;
minor producer of cannabis for the international drug trade;
Rangoon's antinarcotic programs hindered by lack of resources,
government commitment; growing role in methamphetamine production
for regional consumption
Exports: $879 million (FY94/95 est.)
commodities: pulses and beans, teak, rice, hardwood
partners: Singapore, China, Thailand, India, Hong Kong
Imports: $1.5 billion (FY94/95 est.)
commodities: machinery, transport equipment, construction materials,
food products, consumer goods
partners: Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia
External debt: $5.5 billion (FY94/95 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $61 million (1993)
Currency: 1 kyat (K) = 100 pyas
Exchange rates: kyats (K) per US$1 - 5.8475 (January 1996), 5.9170
(1995), 5.9749 (1994), 6.1570 (1993), 6.1045 (1992), 6.2837 (1991);
unofficial - 120
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,569 km
narrow gauge: 3,569 km 1.000-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 26,861 km
paved: 3,181 km
unpaved: 23,680 km (1988 est.)
Waterways: 12,800 km; 3,200 km navigable by large commercial
vessels
Pipelines: crude oil 1,343 km; natural gas 330 km
Ports: Bassein, Bhamo, Chauk, Mandalay, Moulmein, Myitkyina,
Rangoon, Akyab (Sittwe), Tavoy
Merchant marine:
total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 444,957 GRT/610,420 DWT
ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 15, chemical tanker 5, container 1,
oil tanker 3, passenger-cargo 3, vehicle carrier 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 74
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10
with paved runways under 914 m: 28
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 17 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 122,195 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: meets minimum requirements for local and
intercity service for business and government; international service
is good
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1985 est.)
note: radiobroadcast coverage is limited to the most populous areas
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 88,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 11,759,636
females age 15-49: 11,588,181
males fit for military service: 6,291,986
females fit for military service: 6,184,667
males reach military age (18) annually: 473,255
females reach military age (18) annually: 454,786 (1996 est.)
note: both sexes liable for military service
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $135 million, NA%
of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Burundi
-------
Map
---
Location: 3 30 S, 30 00 E -- Central Africa, east of Zaire
Flag
----
Description: divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels
(top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a
white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed
stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star
above, two stars below)
Geography
---------
Location: Central Africa, east of Zaire
Geographic coordinates: 3 30 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 27,830 sq km
land area: 25,650 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 974 km
border countries: Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km, Zaire 233 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; warm; occasional frost in uplands; dry season
from June to September
Terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east,
some plains
lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m
highest point: Mount Heha 2,760 m
Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat,
cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium
Land use:
arable land: 43%
permanent crops: 8%
meadows and pastures: 35%
forest and woodland: 2%
other: 12%
Irrigated land: 720 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the
expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little
forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for
fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
natural hazards: flooding, landslides
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species; signed, but
not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of
the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo
watershed
People
------
Population: 5,943,057 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 47% (male 1,404,375; female 1,398,228)
15-64 years: 50% (male 1,454,545; female 1,527,644)
65 years and over: 3% (male 62,955; female 95,310) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.54% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 43.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.15 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: in a number of waves since October 1993, hundreds of thousands
of refugees have fled the civil strife between the Hutu and Tutsi
factions in Burundi and crossed into Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zaire;
the refugee flows are continuing in 1996 as the ethnic violence
persists
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 102.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 49.33 years
male: 48.28 years
female: 50.42 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.55 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Burundian(s)
adjective: Burundi
Ethnic divisions:
Africans: Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%
non-Africans: Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000
Religions: Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%),
indigenous beliefs 32%, Muslim 1%
Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along
Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 35.3%
male: 49.3%
female: 22.5%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Burundi
conventional short form: Burundi
local long form: Republika y'u Burundi
local short form: Burundi
Data code: BY
Type of government: republic
Capital: Bujumbura
Administrative divisions: 15 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura,
Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo,
Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi
Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian
administration)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Constitution: 13 March 1992; provides for establishment of a
plural political system
Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil codes and
customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Sylvestre NTIBANTUNGANYA (acting president
from 8 April 1994 to 30 September 1994, president since 1 October
1994); note - NTIBANTUNGANYA, in his capacity as President of the
National Assembly, became acting president upon the death of
President Cyprien NTARYAMIRE in an airplane crash on 6 April 1994;
NTIBANTUNGANYA was sworn in on 1 October 1994 as president by the
"Convention on Government" to serve a four year transitional term
head of government: Prime Minister Antoine NDUWAYO (since February
1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): election last held 29 June
1993 (next to be held NA); results - FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%;
seats - (81 total) FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16; other parties won too
small shares of the vote to win seats in the assembly
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Unity for National Progress
(UPRONA); Burundi Democratic Front (FRODEBU); Organization of the
People of Burundi (RBP); Socialist Party of Burundi (PSB); People's
Reconciliation Party (PRP); opposition parties, legalized in March
1992, include Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation (ABASA);
Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development (RADDES);
and Party for National Redress (PARENA)
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO
(subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Severin NTAHOMVUKIYE
chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Charles YELLIN
embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
telephone: [257] (2) 23454
FAX: [257] (2) 22926
Flag: divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and
bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white
disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars
outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above,
two stars below)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country
in an early stage of economic development. The economy is
predominately agricultural with roughly 90% of the population
dependent on subsistence agriculture. Its economic health depends on
the coffee crop, which accounts for 80% of foreign exchange
earnings. The ability to pay for imports therefore rests largely on
the vagaries of the climate and the international coffee market. As
part of its economic reform agenda, launched in February 1991 with
IMF and World Bank support, Burundi is trying to diversify its
agricultural exports, attract foreign investment in industry, and
modernize government budgetary practices. Since October 1993 the
nation has suffered from massive ethnic-based violence which has
resulted in the death of perhaps 100,000 persons and the
displacement of a million others; production has fallen sharply, and
an impoverished and disorganized government can hardly implement
these needed reform programs.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 54.1%
industry: 16.8%
services: 29.1% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 1.9 million (1983 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 93.0%, government 4.0%, industry and
commerce 1.5%, services 1.5%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $318 million
expenditures: $326 million, including capital expenditures of $150
million (1991 est.)
Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap;
assembly of imported components; public works construction; food
processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 55,000 kW
production: 100 million kWh
consumption per capita: 20 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes,
bananas, manioc; meat, milk, hides
Exports: $68 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: coffee 81%, tea, cotton, hides
partners: EC 57%, US 19%, Asia 1%
Imports: $203 million (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: capital goods 31%, petroleum products 15%, foodstuffs,
consumer goods
partners: EC 45%, Asia 29%, US 2%
External debt: $1.05 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Burundi franc (FBu) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Burundi francs (FBu) per US$1 - 268.13 (November
1995), 252.66 (1994), 242.78 (1993), 208.30 (1992), 181.51 (1991),
171.26 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 14,473 km
paved: 1,028 km
unpaved: 13,445 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: Lake Tanganyika
Ports: Bujumbura
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 7,200 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: primitive system
domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications,
and low-capacity microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 4,500 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army (includes naval and air units), paramilitary
Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,312,458
males fit for military service: 683,073
males reach military age (16) annually: 67,990 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $25 million, 2.6%
of GDP (1993)
======================================================================
@Cambodia
--------
Map
---
Location: 13 00 N, 105 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, bordering the
Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand and Vietnam
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double
width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing
Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand,
between Thailand and Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 181,040 sq km
land area: 176,520 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Oklahoma
Land boundaries:
total: 2,572 km
border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
Coastline: 443 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: offshore islands and sections of the
boundary with Vietnam are in dispute; maritime boundary with Vietnam
not defined; parts of border with Thailand in dispute; maritime
boundary with Thailand not clearly defined
Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry
season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
Natural resources: timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese,
phosphates, hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land: 16%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 76%
other: 4%
Irrigated land: 920 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: logging activities throughout the country and strip
mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand
are resulting in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in
particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural
fisheries); deforestation; soil erosion; in rural areas, a majority
of the population does not have access to potable water
natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding;
occasional droughts
international agreements: party to - Marine Life Conservation, Ship
Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the
Mekong River and Tonle Sap
People
------
Population: 10,861,218 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 2,505,998; female 2,432,620)
15-64 years: 51% (male 2,579,986; female 3,007,838)
65 years and over: 4% (male 143,759; female 191,017) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.77% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 43.5 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.78 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.93 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 107.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 49.86 years
male: 48.39 years
female: 51.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.81 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Cambodian(s)
adjective: Cambodian
Ethnic divisions: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%
Religions: Theravada Buddhism 95%, other 5%
Languages: Khmer (official), French
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 35%
male: 48%
female: 22%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia
conventional short form: Cambodia
local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea
local short form: Kampuchea
Data code: CB
Type of government: multiparty liberal democracy under a
constitutional monarchy established in September 1993
Capital: Phnom Penh
Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (khett, singular and
plural); Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong
Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong,
Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Phnum Penh, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu
(Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab,
Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev
note: a new province of Otdar Mean Cheay may have been created from
parts of Banteay Mean Cheay and Siem Reab
Independence: 9 November 1949 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November 1949
Constitution: promulgated 21 September 1993
Legal system: currently being defined
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King Norodom SIHANOUK (reinstated 24 September 1993)
is a constitutional monarch
head of government: power shared between First Prime Minister Prince
Norodom RANARIDDH (since NA 1993) and Second Prime Minister HUN SEN
(since NA 1993) who were appointed by the king
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the king
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: members elected for five-year terms; elections
last held 23 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) FUNCINPEC 58, CPP 51,
Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party 10, Molinaka 1
note: the May 1993 elections were for the Constituent Assembly which
became the National Assembly after the new constitution was
promulgated in September 1993
Judicial branch: Supreme Court provided for by the constitution
has not yet been established and the future judicial system is yet
to be defined by law
Political parties and leaders: National United Front for an
Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia
(FUNCINPEC), Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH; Cambodian Pracheachon Party
or Cambodian People's Party (CPP), CHEA SIM; Buddhist Liberal
Democratic Party, SON SANN faction; Buddhist Liberal Democratic
Party, IENG MOULY faction; Democratic Kampuchea (DK, also known as
the Khmer Rouge), KHIEU SAMPHAN; Molinaka, PROM NEAKAREACH
International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, CP, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, PCA,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador VAR HUOTH
chancery: 4500 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742
FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth M. QUINN
embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh
mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546
telephone: [855] (23) 426436, 426438
FAX: [855] (23) 426437
Flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width),
and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat
outlined in black in the center of the red band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Cambodian economy - virtually destroyed by
decades of war - is slowly recovering. Government leaders are moving
toward restoring fiscal and monetary discipline and have established
good working relations with international financial institutions.
Growth, starting from a low base, has been strong in 1991-95.
Despite such positive developments, the reconstruction effort faces
many tough challenges because of the persistence of internal
political divisions and the related lack of confidence of foreign
investors. Rural Cambodia, where 90% of about 9.5 million Khmer
live, remains mired in poverty. The almost total lack of basic
infrastructure in the countryside will hinder development and will
contribute to a growing imbalance in growth between urban and rural
areas over the near term. Moreover, the government's lack of
experience in administering economic and technical assistance
programs and rampant corruption among officials will slow the growth
of critical public sector investment. The decline of inflation from
the 1992 rate of more than 50% is one of the bright spots.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $660 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 52%
industry: 13.5%
services: 34.5% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.5 million to 3 million
by occupation: agriculture 80% (1988 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $210 million
expenditures: $346 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber,
cement, gem mining
Industrial production growth rate: 7.9% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 40,000 kW
production: 160 million kWh
consumption per capita: 14 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables
Illicit drugs: key transshipment country for Golden Triangle
heroin en route to West; possibly becoming money-laundering center;
high-level narcotics-related corruption in government, military, and
police; possible small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine
production; large producer of cannabis
Exports: $240.7 million (1995 est.)
commodities: timber, rubber, soybeans, sesame
partners: Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia
Imports: $630.5 million (1995 est.)
commodities: cigarettes, construction materials, petroleum products,
machinery, motor vehicles
partners: Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia
External debt: $383 million to OECD members (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: IMF pledged $120 million in aid for 1995-98
Currency: 1 new riel (CR) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: riels (CR) per US$1 - 2,585 (December 1994), 2,470
(December 1993), 2,800 (September 1992), 500 (December 1991), 560
(1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 603 km
narrow gauge: 603 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 34,100 km
paved: 3,000 km
unpaved: 31,100 km (1994 est.)
Waterways: 3,700 km navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m; 282
km navigable to craft drawing 1.8 m
Ports: Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville), Kampot, Krong Kaoh Kong,
Phnom Penh
Merchant marine:
total: 5 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,451 GRT/18,280
DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 14
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 7,000 (1981 est.)
Telephone system: service barely adequate for government
requirements and virtually nonexistent for general public
domestic: NA
international: landline international service limited to Vietnam and
other adjacent countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik
(Indian Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 70,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches:
Khmer Royal Armed Forces (KRAF): created in 1993 by the merger of
the Cambodian People's Armed Forces and the two noncommunist
resistance armies; note - the KRAF is also known as the Royal
Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF)
Resistance forces: National Army of Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer
Rouge)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,336,606
males fit for military service: 1,302,234
males reach military age (18) annually: 79,514 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $85 million, 1.4%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Cameroon
--------
Map
---
Location: 6 00 N, 12 00 E -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side),
red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red
band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 N, 12 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 475,440 sq km
land area: 469,440 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,591 km
border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km,
Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690
km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 50 nm
International disputes: demarcation of international boundaries in
vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in
the past, is completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad,
Niger, and Nigeria; dispute with Nigeria over land and maritime
boundaries in the vicinity of the Bakasi Peninsula has been referred
to the International Court of Justice
Climate: varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to
semiarid and hot in north
Terrain: diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected
plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Fako 4,095 m
Natural resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber,
hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land: 13%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 54%
other: 13%
Irrigated land: 280 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: water-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestation;
overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing
natural hazards: recent volcanic activity with release of poisonous
gases
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical
Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Nuclear Test
Ban, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa
People
------
Population: 14,261,557 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 3,295,924; female 3,266,429)
15-64 years: 51% (male 3,602,037; female 3,627,625)
65 years and over: 3% (male 213,176; female 256,366) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.89% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.49 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 78.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.6 years
male: 51.55 years
female: 53.68 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.99 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Cameroonian(s)
adjective: Cameroonian
Ethnic divisions: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%,
Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%,
other African 13%, non-African less than 1%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 33%, Muslim 16%
Languages: 24 major African language groups, English (official),
French (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 63.4%
male: 75%
female: 52.1%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon
conventional short form: Cameroon
former: French Cameroon
Data code: CM
Type of government: unitary republic; multiparty presidential
regime (opposition parties legalized 1990)
Capital: Yaounde
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est,
Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest
Independence: 1 January 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French
administration)
National holiday: National Day, 20 May (1972)
Constitution: 20 May 1972
Legal system: based on French civil law system, with common law
influence; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) elected
for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 11
October 1992 (next to be held NA October 1997); results - President
Paul BIYA reelected with about 40% of the vote amid widespread
allegations of fraud; SDF candidate John FRU NDI got 36% of the
vote; UNDP candidate Bello Bouba MAIGARI got 19% of the vote
head of government: Prime Minister Simon ACHIDI ACHU (since 9 April
1992) appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 1 March
1992 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats (180 total) CPDM 88, UNDP 68, UPC 18, MDR 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Cameroon People's Democratic
Movement (CPDM) (government-controlled and the only party until
legalization of opposition parties in 1990), Paul BIYA, president
major opposition parties: National Union for Democracy and Progress
(UNDP); Social Democratic Front (SDF); Cameroonian Democratic Union
(UDC); Union of Cameroonian Populations (UPC); Movement for the
Defense of the Republic (MDR)
Other political or pressure groups: Alliance for Change (FAC),
Cameroon Anglophone Movement (CAM)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,
CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA
chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 through 8794
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Charles H. TWINING
embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde
mailing address: B. P. 817, Yaounde
telephone: [237] 23-40-14, 23-05-12
FAX: [237] 23-07-53
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and
yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band;
uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Because of its offshore oil resources and
favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the
best-endowed, most diversified primary commodity economies in
sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems
facing other underdeveloped countries, such as political
instability, a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavorable
climate for business enterprise. The development of the oil sector
led to rapid economic growth between 1970 and 1985. Growth came to
an abrupt halt in 1986, precipitated by steep declines in the prices
of major exports: coffee, cocoa, and petroleum. Export earnings were
cut by almost one-third, and inefficiencies in fiscal management
were exposed. In 1990-93, with support from the IMF and World Bank,
the government began to introduce reforms designed to spur business
investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, and recapitalize the
nation's banks. Political instability, following suspect elections
in 1992, brought IMF/WB structural adjustment to a halt; currently
Cameroon receives only minimal assistance from those Bretton Woods
institutions. Although the 50% devaluation of the currency of 12
January 1994 improved the potential for export growth, mismanagement
remains the main barrier to economic improvement. The devaluation
led to a spurt in inflation, to 48% in 1994, but inflation moderated
in 1995. Progress toward privatization of remaining state industry
remains slow.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 29%
industry: 24%
services: 47% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 48% (1994)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: agriculture 74.4%, industry and transport 11.4%,
other services 14.2% (1983)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.6 billion
expenditures: $2.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $226
million (FY92/93 est.)
Industries: petroleum production and refining, food processing,
light consumer goods, textiles, lumber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 630,000 kW
production: 2.7 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 196 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed,
grains, root starches; livestock; timber
Exports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, aluminum,
cocoa beans, coffee, cotton
partners: EU (particularly France) about 50%, African countries, US
Imports: $810 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: machines and electrical equipment, food, consumer
goods, transport equipment, petroleum products
partners: EU (France 38%, Germany), African countries, Japan 5%, US
5%
External debt: $6.6 billion (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $449 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,104 km (1995 est.)
narrow gauge: 1,104 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 64,626 km
paved: 2,666 km
unpaved: 61,960 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 2,090 km; of decreasing importance
Ports: Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko
Merchant marine:
total: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,122 GRT/33,509
DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 45
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 13
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 15 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 36,737 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: available only to business and government
domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 11, FM 11, shortwave 0
Radios: 2 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1995)
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air Force,
National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,112,339
males fit for military service: 1,572,150
males reach military age (18) annually: 151,300 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $102 million, NA%
of GDP (FY93/94)
======================================================================
@Canada
------
Map
---
Location: 60 00 N, 95 00 W -- Northern North America, bordering
the North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean, north of the
conterminous US
Flag
----
Description: three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white
(double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in
the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic
Ocean and North Pacific Ocean, north of the conterminous US
Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 95 00 W
Map references: North America
Area:
total area: 9,976,140 sq km
land area: 9,220,970 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than US
Land boundaries:
total: 8,893 km
border country: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
Coastline: 243,791 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary disputes with the US;
Saint Pierre and Miquelon is focus of maritime boundary dispute
between Canada and France
Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in
north
Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in
southeast
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Logan 5,950 m
Natural resources: nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum,
potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 45%
other: 43%
Irrigated land: 8,400 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain severely
affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning
utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and
forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to
agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities
natural hazards: continuous permafrost in north is a serious
obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky
Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic,
Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the
country's rain and snow
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified -
Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: second-largest country in world (after Russia);
strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route;
nearly 90% of the population is concentrated within 161 km of the
US/Canada border
People
------
Population: 28,820,671 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 3,032,458; female 2,889,603)
15-64 years: 67% (male 9,663,955; female 9,660,648)
65 years and over: 12% (male 1,501,542; female 2,072,465) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.06% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.33 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.17 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.07 years
male: 75.67 years
female: 82.65 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Canadian(s)
adjective: Canadian
Ethnic divisions: British Isles origin 40%, French origin 27%,
other European 20%, indigenous Indian and Eskimo 1.5%, other, mostly
Asian 11.5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 45%, United Church 12%, Anglican 8%,
other 35% (1991)
Languages: English (official), French (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1986 est.)
total population: 97%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Canada
Data code: CA
Type of government: confederation with parliamentary democracy
Capital: Ottawa
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 2 territories*;
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland,
Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island,
Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*
Independence: 1 July 1867 (from UK)
National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Constitution: amended British North America Act 1867 patriated to
Canada 17 April 1982; charter of rights and unwritten customs
Legal system: based on English common law, except in Quebec, where
civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Romeo LeBLANC
(since 8 February 1995), who was appointed by the queen
head of government: Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November
1993) was appointed by the governor general; on 25 October 1993;
Deputy Prime Minister Sheila COPPS (since NA); note - the prime
minister is the leader of the political party commanding a majority
in the House of Commons
cabinet: Federal Ministry was chosen by the prime minister from
members of his own party sitting in Parliament
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement)
Senate (Senat): consisting of a body whose members are appointed to
serve until 75 years of age by the governor general and selected on
the advice of the prime minister; its normal limit is 104 senators
House of Commons (Chambre des Communes): elections last held 25
October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998); results - percent
of votes by party NA; seats - (295 total) Liberal Party 179, Bloc
Quebecois 53, Reform Party 52, New Democratic Party 8, Progressive
Conservative Party 2, independents 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party, Jean CHRETIEN; Bloc
Quebecois, Michel GAUTHIER; Reform Party, Preston MANNING; New
Democratic Party, Alexa MCDONOUGH; Progressive Conservative Party,
Jean CHAREST
International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AG
(observer), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB
(non-regional), EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G-
7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD,
OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond A. J. CHRETIEN
chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740
FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas,
Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle
consulate(s): Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, Princeton, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and San
Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
embassy: 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa
mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430
telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470
FAX: [1] (613) 238-5720
consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto,
and Vancouver
Flag: three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double
width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white
band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: As an affluent, high-tech industrial society,
Canada today closely resembles the US in per capita output,
market-oriented economic system, and pattern of production. Since
World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining,
and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural
economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada started the
1990s in recession, and real rates of growth have averaged only 1.1%
so far this decade. Because of slower growth, Canada still faces
high unemployment and a large public sector debt. With its great
natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant,
however, Canada will enjoy better economic prospects in the future.
The continuing constitutional impasse between English- and
French-speaking areas is raising the possibility of a split in the
confederation, making foreign investors somewhat edgy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $694 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $24,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 26%
services: 72% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 13.38 million
by occupation: services 75%, manufacturing 14%, agriculture 4%,
construction 3%, other 4% (1988)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $90.4 billion
expenditures: $114.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95 est.)
Industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products,
wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish
products, petroleum and natural gas
Industrial production growth rate: 5.9% (1994)
Electricity:
capacity: 108,090,000 kW
production: 511 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 16,133 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables;
dairy products; forest products; commercial fisheries provide annual
catch of 1.5 million metric tons, of which 75% is exported
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug
market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large
quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; growing role as a
transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market
Exports: $185 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum,
machinery, natural gas, aluminum, motor vehicles and parts;
telecommunications equipment
partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China
Imports: $166.7 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable
consumer goods, electronic computers; telecommunications equipment
and parts
partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea
External debt: $233 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $2.373 billion (1993)
note: ODA and OOF commitments, $10.1 billion (1986-91)
Currency: 1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1 - 1.3666 (January
1996), 1.3724 (1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992),
1.1457 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 70,176 km; note - there are two major transcontinental
freight railway systems: Canadian National (privatized November
1995) and Canadian Pacific Railway; passenger service provided by
government-operated firm VIA, which has no trackage of its own
standard gauge: 70,000 km 1.435-m gauge (63 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 176 km 0.914-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 849,404 km
paved: 297,291 km (including 15,983 km of expressways)
unpaved: 552,113 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 3,000 km, including Saint Lawrence Seaway
Pipelines: crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km
Ports: Becancour (Quebec), Churchill, Halifax, Montreal, New
Westminister, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick),
Saint John's (Newfoundland), Seven Islands, Sydney, Three Rivers,
Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor
Merchant marine:
total: 62 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 573,089 GRT/804,436 DWT
ships by type: bulk 17, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, oil tanker 15,
passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 7, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 2
note: does not include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakes
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1,138
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 17
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 136
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 226
with paved runways under 914 m: 422
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 53
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 269 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 14 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 15.3 million (1990)
Telephone system: excellent service provided by modern technology
domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations
international: 5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations
- 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2
Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 900, FM 29, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 70 (repeaters 1,400) (1991)
Televisions: 11.53 million (1983 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Canadian Armed Forces (includes Land Forces Command or
LC, Maritime Command or MC, Air Command or AC, Communications
Command or CC, Training Command or TC), Royal Canadian Mounted
Police (RCMP)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 7,645,245
males fit for military service: 6,575,057
males reach military age (17) annually: 197,688 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9.0 billion,
1.6% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Cape Verde
----------
Map
---
Location: 16 00 N, 24 00 W -- Western Africa, group of Islands in
the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double
width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third),
and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered
on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and
lower blue bands
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, group of Islands in the North Atlantic
Ocean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 4,030 sq km
land area: 4,030 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and
very erratic
Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico 2,829 m
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzolana, limestone,
kaolin, fish
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 85%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such
as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion;
demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation;
desertification; environmental damage has threatened several
indigenous species of birds and reptiles; overfishing
natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure
visibility; volcanically and seismically active
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of
Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications
station; important sea and air refueling site
People
------
Population: 449,066 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 50% (male 114,206; female 110,276)
15-64 years: 46% (male 90,593; female 117,485)
65 years and over: 4% (male 6,450; female 10,056) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.93% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.29 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 54.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.39 years
male: 61.47 years
female: 65.41 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.12 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Cape Verdean(s)
adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic divisions: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs
Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West
African words
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 71.6%
male: 81.4%
female: 63.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde
conventional short form: Cape Verde
local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form: Cabo Verde
Data code: CV
Type of government: republic
Capital: Praia
Administrative divisions: 14 districts (concelhos, singular -
concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo,
Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Nicolau, Sao
Vicente, Tarrafal
Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 September 1992
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (since 22
March 1991) elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;
election last held 18 February 1996 (next to be held NA February
2001); results - Antonio Monteiro MASCARENHAS (independent) received
80.1% of vote
head of government: Prime Minister Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho
VEIGA (since 13 January 1991) nominated by the People'sNational
Assembly and appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by prime minister from
members of the Peoples National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
People's National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular): elections
last held 17 December 1995 (next to be held NA); results - MPD 59%,
PAICV 28%, PCD 6%; seats - (72 total) MPD 50, PAICV 21, PCD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de
Justia)
Political parties and leaders: Movement for Democracy (MPD), Prime
Minister Carlos VEIGA, founder and chairman; African Party for
Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES,
chairman; Party for Democratic Convergence (PCD)
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM,
OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alberto Santos SILVA-CARLOS
chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820
FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207
consulate(s) general: Boston
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph M. SEGARS
embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia
mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia
telephone: [238] 61 56 16
FAX: [238] 61 13 55
Flag: three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width),
white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light
blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the
hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower
blue bands
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor
natural resource base, serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles
of long-term drought, and a high birthrate. The economy is service
oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting
for 60% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural
areas, the share of agriculture in GNP is only 13%, of which fishing
accounts for 4%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing
potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape
Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by remittances
from emigrants and foreign aid, which form important supplements to
GDP. Economic reforms, launched by the new democratic government in
1991, are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting
foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 1996
depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the
momentum of the government's development program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $440 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.6% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,040 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 17%
services: 70% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 102,000 (1985 est.)
by occupation: agriculture (mostly subsistence) 57%, services 29%,
industry 14% (1981)
Unemployment rate: 35% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $174 million
expenditures: $235 million, including capital expenditures of $165
million (1993 est.)
Industries: fish processing, salt mining, garments, ship repair,
food and beverages
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 15,000 kW
production: 40 million kWh
consumption per capita: 73 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane,
coffee, peanuts; fish
Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for
illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for
Western Europe
Exports: $4.4 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities: fish, bananas
partners: Netherlands, Portugal, Angola, Spain
Imports: $173 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products,
transport equipment
partners: Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Brazil, France,
Cote d'Ivoire
External debt: $156 million (1991)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 77.860
(December 1995), 76.853 (1995), 81.891 (1994), 80.427 (1993), 68.018
(1992), 71.408 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,100 km
paved: 680 km
unpaved: 420 km (1992 est.)
Ports: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
Merchant marine: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1 (1995 est.)
total: 4 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,632 GRT/8,872 DWT
Airports:
total: 6
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,740 (1987 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system
international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to
Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP; includes Army
and Navy), Security Service
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 84,003
males fit for military service: 48,885 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.4 million, NA%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Cayman Islands
--------------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 19 30 N, 80 30 W -- Caribbean, island group in Caribbean
Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
Flag
----
Description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on
the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple
and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three
islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH
FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly
one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 260 sq km
land area: 260 sq km
comparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 160 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and
cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff 43 m
Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 8%
forest and woodland: 23%
other: 69%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: no natural fresh water resources, drinking water
supplies must be met by rainwater catchment
natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: important location between Cuba and Central
America
People
------
Population: 34,646 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 4.27% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.52 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.1 years
male: 75.37 years
female: 78.81 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic divisions: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of
various ethnic groups 20%
Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational),
Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant
denominations
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Data code: CJ
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: George Town
Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland,
South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July)
Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992
Legal system: British common law and local statutes
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council
John OWEN (since 15 September 1995)
cabinet: Executive Council - three members are appointed by the
governor, four members are elected by the Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly: election last held 18 November 1992 (next to
be held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (15 total, 12 elected) independents 12
Judicial branch: Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB,
Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on
the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple
and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three
islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH
FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Economy
-------
Economic overview: With no direct taxation, the Islands are a
thriving offshore financial center. Tourism is also a mainstay,
accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency
earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and
caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals
exceeded one million visitors in 1995 for the first time. About 90%
of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The
Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of
the highest standards of living in the world.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $750 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $22,500 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 3.2%
services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 8,061
by occupation: service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction
12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers
5.9% (1979)
Unemployment rate: 7% (1992)
Budget:
revenues: $141.5 million
expenditures: $160.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1991)
Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction,
construction materials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 80,000 kW
production: 230 million kWh
consumption per capita: 6,899 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Illicit drugs: a major money-laundering center for illicit drug
profits; transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and
Europe
Exports: $10 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
partners: mostly US
Imports: $312 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods
partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan
External debt: $15 million (1986)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 0.83 (18
November 1993), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 406 km
paved: 304 km
unpaved: 102 km
Ports: Cayman Brac, George Town
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 283,734 GRT/432,610 DWT
ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 1, oil
tanker 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4
note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 1 ship, India 1,
Norway 1, US 3, Sweden 1, and UAE 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 21,584 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station -
1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,200 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Central African Republic
------------------------
Map
---
Location: 7 00 N, 21 00 E -- Central Africa, north of Zaire
Flag
----
Description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a
yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
Geography
---------
Location: Central Africa, north of Zaire
Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 622,980 sq km
land area: 622,980 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,203 km
border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Congo 467 km,
Sudan 1,165 km, Zaire 1,577 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered
hills in northeast and southwest
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m
highest point: Mount Gaou 1,420 m
Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 64%
other: 28%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished
reputation as one of last great wildlife refuges; desertification
natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern
areas; floods are common
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
People
------
Population: 3,274,426 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 724,914; female 718,423)
15-64 years: 52% (male 839,118; female 877,069)
65 years and over: 4% (male 53,418; female 61,484) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.08% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 39.97 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.64 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 111.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 45.86 years
male: 45.03 years
female: 46.71 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.41 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Central African(s)
adjective: Central African
Ethnic divisions: Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%,
Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 3,600 French)
Religions: indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic
25%, Muslim 15%, other 11%
note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the
Christian majority
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national
language), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 60%
male: 68.5%
female: 52.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Central African Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form: none
former: Central African Empire
abbreviation: CAR
Data code: CT
Type of government: republic;
Capital: Bangui
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular -
prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques,
singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**;
Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto,
Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou,
Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*,
Vakaga
Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of
the republic)
Constitution: passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7
January 1995
Legal system: based on French law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ange PATASSE (since 22 October 1993)
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 19 September 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - PATASSE
received 52.45% of the votes and Abel GOUMBA received 45.62%
head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE (since 6 June
1996); appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 19
September 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (85 total) MLPC 33, RDC 14, PLD 7, ADP 6, PSD 3,
others 22
note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional
Council (Conseil Economique et Regional); when they sit together
they are called the Congress (Congres)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), judges appointed by
the president; Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the
president
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress
(ADP), Tchapka BREDE; Central African Democratic Assembly (RDC),
Andre KOLINGBA; Civic Forum (FC), Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA; Liberal
Democratic Party (PLD), Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON; Movement for the
Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), the party of the
president, Ange Felix PATASSE; Movement for Democracy and
Development (MDD), David DACKO; Marginal Movement for Democracy,
Renaissance and Evolution (MDREC), Joseph BENDOUNGA; Patriotic Front
for Progress (FFP), Abel GOUMBA; Social Democratic Party (PSD),
Enoch Derant LAKOUE
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,
CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Henri KOBA
chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800, 7801
FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mosina H. JORDAN
embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone: [236] 61 02 00, 61 25 78, 61 02 10
FAX: [236] 61 44 94
Flag: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and
yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow
five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with
forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African
Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in
outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP.
Timber has accounted for about 13% of export earnings and the
diamond industry for nearly 80%. Important constraints to economic
development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor
transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy
of misdirected macroeconomic policies. A major plus is the large
forest reserves, which the government is moving to protect from
overexploitation. The 50% devaluation of the currencies of 14
Francophone African nations on 12 January 1994 had mixed effects on
the CAR's economy. While diamond, timber, coffee, and cotton exports
increased - leading GDP to increase by 5.5% - inflation rose to 45%,
fueled by the rising prices of imports on which the economy depends;
inflation dropped back rapidly in 1995. The CAR's poor resource base
and primitive infrastructure will keep it dependent on multilateral
donors and France for the foreseeable future.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 50%
industry: 14%
services: 36% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 45% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 775,413 (1986 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 85%, commerce and services 9%, industry
3%, government 3%
note: about 64,000 salaried workers (1985)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles,
footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 40,000 kW
production: 100 million kWh
consumption per capita: 29 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams,
millet, corn, bananas; timber
Exports: $154 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
partners: France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, US, Spain, Iran
Imports: $215 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery,
electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals,
consumer goods, industrial products
partners: France, other EC countries, Japan, Algeria, Cameroon,
Namibia
External debt: $904.3 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 23,738 km
paved: 427 km
unpaved: 23,311 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of
shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river
Ports: Bangui, Nola
Airports:
total: 48
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 11
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 24 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 16,867 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: fair system
domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and
low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 7,500 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Central African Army (includes Republican Guard), Air
Force, National Gendarmerie, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 737,330
males fit for military service: 384,134 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 2.3%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Chad
----
Map
---
Location: 15 00 N, 19 00 E -- Central Africa, south of Libya
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side),
yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the
flag of Andorra, which has a national coat of arms featuring a
quartered shield centered in the yellow band; design was based on
the flag of France
Geography
---------
Location: Central Africa, south of Libya
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 19 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1.284 million sq km
land area: 1,259,200 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of
California
Land boundaries:
total: 5,968 km
border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197
km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
ruled in February 1994 that the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between
Chad and Libya belongs to Chad and that Libya must withdraw from it
by 31 May 1994; Libya has withdrawn some of its forces in response
to the ICJ ruling, but still maintains part of the airfield and a
small military presence at the airfield's water supply located in
Chad; demarcation of international boundaries in vicinity of Lake
Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is
completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and
Nigeria
Climate: tropical in south, desert in north
Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains
in northwest, lowlands in south
lowest point: Djourab Depression 175 m
highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m
Natural resources: petroleum (unexploited but exploration under
way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 36%
forest and woodland: 11%
other: 51%
Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste
disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution;
desertification
natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north;
periodic droughts; locust plagues
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping
Geographic note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant
water body in the Sahel
People
------
Population: 6,976,845 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 1,543,688; female 1,535,729)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,807,361; female 1,881,930)
65 years and over: 3% (male 91,998; female 116,139) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.68% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.25 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.44 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 120.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.55 years
male: 45.18 years
female: 50.01 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.84 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Chadian(s)
adjective: Chadian
Ethnic divisions: nonindigenous 150,000, of whom 1,000 are French
north and center: Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko,
Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba)
south: non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang,
Moussei, Massa)
Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs (mostly
animism) 25%
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara and Sango
(in south), more than 100 different languages and dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in French or Arabic
(1995 est.)
total population: 48.1%
male: 62.1%
female: 34.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Chad
conventional short form: Chad
local long form: Republique du Tchad
local short form: Tchad
Data code: CD
Type of government: republic
Capital: N'Djamena
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular -
prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi,
Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi,
Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile
Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 11 August (1960)
Constitution: 31 March 1995, passed by referendum
Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian
customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December
1990, after seizing power on 3 December 1990); note - transitional
government's mandate was scheduled to expire in May 1996; the first
round of presidential elections was scheduled for 2 June 1996, with
a runoff on 23 June if necessary
head of government: Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA (since 9 April
1995) elected by the Sovereign National Conference
cabinet: Council of State appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Higher Transitional Council (Conseil Superieur de Transition:
popular elections to the former National Consultative Council
(Conceil National Consultatif) were last held 8 July 1990; this body
was disbanded on 3 December 1990 by President DEBY and on 8 March
1991 replaced with the Provisional Council of the Republic having 30
members whom he appointed; this body, in turn, was replaced on 6
April 1993 by a 57-member Higher Transitional Council (Conseil
Superieur de Transition) elected by a specially convened Sovereign
National Conference; popular elections, formerly scheduled for April
1995, were initially postponed by mutual agreement of the parties
concerned until at least May 1996 and subsequently postponed until
after the rainy season (as late as October 1996); note - the name of
the anticipated new legislative body has not been announced
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS),
former dissident group, Idriss DEBY, chairman
note: President DEBY, who promised political pluralism, a new
constitution, and free elections by April 1994, subsequently twice
postponed these initiatives; there are numerous dissident groups and
at least 45 opposition political parties
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,
CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UDEAC,
UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Saleh AHMAT
chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Laurence E. POPE II
embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena
mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena
telephone: [235] (51) 70-09, (51) 90-52, (51) 92-33
FAX: [235] (51) 56-54
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flag of
Andorra, which has a national coat of arms featuring a quartered
shield centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of
France
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Climate, geographic remoteness, poor resource
endowment, and lack of infrastructure make Chad one of the most
underdeveloped countries in the world. Its economy is hobbled by
political turmoil, drought, and food shortages. Consequently the
economy has shown little progress in recent years in overcoming a
severe setback brought on by civil war in the late 1980s. More than
80% of the work force is involved in subsistence farming and
fishing. Cotton is the major cash crop, accounting for at least half
of exports. Chad is highly dependent on foreign aid, especially food
credits, given chronic shortages in several regions. Of all the
Francophone countries in Africa, Chad has benefited the least from
the 50% devaluation of their currencies on 12 January 1994. Despite
an increase in external financial aid and favorable price increases
for cotton - the primary source of foreign exchange - the corrupt
and enfeebled government bureaucracy continues to postpone payment
of public sector salaries and to dampen economic enterprise by
neglecting payments to domestic suppliers. The devaluation resulted
in stepped-up inflation of 41% in 1994; in contrast to other
Francophone countries, Chad continued to suffer high inflation in
1995 because of the government's lack of financial discipline. Oil
production in the Lake Chad area remains a distant prospect and the
subsistence-driven economy probably will continue to limp along in
the near term.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 49%
industry: 17%
services: 34%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 41% (1994 est.)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: agriculture 85% (subsistence farming, herding, and
fishing)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $120 million
expenditures: $363 million, including capital expenditures of $104
million (1992 est.)
Industries: cotton textiles, meat packing, beer brewing, natron
(sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 40,000 kW
production: 80 million kWh
consumption per capita: 13 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes,
manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels
Exports: $132 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: cotton, cattle, textiles, fish
partners: France, Nigeria, Cameroon, Zaire, Sudan, Central African
Republic
Imports: $201 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrial
goods 20%, petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; textiles; note -
excludes military equipment
partners: US, France, Nigeria, Cameroon, Italy, Germany
External debt: $757 million (December 1993 )
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA Francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 31,141 km
paved: 32 km
unpaved: 31,109 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 2,000 km navigable
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 47
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 11
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 18 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 5,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: primitive system
domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
note: limited TV service; many facilities are inoperative
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, and
Gendarmerie), Republican Guard, Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,562,052
males fit for military service: 809,210
males reach military age (20) annually: 63,254 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $74 million,
11.1% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Chile
-----
Map
---
Location: 30 00 S, 71 00 W -- Southern South America, bordering
the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina
and Peru
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red;
there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the
hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white
five-pointed star in the center; design was based on the US flag
Geography
---------
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic
Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Geographic coordinates: 30 00 S, 71 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 756,950 sq km
land area: 748,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
note: includes Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) and Isla Sala y Gomez
Land boundaries:
total: 6,171 km
border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km
Coastline: 6,435 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: short section of the southern boundary
with Argentina is indefinite; Bolivia has wanted a sovereign
corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost
to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights;
territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory)
partially overlaps Argentine and British claims
Climate: temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south
Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged
Andes in east
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,962 m
Natural resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious
metals, molybdenum
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 16%
forest and woodland: 21%
other: 56%
Irrigated land: 12,650 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions;
water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation contributing to loss
of biodiversity; soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards: severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location relative to sea lanes between
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel,
Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions
People
------
Population: 14,333,258 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29% (male 2,071,816; female 2,041,417)
15-64 years: 65% (male 4,599,173; female 4,651,030)
65 years and over: 6% (male 403,019; female 566,803) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.24% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 18.09 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 13.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.49 years
male: 71.26 years
female: 77.72 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.23 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Chilean(s)
adjective: Chilean
Ethnic divisions: European and European-Indian 95%, Indian 3%,
other 2%
Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 95.2%
male: 95.4%
female: 95%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Chile
conventional short form: Chile
local long form: Republica de Chile
local short form: Chile
Data code: CI
Type of government: republic
Capital: Santiago
Administrative divisions: 13 regions (regiones, singular -
region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta,
Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo
O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule,
Region Metropolitana, Tarapaca, Valparaiso
note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
Constitution: 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended
30 July 1989
Legal system: based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and
subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial
review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; does not accept
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Eduardo FREI
Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994) elected for a four-year term by
popular vote; election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held
NA December 1997); results - Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (PDC) 58%,
Arturo ALESSANDRI 24.4%, other 17.6%
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate (Senado): election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be
held NA December 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (46 total, 38 elected) Coalition of Parties for Democracy 21 (PDC
13, PS 4, PPD 3, PR 1), Union for the Progress of Chile 15 (RN 11,
UDI 3, UCC 1), right-wing independents 10
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): election last held 11
December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1997); results -
Coalition of Parties for Democracy 53.95% (PDC 27.16%, PS 12.01%,
PPD 11.82%, PR 2.96%), Union for the Progress of Chile 30.57% (RN
15.25%, UDI 12.13%, UCC 3.19%); seats - (120 total) Coalition of
Parties for Democracy 70 (PDC 37, PPD 15, PR 2, PS 15, left-wing
independent 1), Union for the Progress of Chile 47 (RN 30, UDI 15,
UCC 2), right-wing independents 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are
appointed by the president, the president of the Supreme Court is
elected by the 17-member court
Political parties and leaders: Coalition of Parties for Democracy
(CPD) consists mainly of: Christian Democratic Party (PDC),
Alejandro FOXLEY; Socialist Party (PS), Camilo ESCALONA; Party for
Democracy (PPD), Jorge SCHAULSOHN, Radical Party (PR); Union for the
Progress of Chile (UPP) consists mainly of three parties: National
Renewal (RN), Andres ALLAMAND; Independent Democratic Union (UDI),
Jovino NOVOA; Center Center Union (UCCP), Francisco Javier ERRAZURIZ
Other political or pressure groups: revitalized university student
federations at all major universities; labor - United Labor Central
(CUT) includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor
confederations; Roman Catholic Church
International organization participation: APEC, CCC, ECLAC, FAO,
G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate member), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA,
RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John BIEHL del Rio
chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746
FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gabriel GUERRA-MONDRAGON
embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Santiago
mailing address: use street address
telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600
FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is
a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side
end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in
the center; design was based on the US flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Chile has a prosperous, essentially free market
economy, with the degree of government intervention varying
according to the philosophy of the different regimes. Under the
center-left government of President AYLWIN, which took power in
March 1990, spending on social welfare rose steadily. At the same
time business investment, exports, and consumer spending also grew
substantially. The new president, FREI, who took office in March
1994, has emphasized social spending even more. Growth in real GDP
in 1991-95 has averaged more than 6.5% annually, with an estimated
one million Chileans having moved out of poverty in the last four
years. Copper remains vital to the health of the economy; Chile is
the world's largest producer and exporter of copper. Success in
meeting the government's goal of sustained annual economic growth of
5% depends on world copper prices, the level of confidence of
foreign investors and creditors, and the government's own ability to
maintain a conservative fiscal stance.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $113.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 8.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $8,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.4%
industry: 36.4%
services: 56.2% (1985)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 4.728 million
by occupation: services 38.3% (includes government 12%), industry
and commerce 33.8%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 19.2%, mining
2.3%, construction 6.4% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 5.4% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $17 billion
expenditures: $17 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing,
iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement,
textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 4.3% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 4,810,000 kW
production: 22 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,499 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes,
fruit; beef, poultry, wool; timber; 1991 fish catch of 6.6 million
metric tons
Illicit drugs: a minor transshipment country for cocaine destined
for the US and Europe; booming economy has made it more attractive
to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits
Exports: $15.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: copper 41%, other metals and minerals 8.7%, wood
products 7.1%, fish and fishmeal 9.8%, fruits 8.4% (1991)
partners: EU 25%, US 15%, Asia 34%, Latin America 20% (1995 est.)
Imports: $14.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials
15.4%, petroleum 10%, foodstuffs 5.7%
partners: EU 18%, US 25%, Asia 16%, Latin America 26% (1995 est.)
External debt: $21.1 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $62 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 408.64 (December
1995), 396.78 (1995), 420.08 (1994), 404.35 (1993), 362.59 (1992),
349.37 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 6,782 km
broad gauge: 3,743 km 1.676-m gauge (1,653 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 116 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,923 km 1.000-m gauge (40 km
electrified) (1995)
Highways:
total: 79,593 km
paved: 10,984 km
unpaved: 68,609 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 725 km
Pipelines: crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural
gas 320 km
Ports: Antofagasta, Arica, Chanarol, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto
Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso
Merchant marine:
total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 529,512 GRT/925,364 DWT
ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 8, chemical tanker 4, combination
ore/oil 2, container 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 4,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, vehicle carrier 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 344
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 17
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 16
with paved runways under 914 m: 220
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 68 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.5 million (1994 est.)
Telephone system: modern system based on extensive microwave radio
relay facilities
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite
system with 3 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 159, FM 0, shortwave 11
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 131
Televisions: 2.85 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army of the Nation, National Navy (includes Naval Air,
Coast Guard, and Marines), Air Force of the Nation, Carabineros of
Chile (National Police), Investigations Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,808,655
males fit for military service: 2,832,198
males reach military age (19) annually: 123,443 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $970 million,
2.0% of GDP (1994 est.)
======================================================================
@China
-----
(also see separate Taiwan entry)
Map
---
Location: 35 00 N, 105 00 E -- Eastern Asia, bordering the East
China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North
Korea and Vietnam
Flag
----
Description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four
smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward
the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay,
Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 9,596,960 sq km
land area: 9,326,410 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than the US
Land boundaries:
total: 22,143.34 km
border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km,
Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakstan 1,533 km, North Korea
1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia
4,673 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605
km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km
Coastline: 14,500 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: claim to shallow areas of East China Sea and
Yellow Sea
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: boundary with India in dispute; disputed
sections of the boundary with Russia remain to be settled; boundary
with Tajikistan in dispute; short section of the boundary with North
Korea is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly
Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly
Brunei; maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf of
Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam
and Taiwan; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku
Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does Taiwan
Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains,
deltas, and hills in east
lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m
Natural resources: coal, iron ore, petroleum, mercury, tin,
tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite,
aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 31%
forest and woodland: 14%
other: 45%
Irrigated land: 478,220 sq km (1991)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from the overwhelming use of
high-sulfur coal as a fuel, produces acid rain which is damaging
forests; water shortages experienced throughout the country,
particularly in urban areas; future growth in water usage threatens
to outpace supplies; water pollution from industrial effluents; much
of the population does not have access to potable water; less than
10% of sewage receives treatment; deforestation; estimated loss of
one-fifth of agricultural land since 1957 to soil erosion and
economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species
natural hazards: frequent typhoons (about five per year along
southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis;
earthquakes; droughts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: world's third-largest country (after Russia and
Canada)
People
------
Population: 1,210,004,956 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 167,448,148; female 151,601,650)
15-64 years: 67% (male 421,455,418; female 393,913,510)
65 years and over: 7% (male 35,056,409; female 40,529,821) (July
1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.98% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.92 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.11 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 39.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.62 years
male: 68.33 years
female: 71.06 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Chinese (singular and plural)
adjective: Chinese
Ethnic divisions: Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi,
Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities
8.1%
Religions: Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism, Muslim 2%-3%, Christian 1%
(est.)
note: officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic and eclectic
Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the
Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei
(Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects,
minority languages (see Ethnic divisions entry)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 81.5%
male: 89.9%
female: 72.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: People's Republic of China
conventional short form: China
local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
local short form: Zhong Guo
abbreviation: PRC
Data code: CH
Type of government: Communist state
Capital: Beijing
Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and
plural), 5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 3
municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**,
Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei,
Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin,
Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong,
Shanghai**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin**, Xinjiang*, Xizang* (Tibet),
Yunnan, Zhejiang
note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province
Independence: 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty
221 BC; Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12
February 1912; People's Republic established 1 October 1949)
National holiday: National Day, 1 October (1949)
Constitution: most recent promulgated 4 December 1982
Legal system: a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely
criminal law; rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987;
new legal codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts
are being made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and
commercial law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993) and Vice
President RONG Yiren (since 27 March 1993) elected by the National
People's Congress; election last held 27 March 1993 (next to be held
NA 1998); results - JIANG Zemin was nominally elected by the Eighth
National People's Congress
head of government: Premier LI Peng (Acting Premier since 24
November 1987, Premier since 9 April 1988) nominated by the
president, decided by the National People's Congress; Vice Premiers
ZHU Rongji (since 8 April 1991), ZOU Jiahua (since 8 April 1991),
QIAN Qichen (since 29 March 1993), LI Lanqing (29 March 1993), WU
Bangguo (since 17 March 1995), and JIANG Chunyun (since 17 March
1995) nominated by the president, decided by the National People's
Congress
cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress
(NPC)
Legislative branch: unicameral
National People's Congress (Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui): elections
last held NA March 1993 (next to be held NA March 1998); results -
CCP is the only party but there are also independents; seats -
(2,977 total) (elected at county or xian level)
Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court, judges appointed by the
National People's Congress
Political parties and leaders: Chinese Communist Party (CCP),
JIANG Zemin, general secretary of the Central Committee; eight
registered small parties controlled by CCP
Other political or pressure groups: such meaningful opposition as
exists consists of loose coalitions, usually within the party and
government organization, that vary by issue
International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC,
ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer),
Mekong Group, MINURSO, NAM (observer), PCA, UN, UN Security Council,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNOMIL, UNTSO, UNU,
UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador LI Daoyu
chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500 through 2502
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and
San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador James R. SASSER
embassy: Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing
mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone: [86] (10) 5323831
FAX: [86] (10) 5326422
consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang
Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller
yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the
middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Beginning in late 1978 the Chinese leadership
has been trying to move the economy from a sluggish Soviet-style
centrally planned economy to one that is more market-oriented, but
still within a rigid political framework of Communist Party control.
To this end the authorities switched to a system of household
responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization,
increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in
industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprise in
services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to
increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a strong
surge in production. Agricultural output doubled in the 1980s, and
industry also posted major gains, especially in coastal areas near
Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan, where foreign investment and modern
production methods helped spur output of both domestic and export
goods. GDP has more than tripled since 1978. On the darker side, the
leadership has often experienced in its hybrid system the worst
results of socialism (bureaucracy, lassitude, corruption) and of
capitalism (windfall gains and stepped-up inflation). Beijing thus
has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at
intervals. In 1992-95 annual growth of GDP accelerated, particularly
in the coastal areas - averaging more than 10% annually according to
official figures. In late 1993 China's leadership approved
additional long-term reforms aimed at giving still more play to
market-oriented institutions and at strengthening the center's
control over the financial system; state enterprises would continue
to dominate many key industries in what was now termed "a socialist
market economy." In 1995 inflation dropped sharply, reflecting
tighter monetary policies and stronger measures to control food
prices. At the same time, the government struggled to (a) collect
revenues due from provinces, businesses, and individuals; (b) reduce
extortion and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the large
state-owned enterprises, most of which had not participated in the
vigorous expansion of the economy. From 60 to 100 million surplus
rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many
subsisting through part-time low-pay jobs. Popular resistance,
changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres
have weakened China's population control program, which is essential
to the nation's long-term economic viability. One of the most
dangerous long-term threats to continued rapid economic growth is
the deterioration in the environment, notably air pollution, soil
erosion, and the steady fall of the water table especially in the
north. The amount of arable land continues to decline because of
erosion and economic development, the cumulative loss since the
Communist takeover in 1949 being more than 15%. The next few years
will witness increasing tensions between a highly centralized
political system and an increasingly decentralized economic system.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.5 trillion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate with use of official Chinese
growth figures for 1993-95; the result may overstate China's GDP by
as much as 25%)
GDP real growth rate: 10.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 19%
industry: 48%
services: 33% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.1% (December 1995 over
December 1994)
Labor force: 583.6 million (1991)
by occupation: agriculture and forestry 60%, industry and commerce
25%, construction and mining 5%, social services 5%, other 5% (1990
est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% in urban areas (1995 est.); substantial
underemployment
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments,
textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers,
consumer durables, food processing, autos, consumer electronics,
telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate: 13.4% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 162,000,000 kW
production: 746 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 593 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet,
barley, cotton, other fibers, oilseed; pork and other livestock
products; fish
Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for heroin produced in
the Golden Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem
Exports: $148.8 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: garments, textiles, footwear, toys, machinery and
equipment (1994)
partners: Hong Kong, Japan, US, Germany, South Korea, Singapore
(1994)
Imports: $132.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: industrial machinery, textiles, plastics,
telecommunications equipment, steel bars, aircraft (1994)
partners: Japan, Taiwan, US, Hong Kong, South Korea, Germany (1994)
External debt: $92 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: to less developed countries (1970-89) $NA
recipient: ODA, $1.977 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 yuan (Y) = 10 jiao
Exchange rates: yuan (Y) per US$1 - 8.3186 (January 1996), 8.3514
(1995), 8.6187 (1994), 5.7620 (1993), 5.5146 (1992), 5.3234 (1991)
note: beginning 1 January 1994, the People's Bank of China quotes
the midpoint rate against the US dollar based on the previous day's
prevailing rate in the interbank foreign exchange market
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 58,399 km
standard gauge: 54,799 km 1.435-m gauge (7,174 km electrified; more
than 11,000 km double track)
narrow gauge: 3,600 km 0.762-m gauge local industrial lines (1995)
Highways:
total: 1.029 million km
paved: 170,000 km
unpaved: 859,000 km (1990 est.)
Waterways: 138,600 km; about 109,800 km navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 9,700 km; petroleum products 1,100 km;
natural gas 6,200 km (1990)
Ports: Aihui, Changsha, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou,
Harbin, Huangpu, Nanning, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai,
Shantou, Tanggu, Xiamen, Xingang, Zhanjiang
Merchant marine:
total: 1,700 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,663,260
GRT/25,026,090 DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 316, cargo 876, chemical tanker
15, combination bulk 11, container 103, liquefied gas tanker 4,
multifunction large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 227, passenger 24,
passenger-cargo 28, refrigerated cargo 22, roll-on/roll-off cargo
24, short-sea passenger 45
note: China owns an additional 267 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 9,044,039 DWT operating under the registries of Panama,
Hong Kong, Malta, Liberia, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines, The Bahamas, Marshall Islands, and Singapore (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 204
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 17
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 69
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 89
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 3 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 20 million (1994 est.)
Telephone system: domestic and international services are
increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed
domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and
most townships
domestic: telephone lines are being expanded; interprovincial
fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been
installed; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in
place
international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region) and
1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions); several international
fiber-optic links to Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong
Radio broadcast stations: AM 274, FM NA, shortwave 0
Radios: 216.5 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 202 (repeaters 2,050)
Televisions: 75 million
Defense
-------
Branches: People's Liberation Army (PLA), which includes the
Ground Forces, Navy (includes Marines and Naval Aviation), Air
Force, Second Artillery Corps (the strategic missile force),
People's Armed Police (internal security troops, nominally
subordinate to Ministry of Public Security, but included by the
Chinese as part of the "armed forces" and considered to be an
adjunct to the PLA in wartime)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 352,506,948
males fit for military service: 194,589,216
males reach military age (18) annually: 9,763,916 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: the officially announced but suspect figure
is 70.2 billion yuan, NA% of GDP (1995 est.); note - conversion of
the defense budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate
could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Christmas Island
----------------
(territory of Australia)
Map
---
Location: 10 30 S, 105 40 E -- Southeastern Asia, island in the
Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of
Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 135 sq km
land area: 135 sq km
comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 138.9 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources: phosphate
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can
be a maritime hazard
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
People
------
Population: 813 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -8.98% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Christmas Islander(s)
adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%,
no indigenous population
Religions: Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20%
(1991)
Languages: English
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island
Data code: KT
Type of government: territory of Australia
Capital: The Settlement
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958
Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of
Australia
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Administrator Danny Ambrose GILLESPIE (since NA)
was appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents
the queen and Australia
cabinet: Christmas Island Shire Council
Legislative branch: none
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant
economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government
closed the mine as no longer economically viable. Private operators
reopened the mine in 1990 under strict environmental controls, in
particular to preserve the rain forest. A hotel and casino complex
opened in 1993, and tourism is a likely growth sector.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
by occupation: all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining
Company of Christmas Island, Ltd.
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 11,000 kW
production: 30 million kWh
consumption per capita: 17,800 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: NA
Exports: $NA
commodities: phosphate
partners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $NA
commodities: consumer goods
partners: principally Australia
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January
1996),1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704, (1993), 1.3600 (1992),
1.2836 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Flying Fish Cove
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 500 (1992)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 350 (1992)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
======================================================================
@Clipperton Island
-----------------
(possession of France)
Map
---
Location: 10 17 N, 109 13 W -- Middle America, atoll in the North
Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120
km southwest of Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 7 sq km
land area: 7 sq km
comparative area: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 11.1 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Mexico
Climate: tropical, humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C,
rains May-October
Terrain: coral atoll
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 21 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (all coral)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: subject to tornadoes
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: reef about 8 km in circumference
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Clipperton Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Clipperton
former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion
Data code: IP
Type of government: French possession administered by France from
French Polynesia by the High Commissioner of the Republic
Capital: none; administered by France from French Polynesia
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The only economic activity is a tuna fishing
station.
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands
-----------------------
(territory of Australia)
Map
---
Location: 12 30 S, 96 50 E -- Southeastern Asia, group of islands
in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way
from Australia to Sri Lanka
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean,
south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri
Lanka
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 14 sq km
land area: 14 sq km
comparative area: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2.6 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about
nine months of the year; moderate rainfall
Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater
accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the year
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut
palms and other vegetation
People
------
Population: 609 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.94% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Cocos Islander(s)
adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic divisions:
West Island: Europeans
Home Island: Cocos Malays
Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)
Languages: English
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Data code: CK
Type of government: territory of Australia
Capital: West Island
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Suffrage: NA
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Administrator John Bell READ (since NA) was
appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the
queen and Australia
Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire
Council; President of the Islands Council Ronald GRANT (since NA)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the
sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export
earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food
supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be
imported from Australia.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: copra products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 1,000 kW
production: 2 million kWh
consumption per capita: 2,980 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Exports: $NA
commodities: copra
partners: Australia
Imports: $NA
commodities: foodstuffs
partners: Australia
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January
1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992),
1.2836 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: none; lagoon anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with
Australia via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 300 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
note: intermittent television service via satellite
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
======================================================================
@Colombia
--------
Map
---
Location: 4 00 N, 72 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North
Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width),
blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and
bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Geography
---------
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea,
between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean,
between Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 1,138,910 sq km
land area: 1,038,700 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Montana
note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and
Serranilla Bank
Land boundaries:
total: 7,408 km
border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km,
Peru 2,900 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean
1,448 km)
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela
in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial dispute with Nicaragua over
Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank
Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in
highlands
Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes
Mountains, eastern lowland plains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado del Huila 5,750 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel,
gold, copper, emeralds
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 29%
forest and woodland: 49%
other: 16%
Irrigated land: 5,150 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil damage from overuse of
pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle
emissions
natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional
earthquakes; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: only South American country with coastlines on
both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
People
------
Population: 36,813,161 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 5,948,599; female 5,806,450)
15-64 years: 64% (male 11,496,931; female 11,890,875)
65 years and over: 4% (male 741,788; female 928,518) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.66% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.34 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.65 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 25.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.81 years
male: 69.97 years
female: 75.73 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.35 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Colombian(s)
adjective: Colombian
Ethnic divisions: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%,
mixed black-Indian 3%, Indian 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 91.3%
male: 91.2%
female: 91.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form: Colombia
local long form: Republica de Colombia
local short form: Colombia
Data code: CO
Type of government: republic; executive branch dominates
government structure
Capital: Bogota
Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital);
Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca,
Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba,
Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta,
Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres
y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes,
Vichada
Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution: 5 July 1991
Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled
after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of
executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto SAMPER
Pizano (since 7 August 1994) elected for a four-year term by popular
vote; election last held 29 May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998)
results - no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote; a
run-off election to select a president from the two leading
candidates was held 19 June 1994; results - Ernesto SAMPER Pizano
(Liberal Party) 50.4%, Andres PASTRANA Arango (Conservative Party)
48.6%, blank votes 1%; Humberto de la CALLE Lombana elected vice
president for a four-year term by popular vote in a new procedure
that replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents by
newly elected presidents
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso)
Senate (Senado): elections last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held
NA March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (102
total) Liberal Party 59, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF)
31, other 12
House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes): elections last
held 13 March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998); seats - (161
total) Liberal Party 89, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF)
53, AD/M-19 2, other 17
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justical), highest court of criminal law, judges are selected from
the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms;
Council of State, highest court of administrative law, judges are
selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for
eight-year terms; Constitutional Court, guards integrity and
supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws,
amendments to the constitution, and international treaties
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PL), Luis Fernando
JARAMILLO; Conservative Party (PC), Jaime ARIAS; New Democratic
Force (NDF), Andres PASTRANA Arango; Democratic Alliance M-19
(AD/M-19) is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissident
liberals and conservatives; Patriotic Union (UP) is a legal
political party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC) and Colombian Communist Party (PCC), Aida ABELLA; National
Salvation Movement (MSN) Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado
Other political or pressure groups: three insurgent groups are
active in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC);
National Liberation Army (ELN); and dissidents of the recently
demobilized People's Liberation Army (EPL/D)
International organization participation: AG, CCC, CDB, ECLAC,
FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos LLERAS de la Fuente
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and
Washington, DC
consulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Myles R. R. FRECHETTE
embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, No. 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831
mailing address: APO AA 34038
telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811
FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197
consulate(s): Barranquilla
Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue,
and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears
the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Boasting a diversified and stable economy,
Colombia has enjoyed Latin America's most consistent record of
growth over the last several decades. Gross domestic product (GDP)
has expanded every year for more than 25 years, and unlike many
other South American countries, Colombia did not default on any of
its official debts during the "lost decade" of the 1980s. Since
1990, when Bogota introduced a comprehensive reform program that
opened the economy to foreign trade and investment, GDP growth has
averaged more than 4% annually. Growth has been fueled in recent
years by the expansion of the construction and financial service
industries and an influx of foreign capital. Some foreign investors
have been deterred by an inadequate energy and transportation
infrastructure and the violence stemming from drug trafficking and
persistent rural guerrilla warfare, but direct foreign investment,
especially in the oil industry, is still rising at a rapid rate.
Although oil consequently is overtaking coffee as the main legal
export, earnings from illicit drugs probably exceed those from any
other export. Non-petroleum economic growth has been slowing,
however, in part because the tight monetary policies adopted to
offset the inflationary impact of high capital inflows and rising
government spending have slowed local sales and investment. Business
confidence also has been damaged by a political crisis stemming from
allegations that senior government officials, including President
SAMPER, solicited contributions from drug traffickers during the
1994 election campaign. The slowdown in the growth of
labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing has caused a small
rise in unemployment and interfered with President SAMPER'S plans to
lower the country's poverty rate, which has remained at about 40%
despite the expanding economy. Nevertheless, the booming oil sector,
growing foreign investment, and the fundamental stability of the
economy promise to keep growth positive for the foreseeable future,
barring severe, unpredictable shocks from developments in the
political or international arenas.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $192.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.5%
industry: 29%
services: 49.5%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 12 million (1990)
by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $24 billion including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear,
beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 10,220,000 kW
production: 33 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 890 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn,
sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp
farming
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and
cannabis; about 50,900 hectares of coca under cultivation in 1995;
the world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine;
supplier of cocaine to the US and other international drug markets;
active aerial eradication program seeks to virtually eliminate coca
and opium crops by 1997
Exports: $10.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers
partners: US 39%, EC 25.7%, Japan 2.9%, Venezuela 8.5% (1992)
Imports: $13.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment,
consumer goods, chemicals, paper products
partners: US 36%, EC 18%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 6.5%, Japan 8.7%
(1992)
External debt: $14 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $30 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 1,011.11
(January 1996), 912.83 (1995), 844.84 (1994), 863.06 (1993), 759.28
(1992), 633.05 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,386 km
standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal mines
to maritime port at Bahia Portete)
narrow gauge: 3,236 km 0.914-m gauge (1830 km in use) (1995)
Highways:
total: 107,200 km
paved: 12,600 km
unpaved: 94,600 km
Waterways: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats
Pipelines: crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km;
natural gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 km
Ports: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto
Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 97,037 GRT/129,404 DWT
ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 8, container 3, oil tanker 3 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 989
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 33
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 35
with paved runways under 914 m: 557
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 41
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 311 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.89 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: modern system in many respects
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic
satellite system with 11 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 413 (licensed), FM 217 (licensed),
shortwave 28
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 5.5 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional,
includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea
Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 10,067,538
males fit for military service: 6,774,105
males reach military age (18) annually: 346,372 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2 billion, 2.8%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Comoros
-------
Map
---
Location: 12 10 S, 44 15 E -- Southern Africa, group of islands in
the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern
Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Flag
----
Description: green with a white crescent in the center of the
field, its points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed
stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the
crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam;
the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -
Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of
France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of
several, is described in the constitution approved by referendum on
7 June 1992
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique
Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and
northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 2,170 sq km
land area: 2,170 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than 12 times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 340 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims French-administered Mayotte
Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to
low hills
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: 35%
permanent crops: 8%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 16%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop
cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
natural hazards: cyclones and tsunamis possible during rainy season
(December to April); Mount Kartala on Grand Comore is an active
volcano
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: important location at northern end of Mozambique
Channel
People
------
Population: 569,237 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 137,235; female 136,207)
15-64 years: 49% (male 138,447; female 142,058)
65 years and over: 3% (male 7,242; female 8,048) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.55% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 45.82 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.28 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 75.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 58.7 years
male: 56.43 years
female: 61.05 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran
Ethnic divisions: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions: Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14%
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend
of Swahili and Arabic)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 57.3%
male: 64.2%
female: 50.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros
conventional short form: Comoros
local long form: Republique Federale Islamique des Comores
local short form: Comores
Data code: CN
Type of government: independent republic
Capital: Moroni
Administrative divisions: three islands; Grand Comore (Njazidja),
Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali)
note: there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni,
Moroni, and Mutsamudu
Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Constitution: 7 June 1992
Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim (since 16 March
1996) was elected by popular vote; election last held 16 March 1996
(next to be held March 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister MASSOUNDI Tadjidine Ben Said
(since March 1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale): elections last held 12-20
December 1993 (next to be held by NA January 1998); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total) ruling coalition:
RDR 15, UNDC 5, MWANGAZA 2; opposition: UDZIMA 8; other smaller
parties: 10; two seats remained unfilled
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), two members are
appointed by the president, two members are elected by the Federal
Assembly, one by the Council of each island, plus all the former
presidents of the republic
Political parties and leaders: Islands' Fraternity and Unity Party
(CHUMA), Said Ali KEMAL; over 20 political parties are currently
active, the most important of which are Comoran Union for Progress
(UDZIMA), Omar TAMOU; Comoran Party for Democracy and Progress
(PCDP), Ali MROUDJAE; Realizing Freedom's Capability (UWEZO),
Mouazair ABDALLAH; Democratic Front of the Comoros (FDR), Moustapha
CHELKH; Dialogue Proposition Action (DPA/MWANGAZA), Said MCHAWGAMA;
Rally for Change and Democracy (RACHADE), Hassan HACHIM; Union for
Democracy and Decentralization (UNDC), Mohamed Taki Halidi IBRAHAM;
Rally for Democracy and Renewal (RDR); Comoran Popular Front (FPC),
Mohamed HASSANALI, Mohamed El Arif OUKACHA, Abdou MOUSTAKIM
(Secretary General)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AL,
CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Ahamada DJIMBANAOU (ambassador
to the US and Canada)
chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federal
and Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 336 East
45th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010
FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros
Flag: green with a white crescent in the center of the field, its
points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed stars
placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent,
stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four
stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali,
Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France,
but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of several, is
described in the constitution approved by referendum on 7 June 1992
Economy
-------
Economic overview: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros
is made up of several islands that have poor transportation links, a
young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources.
The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a
subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a
heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance.
Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, is the
leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to GDP, employs
80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The
country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main
staple, accounts for 90% of imports. The government is struggling to
upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial
and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify
exports, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Continued
foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is
to be reached in the late 1990s.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $370 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0.9% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $700 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 140,000 (1982)
by occupation: agriculture 80%, government 3%
Unemployment rate: 15.8% (1989)
Budget:
revenues: $83 million
expenditures: $92 million, including capital expenditures of $32
million (1992)
Industries: tourism, perfume distillation, textiles, furniture,
jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks
Industrial production growth rate: -6.5% (1989 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 16,000 kW
production: 17 million kWh
consumption per capita: 27 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts,
bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Exports: $13.7 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
partners: US 44%, France 40%, Germany 6%, Africa 5% (1992)
Imports: $40.9 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement,
consumer goods
partners: France 34%, South Africa 14%, Kenya 8%, Japan 4% (1992)
External debt: $160 million (1992 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 375.42 (January
1996), 374.36 (1995), 416.40 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the Comoran franc was devalued to
75 per French franc from 50 per French franc at which it had been
fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,104 km
paved: 400 km
unpaved: 704 km (1988 est.)
Ports: Fomboni, Moroni, Mutsamudu
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 4
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3,770 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF
radiotelephone communication stations
domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay
international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and
Reunion
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 200 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Comoran Security Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 121,854
males fit for military service: 72,873 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Congo
-----
Map
---
Location: 1 00 S, 15 00 E -- Western Africa, bordering the South
Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Flag
----
Description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a
yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower
triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean,
between Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 342,000 sq km
land area: 341,500 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 5,504 km
border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African
Republic 467 km, Gabon 1,903 km, Zaire 2,410 km
Coastline: 169 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: long segment of boundary with Zaire along
the Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its
islands has been made)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June
to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly
enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern
basin
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium,
copper, phosphates, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 29%
forest and woodland: 62%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water
pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable;
deforestation
natural hazards: seasonal flooding
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Ozone Layer
Protection, Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea,
Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville,
Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them
People
------
Population: 2,527,841 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 550,971; female 545,096)
15-64 years: 53% (male 657,035; female 688,441)
65 years and over: 4% (male 34,973; female 51,325) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.19% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 39.19 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.35 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 108.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 45.77 years
male: 44.21 years
female: 47.37 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.15 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic divisions:
south: Kongo 48%
north: Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%
center: Teke 17%, Europeans 8,500 (mostly French)
Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Languages: French (official), African languages (Lingala and
Kikongo are the most widely used)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 74.9%
male: 83.1%
female: 67.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: Congo
local long form: Republique Populaire du Congo
local short form: Congo
former: Congo/Brazzaville
Data code: CF
Type of government: republic
Capital: Brazzaville
Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular - region)
and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou,
Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha
Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Congolese National Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution: new constitution approved by referendum March 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Pascal LISSOUBA (since August 1992);
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held NA August 1992 (next to be held NA August 1997); results -
President Pascal LISSOUBA won 61% of the vote
head of government: Prime Minister Jacques Joachim YHOMBI-OPANGO
(since 23 June 1993) appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): election last held 3
October 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (125 total) UPADS 64, URD/PCT 58, others 3
Senate: election last held 26 July 1992 (next to be held NA July
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total)
UPADS 23, MCDDI 14, RDD 8, RDPS 5, PCT 2, others 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: of Congo's many political parties,
the most important are Congolese Labor Party (PCT), Denis
SASSOU-NGUESSO, president; Association for Democracy and Development
(RDD), Joachim Yhombi OPANGO, president; Association for Democracy
and Social Progress (RDPS), Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA,
president; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development
(MCDDI), Bernard KOLELAS, leader; Pan-African Union for Social
Development (UPADS), Pascal LISSOUBA, leader; Union of Democratic
Forces (UFD), David Charles GANAO, leader; Union for Democratic
Renewal (URD); Union for Development and Social Progress (UDPS),
Jean-Michael BOKAMBA-YANGOUMA, leader
Other political or pressure groups: Union of Congolese Socialist
Youth (UJSC); Congolese Trade Union Congress (CSC); Revolutionary
Union of Congolese Women (URFC); General Union of Congolese Pupils
and Students (UGEEC)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,
CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UDEAC,
UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Daniel
MOUELLET
chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-0825
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William C. RAMSEY
embassy: Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville
mailing address: B. P. 1015, Brazzaville
telephone: [242] 83 20 70
FAX: [242] 83 63 38
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow
band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower
triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Congo's economy is a mixture of village
agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on
oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget
problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the
mainstay of the economy, providing about 90% of government revenues
and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled
Congo to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth
averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa.
Subsequently, falling oil prices cut GDP growth by half. Moreover,
the Congolese Government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its
oil earnings, contributing to the government's shortage of revenues.
The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50%
resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994. Recent efforts to implement
economic reforms have begun to show progress; the IMF has
recommended approval of an Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility
agreement in 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 11.4%
industry: 35.2%
services: 53.4% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 61% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 79,100 wage earners
by occupation: agriculture 75%, commerce, industry, and government
25%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $2.18 billion (1994 est.)
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: petroleum extraction, cement kilning, lumbering,
brewing, sugar milling, palm oil, soap, cigarette making
Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (estimated average annual
growth rate for 1980-92)
Electricity:
capacity: 120,000 kW
production: 400 million kWh
consumption per capita: 201 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cassava (tapioca) accounts for 90% of food output,
sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest
products
Exports: $1 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: crude oil 90%, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee,
diamonds
partners: Italy, France, Spain, other EU countries, US, Taiwan
Imports: $600 million (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: intermediate manufactures, capital equipment,
construction materials, foodstuffs, petroleum products
partners: France, Italy, other EU countries, US, Japan, Thailand
External debt: $5 billion (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 795 km (1995 est.)
narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (includes 285 km that are
privately owned)
Highways:
total: 12,745 km
paved: 1,236 km
unpaved: 11,509 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide 1,120 km
of commercially navigable water transport; other rivers are used for
local traffic only
Pipelines: crude oil 25 km
Ports: Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,218 GRT/4,100 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 34
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 9
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 18,000 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: services adequate for government use; key
exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo
domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and
coaxial cable
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 8,500 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 582,103
males fit for military service: 296,602
males reach military age (20) annually: 25,247 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $110 million,
3.8% of GDP (1993)
======================================================================
@Cook Islands
------------
(free association with New Zealand)
Map
---
Location: 21 14 S, 159 46 W -- Oceania, group of islands in the
South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New
Zealand
Flag
----
Description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for
every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 240 sq km
land area: 240 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than one times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 120 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in
south
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 22%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 74%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons (November to March)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 19,561 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.11% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.87 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.14 years
male: 69.2 years
female: 73.1 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and
European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%,
other 0.9%
Religions: Christian (majority of populace members of Cook Islands
Christian Church)
Languages: English (official), Maori
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cook Islands
Data code: CW
Type of government: self-governing parliamentary government in
free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible
for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for
external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Capital: Avarua
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with
New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move
to full independence by unilateral action)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 4 August
Constitution: 4 August 1965
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Apenera
SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Darryl DUNN (since
NA 1994), representative of New Zealand was appointed by the New
Zealand Government
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1
February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1
February 1989)
cabinet: Cabinet; collectively responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 6 March 1994 (next to be held NA
1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total)
Cook Islands Party 20, Democratic Party 3, Democratic Alliance Party
2
note: the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters,
but has no legislative powers
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY;
Democratic Party, Sir Thomas DAVIS; Democratic Alliance Party,
Norman GEORGE
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP (associate),
ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, Sparteca, SPC,
SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing in free
association with New Zealand)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing in free
association with New Zealand)
Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for
every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Agriculture provides the economic base. The
major export earners are fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing
activities are limited to a fruit-processing plant and several
clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the
isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lack of natural
resources and good transportation links. A large trade deficit is
annually made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign
aid, largely from New Zealand. Current economic development plans
call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the mining
and fishing industries. Despite these plans, the Cook Islands will
continue to face severe financial problems.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $57 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $3,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (1990)
Labor force: 5,810
by occupation: agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%,
industry 15%, other 4% (1981)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: fruit processing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 14,000 kW
production: 21 million kWh
consumption per capita: 741 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, bananas, yams,
taro
Exports: $3.4 million (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities: copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothing
partners: NZ 80%, Japan
Imports: $50 million (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber
partners: NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US
External debt: $160 million (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: in 1994, Cook Islands received $5.4 million in budget support
and $3.3 million in project aid from New Zealand, the country's
largest source of aid
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138
(January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584
(1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 187 km
paved: 35 km
unpaved: 152 km (1980 est.)
Ports: Avarua, Avatiu
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,464 GRT/2,181 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 4,180 (1994)
Telephone system:
domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of
satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF
radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small
exchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, and
fiber-optic cable
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1
Radios: 13,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 studio and 8 low-powered
repeaters to achieve good coverage on the island of Rarotonga
Televisions: 3,500 (1995 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
======================================================================
@Coral Sea Islands
-----------------
(territory of Australia)
Map
---
Location: 18 00 S, 152 00 E -- Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea,
northeast of Australia
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: less than 3 sq km
land area: less than 3 sq km
comparative area: NA
note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea
area of about 1 million sq km, with Willis Islets the most important
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,095 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical
Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: no permanent fresh water resources
natural hazards: occasional, tropical cyclones
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: important nesting area for birds and turtles
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are three
meteorologists
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Data code: CR
Type of government: territory of Australia administered by the
Ministry for Environment, Sport, and Territories
Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited
regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over
the activities of visitors
======================================================================
@Costa Rica
----------
Map
---
Location: 10 00 N, 84 00 W -- Middle America, bordering both the
Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and
Panama
Flag
----
Description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red
(double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white
disk on the hoist side of the red band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the
North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 51,100 sq km
land area: 50,660 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia
note: includes Isla del Coco
Land boundaries:
total: 639 km
border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Coastline: 1,290 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season
(May to November)
Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 45%
forest and woodland: 34%
other: 8%
Irrigated land: 1,180 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation, largely a result of the clearing of
land for cattle ranching; soil erosion
natural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic
coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season;
active volcanoes
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation
People
------
Population: 3,463,083 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 612,624; female 582,566)
15-64 years: 61% (male 1,061,703; female 1,038,403)
65 years and over: 4% (male 77,773; female 90,014) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.06% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.84 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.14 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 13.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.72 years
male: 73.31 years
female: 78.24 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Costa Rican(s)
adjective: Costa Rican
Ethnic divisions: white (including mestizo) 96%, black 2%, Indian
1%, Chinese 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 94.8%
male: 94.7%
female: 95%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica
conventional short form: Costa Rica
local long form: Republica de Costa Rica
local short form: Costa Rica
Data code: CS
Type of government: democratic republic
Capital: San Jose
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon,
Puntarenas, San Jose
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 9 November 1949
Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review
of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Jose Maria FIGUERES
Olsen (since 8 May 1994), First Vice President Rodrigo OREAMUNO
Blanco (since 8 May 1994), Second Vice President Rebeca GRYNSPAN
Mayufis (since 8 May 1994) were elected for four-year terms by
universal suffrage; election last held 6 February 1994 (next to be
held NA February 1998); results - President FIGUERES (PLN) 49.7%,
Miquel Angel RODRIGUEZ (PUSC) 47.5%
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa): elections last held 6
February 1994 (next to be held NA February 1998); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (61 total) PLN 28, PUSC 29, minority
parties 4
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), justices are
elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly
Political parties and leaders: National Liberation Party (PLN),
Rolando ARAYA; Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), Rafael Angel
CALDERON Fournier; Marxist Popular Vanguard Party (PVP), Humberto
VARGAS Carbonell; New Republic Movement (MNR), Sergio Erick ARDON
Ramirez; People's Party of Costa Rica (PPC), Lenin CHACON Vargas;
Radical Democratic Party (PRD), Juan Jose ECHEVERRIA Brealey;
Democratic Force Party (FD), Isaac Felipe AZOFEIFA Bolanos
Other political or pressure groups: Costa Rican Confederation of
Democratic Workers (CCTD), Liberation Party affiliate; Confederated
Union of Workers (CUT), Communist Party affiliate; Authentic
Confederation of Democratic Workers (CATD), Communist Party
affiliate; Chamber of Coffee Growers; National Association for
Economic Development (ANFE); Free Costa Rica Movement (MCRL),
rightwing militants; National Association of Educators (ANDE);
Federation of Public Service Workers (FTSP)
International organization participation: AG (observer), BCIE,
CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,
LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia PICADO
chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945
FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795
consulate(s) general: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Durham,
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia,
San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Austin
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Jon DE VOS
embassy: Pavas Road, San Jose
mailing address: APO AA 34020
telephone: [506] 220-3939
FAX: [506] 220-2305
Flag: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double
width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on
the hoist side of the red band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Costa Rica's basically stable and progressive
economy depends especially on tourism and the export of bananas,
coffee, and other agricultural products. Recent trends have been
disappointing. Economic growth slipped from 4.3% in 1994 to 2.5% in
1995, the lowest rate of growth since 1991's 2.1%. Inflation rose
dramatically to 22.5% from 13.5% in 1994, well above the
government's own projection of 18%. Unemployment rose from 4.0% in
1994 to 5.2% in 1995, and substantial underemployment continues.
These economic woes are likely to be exacerbated in 1996 by a
standby arrangement reached with the IMF on 29 November 1995. To
restore fiscal balance, the government agreed to curb inflation,
reduce the fiscal deficit, increase domestic savings, and improve
public sector efficiency while increasing the role of the private
sector. Costa Rica signed a free trade agreement with Mexico in 1994.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 868,300
by occupation: industry and commerce 35.1%, government and services
33%, agriculture 27%, other 4.9% (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (1995 est.); much underemployment
Budget:
revenues: $1.1 billion
expenditures: $1.34 billion, including capital expenditures of $110
million (1991 est.)
Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing, construction
materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Industrial production growth rate: 10.5% (1992)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,040,000 kW
production: 4.1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,164 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes;
beef; timber (depletion of forest resources has resulted in
declining timber output)
Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from
South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered
plots
Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: coffee, bananas, textiles, sugar
partners: US, Germany, Italy, Guatemala, El Salvador, Netherlands,
UK, France
Imports: $3 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment,
petroleum
partners: US, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Germany
External debt: $4 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1 - 193.93
(December 1995), 179.73 (1995), 157.07 (1994), 142.17 (1993), 134.51
(1992), 122.43 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 950 km
narrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified)
note: the entire system was scheduled to be shut down on 31 June
1995 because of insolvency
Highways:
total: 35,560 km
paved: 5,608 km
unpaved: 29,952 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: about 730 km, seasonally navigable
Pipelines: petroleum products 176 km
Ports: Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos,
Puntarenas
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 145
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 16
with paved runways under 914 m: 97
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 29 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 281,042 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: very good domestic telephone service
domestic: NA
international: connected to Central American Microwave System;
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 71, FM 0, shortwave 13
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 340,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Civil Guard, Coast Guard, Air Section, Rural Assistance
Guard; note - the Constitution prohibits armed forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 917,566
males fit for military service: 616,420
males reach military age (18) annually: 33,504 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 2.0%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Cote d'Ivoire
-------------
(also known as Ivory Coast)
Map
---
Location: 8 00 N, 5 00 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side),
white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer
and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange;
also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side),
white, and red; design was based on the flag of France
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Ghana and Liberia
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 322,460 sq km
land area: 318,000 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 3,110 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km,
Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km
Coastline: 515 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three
seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to
May), hot and wet (June to October)
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, manganese, iron ore,
cobalt, bauxite, copper
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 9%
forest and woodland: 26%
other: 52%
Irrigated land: 620 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation (most of the country's forests - once
the largest in West Africa - have been cleared by the timber
industry); water pollution from sewage and industrial and
agricultural effluents
natural hazards: coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during
the rainy season torrential flooding is possible
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People
------
Population: 14,762,445 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 3,552,270; female 3,462,462)
15-64 years: 50% (male 3,828,538; female 3,599,920)
65 years and over: 2% (male 164,358; female 154,897) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.92% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.48 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: since 1989, over 350,000 refugees have fled to Cote d'Ivoire
to escape the civil war in Liberia
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.04 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 82.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.73 years
male: 46.23 years
female: 47.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.15 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Ivorian(s)
adjective: Ivorian
Ethnic divisions: Baoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou 15%, Malinke 11%,
Agni, foreign Africans (mostly Burkinabe and Malians, about 3
million), non-Africans 130,000 to 330,000 (French 30,000 and
Lebanese 100,000 to 300,000)
Religions: indigenous 25%, Muslim 60%, Christian 12%
Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the
most widely spoken
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 40.1%
male: 49.9%
female: 30%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire
local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire
local short form: Cote d'Ivoire
former: Ivory Coast
Data code: IV
Type of government: republic; multiparty presidential regime
established 1960
Capital: Yamoussoukro
note: although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Abidjan
remains the administrative center; foreign governments, including
the US, maintain official presences in Abidjan
Administrative divisions: 50 departments (departements, singular -
departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville,
Agnibilekrou, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou,
Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro,
Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou,
Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro,
Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra,
Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua,
Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula
Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 7 August
Constitution: 3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times,
last time November 1990
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Henri Konan BEDIE (since 7 December 1993)
served the remainder of the term of former President Felix
HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY, who died in office after continuous service from
November 1960; President BEDIE was elected with 96% of the vote at
the last election on 22 October 1995 (next election October 2000);
the president is elected for a five-year term by popular vote
head of government: Prime Minister Daniel Kablan DUNCAN (since 10
December 1993), appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers, appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 27
November 1995 (next to be held November 2000); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (175 total) PDCI 147, RDR 14, FPI 10,
unfilled 4; note - of the unfilled seats, elections for 3 were
postponed because of violence in the electoral districts and 1 seat
remains contested
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of the Cote
d'Ivoire (PDCI), Henri Konan BEDIE; Rally of the Republicans (RDR),
Djeny KOBINA; Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), Laurent GBAGBO; Ivorian
Worker's Party (PIT), Francis WODIE; Ivorian Socialist Party (PSI),
Morifere BAMBA; over 20 smaller parties
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WADB, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Moise KOUMOUE-KOFFI
chancery: 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lannon WALKER
embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan
mailing address: 01 B. P. 1712, Abidjan
telephone: [225] 21 09 79
FAX: [225] 22 32 59
Flag: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white,
and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has
the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also
similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white,
and red; design was based on the flag of France
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest
producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm-kernel oil.
Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in
international prices for coffee and cocoa and to weather conditions.
Despite attempts by the government to diversify, the economy is
still largely dependent on agriculture and related industries. After
several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a
comeback in 1994, due to improved prices for cocoa and coffee,
growth in nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and
rubber, trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas
discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling
by multilateral lenders and France. The 50% devaluation of Franc
Zone currencies on 12 January 1994 caused a one-time jump in the
inflation rate to 32% for 1994, but this rate fell to perhaps 10% in
1995, in part as the economy adjusted to the devaluation. Moreover,
government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a budget
surplus in 1994. Real growth of GDP in 1994 was 1.7%, a significant
improvement following several years of negative growth. In 1995
growth picked up to 5%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 37%
industry: 24%
services: 39% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 5.718 million
by occupation: over 85% of population engaged in agriculture,
forestry, livestock raising; about 11% of labor force are wage
earners, nearly half in agriculture and the remainder in government,
industry, commerce, and professions
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.9 billion
expenditures: $3.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $408
million (1993)
Industries: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining,
automobile assembly, textiles, fertilizer, construction materials,
electricity
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 1,170,000 kW
production: 1.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 123 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn,
rice, manioc, sweet potatoes, sugar; cotton, rubber; timber
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis; mostly for local
consumption; some international drug trade; transshipment point for
Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and occasionally to
the US
Exports: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: cocoa 55%, coffee 12%, tropical woods 11%, petroleum,
cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, cotton, fish
partners: France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Burkina Faso, US, UK
Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: food, capital goods, consumer goods, fuel
partners: France, Nigeria, Japan, Netherlands, US, Italy
External debt: $19 billion (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $552 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 660 km (1995 est.)
narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge; 25 km double track
Highways:
total: 46,331 km
paved: 3,579 km
unpaved: 42,752 km (1984 est.)
Waterways: 980 km navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal
lagoons
Ports: Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,726 GRT/34,711 DWT
ships by type: container 2, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 35
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 10
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 87,700 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: well-developed by African standards but
operating well below capacity
domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 coaxial submarine cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 71, FM 0, shortwave 13
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 810,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie,
Presidential Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,386,638
males fit for military service: 1,762,412
males reach military age (18) annually: 157,712 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $140 million,
1.4% of GDP (1993)
======================================================================
@Croatia
-------
Map
---
Location: 45 10 N, 15 30 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the
Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia
Flag
----
Description: red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian
coat of arms (red and white checkered)
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia
Geographic coordinates: 45 10 N, 15 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 56,538 sq km
land area: 56,410 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 2,073 km
border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km,
Serbia and Montenegro 266 km (241 km with Serbia; 25 km with
Montenego), Slovenia 546 km
Coastline: 5,790 km (mainland 1,778 km, islands 4,012 km)
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
International disputes: Eastern Slavonia, which was held by ethnic
Serbs during the war, is currently being overseen by the UN
Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia; reintegration of
Eastern Slavonia into Croatia will occur in 1997; although Croatia
does not recognize the "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia," both
countries have agreed to open consular sections in each other's
capitals; Croatia and Italy have not resolved a bilateral issue
dating from WWII over property and ethnic minority rights; a border
dispute with Slovenia is unresolved
Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate
predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry
summers along coast
Terrain: geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian
border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coast, coastline,
and islands
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Dinara 1,830 m
Natural resources: oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore,
calcium, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt
Land use:
arable land: 32%
permanent crops: 20%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 15%
other: 15%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and
resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from
industrial and domestic waste; widespread casualties and destruction
of infrastructure in border areas affected by civil strife
natural hazards: frequent and destructive earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Hazardous
Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Law of the Sea
Geographic note: controls most land routes from Western Europe to
Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits
People
------
Population: 5,004,112 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 453,142; female 431,118)
15-64 years: 69% (male 1,731,200; female 1,716,824)
65 years and over: 13% (male 252,897; female 418,931) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.58% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.83 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.33 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 7.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.81 years
male: 69.13 years
female: 76.72 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Croat(s)
adjective: Croatian
Ethnic divisions: Croat 78%, Serb 12%, Muslim 0.9%, Hungarian
0.5%, Slovenian 0.5%, others 8.1% (1991)
Religions: Catholic 76.5%, Orthodox 11.1%, Slavic Muslim 1.2%,
Protestant 0.4%, others and unknown 10.8%
Languages: Serbo-Croatian 96%, other 4% (including Italian,
Hungarian, Czechoslovak, and German)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 95%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Croatia
conventional short form: Croatia
local long form: Republika Hrvatska
local short form: Hrvatska
Data code: HR
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Zagreb
Administrative divisions: 21 counties (zupanijas, zupanija -
singular): Bjelovar-Bilogora, City of Zagreb, Dubrovnik-Neretva,
Istra, Karlovac, Koprivnica-Krizevci, Krapina-Zagorje, Lika-Senj,
Medimurje, Osijek-Baranja, Pozega-Slavonija, Primorje-Gorski Kotar,
Sibenik, Sisak-Moslavina, Slavonski Brod-Posavina, Split-Dalmatia,
Varazdin, Virovitica-Podravina, Vukovar-Srijem, Zadar-Knin, Zagreb
Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: Statehood Day, 30 May (1990)
Constitution: adopted on 22 December 1990
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Franjo TUDJMAN (since 30 May 1990) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 4 August 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - Franjo
TUDJMAN reelected with about 56% of the vote; his opponent Dobroslav
PARAGA received 5% of the vote
head of government: Prime Minister Zlatko MATESA (since NA November
1995) and Deputy Prime Ministers Mate GRANIC (since 8 September
1992), Ivica KOSTOVIC (since 14 October 1993), Jure RADIC (since NA
October 1994), Borislav SKEGRO (since 3 April 1993), and Ljerka
MINTAS-HODAS (since November 1995) were appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral parliament Assembly (Sabor)
House of Districts (Zupanije Dom): elections last held 7 and 21
February 1993 (next to be held NA February 1997); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (68 total; 63 elected, 5 presidentially
appointed) HDZ 37, HSLS 16, HSS 5, Istrian Democratic Assembly 3,
SPH-SDP 1, HNS 1
House of Representatives (Zastupnicki Dom): elections last held 29
October 1995 (next to be held NA 1999); results - HDZ 45.23%,
HSS/IDS/HNS/HKDU/SBHS 18.26%, HSLS 11.55%, SDP 8.93%, HSP 5.01%;
seats - (127 total) HDZ 75, HSLS 12, HSS 10, SDP 10, IDS 4, HSP 4,
HNS 2, SNS 2, HND 1, ASH 1, HKDU 1, SBHS 1, independents 4
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed for eight-year
terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by
the Chamber of Representatives; Constitutional Court, judges
appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the
Republic, which is elected by the Chamber of Representatives
Political parties and leaders: Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ),
Franjo TUDJMAN, president; Croatian Democratic Independents (HND),
Stjepan MESIC, president; Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS),
Vlado GOTOVAC, president; Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP),
Ivica RACAN; Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), Ante DAPIC; Croatian
Peasants' Party (HSS), Josip PANKRETIC; Croatian People's Party
(HNS), Radimir CACIC, president; Serbian National Party (SNS), Milan
DJUKIC; Action of the Social Democrats of Croatia (ASH), Miko
TRIPALO; Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU), Marko VASELICA,
president; Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), Ivan JACKOVIC;
Slanvonsko-Baranja Croatian Party (SBHS)
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: CCC, CE (guest), CEI,
EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM
(observer), OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Miomir ZUZUL
chancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899
FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter W. GALBRAITH
embassy: Andrije Hebranga 2, Zagreb
mailing address: US Embassy, Zagreb, Unit 1345, APO AE 09213-1345
telephone: [385] (41) 455-55-00
FAX: [385] (41) 455-85-85
Flag: red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of
arms (red and white checkered)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the
Republic of Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and
industrialized area, with a per capita output perhaps one-third
above the Yugoslav average. Croatia faces considerable economic
problems stemming from: the legacy of longtime communist
mismanagement of the economy; large foreign debt; damage during the
internecine fighting to bridges, factories, power lines, buildings,
and houses; the large refugee population, both Croatian and Bosnian;
and the disruption of economic ties to Serbia and the other former
Yugoslav republics, as well as within its own territory. Western aid
and investment, especially in the tourist and oil industries, would
help restore the economy. The government has been successful in some
reform efforts including stabilization policies and has normalized
relations with creditors. Yet it still is struggling with
privatization of large state enterprises and with bank reform. The
draft 1996 budget, which had raised concerns about inflation,
capitalizes on the "peace dividend" to boost expenditures on the
repair and upgrading of infrastructure.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $20.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 12.7%
industry: 30.6%
services: 56.7% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1995)
Labor force: 1.444 million (1995)
by occupation: industry and mining 31.1%, agriculture 4.3%,
government 19.1% (including education and health), other 45.5% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 18.1% (January 1996)
Budget:
revenues: $3.86 billion
expenditures: $3.72 billion, including capital expenditures of $320
million (1994 est.)
Industries: chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated
metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum,
paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles,
shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages
Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 3,630,000 kW
production: 11.234 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,000 kWh (1993 est.)
Agriculture: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, alfalfa,
clover, olives, citrus, grapes, vegetables; livestock breeding,
dairy farming
Illicit drugs: transit point for Southwest Asian heroin to Western
Europe
Exports: $4.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 13.6%, miscellaneous
manufactures 27.6%, chemicals 14.2%, food and live animals 12.2%,
raw materials 6.1%, fuels and lubricants 9.4%, beverages and tobacco
2.7% (1993)
partners: Germany 22.9%, Italy 21.2%, Slovenia 18.3% (1993)
Imports: $5.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 23.1%, fuels and
lubricants 8.8%, food and live animals 9.0%, chemicals 14.2%,
miscellaneous manufactured articles 16.0%, raw materials 3.5%,
beverages and tobacco 1.4% (1993)
partners: Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Iran
External debt: $3.15 billion (September 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: IMF has given Croatia $192 million; World Bank has given
Croatia $100 million
Currency: 1 Croatian kuna (HRK) = 100 paras
Exchange rates: Croatian kuna per US$1 - 5.405 (January 1996),
5.230 (1995), 5.996 (1994), 3.577 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,699 km
standard gauge: 2,699 km 1.435-m gauge (1213 km electrified)
note: disrupted by territorial dispute with Serbia (1994)
Highways:
total: 27,378 km
paved: 22,176 km (including 302 km of expressways)
unpaved: 5,202 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 785 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas
310 km (1992); note - under repair following territorial dispute
Ports: Dubrovnik, Omisalj, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split,
Zadar
Merchant marine:
total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 203,495 GRT/252,818 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 23, chemical tanker 1, container 3, oil
tanker 1, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo
2, short-sea passenger 4
note: Croatia owns an additional 140 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 3,368,035 DWT operating under the registries of Malta,
Liberia, Cyprus, Panama, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, and Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 68
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 47
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.216 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: no satellite earth stations
Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 8, shortwave 0
Radios: 1.1 million
Television broadcast stations: 12 (repeaters 2)
Televisions: 1.52 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces,
Frontier Guard, Home Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,314,718
males fit for military service: 1,046,490
males reach military age (19) annually: 34,914 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 337 billion to 393 billion dinars, NA% of
GDP (1993 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US
dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading
results
======================================================================
@Cuba
----
Map
---
Location: 21 30 N, 80 00 W -- Caribbean, island between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
Flag
----
Description: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the
hoist side bears a white five-pointed star in the center
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 110,860 sq km
land area: 110,860 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 29 km
border country: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km
note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains
part of Cuba
Coastline: 3,735 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased
to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can
terminate the lease
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November
to April); rainy season (May to October)
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and
mountains in the southeast
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m
Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese,
salt, timber, silica, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 23%
permanent crops: 6%
meadows and pastures: 23%
forest and woodland: 17%
other: 31%
Irrigated land: 8,960 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: pollution of Havana Bay; overhunting threatens
wildlife populations; deforestation
natural hazards: the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August
to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane
every other year); droughts are common
international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified -
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification, Marine Life
Conservation
Geographic note: largest country in Caribbean
People
------
Population: 10,951,334 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 1,256,674; female 1,191,652)
15-64 years: 68% (male 3,753,343; female 3,736,043)
65 years and over: 10% (male 478,630; female 534,992) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.44% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.39 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.05 years
male: 72.71 years
female: 77.54 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.52 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Cuban(s)
adjective: Cuban
Ethnic divisions: mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%
Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 85% prior to CASTRO assuming
power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also
represented
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 95.7%
male: 96.2%
female: 95.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cuba
conventional short form: Cuba
local long form: Republica de Cuba
local short form: Cuba
Data code: CU
Type of government: Communist state
Capital: Havana
Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial);
Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma,
Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas,
Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa
Clara
Independence: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898;
administered by the US from 1898 to 1902)
National holiday: Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953); Liberation Day, 1
January (1959)
Constitution: 24 February 1976
Legal system: based on Spanish and American law, with large
elements of Communist legal theory; does not accept compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President of the Council of
State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz
(prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when
office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976) and First
Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of
the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December
1976) were elected by the National Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers were proposed by the president of the
Council of State, appointed by the National Assembly
Council of State: members elected by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly of People's Power (Asemblea Nacional del P:
elections last held NA February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);
seats - 589 total, elected directly from slates approved by special
candidacy commissions
Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo
Popular), president, vice president, and other judges are elected by
the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders: only party - Cuban Communist Party
(PCC), Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary
International organization participation: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77,
IAEA, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),
NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,
WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: none; note - Cuba has an
Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer
Fernando REMIREZ DE ESTENOZ; address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss
Embassy, 2639 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1]
(202) 797-8518 through 8520
US diplomatic representation: none; note - the US does have an
Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer
Joseph G. SULLIVAN; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada Entre L Y
M, Vedado Seccion, Havana; telephone: 33-3551 through 3559, 33-3543
through 3547 (operator assistance required); FAX: 33-3700;
protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland
Flag: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the
hoist side bears a white five-pointed star in the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The state retains a primary role in the economy
and controls practically all foreign trade. The government has
undertaken several reforms in recent years designed to stem excess
liquidity, raise labor incentives, and increase the availability of
food, consumer goods, and services from depressed levels. The
liberalized agricultural markets introduced in October 1994, where
state and private farms are authorized to sell any above-quota
production at unrestricted prices, have broadened legal consumption
alternatives and reduced black market prices. The government's
efforts to reduce subsidies to loss-making enterprises and shrink
the money supply caused the black market exchange rate to move from
a peak of 120 pesos to the dollar in the summer of 1994 to 25-30
pesos to the dollar at yearend 1995. The number of self-employed
workers licensed by the government increased more slowly in 1995,
from 160,000 at yearend 1994 to 190,000 in July 1995 and to about
210,000 in January 1996. Discussions continue within the leadership
over the relative affluence of self-employed workers and the growing
inequality of income in what has historically been a strictly
egalitarian society. The government released new economic data in
1995 which showed a 35% decline in GDP during 1989-1993, a drop
precipitated by the withdrawal of massive Soviet aid and prolonged
by Cuba's own economic inefficiencies. The decline in GDP apparently
was halted in 1994, and government officials claim that GDP
increased by 2.5% in 1995. Export earnings rose by 20% in 1995 to
$1.6 billion, largely on the strength of higher world prices for key
commodities and increased production of nickel through joint
ventures with a Canadian firm. Higher export revenues and new
credits from European firms and Mexico enabled Havana to increase
its imports for the first time in six years. Imports rose 21% to
almost $2.4 billion, or 30% of the 1989 level. Officials have
sharply criticized provisions of legislation under consideration in
the US Congress, which aims to curtail third-country investment in
expropriated US properties in Cuba and deny official assistance to
Havana.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $14.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 30%
services: 63% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 4.71 million economically active population (1989);
3,527,000 employed in state civilian sector (1989)
by occupation: services and government 30%, industry 22%,
agriculture 20%, commerce 11%, construction 10%, transportation and
communications 7% (June 1990)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: sugar, petroleum, food, tobacco, textiles, chemicals,
paper and wood products, metals (particularly nickel), cement,
fertilizers, consumer goods, agricultural machinery
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 3,990,000 kW
production: 12 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,022 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes
and other tubers, beans; livestock
Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: sugar, nickel, shellfish, tobacco, medical products,
citrus, coffee
partners: Canada 15%, China 15%, Russia 15% (1995 est.)
Imports: $2.4 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum, food, machinery, chemicals
partners: Spain 15%, Mexico 15%, Russia 10%, (1995 est.)
External debt: $9.1 billion (convertible currency,1995); another
$20 billion owed to Russia (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1 - 1.0000
(non-convertible, official rate, linked to the US dollar)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 4,677 km
standard gauge: 4,677 km 1.435-m gauge (132 km electrified)
note: a large amount of track is in private use by sugar plantations
Highways:
total: 26,500 km
paved: 14,575 km
unpaved: 11,925 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 240 km
Ports: Cienfuegos, La Habana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas,
Nuevitas, Santiago de Cuba
Merchant marine:
total: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 220,870 GRT/310,169 DWT
ships by type: cargo 17, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 4,
oil tanker 9, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 9
note: Cuba owns an additional 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
462,517 DWT operating under the registries of Panama, Cyprus, Malta,
Belize, and Mauritius (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 156
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 14
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9
with paved runways under 914 m: 87
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 31 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 430,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: among the world's least developed telephone
systems
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic
Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 150, FM 5, shortwave 0
Radios: 2.14 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 58
Televisions: 2.5 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) includes ground forces,
Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR),
Territorial Troops Militia (MTT), and Youth Labor Army (EJT);
Interior Ministry Border Guards (TGF)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,053,431
females age 15-49: 3,009,852
males fit for military service: 1,898,644
females fit for military service: 1,866,313
males reach military age (17) annually: 65,182
females reach military age (17) annually: 61,960 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, roughly 4%
of GDP (1995 est.)
Defense note: Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and
supplier of Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993
======================================================================
@Cyprus
------
Map
---
Location: 35 00 N, 33 00 E -- Middle East, island in the
Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
Flag
----
Description: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island
(the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above
two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the
branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the
Greek and Turkish communities
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of
Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 9,250 sq km (note - 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish area)
land area: 9,240 sq km
comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 648 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: 1974 hostilities divided the island into
two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek area controlled by the
Cypriot Government (59% of the island's land area) and a
Turkish-Cypriot area (37% of the island), that are separated by a UN
buffer zone (4% of the island); there are two UK sovereign base
areas within the Greek Cypriot portion of the island
Climate: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool,
wet winters
Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south;
scattered but significant plains along southern coast
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Olympus 1,952 m
Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber,
salt, marble, clay earth pigment
Land use:
arable land: 40%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 10%
forest and woodland: 18%
other: 25%
Irrigated land: 350 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: water resource problems (no natural reservoir
catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, and most potable
resources concentrated in the Turkish Cypriot area); water pollution
from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of
wildlife habitats from urbanization
natural hazards: moderate earthquake activity
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate
Change
People
------
Population: 744,609 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 97,400; female 92,110)
15-64 years: 64% (male 240,716; female 238,039)
65 years and over: 11% (male 33,340; female 43,004) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.11% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.39 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.26 years
male: 74.11 years
female: 78.52 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.19 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Cypriot(s)
adjective: Cypriot
Ethnic divisions:
total: Greek 78% (99.5% of the Greeks live in the Greek area; 0.5%
of the Greeks live in the Turkish area), Turkish 18% (1.3% of the
Turks live in the Greek area; 98.7% of the Turks live in the Turkish
area), other 4% (99.2% of the other ethnic groups live in the Greek
area; 0.8% of the other ethnic groups live in the Turkish area)
Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian
Apostolic, and other 4%
Languages: Greek, Turkish, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1987 est.)
total population: 94%
male: 98%
female: 91%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form: Cyprus
note: the Turkish area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic" or
the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC)
Data code: CY
Type of government: republic
note: a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the
island began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this
separation was further solidified following the Turkish invasion of
the island in July 1974, which gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto
control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only
internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish
Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the
formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), which
has been recognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly call for the
resolution of intercommunal differences and creation of a new
federal system of government
Capital: Nicosia
note: the Turkish area's capital is Lefkosa (Nicosia)
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia,
Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish area
administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of
Famagusta, and small parts of Nicosia and Larnaca
Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK)
note: Turkish area proclaimed self-rule on NA February 1975 from
Republic of Cyprus
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October
note: Turkish area celebrates 15 November as Independence Day
Constitution: 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for
a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better
relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held
intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own
constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated
State of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new constitution for the Turkish area
passed by referendum on 5 May 1985
Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Glafcos CLERIDES
(since 28 February 1993) was elected for a five-year term by
universal suffrage; election last held 14 February 1993 (next to be
held NA February 1998); results - Glafcos CLERIDES 50.3%, Yeoryios
VASSILIOU 49.7%
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed jointly by the president
and vice president
note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of the Turkish area
since 13 February 1975 (president is elected for a five-year term by
universal suffrage); Hakki ATUN has been "prime minister" of the
Turkish area since 1 January 1994; there is a Council of Ministers
(cabinet) in the Turkish area; elections last held 15 and 22 April
1995 (next to be held NA April 2000); results - Rauf R. DENKTASH
62.5%, Dervis EROGLU 37.5%
Legislative branch: unicameral
Greek area: House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon): elections
last held 19 May 1991 (next to be held May 1996); results - DISY
35.8%, AKEL (Communist) 30.6%, DIKO 19.5%, EDEK 10.9%; others 3.2%;
seats - (56 total) DISY 20, AKEL (Communist) 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 7
Turkish area: Assembly of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Meclisi):
elections last held 12 December 1993 (next to be held NA); results -
UBP 29.9%, DP 29.2%, CTP 24.2% TKP 13.3%, others 3.4%; seats - (50
total) UBP (conservative) 15, DP 16, CTP 13, TKP 5, UDP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
Supreme Council of Judicature
note: there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish area
Political parties and leaders:
Greek area: Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL, Communist
Party), Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS; Democratic Rally (DISY), Ioannis
MATSIS; Democratic Party (DIKO), Spyros KYPRIANOU; United Democratic
Union of the Center (EDEK), Vassos LYSSARIDIS; Socialist Democratic
Renewal Movement (ADISOK), Mikhalis PAPAPETROU; Liberal Party,
Nikolaos ROLANDIS; Free Democrats, Yeoryios VASSILIOU; New Horizons,
Nikolaos KOUTSOU, secretary general
Turkish area: National Unity Party (UBP), Dervis EROGLU; Communal
Liberation Party (TKP), Mustafa AKINCI; Republican Turkish Party
(CTP), Mehmet ALI TALAT; New Cyprus Party (YKP), Alpay DURDURAN;
Free Democratic Party (HDP), Ismet KOTAK; Nationalist Justice Party
(MAP), Zorlu TORE; Unity and Sovereignty Party (BEP), Arif Salih
KIRDAG; Democratic Party (DP), Serdar DENKTASH; National Birth Party
(UDP), Enver EMIN; the HDP, MAP, and VP merged under the label
National Struggle Unity Party (MMBP) to compete in the 12 December
1993 legislative election
Other political or pressure groups: United Democratic Youth
Organization (EDON, Communist controlled); Union of Cyprus Farmers
(EKA, Communist controlled); Cyprus Farmers Union (PEK, pro-West);
Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation (PEO, Communist controlled);
Confederation of Cypriot Workers (SEK, pro-West); Federation of
Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions (Turk-Sen); Confederation of
Revolutionary Labor Unions (Dev-Is)
International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE,
EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andreas J. JACOVIDES
chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772
consulate(s) general: New York
note: Representative of the Turkish area in the US is Namik KORMAN,
office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC, telephone [1] (202)
887-6198
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard A. BOUCHER
embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, Nicosia
mailing address: P. O. Box 4536, FPO AE 09836
telephone: [357] (2) 476100
FAX: [357] (2) 465944
Flag: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the
name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two
green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches
symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek
and Turkish communities
note: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the
top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a
white field
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Greek Cypriot economy is small and
prosperous, but highly susceptible to external shocks. Industry
contributes 25% to GDP and employs 26% of the labor force, while the
service sector contributes 70% to GDP and employs 62% of the labor
force. After surging 9.7% in 1992, economic growth slowed to 1.6% in
1993 - its lowest level in two decades - because of the decline in
tourist arrivals associated with the recession in Western Europe,
Cyprus' main trading partner, and the loss in export competitiveness
due to a sharp rise in unit labor costs. However, real GDP picked up
in 1994 and 1995, as inflation fell from 4.7% to about 3%. Economic
prospects appear favorable for 1996: real GDP is likely to grow
between 3% and 4%, and inflation is likely to rise slightly to
3.5%-4.5%. The Turkish Cypriot economy has less than one-third the
per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by
Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing, and
foreign firms have hesitated to invest there. The economy remains
heavily dependent on agriculture and government service, which
together employ about half of the work force. Moreover, the small,
vulnerable economy has suffered because the Turkish lira is legal
tender. Economic growth sharply dropped during 1994 because of the
severe economic crisis affecting the mainland, and inflation soared
to 215%. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides
direct and indirect aid to nearly every sector; financial support
has risen and now equals in value about one-third of Turkish Cypriot
GDP.
GDP:
Greek area: purchasing power parity - $7.8 billion (1995 est.)
Turkish area: purchasing power parity - $520 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate:
Greek area: 5% (1995 est.)
Turkish area: 0.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita:
Greek area: $13,000 (1995 est.)
Turkish area: $3,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
Greek area - agriculture: 5.6%
Greek area - industry: 24.9%
Greek area - services: 69.5% (1994)
Turkish area - agriculture: 11.4%
Turkish area - industry: 22.9%
Turkish area - services: 65.7% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Greek area: 3% (1995 est.)
Turkish area: 215% (1994)
Labor force:
Greek area: 294,100
by occupation: services 61.5%, industry 26%, agriculture 12.5% (1994)
Turkish area: 75,320
by occupation: services 52.9%, industry 23.6%, agriculture 23.5%
(1994)
Unemployment rate:
Greek area: 2.7% (1994)
Turkish area: 1.6% (1994)
Budget:
revenues: Greek area - $2.3 billion, Turkish area - $246 million
expenditures: Greek area - $3.4 billion, including capital
expenditures of $500 million, Turkish area - $350 million, including
capital expenditures of $75 million (1996 est.)
Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products,
tourism, wood products
Industrial production growth rate:
Greek area: 3.7% (1994)
Turkish area: 2.6% (1992)
Electricity:
capacity: 550,000 kW
production: 2.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,903 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: potatoes, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, citrus,
vegetables
Illicit drugs: transit point for heroin via air routes and
container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey,
also some cocaine transits en route to Russia
Exports:
Greek area: $968 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and
shoes
partners: UK 16%, Lebanon 9%, Greece 8%, Russia 12%
Turkish area: $59 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: citrus, potatoes, textiles
partners: UK 48%, Turkey 22%
Imports:
Greek area: $2.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed
grains, machinery
partners: UK 12%, Japan 9%, Italy 10%, Germany 9%, US 8%
Turkish area: $330 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: food, minerals, chemicals, machinery
partners: Turkey 48%, UK 19%
External debt:
Greek area: $1.4 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
Greek area - recipient: ODA, $NA
Turkish area: during 1977-93, received substantial grants and loans
from Turkey
Currency: 1 Cypriot pound (LC) = 100 cents; 1 Turkish lira (TL) =
100 kurus
Exchange rates: Cypriot pounds per US1$ - 0.4628 (January 1996),
0.4522 (1995), 0.4915 (1994), 0.4970 (1993), 0.4502 (1992), 0.4633
(1991); Turkish liras (TL) per US$1 - 60,502.1 (January 1996),
45,845.1 (1995), 29,608.7 (1994), 10,984.6 (1993), 6,872.4 (1992),
4,171.8 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
Greek area - total: 10,448 km
Greek area - paved: 5,694 km
Greek area - unpaved: 4,754 km
Turkish area - total: 6,116 km
Turkish area - paved: 5,278 km
Turkish area - unpaved: 838 km
Ports: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos Bay
Merchant marine:
total: 1,524 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,949,242
GRT/40,236,638 DWT
ships by type: bulk 490, cargo 562, chemical tanker 27, combination
bulk 53, combination ore/oil 22, container 115, liquefied gas tanker
3, multifunction large-load carrier 4, oil tanker 129, passenger 6,
passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 62, roll-on/roll-off cargo 28,
short-sea passenger 17, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 2
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 48
countries among which are Greece 706, Germany 171, Russia 44,
Netherlands 31, Belgium 30, Japan 29, Cuba 21, UK 17, Spain 14, and
Hong Kong 13 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 15
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 331,000 (1995 est.)
Telephone system: excellent in both the Greek and Turkish areas
domestic: open wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay
international: tropospheric scatter; 3 coaxial and 5 fiber-optic
submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations:
Greek area: AM 11, FM 8, shortwave 0
Turkish area: AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios:
Greek area: 270,000 (1993 est.)
Turkish area: 42,170 (1985 est.)
Television broadcast stations:
Greek area: 1 (repeaters 34)
Turkish area: 1
Televisions:
Greek area: 107,000 (1992 est.)
Turkish area: 75,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches:
Greek area: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includes air and
naval elements), Greek Cypriot Police
Turkish area: Turkish Cypriot Security Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 190,372
males fit for military service: 130,880
males reach military age (18) annually: 5,749 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $493 million,
5.6% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Czech Republic
--------------
Map
---
Location: 49 45 N, 15 30 E -- Central Europe, southeast of Germany
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red
with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (almost
identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia)
Geography
---------
Location: Central Europe, southeast of Germany
Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 15 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 78,703 sq km
land area: 78,645 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 1,880 km
border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km,
Slovakia 214 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Liechtenstein claims restitution for 1,600
sq km of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918;
Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in
connection with their expulsion after World War II versus the Czech
Republic claims that restitution does not precede February 1948 when
the Communists seized power; unresolved property issues with
Slovakia over redistribution of property of the former Czechoslovak
federal government
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills,
and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east
consists of very hilly country
lowest point: Elbe River 115 m
highest point: Snezka 1,602 m
Natural resources: hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: air and water pollution in areas of northwest
Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks;
acid rain damaging forests
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; strategically located astride some of
oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is
a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and
the Danube in central Europe
People
------
Population: 10,321,120 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 965,861; female 918,745)
15-64 years: 68% (male 3,519,753; female 3,524,913)
65 years and over: 14% (male 526,841; female 865,007) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -0.03% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.39 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.89 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.76 years
male: 70.08 years
female: 77.65 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.38 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Czech(s)
adjective: Czech
note: 300,000 Slovaks declared themselves Czech citizens in 1994
Ethnic divisions: Czech 94.4%, Slovak 3%, Polish 0.6%, German
0.5%, Gypsy 0.3%, Hungarian 0.2%, other 1%
Religions: atheist 39.8%, Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%,
Orthodox 3%, other 13.4%
Languages: Czech, Slovak
Literacy: age NA and over can read and write (est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Czech Republic
conventional short form: Czech Republic
local long form: Ceska Republika
local short form: Cechy
Data code: EZ
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Prague
Administrative divisions: 8 regions (kraje, kraj - singular);
Jihocesky, Jihomoravsky, Praha, Severocesky, Severomoravsky,
Stredocesky, Vychodocesky, Zapadocesky
Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)
National holiday: National Liberation Day, 8 May; Founding of the
Republic, 28 October
Constitution: ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993
Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to
bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal
theory
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Vaclav HAVEL (since 26 January 1993) was
elected for a five-year term by the Parliament; election last held
26 January 1993 (next to be held NA January 1998); results - Vaclav
HAVEL was elected
head of government: Prime Minister Vaclav KLAUS (since NA June 1992)
was appointed by the president; Deputy Prime Ministers Ivan KOCARNIK
(since NA June 1992), Josef LUX (since NA June 1992), Jan KALVODA
(since NA June 1992)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president on recommendation of
the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlament)
Senate (Senate): elections to be held 15-16 November 1996 (next to
be held NA); seats (81 total)
Chamber of Deputies (Snemovna Poslancu): elections last held 5-6
June 1992 (next to be held 31 May-1 June 1996); results - percent of
vote by party NA given breakup and realignment of all parliamentary
opposition parties since 1992; seats - (200 total) governing
coalition (ODS 65, KDS 10, ODA 16, KDU-CSL 15), opposition (CSSD 18,
LB 25, KSCM 10, LSU 9, LSNS 5, CMUS 9, SPR-RSC 6, independents 12)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman and deputy chairmen are
appointed by the president; Constitutional Court, chairman and
deputy chairmen are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:
governing coalition: Civic Democratic Party (ODS), Vaclav KLAUS,
chairman; Christian Democratic Party (KDS), Ivan PILIP, chairman;
Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA), Jan KALVODA, chairman; Christian
Democratic Union/Czech People's Party (KDU-CSL), Josef LUX,
chairman; note - KDS was to merge with ODS in March 1996
opposition: Czech Social Democrats (CSSD - left opposition), Milos
ZEMAN, chairman; Left Bloc (LB - left opposition), Jaroslav ORTMAN,
chairman; Communist Party (KSCM - left opposition), Miroslav
GREBENICEK, chairman; Liberal Social Union (LSU - left opposition),
Frantisek TRNKA, chairman, note - may not still be in existence;
Liberal National Social Party (LSNS - center party), Vavrinec
BODENLOS, chairman; Bohemian-Moravian Center Union (CMUS - center
party), Jan JEGLA, chairman; Assembly for the Republic (SPR-RSC -
right radical), Miroslav SLADEK, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Czech-Moravian Chamber of
Trade Unions; Civic Movement
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,
CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,
UN Security Council (temporary), UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPROFOR, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael ZANTOVSKY
chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 363-6315, 6316
FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jenonne R. WALKER
embassy: Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1
mailing address: Unit 1330, APO AE 09213-1330
telephone: [42] (2) 2451-0847
FAX: [42] (2) 2451-1001
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a
blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (almost identical to
the flag of the former Czechoslovakia)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Czech Republic, which separated from
Slovakia on 1 January 1993, emerged from recession with 2.6% growth
in 1994 and 5% growth in 1995. Inflation in 1994-95 was cut in half;
unemployment was kept at about 3%; the budget was balanced; and
exports were reoriented to the EU. Prague's mass privatization
program, including its innovative distribution of ownership shares
to Czech citizens via "coupon vouchers," has made the most rapid
progress in Eastern Europe. About 80% of the economy is wholly or
partially in private hands. Because of its progress on reform, the
Czech Republic in 1995 became the first post-Communist member of the
OECD. Its solid economic performance also led Standard and Poor's to
upgrade the country's sovereign credit rating to "A" and attracted
nearly $5.3 billion in direct foreign investment to Czech industry
between 1990 and September 1995. The Czech crown became convertible
for current account transactions in October 1995. Czech companies
increasingly are using the international capital market to fund
capital investment, and foreign currency reserves totaled $13.9
billion at the end of 1995. Prague's biggest macroeconomic concern
now is limiting the inflationary effect of these large capital
inflows. The Czech economy also still faces microeconomic problems.
Prague has promised to strengthen its bankruptcy law and improve the
transparency of stock market operations in 1996, but some changes
probably will not take effect until some time after the
parliamentary elections of mid-1996 and will depend largely on
voluntary compliance. Prague forecasts a balanced budget, 5.5% GDP
growth, 2.8% unemployment, and 8.1% inflation for 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $106.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $10,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.8%
industry: 40.7%
services: 53.5%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.1% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 5.389 million
by occupation: industry 37.9%, agriculture 8.1%, construction 8.8%,
communications and other 45.2% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 2.9% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $16.5 billion
expenditures: $16.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery and equipment,
coal, motor vehicles, glass, armaments
Industrial production growth rate: 12.9% (January-November 1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 14.470,000 kW
production: 56.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 4,842 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs,
cattle, poultry; forest products
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and
Latin American cocaine to Western Europe
Exports: $17.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment,
chemicals, fuels, minerals, metals, agricultural products
partners: Germany 32.4%, Slovakia 16.1%, Austria 6.7%, Poland 5.3%,
Italy 4%, Russia 3.3%, Netherlands 2.8%, France 2.6%, UK 2.2%,
Hungary 2.1%, US 1.8%, Belgium 1.5% (January-September 1995)
Imports: $21.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,
chemicals, fuels and lubricants, raw materials, agricultural products
partners: Germany 26%, Slovakia 13.2%, Russia 9.2%, Austria 7%,
Italy 5.6%, France 4.1%, US 3.8%, Poland 3.1%, Netherlands 2.9%, UK
2.9%, Switzerland 2.1%, Belgium 2.0% (January-September 1995)
External debt: $14.9 billion (June 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $27 million (1993)
Currency: 1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru
Exchange rates: koruny (Kcs) per US$1 - 26.967 (January 1996),
26.541 (1995), 28.785 (1994), 29.153 (1993), 28.26 (1992), 29.53
(1991), 17.95 (1990)
note: values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rates
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 9,413 km
standard gauge: 9,316 km 1.435-m standard gauge (2640 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 97 km several narrow gauges (1995)
Highways:
total: 55,557 km (1994 est.)
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Waterways: NA km; the Elbe (Labe) is the principal river
Pipelines: natural gas 5,400 km
Ports: Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem
Merchant marine:
total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 155,946 GRT/251,624 DWT
ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 5 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 116
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with paved runways under 914 m: 5
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 32
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 41 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3,349,539 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic
and Indian Ocean Regions)
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense,
Railroad Units
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,724,607
males fit for military service: 2,074,331
males reach military age (18) annually: 88,418 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $931 million,
2.5% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Denmark
-------
Map
---
Location: 56 00 N, 10 00 E -- Northern Europe, bordering the
Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany
Flag
----
Description: red with a white cross that extends to the edges of
the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist
side, and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was
subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland,
Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North
Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany
Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 43,070 sq km
land area: 42,370 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Massachusetts
note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest
of metropolitan Denmark, but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland
Land boundaries:
total: 68 km
border country: Germany 68 km
Coastline: 3,379 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 4 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: Rockall continental shelf dispute
involving Iceland, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have
signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)
Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and
cool summers
Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains
lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m
highest point: Ejer Bavnehoj 173 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 61%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 12%
other: 21%
Irrigated land: 4,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution, principally from vehicle emissions;
nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and
surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes
natural hazards: flooding is a threat in some areas of the country
(e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of
Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic
Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification, Law of
the Sea
Geographic note: controls Danish Straits linking Baltic and North
Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in Copenhagen
People
------
Population: 5,249,632 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 469,672; female 446,907)
15-64 years: 67% (male 1,789,552; female 1,738,870)
65 years and over: 16% (male 330,396; female 474,235) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.38% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.24 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.42 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.3 years
male: 73.78 years
female: 81.01 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Dane(s)
adjective: Danish
Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian, Eskimo, Faroese, German
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 91%, other Protestant and Roman
Catholic 2%, other 7% (1988)
Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Eskimo dialect),
German (small minority)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark
conventional short form: Denmark
local long form: Kongeriget Danmark
local short form: Danmark
Data code: DA
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Copenhagen
Administrative divisions: metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties
(amter, singular - amt) and 1 city* (stad); Arhus, Bornholms,
Frederiksborg, Fyns, Kobenhavns, Nordjyllands, Ribe, Ringkobing,
Roskilde, Sonderjyllands, Staden Kobenhavn*, Storstroms, Vejle,
Vestsjaellands, Viborg
note: see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland,
which are part of the Danish realm and self-governing administrative
divisions
Independence: 10th century first organized as a unified state; in
1849 became a constitutional monarchy
National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution: 1849 was the original constitution; there was a
major overhaul 5 June 1953, allowing for a unicameral legislature
and a female chief of state
Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative
acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since NA January 1972) is a
constitutional monarch; Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder
son of the queen (born 26 May 1968)
head of government: Prime Minister Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN (since NA
January 1993) was appointed by the queen
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the queen
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Folketing): elections last held 21 September 1994 (next
to be held by December 1998); results - Social Democrats 34.6%,
Liberals 23.3%, Conservatives 15.0%, Social People's Party 7.3%,
Progress Party 6.4%, Radical Liberals 4.6%, Unity Party 3.1%, Center
Democrats 2.8%, Christian People's Party 1.8%; seats - (179 total)
Social Democrats 63, Liberals 44, Conservatives 28, Social People's
Party 13, Progress Party 11, Radical Liberals 8, Unity Party 6,
Center Democrats 5, independent 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
monarch for life
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, Poul Nyrup
RASMUSSEN; Conservative Party, Hans ENGELL; Liberal Party, Uffe
ELLEMANN-JENSEN; Socialist People's Party, Holger K. NIELSEN;
Progress Party, Group Chairman Kim BEHNKE and Policy Spokesman Jan
Kopke CHRISTENSEN; Center Democratic Party, Mimi Stilling JAKOBSEN;
Radical Liberal Party, Marianne JELVED; Christian People's Party,
Jann SJURSEN; Danish Workers' Party, Common Cause, Preben Moller
HANSEN; Unity Party
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB,
ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN,
UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG,
UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Knud-Erik TYGESEN
chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300
FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward E. ELSON
embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen
mailing address: APO AE 09716, PSC 73
telephone: [45] (31) 42 31 44
FAX: [45] (35) 43 02 23
Flag: red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the
flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side,
and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was
subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland,
Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Economy
-------
Economic overview: This thoroughly modern economy features
high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate
industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living
standards, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is
self-sufficient in food production. The new center-left coalition
government will concentrate on reducing the persistently high
unemployment rate and the budget deficit as well as following the
previous government's policies of maintaining low inflation and a
current account surplus. In the face of recent international market
pressure on the Danish krone, the coalition has also vowed to
maintain a stable currency. The coalition hopes to lower marginal
income taxes while maintaining overall tax revenues; boost
industrial competitiveness through labor market and tax reforms and
increased research and development funds; and improve welfare
services for the neediest while cutting paperwork and delays. Prime
Minister RASMUSSEN's reforms will focus on adapting Denmark to the
criteria for European integration by 1999; Copenhagen has won from
the European Union (EU) the right to opt out of the European
Monetary Union (EMU) if a national referendum rejects it. Denmark
is, in fact, one of the few EU countries likely to fit into the EMU
on time. Denmark is weathering the current worldwide slump better
than many West European countries. Although unemployment is high, it
remains stable compared to most European countries.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $112.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $21,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 23.5%
services: 73.5% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2,553,900
by occupation: private services 37.1%, government services 30.4%,
manufacturing and mining 20%, construction 6.3%, agriculture,
forestry, and fishing 5.6%, electricity/gas/water 0.6% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $56.5 billion
expenditures: $64.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and
clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture,
and other wood products, shipbuilding
Industrial production growth rate: -2.5% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 10,030,000 kW
production: 32 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 5,835 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grain, potatoes, rape, sugar beets; meat, dairy
products; fish
Exports: $39.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: meat and meat products, dairy products, transport
equipment (shipbuilding), fish, chemicals, industrial machinery
partners: EU 49.4% (Germany 22.4%, UK 8.2%), Sweden 10.4%, Norway
6.5%, US 5.5%, Japan 4.1%, FSU 1.7% (1994)
Imports: $34 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum, machinery and equipment, chemicals, grain
and foodstuffs, textiles, paper
partners: EU 51% (Germany 22%, UK 6.5%), Sweden 11.6%, Norway 5.1%,
US 5.2%, Japan 3.5%, FSU 1.7% (1994)
External debt: $40.9 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $1.34 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 5.652 (January
1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,848 km (499 km privately owned and operated)
standard gauge: 2,848 km 1.435-m gauge (326 km electrified; 760 km
double track) (1995)
Highways:
total: 71,042 km
paved: 71,042 km (including 696 km of expressways)
unpaved: 0 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 417 km
Pipelines: crude oil 110 km; petroleum products 578 km; natural
gas 700 km
Ports: Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Grenaa,
Koge, Odense, Struer
Merchant marine:
total: 334 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,013,054
GRT/7,171,871 DWT
ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 114, chemical tanker 25, container 65,
liquefied gas tanker 27, livestock carrier 5, oil tanker 31, railcar
carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 17, roll-on/roll-off cargo 26,
short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 1
note: Denmark has created its own internal register, called the
Danish International Ship register (DIS); DIS ships do not have to
meet Danish manning regulations, and they amount to a flag of
convenience within the Danish register (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 109
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13
with paved runways under 914 m: 77
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 4.005 million (1985 est.)
Telephone system: excellent telephone and telegraph services
domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form
trunk network
international: 19 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations
- 7 Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean
Regions); note - Denmark shares the Inmarsat earth station with the
other Nordic countries (Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 2.04 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air
Force, Home Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,338,791
males fit for military service: 1,150,996
males reach military age (20) annually: 34,324 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.2 billion,
1.8% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Djibouti
--------
Map
---
Location: 11 30 N, 43 00 E -- Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf
of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and
light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
bearing a red five-pointed star in the center
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red
Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia
Geographic coordinates: 11 30 N, 43 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 22,000 sq km
land area: 21,980 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 508 km
border countries: Eritrea 113 km, Ethiopia 337 km, Somalia 58 km
Coastline: 314 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: desert; torrid, dry
Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains
lowest point: Asal -155 m
highest point: Mousa Alli 2,028 m
Natural resources: geothermal areas
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 9%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 91%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification
natural hazards: earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic
disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution; signed, but not
ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping
lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into
Ethiopia; a vast wasteland
People
------
Population: 427,642 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 91,687; female 91,242)
15-64 years: 55% (male 123,699; female 110,530)
65 years and over: 2% (male 5,389; female 5,095) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.5% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.5 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.26 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.07 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 106.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 50.15 years
male: 48.24 years
female: 52.12 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.08 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Djiboutian(s)
adjective: Djiboutian
Ethnic divisions: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian,
and Italian 5%
Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6%
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 46.2%
male: 60.3%
female: 32.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti
conventional short form: Djibouti
former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland
Data code: DJ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Djibouti
Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular -
cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura
Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Constitution: multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4
September 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional
practices, and Islamic law
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June
1977); election last held 7 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1999);
results - President HASSAN GOULED reelected to a six-year term by
universal suffrage
head of government: Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30
September 1978)
cabinet: Council of Ministers is responsible to the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes): elections last held 18
December 1992; results - RPP (the ruling party) dominated; seats -
(65 total) RPP 65
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
ruling party: People's Progress Assembly (RPP), Hassan GOULED Aptidon
other parties: Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Mohamed Jama ELABE;
Democratic National Party (PND), ADEN Robleh Awaleh
Other political or pressure groups: Front for the Restoration of
Unity and Democracy (FRUD) and affiliates; Movement for Unity and
Democracy (MUD)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD,
AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,
ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador ROBLE Olhaye Oudine
chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270
FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Martin L. CHESHES
embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti
mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti
telephone: [253] 35 39 95
FAX: [253] 35 39 40
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light
green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
bearing a red five-pointed star in the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is based on service activities
connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free
trade zone in northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live
in the capital city, the remainder being mostly nomadic herders.
Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and
most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a
transit port for the region and an international transshipment and
refueling center. It has few natural resources and little industry.
The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance
(an important supplement to GDP) to help support its balance of
payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate
of over 30% continues to be a major problem. Per capita consumption
dropped an estimated 35% over the last six years because of
recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including
immigrants and refugees).
GDP: purchasing power parity - $500 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -3% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,200 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 21%
services: 76% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 282,000
by occupation: agriculture 75%, industry 11%, services 14% (1991
est.)
Unemployment rate: over 30% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $164 million
expenditures: $201 million, including capital expenditures of $16
million (1993 est.)
Industries: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as
dairy products and mineral-water bottling
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 90,000 kW
production: 170 million kWh
consumption per capita: 398 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels
Exports: $184 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: hides and skins, coffee (in transit)
partners: Somalia 48%, Yemen 42%
Imports: $384 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals,
petroleum products
partners: France, UK, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, South Korea
External debt: $227 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1 - 177.721 (fixed
rate since 1973)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 97 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad)
narrow gauge: 97 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 2,879 km
paved: 363 km
unpaved: 2,516 km (1991 est.)
Ports: Djibouti
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 11
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 7,200 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are
adequate as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying
areas of the country
domestic: microwave radio relay network
international: submarine cable to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth
stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 17,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force),
National Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite), National
Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 102,528
males fit for military service: 60,076 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $26 million, NA%
of GDP (1989)
======================================================================
@Dominica
--------
Map
---
Location: 13 30 N, 61 20 W -- Caribbean, island between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the
way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Flag
----
Description: green with a centered cross of three equal bands -
the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the
horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in
the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot
encircled by 10 green five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10
stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to
Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 N, 61 20 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 750 sq km
land area: 750 sq km
comparative area: more than four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 148 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy
rainfall
Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m
Natural resources: timber
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 13%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 41%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat; destructive
hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
Whaling
People
------
Population: 82,926 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 11,986; female 11,521)
15-64 years: 64% (male 27,206; female 25,841)
65 years and over: 8% (male 2,608; female 3,764) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.38% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 18.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.4 years
male: 74.55 years
female: 80.4 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.93 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Dominican(s)
adjective: Dominican
Ethnic divisions: black, Carib Indians
Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%,
Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%),
none 2%, unknown 1%, other 5%
Languages: English (official), French patois
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)
total population: 94%
male: 94%
female: 94%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica
conventional short form: Dominica
Data code: DO
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Roseau
Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David,
Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark,
Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter
Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Constitution: 3 November 1978
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO (since 25 October
1993) was elected for a five-year term by the House of Assembly;
election last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998);
results - percent of vote NA
head of government: Prime Minister Edison C. JAMES (since 12 June
1995); prime minister is appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president on the advice of the
prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 12 June 1995 (next to be held
by October 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30
total; 9 appointed senators and 21 elected representatives) UWP 11,
DLP 5, DFP 5
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (located in Santa
Lucia), one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside
over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Brian
ALLEYNE; Dominica Labor Party (DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS; United Workers
Party (UWP), Edison JAMES
Other political or pressure groups: Dominica Liberation Movement
(DLM), a small leftist group
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom,
CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: Dominica does not have an embassy
in the US
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Dominica; the Ambassador to Dominica resides in Bridgetown
(Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica
Flag: green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the
vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the
horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in
the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot
encircled by 10 green five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10
stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is dependent on agriculture and
thus is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions. Agriculture
accounts for 26% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force.
Development of the tourist industry remains difficult because of the
rugged coastline and the lack of an international airport. Hurricane
Luis devastated the country's banana crop in September 1995;
tropical storms had wiped out one-quarter of the crop in 1994 as
well. The newly elected government is attempting to develop an
offshore financial industry in order to diversify the island's
production base.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $200 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,450 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 26%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.4% (1995)
Labor force: 25,000
by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services
28% (1984)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $80 million
expenditures: $95.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96 est.)
Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement
blocks, shoes
Industrial production growth rate: -10% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 7,000 kW
production: 30 million kWh
consumption per capita: 347 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts;
forestry and fisheries potential not exploited
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US
and Europe; minor cannabis producer
Exports: $48.3 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges
partners: UK 55%, Caricom countries, Italy, US
Imports: $98.8 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food,
chemicals
partners: US 25%, Caricom, UK, Japan, Canada
External debt: $92.8 million (1992)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70
(fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 800 km
paved: 500 km
unpaved: 300 km
Ports: Portsmouth, Roseau
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 14,613 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: fully automatic network
international: microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to
Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint
Lucia
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 45,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 cable
Televisions: 5,200 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Special
Service Unit, Coast Guard)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Dominican Republic
------------------
Map
---
Location: 19 00 N, 70 40 W -- Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the
island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti
Flag
----
Description: a centered white cross that extends to the edges,
divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist
side) and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a
small coat of arms is at the center of the cross
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of
Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,
east of Haiti
Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 70 40 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 48,730 sq km
land area: 48,380 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total: 275 km
border country: Haiti 275 km
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 6 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation;
seasonal variation in rainfall
Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys
interspersed
lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m
highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m
Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver
Land use:
arable land: 23%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 43%
forest and woodland: 13%
other: 14%
Irrigated land: 2,250 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages
coral reefs; deforestation
natural hazards: occasional hurricanes (July to October)
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea
Geographic note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern
two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)
People
------
Population: 8,088,881 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 1,401,322; female 1,355,530)
15-64 years: 62% (male 2,541,356; female 2,460,509)
65 years and over: 4% (male 156,238; female 173,926) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.73% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 47.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.06 years
male: 66.89 years
female: 71.34 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.66 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Dominican(s)
adjective: Dominican
Ethnic divisions: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 82.1%
male: 82%
female: 82.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Dominican Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republica Dominicana
local short form: none
Data code: DR
Type of government: republic
Capital: Santo Domingo
Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona,
Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo,
Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La
Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte
Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez
Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago,
Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde
Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution: 28 November 1966
Legal system: based on French civil codes
Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married
persons regardless of age
note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Joaquin BALAGUER
Ricardo (since 16 August 1986, sixth elected term began 16 August
1994); Vice President Jacinto PEYNADO Garrigoza (since 16 August
1994); president is elected for a four-year term by direct vote;
election last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held 16 May 1996);
results - Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 42.6%, Juan BOSCH Gavino (PLD)
13.2%, Jose Francisco PENA Gomez (PRD) 41.9%, Jacobo MAJLUTA (PRI)
2.3%
cabinet: Cabinet was nominated by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate (Senado): elections last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held NA
May 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total)
PRSC 15, PLD 1, PRD 14
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 16
May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (120 total) PLD 13, PRSC 50, PRD 57
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are elected
by the Senate
Political parties and leaders:
major parties: Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Joaquin
BALAGUER Ricardo; Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Lidio CADET;
Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), Jose Franciso PENA Gomez;
Independent Revolutionary Party (PRI), Jacobo MAJLUTA
minor parties: National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan
Rene BEAUCHAMPS Javier; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic
(PLRD), Andres Van Der HORST; Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD),
Elias WESSIN Chavez; National Progressive Force (FNP), Marino
VINICIO Castillo; Popular Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADO
Bogaert; Dominican Communist Party (PCD), Narciso ISA Conde;
Dominican Workers' Party (PTD), Ivan RODRIGUEZ; Anti-Imperialist
Patriotic Union (UPA), Ignacio RODRIGUEZ Chiappini; Alliance for
Democracy Party (APD), Maximilano Rabelais PUIG Miller, Nelsida
MARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA; Democratic Union (UD), Fernando ALVAREZ
Bogaert
note: in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to
form the Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, they still retain
individual party structures
Other political or pressure groups: Collective of Popular
Organizations (COP)
International organization participation: ACP, Caricom (observer),
ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,
LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomez
chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280
FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto
Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco,
and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston,
Jacksonville, Mobile, and Ponce (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donna Jean HRINAK
embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo
Navarro, Santo Domingo
mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041
telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171, 221-8100
FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437
Flag: a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides
the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side)
and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat
of arms is at the center of the cross
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic reforms launched in late 1994
contributed to exchange rate stabilization, reduced inflation, and
relatively strong GDP growth in 1995. Output growth was concentrated
in the tourism and free trade zone (ftz) sectors while sugar and
non-ftz manufacturing declined last year. Drought in early 1995 hurt
agricultural production but favorable world prices for export
commodities helped mitigate the impact. Sugar refining was
devastated by a disastrous harvest resulting from the drought and
ongoing problems at the state-owned sugar company. Unreliable
electric supplies continue to hamper expansion in manufacturing;
small and medium-sized retail firms also suffer due to the dismal
power situation. A presidential election scheduled for May 1996
could lead to increased government spending before and in the
immediate aftermath of the vote, raising the potential for rising
inflation and increased pressure on the Dominican peso.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $26.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 32%
services: 55% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.5% (1995)
Labor force: 2.3 million to 2.6 million
by occupation: agriculture 50%, services and government 32%,
industry 18% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate: 30% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.8 billion
expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold
mining, textiles, cement, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,450,000 kW
production: 5.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 651 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice,
beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, meat,
eggs
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe
Exports: $837.7 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa
partners: US 47.5%, EC 22%, Puerto Rico 8.4%, Asia 6.7% (1994)
Imports: $2.867 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals
and pharmaceuticals
partners: US 60% (1993)
External debt: $4.6 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $21 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 13.589 (December
1995), 13.617 (1995), 13.160 (1994), 12.676 (1993), 12.774 (1992),
12.692 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 757 km
standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge (Central Romana Railroad)
narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge (Dominica Government Railway);
240 km operated by sugar companies in various gauges (0.558-m,
0.762-m, 1.067-m gauges) (1995)
Highways:
total: 11,931 km
paved: 5,766 km
unpaved: 6,165 km (1987 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km
Ports: Barahona, La Romana, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris,
Santo Domingo
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 31
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 14
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 190,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: relatively efficient system based on islandwide microwave
radio relay network
international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station -
1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 120, FM 0, shortwave 6
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 18 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 728,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,212,012
males fit for military service: 1,391,472
males reach military age (18) annually: 83,611 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $116 million,
1.4% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Ecuador
-------
Map
---
Location: 2 00 S, 77 30 W -- Western South America, bordering the
Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width),
blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of
the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does
not bear a coat of arms
Geography
---------
Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at
the Equator, between Colombia and Peru
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 77 30 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 283,560 sq km
land area: 276,840 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Nevada
note: includes Galapagos Islands
Land boundaries:
total: 2,010 km
border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline: 2,237 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and
Galapagos Islands
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: three sections of the boundary with Peru
are in dispute
Climate: tropical along coast becoming cooler inland
Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands
(sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 17%
forest and woodland: 51%
other: 23%
Irrigated land: 5,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water
pollution
natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic
activity; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
Geographic note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in
world
People
------
Population: 11,466,291 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 2,062,468; female 1,996,679)
15-64 years: 60% (male 3,403,197; female 3,489,728)
65 years and over: 5% (male 241,217; female 273,002) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.96% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 25.06 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 34.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.09 years
male: 68.49 years
female: 73.82 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Ecuadorian(s)
adjective: Ecuadorian
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian
25%, Spanish 10%, black 10%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish (official), Indian languages (especially
Quechua)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 90.1%
male: 92%
female: 88.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form: Ecuador
local long form: Republica del Ecuador
local short form: Ecuador
Data code: EC
Type of government: republic
Capital: Quito
Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El
Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios,
Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios,
Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe
Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence
of Quito)
Constitution: 10 August 1979
Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate
persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN
Cordovez (since 10 August 1992); Vice President Eduardo PENA Trivino
(since 18 October 1995); president and vice president were elected
for four-year terms by universal suffrage; runoff election held 5
July 1992; results - Sixto DURAN-BALLEN elected as president (next
election was held 19 May 1996; no presidential candidate received
more than 50% of the vote; a runoff election between BUCARAM and
NEBOT will be held on 7 July 1996); note - former Vice President
DAHIK resigned 11 October 1995 and left the country to escape arrest
on corruption charges; National Congress chose PENA as his successor
in accordance with the constitution
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Congress (Congreso Nacional): elections last held 19 May
1996; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (82 total) PSC
27, PRE 21, DP 10, Pachakutik Movement 7, ID 5, PLRE 3, MPD 2, APRE
2, CFP 1, independent and other 4
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are elected
by the Chamber of Representatives
Political parties and leaders:
Center-Right parties: Republican Unity Party (PUR); Social Christian
Party (PSC), Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president; Ecuadorian Conservative
Party (PCE), President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN (two parties merged in
1995)
Center-Left parties: Democratic Left (ID), Andres VALLEJO Arcos,
Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos, leaders; Popular Democracy (DP), Rodrigo
PAZ, leader; Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party (PLRE), Medardo MORA,
leader; Radical Alfarista Front (FRA), Jaime ASPIAZU Seminario,
director
Populist parties: Roldosist Party (PRE), Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz,
director; Concentration of Popular Forces (CFP), Rodolfo BAQUERIZO
Nazur, leader; Popular Revolutionary Action (APRE), Frank VARGAS
Passos, leader
Far-Left parties: Popular Democratic Movement (MPD), Juan Jose
CASTELLO, leader; Ecuadorian Socialist Party (PSE), Leon ROLDOS,
leader; Broad Leftist Front (FADI), Rene Mauge MOSQUERA, chairman;
Ecuadorian National Liberation (LN), Alfredo CASTILLO, director
Communists: Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE, pro-North Korea), Rene
Mauge MOSQUERA, Secretary General; Communist Party of
Ecuador/Marxist-Leninist (PCMLE, Maoist)
International organization participation: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11,
G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA,
NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edgar TERAN Teran
chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, and San Francisco
consulate(s): Newark
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter F. ROMERO
embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito
mailing address: APO AA 34039
telephone: [593] (2) 562-890
FAX: [593] (2) 502-052
consulate(s) general: Guayaquil
Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue,
and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the
flag; similar to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does not
bear a coat of arms
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich
agricultural areas. Growth has been uneven in recent years because
of fluctuations in prices for Ecuador's primary exports - oil and
bananas - as well as because of government policies designed to curb
inflation. President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN launched a series of
macroeconomic reforms when he came into office in August 1992, which
included raising domestic fuel prices and utility rates, eliminating
most subsidies, and bringing the government budget into balance.
These measures helped to reduce inflation from 55% in 1992 to 25% in
1995. DURAN-BALLEN has a much more favorable attitude toward foreign
investment than his predecessor and has supported several laws
designed to encourage foreign investment. Ecuador has implemented
free or complementary trade agreements with Bolivia, Chile,
Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, as well as joined the World Trade
Organization. Growth slowed to 2.3% in 1995 due in part to high
domestic interest rates and shortages of electric power.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $44.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 39%
services: 48% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1995)
Labor force: 2.8 million
by occupation: agriculture 35%, manufacturing 21%, commerce 16%,
services and other activities 28% (1982)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (1994)
Budget:
revenues: $3.3 billion
expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work,
paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate: 6.4% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,230,000 kW
production: 6.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 612 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc,
plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy
products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp
Illicit drugs: significant transit country for derivatives of coca
originating in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; minor illicit producer
of coca; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of
illicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub
Exports: $4 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: petroleum 39%, bananas 17%, shrimp 16%, cocoa 3%,
coffee 6%
partners: US 42%, Latin America 29%, Caribbean, EU countries 17%
Imports: $3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: transport equipment, consumer goods, vehicles,
machinery, chemicals
partners: US 28%, EU 17%, Latin America 31%, Caribbean, Japan
External debt: $12.6 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $153 million (1993)
note: received $12.7 million from the US and $160 million from other
countries in 1995
Currency: 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: sucres (S/) per US$1 - 2914.8 (31 December 1995),
2,564.5 (1995), 2,196.7 (1994), 1,919.1 (1993), 1,534.0 (1992),
1,046.25 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 965 km (single track)
narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 43,709 km
paved: 5,245 km
unpaved: 38,464 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 1,500 km
Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km
Ports: Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar,
San Lorenzo
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 114,701 GRT/171,240 DWT
ships by type: container 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 12,
passenger 3, refrigerated cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 188
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13
with paved runways under 914 m: 121
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 32 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 586,300 (1994 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 272, FM 0, shortwave 39
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 940,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana,
includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National
Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,968,361
males fit for military service: 2,006,509
males reach military age (20) annually: 121,241 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $386 million,
2.1% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Egypt
-----
Map
---
Location: 27 00 N, 30 00 E -- Northern Africa, bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden
eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the
country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag
of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of
Syria that has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has
three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line
centered in the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea,
between Libya and the Gaza Strip
Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1,001,450 sq km
land area: 995,450 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of New
Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,689 km
border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km,
Sudan 1,273 km
Coastline: 2,450 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does
not coincide with international boundary creating the "Hala'ib
Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km, tensions over this
disputed area began to escalate in 1992 and remain high
Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m
highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates,
manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 95%
Irrigated land: 25,850 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization and
windblown sands; increasing soil salinization below Aswan High Dam;
desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and
marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides,
raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural fresh
water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water
source; rapid growth in population overstraining natural resources
natural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash
floods, landslides, volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm called
khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge
between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez
Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea;
size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in
Middle Eastern geopolitics
People
------
Population: 63,575,107 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37% (male 11,970,197; female 11,462,689)
15-64 years: 60% (male 19,127,696; female 18,738,304)
65 years and over: 3% (male 1,028,916; female 1,247,305) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.91% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 28.18 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 72.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 61.43 years
male: 59.51 years
female: 63.46 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.58 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Egyptian(s)
adjective: Egyptian
Ethnic divisions: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and
Berbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily
Italian and French) 1%
Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), Coptic
Christian and other 6% (official estimate)
Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood
by educated classes
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 51.4%
male: 63.6%
female: 38.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt
conventional short form: Egypt
local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah
local short form: none
former: United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Data code: EG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Cairo
Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular -
muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum,
Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al
Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid,
Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id,
Dumyat, Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina, Suhaj
Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)
Constitution: 11 September 1971
Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and
Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of
State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (sworn in as
president 14 October 1981, eight days after the assassination of
President SADAT); national referendum held 4 October 1993 validated
MUBARAK's nomination by the People's Assembly to a third six-year
presidential term; note - the president is nominated by the People's
Assembly and that nomination must then be validated by a national,
popular referendum
head of government: Prime Minister Kamal Ahmed al-GANZOURI (since 4
January 1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral
People's Assembly (Majlis al-Cha'b): elections last held 29 November
1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - NDP 72%, idependents 25%,
opposition 3%; seats - (454 total, 444 elected, 10 appointed by the
president) NDP 317, independents 114, NWP 6, NPUG 5, Nasserist Arab
Democratic Party 1, Liberals 1
Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura): functions only in a consultative
role; elections last held 7 June 1995 (next to be held NA); results
- NDP 99%, independents 1%; seats - (264 total, 176 elected, 88
appointed by the president) seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party (NDP),
President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK, leader, is the dominant party;
legal opposition parties are as follows: New Wafd Party (NWP), Fu'ad
SIRAJ AL-DIN; Socialist Labor Party (SLP), Ibrahim SHUKRI; National
Progressive Unionist Grouping (NPUG), Khalid Muhi al-DIN; Socialist
Liberal Party, Mustafa Kamal MURAD; Democratic Unionist Party,
Mohammed 'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK; Umma Party, Ahmad al-SABAHI; Misr
al-Fatah Party (Young Egypt Party), leader NA; Nasserist Arab
Democratic Party, Dia' al-din DAWUD; Democratic Peoples' Party,
Anwar AFIFI; The Greens Party, Kamal KIRAH; Social Justice Party,
Muhammad 'ABD-AL-'AL
note: formation of political parties must be approved by government
Other political or pressure groups: despite a constitutional ban
against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim
Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's potentially most significant
political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity
by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but has moved more
aggressively in the past year to block its influence; trade unions
and professional associations are officially sanctioned
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, ACCT
(associate), AfDB, AFESD, AG (observer), AL, AMF, BSEC (observer),
CAEU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS
(observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA,
UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed Maher El SAYED
chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319, 5131
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward S. WALKER, Jr.
embassy: (North Gate) 8, Kamel El-Din Salah Street, Garden City,
Cairo
mailing address: APO AE 09839-4900, Unit 64900, Cairo
telephone: [20] (2) 3557371
FAX: [20] (2) 3573200
branch office: Alexandria
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle
facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country
in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen,
which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that
has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green
stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in
the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Half of Egypt's GDP originates in the public
sector, most industrial plants being owned by the government.
Overregulation holds back technical modernization and foreign
investment. Even so, the economy grew rapidly during the late 1970s
and early 1980s, but in 1986 the collapse of world oil prices and an
increasingly heavy burden of debt servicing led Egypt to begin
negotiations with the IMF for balance-of-payments support. Egypt's
first IMF standby arrangement, concluded in mid-1987, was suspended
in early 1988 because of the government's failure to adopt promised
reforms. Egypt signed a follow-on program with the IMF and also
negotiated a structural adjustment loan with the World Bank in 1991.
In 1991-93 the government made solid progress on administrative
reforms such as liberalizing exchange and interest rates, but
resisted implementing major structural reforms like streamlining the
public sector. As a result, the economy has not gained enough
momentum to tackle the growing problem of unemployment. Egypt made
uneven progress in implementing the successor programs it signed
onto in late 1993 with the IMF and World Bank; currently it is
negotiating another successor program with the IMF. President
MUBARAK has cited population growth as the main cause of the
country's economic troubles. The addition of about 1.2 million
people a year to the already huge population of 63 million exerts
enormous pressure on the 5% of the land area available for
agriculture along the Nile.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $171 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,760 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.4% (yearend 1995)
Labor force: 16 million (1994 est.)
by occupation: government, public sector enterprises, and armed
forces 36%, agriculture 34%, privately owned service and
manufacturing enterprises 20% (1984)
note: shortage of skilled labor; 2.5 million Egyptians work abroad,
mostly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Arab states (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 20% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $18 billion
expenditures: $19.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.8
billion (FY94/95 est.)
Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals,
petroleum, construction, cement, metals
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 11,830,000 kW
production: 44.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 695 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables;
cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; annual fish catch about 140,000
metric tons
Illicit drugs: a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast
Asian heroin and opium moving to Europe and the US; popular transit
stop for Nigerian couriers; large domestic consumption of hashish
from Lebanon and Syria
Exports: $5.4 billion (f.o.b., FY94/95 est.)
commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw
cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals
partners: EU, US, Japan
Imports: $15.2 billion (c.i.f., FY94/95 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood
products, durable consumer goods, capital goods
partners: US, EU, Japan
External debt: $33.6 billion (FY93/94 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $1.713 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Egyptian pound (LE) = 100 piasters
Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (LE) per US$1 - 3.4 (November
1994), 3.369 (November 1993), 3.345 (November 1992), 2.7072 (1990);
market rate: 3.3920 (January 1996), 3.3900 (1995), 3.3910 (1994),
3.3718 (1993), 3.3386 (1992), 3.3322 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 4,751 km
standard gauge: 4,751 km 1,435-m gauge (42 km electrified; 951 km
double track)
Highways:
total: 47,387 km
paved: 34,593 km
unpaved: 12,794 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser,
Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the
delta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km long (including approaches), used by
oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 m of water
Pipelines: crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural
gas 460 km
Ports: Alexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, Bur Safajah,
Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez
Merchant marine:
total: 164 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,187,290
GRT/1,833,108 DWT
ships by type: bulk 22, cargo 74, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker
14, passenger 33, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 15,
short-sea passenger 4 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 80
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 11
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 34
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 16
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 9
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2.2 million (1993)
Telephone system: large system by Third World standards but
inadequate for present requirements and undergoing extensive
upgrading
domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah,
Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and
microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean
and Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine
cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to
Israel; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 39, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 41
Televisions: 5 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 16,530,460
males fit for military service: 10,723,011
males reach military age (20) annually: 660,453 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion,
8.2% of GDP (FY94/95 est.)
======================================================================
@El Salvador
-----------
Map
---
Location: 13 50 N, 88 55 W -- Middle America, bordering the North
Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band;
the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag
of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the
white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA
DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar
to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X
pattern centered in the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean,
between Guatemala and Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 13 50 N, 88 55 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 21,040 sq km
land area: 20,720 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 545 km
border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
Coastline: 307 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: land boundary dispute with Honduras mostly
resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ)
decision; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de
Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and
advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras
and Nicaragua likely would be required
Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season
(November to April)
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central
plateau
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 27%
permanent crops: 8%
meadows and pastures: 29%
forest and woodland: 6%
other: 30%
Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution;
contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes
natural hazards: known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and
sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Geographic note: smallest Central American country and only one
without a coastline on Caribbean Sea
People
------
Population: 5,828,987 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 1,137,804; female 1,097,774)
15-64 years: 57% (male 1,627,519; female 1,716,261)
65 years and over: 5% (male 115,973; female 133,656) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.81% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 28.3 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.81 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 31.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.88 years
male: 65.44 years
female: 72.5 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.2 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Salvadoran(s)
adjective: Salvadoran
Ethnic divisions: mestizo 94%, Indian 5%, white 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 75%
note: there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout
the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million
Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador
Languages: Spanish, Nahua (among some Indians)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 71.5%
male: 73.5%
female: 69.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form: El Salvador
local long form: Republica de El Salvador
local short form: El Salvador
Data code: ES
Type of government: republic
Capital: San Salvador
Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La
Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa
Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 20 December 1983
Legal system: based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common
law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Armando CALDERON
Sol (since 1 June 1994) and Vice President Enrique BORGO Bustamante
(since 1 June 1994) were elected for five-year terms by universal
suffrage; election last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA March
1999); results - Armando CALDERON SOL (ARENA) 49.03%, Ruben ZAMORA
Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 24.09%, Fidel CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 16.39%, other
10.49%; because no candidate received a majority, a run-off election
was held 24 April 1994; results - Armando CALDERON SOL (ARENA)
68.35%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 31.65%
cabinet: Council of Ministers
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa): elections last held 20
March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - ARENA 46.4%,
FMLN 25.0%, PDC 21.4%, PCN 4.8%, other 2.4%; seats - (84 total)
ARENA 39, FMLN 21, PDC 18, PCN 4, other 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are
selected by the Legislative Assembly
Political parties and leaders: National Republican Alliance
(ARENA), Juan Jose DOMENECH, president; Farabundo Marti National
Liberation Front (FMLN), Salvador SANCHEZ Ceren (aka Leonel
GONZALEZ), general coordinator; Christian Democratic Party (PDC),
Ronal UMANA, secretary general; National Conciliation Party (PCN),
Ciro CRUZ Zepeda, secretary general; Democratic Convergence (CD),
Juan Jose MARTEL, secretary general; Unity Movement, Jorge MARTINEZ
Menendez, president
note: newly formed parties not yet officially recognized by the
Supreme Electoral Tribunal: Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), Kirio
Waldo SALGADO, founder; Social Democratic Party (breakaway from
FMLN), Joaquin VILLALOBOS, founder; Social Christian Renovation
Movement (MRSC) (breakaway from PDC), Abraham RODRIGUEZ, founder
Other political or pressure groups:
labor organizations: Salvadoran Communal Union (UCS), peasant
association; General Confederation of Workers (CGT), moderate;
United Workers Front (FUT)
business organizations: Productive Alliance (AP), conservative;
National Federation of Salvadoran Small Businessmen (FENAPES),
conservative
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO,
G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA
(observer), MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ana Cristina SOL
chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671, 9672
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alan H. FLANIGAN
embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Station Antiguo Cuscatlan, San
Salvador
mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023
telephone: [503] 278-4444
FAX: [503] 278-6011
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue
with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat
of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE
EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua,
which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it
features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on
top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of
Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern
centered in the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: El Salvador possesses a fast-growing
entrepreneurial economy in which 90% of economic activity is in
private hands, with growth averaging 5% since 1990. Yet, because the
1980s were a decade of civil war and stagnation, per capita GDP has
not regained the level of the late 1970s. The rebound in the 1990s
stems from the government program, in conjunction with the IMF, of
privatization, deregulation, and fiscal stabilization. The economy
now is oriented more toward manufacturing and services compared with
agriculture. The sizable trade deficits are in the main covered by
remittances from the large number of Salvadorans abroad.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,950 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.7 million (1982 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%,
government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1%
Unemployment rate: 6.7% (1993)
Budget:
revenues: $846 million
expenditures: $890 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)
Industries: food processing, beverages, petroleum, tobacco,
chemicals, textiles, furniture
Industrial production growth rate: 7.6% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity: 750,000 kW
production: 2.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 408 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseed; beef,
dairy products; shrimp
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; marijuana produced
for local consumption
Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: coffee, sugarcane, shrimp
partners: US, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Germany
Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods
partners: US, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, Germany
External debt: $2.6 billion (December 1992)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $777 million (1993)
note: US has committed $250 million in aid to El Salvador for 1992-96
Currency: 1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 - 8.755 (December
1995), 8.755 (1995), 8.750 (1994), 8.670 (1993), 9.170 (1992), 8.080
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 602 km (single track; note - some sections abandoned,
unusable, or operating at reduced capacity)
narrow gauge: 602 km 0.914-m gauge
Highways:
total: 12,251 km
paved: 1,740 km (including 107 km of expressways)
unpaved: 10,511 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable
Ports: Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, La Union, Puerto El
Triunfo
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 73
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 48
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 116,000 (1984 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System
Radio broadcast stations: AM 77, FM 0, shortwave 2
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 500,700 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,415,691
males fit for military service: 905,938
males reach military age (18) annually: 78,660 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 1%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Equatorial Guinea
-----------------
Map
---
Location: 2 00 N, 10 00 E -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Cameroon and Gabon
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white,
and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and
the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has
six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five
offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and
below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity,
Peace, Justice)
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Cameroon and Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 28,050 sq km
land area: 28,050 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 539 km
border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km
Coastline: 296 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon
because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are
volcanic
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Malabo 3,008 m
Natural resources: timber, petroleum, small unexploited deposits
of gold, manganese, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 51%
other: 33%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: tap water is not potable; desertification
natural hazards: violent windstorms
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered
Species, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: insular and continental regions rather widely
separated
People
------
Population: 431,282 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 93,319; female 92,753)
15-64 years: 53% (male 108,706; female 120,129)
65 years and over: 4% (male 7,235; female 9,140) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.58% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 39.77 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 14.01 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 98 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 53.01 years
male: 50.79 years
female: 55.29 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.17 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Ethnic divisions: Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio
Muni (primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish
Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic,
pagan practices
Languages: Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 78.5%
male: 89.6%
female: 68.1%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea
local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial
local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial
former: Spanish Guinea
Data code: EK
Type of government: republic in transition to multiparty democracy
Capital: Malabo
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem,
Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Constitution: new constitution 17 November 1991
Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA
MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979) election last held 25 February 1996
(next to be held NA February 2003); results - President OBIANG
NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected to a seven-year term without opposition
head of government: Prime Minister Silvestre SIALE BILEKA (since 17
January 1992); Vice Prime Minister Anatolio NDONG MBA (since
November 1993)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of People's Representatives: (Camara de Representantes del
Pueblo) elections last held 21 November 1993 (next to be held NA);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (82 total) PDGE 72,
various opposition parties 10
Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal
Political parties and leaders:
ruling party: Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Brig.
Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, party leader
opposition parties: Progressive Democratic Alliance (ADP),
Antonio-Ebang Mbele Abang, president; Popular Action of Equatorial
Guinea (APGE),Casiano Masi Edu, leader; Liberal Democratic
Convention (CLD), Alfonso Nsue MIFUMU, president; Convergence for
Social Democracy (CPDS), Santiago Obama Ndong, president; Social
Democratic and Popular Convergence (CSDP), Secundino Oyono Agueng
Ada, general secretary; Party of the Social Democratic Coalition
(PCSD), Buenaventura Moswi M'Asumu, general coordinater; Liberal
Party (PL), Santos PASCUAL; Party of Progress (PP), Severo MOTO Nsa,
president; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Benjamin-Gabriel Balingha
Balinga Alene, general secretary; Socialist Party of Equatorial
Guinea (PSGE), Tomas MICHEBE Fernandez, general secretary; National
Democratic Union (UDENA), Jose MECHEBA Ikaka, president; Democratic
Social Union (UDS), Camelo Modu, general secretary; Popular Union
(UP), Juan Bitui, president
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,
CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS
(observer), OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WTrO
(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pastor Micha ONDO BILE
chancery: (temporary) 57 Magnolia Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553
telephone: [1] (914) 738-9584, 667-6913
FAX: [1] (914) 667-6838
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Equatorial Guinea (embassy closed September 1995); US relations with
Equatorial Guinea are handled through the US Embassy in Yaounde,
Cameroon
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red
with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat
of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow
six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore
islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below
which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity,
Peace, Justice)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing account for
about half of GDP and nearly all exports. Subsistence farming
predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on
cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the deterioration of
the rural economy under successive brutal regimes has diminished
potential for agriculture-led growth. A number of aid programs
sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993
because of the government's gross corruption and mismanagement.
Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government officials and
their family members. Undeveloped natural resources include
titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Oil
exploration, taking place under concessions offered to US, French,
and Spanish firms, has been moderately successful. In 1995, exports
responded to the devaluation of 12 January 1994, apparently
resulting in a sizable surplus and strong GDP growth. Increased
production from recently discovered oil and natural gas fields will
provide a greater share of exports in 1996-97.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $325 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 10% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 47%
industry: 26%
services: 27% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 41% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 172,000 (1986 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 66%, services 23%, industry 11% (1980)
note: labor shortages on plantations
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $32.5 million
expenditures: $35.9 million, including capital expenditures of $3
million (1992 est.)
Industries: fishing, sawmilling
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 23,000 kW
production: 20 million kWh
consumption per capita: 50 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca),
bananas, palm oil nuts, manioc; livestock; timber
Exports: $62 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: coffee, cocoa beans, timber, petroleum
partners: Spain, Nigeria, Cameroon, Japan, Portugal
Imports: $60 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery
partners: Cameroon, Spain, France, US, Italy, Netherlands
External debt: $268 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,744 km
paved: 330 km
unpaved: 2,414 km (1988 est.)
Ports: Bata, Luba, Malabo
Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,412 GRT/6,699 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: poor system with adequate government services
domestic: NA
international: international communications from Bata and Malabo to
African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Rapid Intervention Force,
National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 92,704
males fit for military service: 47,124 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 million, NA%
of GDP (FY93/94)
======================================================================
@Eritrea
-------
Map
---
Location: 15 00 N, 39 00 E -- Eastern Africa, bordering the Red
Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan
Flag
----
Description: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side)
dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is
green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive
branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti
and Sudan
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 39 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 121,320 sq km
land area: 121,320 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 1,630 km
border countries: Djibouti 113 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km
Coastline: 1,151 km (land and island coastline is 2,234 km)
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: a dispute with Yemen over sovereignty of
the Hanish Islands in the southern Red Sea has been submitted to
arbitration under the auspices of the ICJ
Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and
wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually);
semiarid in western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during
June-September except on coastal desert
Terrain: dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending
highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the
northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling
plains
lowest point: Kobar Sink -75 m
highest point: Soira 3,013 m
Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, probably oil
(petroleum geologists are prospecting for it), fish
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 2% (coffee)
meadows and pastures: 40%
forest and woodland: 5%
other: 50%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: famine; deforestation; desertification; soil
erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare
natural hazards: frequent droughts
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species; signed, but
not ratified - Climate Change, Desertification
Geographic note: strategic geopolitical position along world's
busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of
Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia
on 27 April 1993
People
------
Population: 3,427,883 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 755,417; female 743,135)
15-64 years: 53% (male 910,976; female 913,531)
65 years and over: 3% (male 54,310; female 50,514) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.79% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 43.32 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.44 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: it is estimated that between 300,000 and 500,000 Eritrean
refugees were still living in Sudan at the end of 1995; their
repatriation is being facilitated by the UNHCR
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.08 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 118.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 50.31 years
male: 48.57 years
female: 52.1 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Eritrean(s)
adjective: Eritrean
Ethnic divisions: ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar
4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%
Religions: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Languages: Afar, Amharic, Arabic, Italian, Tigre and Kunama,
Tigrinya, minor tribal languages
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: State of Eritrea
conventional short form: Eritrea
local long form: none
local short form: none
former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia
Data code: ER
Type of government: transitional government
note: on 29 May 1991 ISAIAS Afworke, secretary general of the
Peoples' Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), which then served
and still serves as the country's legislative body, announced the
formation of the Provisional Government in Eritrea (PGE) in
preparation for the 23-25 April 1993 referendum on independence for
the autonomous region of Eritrea; the result was a landslide vote
for independence, which was proclaimed on 27 April 1993
Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera)
Administrative divisions: 8 provinces (singular - awraja); Akele
Guzay, Barka, Denkel, Hamasen, Sahil, Semhar, Senhit, Seraye; note -
information issued by the Eritrean government indicates that the
administrative structure of Eritrea, which had been established by
former colonial powers, will consist of only six regions when the
new constitution, presently being drafted, goes into effect sometime
in 1996
Independence: 27 May 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the Eritrea
Autonomous Region)
National holiday: National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24
May (1993)
Constitution: transitional "constitution" decreed 19 May 1993; the
promulgation of a draft constitution is expected in 1996
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: NA; note - the transitional constitution of 19 May 1993
did not provide rules for suffrage, but it seems likely that the
final version of the constitution, to be promulgated some time in
1996, will follow the example set in the referendum of 1993 in which
suffrage was universal for persons 18 years of age or older
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki
(since 22 May 1993) is head of the State Council and National
Assembly
cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority
note: election to be held in 1997
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old
Central Committee of the EPLF) and 75 directly elected members serve
as the country's legislative body until country-wide elections are
held in 1997
Judicial branch: Judiciary
Political parties and leaders: People's Front for Democracy and
Justice (PFDJ), ISAIAS Afworki, PETROS Solomon (the only party
recognized by the government)
Other political or pressure groups: Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ);
Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF), ABDULLAH Muhammed; Eritrean
Liberation Front - United Organization (ELF-UO), Mohammed Said
NAWUD; Eritrean Liberation Front - Revolutionary Council (ELF-RC),
Ahmed NASSER
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO,
IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory
user), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador AMDEMICHAEL Berhane Khasai
chancery: Suite 400, 910 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 429-1991
FAX: [1] (202) 429-9004
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert G. HOUDEK
embassy: Franklin D. Roosevelt St., Asmara
mailing address: P.O. Box 211, Asmara
telephone: [291] (1) 120004
FAX: [291] (1) 127584
Flag: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing
the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the
lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is
centered on the hoist side of the red triangle
Economy
-------
Economic overview: With independence from Ethiopia on 27 April
1993, Eritrea faces the bitter economic problems of a small,
desperately poor African country. Most of the population will
continue to depend on subsistence farming. Domestic output is
substantially augmented by worker remittances from abroad.
Government revenues come from custom duties and income and sales
taxes. Eritrea has inherited the entire coastline of Ethiopia and
has long-term prospects for revenues from the development of
offshore oil, offshore fishing, and tourism. For the time being,
Ethiopia will be largely dependent on Eritrean ports for its foreign
trade.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 10% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $570 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1995 est.)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: NA kW
production: NA kWh
consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture: sorghum, lentils, vegetables, maize, cotton, tobacco,
coffee, sisal (for making rope); livestock (including goats); fish
Exports: $33 million (1995 est.)
commodities: livestock, sorghum, textiles
partners: Ethiopia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UK, US, Yemen
Imports: $420 million (1995 est.)
commodities: processed goods, machinery, petroleum products
partners: NA
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents; at present, Ethiopian currency
used
Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 - 6.2 (1995 est.), 5.600
(September 1994), 5.000 (fixed rate 1992-93); note - following
independence from Ethiopia, Eritrea continued to use Ethiopian
currency, the official rate of which was pegged to US$1 = 5.000 birr
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 307 km; note - nonoperational since 1978 except for about 5
km that was reopened in Massawa in 1994; rehabilitation of the
remainder and of the rolling stock is under way; links Ak'ordat and
Asmara (formerly Asmera) with the port of Massawa (formerly Mits'iwa)
narrow gauge: 307 km 0.950-m gauge (1995 est.)
Highways:
total: 3,845 km
paved: 807 km
unpaved: 3,038 km (1993 est.)
Ports: Assab (Aseb), Massawa (Mits'iwa)
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,573 GRT/13,593
DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 14
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: very inadequate; about 4 telephones per 100 families, most
of which are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders
to improve the system
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (government controlled)
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Estonia
-------
Map
---
Location: 59 00 N, 26 00 E -- Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic
Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia
Flag
----
Description: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990
- three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of
Finland, between Latvia and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 59 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 45,100 sq km
land area: 43,200 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Hampshire and Vermont
combined
note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
Land boundaries:
total: 557 km
border countries: Latvia 267 km, Russia 290 km
Coastline: 1,393 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: limits to be fixed in coordination with
neighboring states
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims over 2,000 sq km of Russian
territory in the Narva and Pechora regions - based on boundary
established under the 1921 Peace Treaty of Tartu; disputes maritime
border with Latvia - primary concern is fishing rights around Ruhne
Island in the Gulf of Riga
Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers
Terrain: marshy, lowlands
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m
Natural resources: shale oil, peat, phosphorite, amber
Land use:
arable land: 22%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 11%
forest and woodland: 31%
other: 36%
Irrigated land: 110 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: air heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide from
oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; contamination of soil
and groundwater with petroleum products, chemicals at former Soviet
military bases
natural hazards: flooding occurs frequently in the spring
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
People
------
Population: 1,459,428 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 148,683; female 143,563)
15-64 years: 66% (male 467,759; female 501,519)
65 years and over: 14% (male 63,976; female 133,928) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.13% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.74 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 14.12 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.87 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.13 years
male: 62.5 years
female: 74.05 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.55 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Estonian(s)
adjective: Estonian
Ethnic divisions: Estonian 61.5%, Russian 30.3%, Ukrainian 3.2%,
Byelorussian 1.8%, Finn 1.1%, other 2.1% (1989)
Religions: Lutheran, Orthodox Christian
Languages: Estonian (official), Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, other
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Estonia
conventional short form: Estonia
local long form: Eesti Vabariik
local short form: Eesti
former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: EN
Type of government: republic
Capital: Tallinn
Administrative divisions: 15 counties (maakonnad, singular -
maakond): Harju maakond (Tallinn), Hiiu maakond (Kardla), Ida-Viru
maakond (Johvi), Jarva maakond (Paide), Jogeva maakond (Jogeva),
Laane maakond (Haapsalu), Laane-Viru maakond (Rakvere), Parnu
maakond (Parnu), Polva maakond (Polva), Rapla maakond (Rapla), Saare
maakond (Kuessaare), Tartu maakond (Tartu), Valga maakond (Valga),
Viljandi maakond (Viljandi), Voru maakond (Voru)
note: county centers are in parentheses
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918)
Constitution: adopted 28 June 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lennart MERI (since 21 October 1992) was
elected for a five-year term by Parliament; election last held 20
September 1992 (next to be held fall 1996); results - no candidate
received majority; Parliament elected Lennart MERI
head of government: Acting Prime Minister Tiit VAHI (since NA March
1995); the president nominated and Parliament authorized the
candidate for prime minister
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister,
approved by Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Riigikogu): elections last held 5 March 1995 (next to be
held NA 1999); results - KMU 32.22%, RE 16.18%, K 14.17%, Pro Patria
and ERSP 7.85%, M 5.98%, Our Home is Estonia and Right-Wingers 5.0%;
seats - (101 total) KMU 41, RE 19, K 16, Pro Patria 8, Our Home is
Estonia 6, M 6, Right-Wingers 5
Judicial branch: National Court
Political parties and leaders: Coalition Party and Rural Union
(KMU), Tiit VAHI, chairman, made up of 4 parties: Coalition Party,
Country People's Party, Farmer's Assembly, and Pensioners' and
Families' League; Reform Party-Liberals (RE), Siim KALLAS, chairman;
Center Party (K), Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman; Union of Pro Patria or
Fatherland Alliance (Isamaa of Fatherland), Toivo JURGENSON,
chairman; National Independence Party (ERSP), Kelam TUNNE, chairman,
note - may have disappeared since the last election; Our Home is
Estonia made up of 2 parties: United Peoples Party and the Russian
People's Party of Estonia; United Peoples Party, Viktor ANDREJEV,
chairman; Russian People's Party of Estonia, Sergei KUZNETSOV,
chairman; Moderates (M) made up of 2 parties: Social Democratic
Party and Rural Center Party; Social Democratic Party, Eiki NESTOR,
chairman; Rural Center Party, Vambo KAAL, chairman; Right-Wingers,
Ulo NUGIS, chairman
International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE,
EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC,
OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner),
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Toomas Hendrik ILVES
chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101
FAX: [1] (202) 789-0471
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lawrence P. TAYLOR
embassy: Kentmanni 20, Tallinn EE 0001
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [372] (6) 312-021
FAX: [372] (6) 312-025
Flag: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three
equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Estonia continues to experience strong economic
growth after its economy bottomed out in 1993. Bolstered by a
widespread national desire to reintegrate into Western Europe,
Estonia has adhered to disciplined fiscal and financial policies and
has led the FSU countries in pursuing economic reform. Monthly
inflation has been held to under 5% since the beginning of 1992,
with monthly inflation in 1995 at 2%. Following four years of
decline, Estonia's GDP grew 5% in 1994 and 6% in 1995 - among the
highest rates in Europe, according to estimates of the IMF and
Estonia's own Economic Ministry. Despite these positive economic
indicators, unemployment - 8% in 1994 - is on the rise, and wages -
especially for teachers and law enforcement personnel - have not
kept pace with inflation. Small- and medium-scale privatization is
essentially complete, and large-scale privatization is progressing,
but slowly. Estonia has successfully reoriented it trade toward the
West, two-thirds of exports now going to Western markets. Estonia's
free trade policies were the cornerstone of its negotiations with
the European Union, and led to the signing of an association
agreement in June 1995. Estonia was the only Baltic state not to
have a transition period imposed by the EU prior to its
implementation of a free trade agreement.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 37%
services: 53% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 29% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 750,000 (1992)
by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and
forestry 20%, other 38% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 8% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $620 million
expenditures: $582 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(January-October 1995)
Industries: oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors,
excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes,
apparel
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 3,420,000 kW
production: 11.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 6,528 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: potatoes, fruits, vegetables; livestock and dairy
products; fish
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central
and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; very limited
illicit opium producer; mostly for domestic consumption
Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: textile 14%, food products 11%, vehicles 11%, metals
11% (1993)
partners: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany
Imports: $2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery 18%, fuels 15%, vehicles 14%, textiles 10%
(1993)
partners: Finland, Russia, Germany, Sweden
External debt: $270 million (January 1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $147 million (1993)
note: Western commitments $285 million (including international
financial institutions)
Currency: 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents (introduced in August
1992)
Exchange rates: krooni (EEK) per US$1 - 11.523 (December 1995),
11.465 (1995), 12.991 (1994), 13.223 (1993); note - krooni are tied
to the German deutsche mark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,018 km common carrier lines only; does not include
dedicated industrial lines
broad gauge: 1,018 km 1.520-m gauge (132 km electrified) (1995)
Highways:
total: 14,771 km
paved: 8,124 km (including 62 km of expressways)
unpaved: 6,647 km (1993)
Waterways: 500 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: natural gas 420 km (1992)
Ports: Haapsalu, Narva, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn
Merchant marine:
total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 353,140 GRT/467,086 DWT
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 33, oil tanker 3, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 6, short-sea passenger 4 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 22
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 400,000
Telephone system: system is antiquated; improvements are being
made piecemeal, with emphasis on business needs and international
connections; there are still about 150,000 unfulfilled requests for
subscriber service
domestic: substantial investment has been made in cellular systems
which are operational throughout Estonia
international: international traffic is carried to the other former
Soviet republics by landline or microwave radio relay and to other
countries partly by leased connection to the Moscow international
gateway switch and partly by a new Tallinn-Helsinki fiber-optic,
submarine cable which gives Estonia access to international circuits
everywhere; access to the international packet-switched digital
network via Helsinki
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave 0
Radios: 710,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
note: provide Estonian programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first
and second programs
Televisions: 600,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force (not
officially sanctioned), Maritime Border Guard, Volunteer Defense
League (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops),
Coast Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 357,835
males fit for military service: 280,757
males reach military age (18) annually: 10,525 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $35 million, 1.5%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Ethiopia
--------
Map
---
Location: 8 00 N, 38 00 E -- Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow,
and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating
from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on
the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in
Africa, and the colors of her flag were so often adopted by other
African countries upon independence that they became known as the
pan-African colors
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1,127,127 sq km
land area: 1,119,683 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,311 km
border countries: Djibouti 337 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 830 km,
Somalia 1,626 km, Sudan 1,606 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: southern half of the boundary with Somalia
is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with
Somalia over the Ogaden
Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation
Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great
Rift Valley
lowest point: Denakil -125 m
highest point: Ras Dashen Terara 4,620 m
Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 41%
forest and woodland: 24%
other: 22%
Irrigated land: 1,620 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;
desertification; famine
natural hazards: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible
to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified
- Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea,
Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea
was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993
People
------
Population: 57,171,662 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 13,116,158; female 13,080,276)
15-64 years: 51% (male 14,782,995; female 14,624,779)
65 years and over: 3% (male 728,808; female 838,646) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.72% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 46.05 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.53 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: repatriation of Ethiopians who fled to Sudan, Kenya and
Somalia for refuge from war and famine in earlier years, is expected
to continue in 1996; entry into Ethiopia of Sudanese and Somalis
fleeing the fighting in their own countries is also continuing in
1996
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 122.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.85 years
male: 45.71 years
female: 48.02 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Ethiopian(s)
adjective: Ethiopian
Ethnic divisions: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%,
Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%
Religions: Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist
12%, other 5%
Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga,
Somali, Arabic, English (major foreign language taught in schools)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 35.5%
male: 45.5%
female: 25.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
conventional short form: Ethiopia
local long form: none
local short form: Ityop'iya
abbreviation: FDRE
Data code: ET
Type of government: federal republic
note: on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic
Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU
Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; a new constitution was
promulgated in December 1994 and national and regional popular
elections were held in May and June 1995
Capital: Addis Ababa
Administrative divisions: 9 ethnically-based administrative
regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akababi) and 1
federal capital*: Addis Ababa*; Afar; Amhara; Benshangul/Gumaz;
Gambela; Harar; Oromia; Somali; Southern Nations, Nationalities and
Peoples; Tigray
Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the
oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years
National holiday: National Day, 28 May (1991) (defeat of Mengistu
regime)
Constitution: new constitution promulgated in December 1994
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President NEGASSO Gidada (since NA August 1995)
elected by the Council of People's Representatives following the
elections of legislators in May and June 1995
head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August
1995) designated by the party in power, EPRDF, following the
elections of legislators in May and June 1995
cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided in the December 1994
constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and
approved by the Council of People's Representatives
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature
Federal Council: upper chamber, having NA members, represents the
ethnic interests of the regional governments and is elected by the
regional assemblies
Council of People's Representatives: lower chamber, having 550
members, elected by popular vote
note: both bodies have five-year terms of office; regional and
national popular elections were held in May and June 1995; results -
EPRDF swept nearly all seats
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the national
legislature
Political parties and leaders: Ethiopian People's Revolutionary
Democratic Front (EPRDF), MELES Zenawi
Other political or pressure groups: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF);
All Amhara People's Organization; Southern Ethiopia People's
Democratic Coalition; numerous small, ethnic-based groups have
formed since MENGISTU'S resignation, including several Islamic
militant groups
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO,
WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador BERHANE Gebre-Christos
chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-2281, 2282
FAX: [1] (202) 328-7950
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Irvin HICKS
embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa
mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa
telephone: [251] (1) 550666
FAX: [251] (1) 552191
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red
with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the
angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three
bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the
colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries
upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Ethiopia continues to face difficult economic
problems as one of the poorest and least developed countries in
Africa. Its economy is based on agriculture, which accounts for
about half of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total employment;
coffee generates 60% of export earnings. The agricultural sector
suffers from frequent periods of drought, poor cultivation
practices, and deterioration of internal security conditions. The
manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on inputs from the
agricultural sector. Over 90% of large-scale industry, but less than
10% of agriculture, is state-run. The government is considering
selling off a portion of state-owned plants and is implementing
reform measures that are gradually liberalizing the economy. A major
medium-term problem is the improvement of roads, water supply, and
other parts of an infrastructure badly neglected during years of
civil strife.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $24.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 48%
industry: 15%
services: 37% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (FY93/94)
Labor force: 18 million
by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and
services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.2 billion
expenditures: $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $707
million (FY93/94)
Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals,
metals processing, cement
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 460,000 kW
production: 1.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 23 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane,
potatoes, other vegetables; hides, cattle, sheep, goats
Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and
Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as
cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat
(chat) for local use and regional export
Exports: $296 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: coffee, leather products, gold
partners: Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy
Imports: $972 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: capital goods, consumer goods, fuel
partners: US, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Japan
External debt: $3.7 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $1.036 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 - 6.3200 (December 1995),
6.3200 (1995), 5.9500 (1994), 5.0000 (fixed rate 1992-93); fixed at
2.070 before 1992; note - official rate pegged to the US$
Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti
railroad)
narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 24,127 km
paved: 3,289 km
unpaved: 20,838 km (1993 est.)
Ports: none; Ethiopia is landlocked but by agreement with Eritrea
may use the ports of Assab and Massawa
Merchant marine:
total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 62,627 GRT/88,908 DWT
ships by type: cargo 8, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995
est.)
Airports:
total: 58
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 6
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 29 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 100,000 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: open wire and microwave radio relay system
adequate for government use
domestic: open wire and microwave radio relay
international: open wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio
relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat
(1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 9.9 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Air Force, Police
note: following the secession of Eritrea, Ethiopia's naval
facilities remained in Eritrea's possession; current reorganization
plans do not include a navy
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 12,912,144
males fit for military service: 6,707,180
males reach military age (18) annually: 583,724 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $140 million,
4.1% of GDP (FY93/94)
======================================================================
@Europa Island
-------------
(possession of France)
Map
---
Location: 22 20 S, 40 22 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from southern
Madagascar to southern Mozambique
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about
one-half of the way from southern Madagascar to southern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 22 20 S, 40 22 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 28 sq km
land area: 28 sq km
comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 22.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 24 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA% (heavily wooded)
other: NA%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: wildlife sanctuary
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Europa Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Europa
Data code: EU
Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner
of the Republic; resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:
total: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Communications note: 1 meteorological station
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
---------------------------------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 51 45 S, 59 00 W -- Southern South America, islands in
the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk
centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a
white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the
sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a
scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Geography
---------
Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic
Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 12,170 sq km
land area: 12,170 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut
note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and
about 200 small islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by
Argentina
Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain
occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year,
except in January and February, but does not accumulate
Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating
plains
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
Natural resources: fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 99%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 1%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: deeply indented coast provides good natural
harbors; short growing season
People
------
Population: 2,374 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 2.43% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Falkland Islander(s)
adjective: Falkland Island
Ethnic divisions: British
Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church,
Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day
Adventist
Languages: English
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Data code: FA
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Stanley
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution: 3 October 1985
Legal system: English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the UK since 6 February 1952)
is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Governor R. RALPH (since NA) was appointed by
the queen
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative
Council, two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial
secretary), and the governor
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: elections last held 11 October 1989 (next was
to be held NA October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (10 total, 8 elected) independents 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk
centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a
white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the
sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a
scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture,
mainly sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of
the work force. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops
furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool
to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of
fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the
islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry
have been unsuccessful. The economy has diversified since 1987, when
the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers
operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license
fees total more than $40 million per year and support the island's
health, education, and welfare system. To encourage tourism, the
Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for
visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The
islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British
Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around
the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial
reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. An agreement
between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1995 seeks to defuse
licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign
interest in exploiting potential oil reserves.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 1,100 (est.)
by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage
Budget:
revenues: $42.7 million
expenditures: $28.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993-94 est.)
Industries: wool and fish processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 9,200 kW
production: 17 million kWh
consumption per capita: 7,253 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep farming, small
dairy herds
Exports: $5.4 million
commodities: wool, hides, meat
partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1992)
Imports: $26.2 million
commodities: food, clothing, timber, and machinery
partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1992)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: UK, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments totaled $18 million
(1993-94)
Currency: 1 Falkland pound (LF) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Falkland pound (LF) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January
1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992),
0.5652 (1991); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British
pound
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 510 km
paved: 30 km
unpaved: 480 km
Ports: Stanley
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,180 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB
radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all
points on both islands
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
with links through London to other countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 1,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (government operated)
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal
Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Faroe Islands
-------------
(part of the Danish realm)
Map
---
Location: 62 00 N, 7 00 W -- Northern Europe, island group between
the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of
the way from Iceland to Norway
Flag
----
Description: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends
to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted
to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea
and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland
to Norway
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 1,400 sq km
land area: 1,400 sq km
comparative area: eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 764 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 98%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few
uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes
in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to
small coastal lowlands
People
------
Population: 43,857 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 5,461; female 5,280)
15-64 years: 62% (male 14,488; female 12,617)
65 years and over: 14% (male 2,661; female 3,350) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.8% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.91 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -23.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.99 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.83 years
male: 74.75 years
female: 80.88 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.38 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese
Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran
Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar
Data code: FO
Type of government: part of the Danish realm; self-governing
overseas administrative division of Denmark
Capital: Torshavn
Administrative divisions: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing
overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system: Danish
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (of Denmark since 14 January
1972), who is a constitutional monarch, is represented by High
Commissioner Bent KLINTE, chief administrative officer (since NA)
head of government: Prime Minister Edmund JOENSEN (since 15
September 1994) was elected by the Logting
cabinet: Landsstyri was elected by the Logting
Legislative branch: unicameral
Faroese Parliament (Logting): elections last held 8 July 1994 (next
to be held by July 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (32 total) Liberal Party 8, People's Party 6, Social
Democrats 5, Republicans 4, Workers' Party 3, Christian Democrats 2,
Center Party 2, Home Rule Party 2
Danish Parliament: elections last held on 21 September 1994 (next to
be held by September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (2 total) Liberals 2
Judicial branch: none
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, Marita
PETERSEN; Workers Front, Oli JACOBSEN; Home Rule Party, Helena Dam A
NEYSTABO; The "Coalition Party," Edmund JOENSEN; Republican Party,
Finnbogi ISAKSON; Centrist Party, Tordur NICLASEN; Christian
People's Party, Niels Pauli DANIELSEN; People's Party, Arnfinn
KALLSBERG; Liberal Party, Jorgen ESTRUP; Christian Democratic Party
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
Flag: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the
edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the
hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Faroese economy is experiencing a moderate
upturn after several years of decline brought on by over-fishing and
declining fish prices, large budget deficits by the Faroese Home
Rule Government (FHRG), plummeting property values, and a bail-out
merger of the two largest Faroese banks. Near-term forecasts suggest
continued economic recovery, and oil finds close to the Faroese area
may lay the basis for an eventual economic rebound. Aided by a
substantial annual subsidy from Denmark, the Faroese have enjoyed a
standard of living comparable to the Danes and other Scandinavians.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $733 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $15,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 17,585
by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing,
transportation, and commerce
Unemployment rate: 23% (1993)
Budget:
revenues: $407.2 million
expenditures: $482.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993 est.)
Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 90,000 kW
production: 200 million kWh
consumption per capita: 3,953 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: potatoes, vegetables; sheep; annual fish catch about
360,000 metric tons
Exports: $345.3 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs,
transport equipment (ships) (1989)
partners: Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain
7.9%, US 4.5%
Imports: $234.4 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures
24%, food and livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5%
partners: Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US
1.3%
External debt: $1.2 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $130 million
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 5.652 (January
1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396
(1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 443 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Klaksvick, Torshavn, Tvoroyri
Merchant marine:
total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,879 GRT/18,444 DWT
ships by type: cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea
passenger 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 27,900 (1984 est.)
Telephone system: good international communications; fair domestic
facilities
domestic: NA
international: 3 coaxial submarine cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3 (repeaters 10), shortwave 0
Radios: 24,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (repeaters 29)
Televisions: 14,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: no organized native military forces; only a small Police
Force and Coast Guard are maintained
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark
======================================================================
@Fiji
----
Map
---
Location: 18 00 S, 175 00 E -- Oceania, island group in the South
Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Flag
----
Description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half
of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field
quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of
sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 18,270 sq km
land area: 18,270 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,129 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;
rectilinear shelf claim added
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature
variation
Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil
potential
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 65%
other: 19%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion
natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Whaling
Geographic note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110
are inhabited
People
------
Population: 782,381 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 141,652; female 135,829)
15-64 years: 62% (male 240,621; female 240,620)
65 years and over: 3% (male 11,235; female 12,424) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.28% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.71 years
male: 63.39 years
female: 68.14 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.83 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Fijian(s)
adjective: Fijian
Ethnic divisions: Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other Pacific
Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5%
Religions: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu
38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%
note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is
a Muslim minority (1986)
Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 91.6%
male: 93.8%
female: 89.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Fiji
conventional short form: Fiji
Data code: FJ
Type of government: republic
note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally
declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987
Capital: Suva
Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central,
Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western
Independence: 10 October 1970 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 10 October (1970)
Constitution: 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new
Constitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25
July 1990; the 1990 Constitution is under review; the review is
scheduled to be complete by 1997
Legal system: based on British system
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (Acting President
since 15 December 1993, President since 12 January 1994) was
appointed for a five-year term by the Great Council of Chiefs; First
Vice President Ratu Sir Josaia TAIVAIQIA (since 12 January 1994);
Second Vice President Ratu Inoke TAKIVEIKATA (since 12 January 1994)
head of government: Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June
1992) was appointed by the president; Deputy Prime Minister Timoci
VESIKULA (since NA)
Presidential Council: advises the president on matters of national
importance
Great Council of Chiefs: highest ranking members of the traditional
chiefly system
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: nonelective body, members are appointed by the president and
serve five-year terms; seats - (34 total, 24 reserved for ethnic
Fijians, 9 for Indians and others, and 1 for the island of Rotuma)
House of Representatives: members serve five-year terms; elections
last held 18-25 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (70 total, with ethnic Fijians
allocated 37 seats, ethnic Indians 27 seats, and independents and
other 6 seats) SVT 31, NFP 20, FLP 7, FAP 5, GVP 4, independents 2,
ANC 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Fijian Political Party (SVT -
primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen. Sitivini RABUKA; National
Federation Party (NFP; primarily Indian), Jai Ram REDDY; Fijian
Nationalist Party (FNP), Sakeasi BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor Party (FLP),
Mahendra CHAUDHRY; General Voters Party (GVP), Leo SMITH; Fiji
Conservative Party (FCP), leader NA; Conservative Party of Fiji
(CPF), leader NA; Fiji Indian Liberal Party, leader NA; Fiji Indian
Congress Party, leader NA; Fiji Independent Labor (Muslim), leader
NA; Four Corners Party, leader NA; Fijian Association Party (FAP),
Josevata KAMIKAMICA; General Electors' Association, leader NA
note: in early 1995, ethnic Fijian members of the All National
Congress (ANC) merged with the Fijian Association (FA); the
remaining members of the ANC have renamed their party the General
Electors' Association
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN,
UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pita Kewa NACUVA
chancery: Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320
FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996
consulate(s): New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Don Lee GEVIRTZ
embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva
mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva
telephone: [679] 314466
FAX: [679] 300081
Flag: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the
flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered
by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm
tree, bananas, and a white dove
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Fiji, richly endowed with forest, mineral, and
fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island
economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar
exports and tourism are the major sources of foreign exchange.
Industry contributes 17% to GDP; sugar processing makes up one-third
of industrial activity. Roughly 250,000 tourists visit each year.
Political uncertainty and drought, however, contribute to
substantial fluctuations in earnings from tourism and sugar and to
the emigration of skilled workers. In 1992, growth was approximately
3%, based on growth in tourism and a lessening of labor-management
disputes in the sugar and gold-mining sectors. In 1993, the
government's budgeted growth rate of 3% was not achieved because of
a decline in non-sugar agricultural output and damage from Cyclone
Kina. Growth in 1994 of 5% was largely attributable to increased
tourism and expansion in the manufacturing sector.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 22%
industry: 17%
services: 61% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1995)
Labor force: 235,000
by occupation: subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary
earners 15% (1987)
Unemployment rate: 5.4% (1992)
Budget:
revenues: $495.6 million
expenditures: $591.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, clothing, lumber,
small cottage industries
Industrial production growth rate: 0% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 200,000 kW
production: 480 million kWh
consumption per capita: 581 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet
potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish catch nearly
33,000 tons (1989)
Exports: $571.8 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: sugar 40%, clothing, gold, processed fish, lumber
partners: EC 26%, Australia 15%, Pacific Islands 11%, Japan 6%
Imports: $864.3 million (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products,
food, consumer goods, chemicals
partners: Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EC 6%, US 6%
External debt: $670 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.4347 (January
1996), 1.4063 (1995), 1.4641 (1994), 1.5418 (1993), 1.5030 (1992),
1.4756 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 597 km; note - belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar
Corporation
narrow gauge: 597 km 0.610-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 4,800 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Waterways: 203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and
200-metric-ton barges
Ports: Labasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, Suva
Merchant marine:
total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,267 GRT/17,884 DWT
ships by type: chemical tanker 2, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 21
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 15
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 60,017 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: modern local, interisland, and international
(wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone,
telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications
center
domestic: NA
international: access to important cable link between US and Canada
and NZ and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific
Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 12,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; includes army,
navy, and air elements)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 205,616
males fit for military service: 113,339
males reach military age (18) annually: 8,746 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $28 million, 2.5%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Finland
-------
Map
---
Location: 64 00 N, 26 00 E -- Northern Europe, bordering the
Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and
Russia
Flag
----
Description: white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of
the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist
side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of
Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 64 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 337,030 sq km
land area: 305,470 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 2,628 km
border countries: Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km
Coastline: 1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 6 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
territorial sea: 4 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively
mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current,
Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with
lakes and low hills
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m
Natural resources: timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 76%
other: 16%
Irrigated land: 620 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from manufacturing and power plants
contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes,
agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is
northernmost national capital on European continent; population
concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain
People
------
Population: 5,105,230 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 492,616; female 471,736)
15-64 years: 67% (male 1,725,113; female 1,687,974)
65 years and over: 14% (male 275,927; female 451,864) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.1% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.32 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.92 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.47 years
male: 73.82 years
female: 77.18 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Finn(s)
adjective: Finnish
Ethnic divisions: Finn, Swede, Lapp, Gypsy, Tatar
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%,
other 1%
Languages: Finnish 93.5% (official), Swedish 6.3% (official),
small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 100%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Finland
conventional short form: Finland
local long form: Suomen Tasavalta
local short form: Suomi
Data code: FI
Type of government: republic
Capital: Helsinki
Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (laanit, singular - laani);
Ahvenanmaa, Hame, Keski-Suomi, Kuopio, Kymi, Lappi, Mikkeli, Oulu,
Pohjois-Karjala, Turku ja Pori, Uusimaa, Vaasa
Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Constitution: 17 July 1919
Legal system: civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court
may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Martti AHTISAARI (since 1 March 1994) was
elected for a six-year term by popular vote; election last held 31
January-6 February 1994 (next to be held NA January 2000); results -
Martti AHTISAARI 54%, Elisabeth REHN 46%
head of government: Prime Minister Paavo LIPPONEN (since 13 April
1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sauli NIINISTO (since 13 April 1995)
were appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of State (Valtioneuvosto) was appointed by the
president, responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Eduskunta): elections last held 19 March 1995 (next to
be held NA March 1999); results - Social Democratic Party 28.3%,
Center Party 19.9%, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 17.9%,
Leftist Alliance (Communist) 11.2%, Swedish People's Party 5.1%,
Green League 6.5%, Ecology Party 0.3%, Rural 1.3%, Finnish Christian
League 3.0%, Liberal People's Party 0.6%, Young Finns 2.8%; seats -
(200 total) Social Democratic Party 63, Center Party 44, National
Coalition (Conservative) Party 39, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 22,
Swedish People's Party 11, Green League 9, Ecology Party 1, Rural 1,
Finnish Christian League 7, Young Finns 2, Aaland Islands 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus), judges appointed
by the president
Political parties and leaders:
government coalition: Social Democratic Party, Paavo LIPPONEN;
National Coalition (conservative) Party, Sauli NIINISTO; Leftist
Alliance (Communist) People's Democratic League and Democratic
Alternative, Claes ANDERSSON; Swedish People's Party, (Johan) Ole
NORRBACK; Green League, Pekka HAAVISTO
other: Center Party, Esko AHO; Finnish Christian League, Toimi
KANKAANNIEMI; Rural Party, Raimo VISTBACKA; Liberal People's Party,
Tuulikki UKKOLA; Greens Ecological Party (EPV); Young Finns, Risto
PENTTILAE
Other political or pressure groups: Finnish Communist Party-Unity,
Yrjo HAKANEN; Constitutional Rightist Party; Finnish Pensioners
Party; Communist Workers Party, Timo LAHDENMAKI
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB,
ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS
(observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR,
UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jaakko LAAJAVA
chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800
FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Derek N. SHEARER
embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14A, FIN-00140, Helsinki
mailing address: APO AE 09723
telephone: [358] (0) 171931
FAX: [358] (0) 174681
Flag: white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the
flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in
the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely
free-market economy, with per capita output equaling that of the UK,
France and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing -
principally the wood, metals, and engineering industries. Trade is
important, with the export of goods representing about 30% of GDP.
Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports
of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured
goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited
to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an
important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the
rural population. The economy, which experienced an average of 4.9%
annual growth between 1987 and 1989, sank into deep recession in
1991 as GDP contracted by 6.5%. The recession - which continued in
1992 with GDP contracting by 4.1% - has been caused by economic
overheating, depressed foreign markets, and the dismantling of the
barter system between Finland and the former Soviet Union under
which Soviet oil and gas had been exchanged for Finnish manufactured
goods. The Finnish Government has proposed efforts to increase
industrial competitiveness and efficiency by an increase in exports
to Western markets, cuts in public expenditures, partial
privatization of state enterprises, and changes in monetary policy.
In June 1991 Helsinki had tied the markka to the European Union's
(EU) European Currency Unit (ECU) to promote stability. Ongoing
speculation resulting from a lack of confidence in the government's
policies forced Helsinki to devalue the markka by about 12% in
November 1991 and to indefinitely break the link in September 1992.
The devaluations have boosted the competitiveness of Finnish
exports. The recession bottomed out in 1993, and Finland
participated in the general European upturn of 1994. Unemployment
probably will remain a serious problem during the next few years;
the majority of Finnish firms face a weak domestic market and the
troubled German and Swedish export markets. The Finns voted in an
October 1994 referendum to enter the EU, and Finland officially
joined the Union on 1 January 1995. Increasing integration with
Western Europe will dominate the economic picture over the next few
years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $92.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $18,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.6%
industry: 28%
services: 67.4% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.533 million
by occupation: public services 30.4%, industry 20.9%, commerce
15.0%, finance, insurance, and business services 10.2%, agriculture
and forestry 8.6%, transport and communications 7.7%, construction
7.2%
Unemployment rate: 17% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $21.7 billion
expenditures: $31.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993 est.)
Industries: metal products, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copper
refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 13,360,000 kW
production: 58 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 12,196 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; annual
fish catch about 160,000 metric tons
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Latin American cocaine for
the West European market
Exports: $29.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: paper and pulp, machinery, chemicals, metals, timber
partners: EU 46.5% (Germany 13.4%, UK 10.3%), Sweden 11%, US 7.2%,
Japan 2.1%, FSU 8.6% (1994)
Imports: $23.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products,
chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile
yarn and fabrics, fodder grains
partners: EU 44% (Germany 15%, UK 8.3%), Sweden 10.4%, US 7.6%,
Japan 6.5%, FSU 10.3 (1994)
External debt: $30 billion (December 1993)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $355 million (1993)
Currency: 1 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia
Exchange rates: markkaa (FMk) per US$1 - 4.4425 (January 1996),
4.3667 (1995), 5.2235 (1994), 5.7123 (1993), 4.4794 (1992), 4.0440
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 5,895 km
broad gauge: 5,895 km 1.524-m gauge (1,993 km electrified; 480 km
double- or more-track) (1995)
Highways:
total: 76,755 km
paved: 47,588 km (including 318 km of expressways)
unpaved: 29,167 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 km
suitable for steamers
Pipelines: natural gas 580 km
Ports: Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori,
Rauma, Turku, Uusikaupunki, Varkaus
Merchant marine:
total: 92 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,051,231 GRT/1,075,397
DWT
ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 20, chemical tanker 5, oil tanker 12,
passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 31,
short-sea passenger 12, vehicle carrier 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 157
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 23
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21
with paved runways under 914 m: 92
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2.78 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: good service from cable and microwave radio
relay network
domestic: cable and microwave radio relay
international: 1 submarine cable; satellite earth stations - access
to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth
station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions); note -
Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic
countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 105, shortwave 0
Radios: 4.98 million (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 235
Televisions: 2.1 million (1983 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (includes Sea
Guard)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,307,128
males fit for military service: 1,074,540
males reach military age (17) annually: 32,760 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.9 billion,
1.6% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@France
------
Map
---
Location: 46 00 N, 2 00 E -- Western Europe, bordering the Bay of
Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain southeast of
the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side),
white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the
design and colors are similar to a number of other flags, including
those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, and Luxembourg; the
official flag for all French dependent areas
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English
Channel, between Belgium and Spain southeast of the UK; bordering
the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 2 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 547,030 sq km
land area: 545,630 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Colorado
note: includes only metropolitan France (which includes Corsica),
but excludes the overseas administrative divisions
Land boundaries:
total: 2,892.4 km
border countries: Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km,
Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km,
Switzerland 573 km
Coastline: 3,427 km (mainland 2,783 km, Corsica 644 km)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa
Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island;
Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; Seychelles
claims Tromelin Island; Suriname claims part of French Guiana;
Mexico claims Clipperton Island; territorial claim in Antarctica
(Adelie Land); Saint Pierre and Miquelon is focus of maritime
boundary dispute between Canada and France; claims Matthew and
Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia
Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters
and hot summers along the Mediterranean
Terrain: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and
west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps
in east
lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m
highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc,
potash
Land use:
arable land: 32%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 23%
forest and woodland: 27%
other: 16%
note: includes Corsica
Irrigated land: 14,850 sq km (1993 est.); note - includes Corsica
Environment:
current issues: some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution
from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban
wastes, agricultural runoff
natural hazards: flooding
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic
Compounds, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: largest West European nation; occasional strong,
cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral
People
------
Population: 58,317,450 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.04% (male 5,688,505; female 5,417,355)
15-64 years: 65.62% (male 19,147,369; female 19,120,935)
65 years and over: 15.34% (male 3,589,100; female 5,354,186) (July
1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.34% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.82 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.27 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.93 years
male: 73.98 years
female: 82.11 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)
adjective: French
Ethnic divisions: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North
African, Indochinese, Basque minorities
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim
(North African workers) 1%, unaffiliated 6%
Languages: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and
languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque,
Flemish)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: French Republic
conventional short form: France
local long form: Republique Francaise
local short form: France
Data code: FR
Type of government: republic
Capital: Paris
Administrative divisions: 22 regions (regions, singular - region);
Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne,
Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie,
Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine,
Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie,
Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes
note: metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the
"territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and are subdivided
into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas
departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the
territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon)
Dependent areas: Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa
Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands,
Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin
Island, Wallis and Futuna
note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence: 486 (unified by Clovis)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958, amended concerning election of
president in 1962, amended to comply with provisions of EC
Maastricht Treaty in 1992; amended to tighten immigration laws 1993
Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of
administrative but not legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995) was
elected for a seven-year term by direct universal suffrage; election
last held 17 May 1995 (next to be held by May 2002); results -
Second Ballot Jacques CHIRAC 52.64%, Lionel JOSPIN 47.36%
head of government: Prime Minister Alain JUPPE (since 18 May 1995)
was appointed by the president
cabinet: the Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on
the suggestion of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement)
Senate (Senat): elections last held 24 September 1995 (next to be
held September 1998; nine-year term, elected by thirds every three
years); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (321 total;
296 metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and
territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad) RPR 91, UDF 132, PS
75, PCF 16, other 7
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 21 and
28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote
by party NA; seats - (577 total) RPR 247, UDF 213, PS 67, PCF 24,
independents 26; note - seating as of 24 September 1995: RPR 247,
UDF 208, PS 71, PCF 24, independents 27
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeals (Cour de Cassation),
judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High
Council of the Judiciary
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Alain
JUPPE, president; Union for French Democracy (UDF - coalition of PR,
FD, RAD, PSD), Francois LEOTARD; Republican Party (PR), Francois
LEOTARD; Democratic Force (FD), Francois BAYROU; Radical (RAD),
Andre ROSSINOT; Socialist Party (PS), Lionel JOSPIN; Left Radical
Movement (MRG); Communist Party (PCF), Robert HUE; National Front
(FN), Jean-Marie LE PEN; The Greens, Dominique VOYNET; Generation
Ecology (GE), Brice LALONDE; Citizens Movement (MDC), Jean Pierre
CHEVENEMENT
Other political or pressure groups: Communist-controlled labor
union (Confederation Generale du Travail - CGT) nearly 2.4 million
members (claimed); Socialist-leaning labor union (Confederation
Francaise Democratique du Travail - CFDT) about 800,000 members
(est.); independent labor union (Force Ouvriere) 1 million members
(est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des
Cadres) 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of French
Employers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais - CNPF or Patronat)
International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AG
(observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB
(non-regional), CE, CERN, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB,
ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, FZ, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR,
NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN
Security Council, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA,
UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Francois BUJON DE L'ESTANG
chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston,
Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San
Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela C. HARRIMAN
embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08
mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777
telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22
FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83
consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and
red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and
colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of
Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, and Luxembourg; the official
flag for all French dependent areas
Economy
-------
Economic overview: One of the four West European trillion-dollar
economies, the French economy features considerable - albeit
diminishing - state control over its capitalistic market system. In
running important industrial segments (railways, airlines,
electricity, telecommunications), administrating an exceptionally
generous social welfare system, and staffing an enormous
bureaucracy, the state spends about 55% of GDP. France has
substantial agricultural resources and a diversified modern
industrial sector. Large tracts of fertile land, the application of
modern technology, and subsidies have combined to make it the
leading agricultural producer in Western Europe. Largely
self-sufficient in agricultural products, France is a major exporter
of wheat and dairy products. The industrial sector generates about
one-quarter of GDP, and the growing services sector has become
crucial to the economy. Following stagnation and recession in
1991-93, French GDP expanded 2.4% in 1994 and in 1995. Persistently
high unemployment still poses a major problem for the government, as
will the need to cut back on welfare benefits and bureaucratic
budgets. Paris remains committed to maintaining the franc-deutsche
mark parity, which has kept French interest rates high at the
expense of jobs. Although the pace of economic and financial
integration within the European Union has slowed down, integration
will remain a major force in France, shaping the fortunes of the
various economic sectors over the next few years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.173 trillion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $20,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.4%
industry: 26.5%
services: 71.1% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1995)
Labor force: 24.17 million
by occupation: services 61.5%, industry 31.3%, agriculture 7.2%
(1987)
note: includes Corsica
Unemployment rate: 11.7% (yearend 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $220.5 billion
expenditures: $249.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $47
billion (1993 budget)
Industries: steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy,
aircraft, electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 2.6% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 105,250,000 kW
production: 447 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 6,149 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes;
beef, dairy products; fish catch of 850,000 metric tons ranks among
world's top 20 countries and is all used domestically
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American cocaine and
Southwest Asian heroin
Exports: $235.5 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals,
foodstuffs, agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles
and clothing
partners: Germany 17.1%, Italy 9.3%, Spain 7.1%, Belgium-Luxembourg
8.7%, UK 9.9%, Netherlands 4.6%, US 7.0%, Japan 2.0%, Russia 0.5%
Imports: $229.3 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural
products, chemicals, iron and steel products
partners: Germany 17.8%, Italy 10.1%, US 8.5%, Netherlands 4.9%,
Spain 8.8%, Belgium-Luxembourg 9.1%, UK 7.9%, Japan 3.7%, Russia 1.2%
External debt: $300 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $7.915 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 33,891 km
standard gauge: 33,524 km 1.435-m gauge; 32,275 km are operated by
French National Railways (SNCF); 13,741 km of SNCF routes are
electrified and 12,132 km are double- or multiple-tracked
narrow gauge: 367 km 1.000-m gauge
note: includes Corsica; does not include 33 tourist railroads,
totalling 469 km, many being of very narrow gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 1,511,200 km
paved: 811,200 km (including 7,700 km of expressways)
unpaved: 700,000 km (1992 est.)
note: includes Corsica
Waterways: 14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled
Pipelines: crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km;
natural gas 24,746 km
Ports: Bordeaux, Boulogne, Cherbourg, Dijon, Dunkerque, La
Pallice, Le Havre, Lyon, Marseille, Mullhouse, Nantes, Paris, Rouen,
Saint Nazaire, Saint Malo, Strasbourg
Merchant marine:
total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,203,086 GRT/1,779,263
DWT
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 5, chemical tanker 5, container 7,
liquefied gas tanker 3, oil tanker 16, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 6, short-sea passenger 5, specialized tanker 1
note: France also maintains a captive register for French-owned
ships in the Kerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands)
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 460
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 13
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 26
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 91
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 73
with paved runways under 914 m: 179
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 75 (1995 est.)
note: includes Corsica
Heliports: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 35 million (1987 est.)
Telephone system: highly developed
domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive
introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (with total of
5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA
Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean Region); HF radiotelephone
communications with more than 20 countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 41, FM 800 (mostly repeaters),
shortwave 0
Radios: 49 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 846 (mostly repeaters)
note: Eutelsat receive-only TV service
Televisions: 29.3 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air), Air Force and Air
Defense, National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 14,782,577
males fit for military service: 12,299,651
males reach military age (18) annually: 383,252 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $47.7 billion,
2.5% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@French Guiana
-------------
(overseas department of France)
Map
---
Location: 4 00 N, 53 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the
North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic
Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 53 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 91,000 sq km
land area: 89,150 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 1,183 km
border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km
Coastline: 378 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Suriname claims area between Riviere
Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature
variation
Terrain: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small
mountains
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Bellevue de l'Inini 851 m
Natural resources: bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered),
cinnabar, kaolin, fish
Land use:
arable land: NEGL%
permanent crops: NEGL%
meadows and pastures: NEGL%
forest and woodland: 88%
other: 12% (1992)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: high frequency of heavy showers and severe
thunderstorms; flooding
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: mostly an unsettled wilderness
People
------
Population: 151,187 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 24,447; female 23,378)
15-64 years: 63% (male 52,061; female 43,726)
65 years and over: 5% (male 3,784; female 3,791) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.86% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.68 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.59 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 18.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.13 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 14.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.79 years
male: 72.55 years
female: 79.19 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.42 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: French Guianese (singular and plural)
adjective: French Guianese
Ethnic divisions: black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian,
Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10%
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: French
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.)
total population: 83%
male: 84%
female: 82%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Department of Guiana
conventional short form: French Guiana
local long form: none
local short form: Guyane
Data code: FG
Type of government: overseas department of France
Capital: Cayenne
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995); represented by Prefect Pierre DARTOUT who was appointed by
the French Ministry of Interior
head of government: President of the General Council Stephan
PHINERA-HORTH (since March 1994)
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameral
Regional Council
General Council: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) PSG
8, RPR 2, UDF 1, other right 1, other 7
Regional Council: elections last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (31 total) PSG
16, FDG 10, RPR 2, independents 3
French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be
held September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(1 total) PSG 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993
(next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (2 total) RPR 1, independent 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (highest local court based in
Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French
Guiana)
Political parties and leaders: Guianese Socialist Party (PSG),
Raymond TRACY; Conservative Union for the Republic (UPR), Leon
BERTRAND; Rally for the Center Right (URC); Rally for the Republic
(RPR); Guyana Democratic Front (FDG), Georges OTHILY; Walwari
Committee, Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON; Socialist Party (PS), Jean
BART; Union for French Democracy (UDF), R. CHOW-CHINE
International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of
France)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is tied closely to that of France
through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at
Kourou, fishing and forestry are the most important economic
activities, with exports of fish and fish products (mostly shrimp)
accounting for more than 60% of total revenue in 1992. The large
reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an
expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export.
Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal area, where the
population is largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavily
dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious
problem, particularly among younger workers.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $800 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $6,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1992)
Labor force: 36,597 (1993)
by occupation: services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry
21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980)
Unemployment rate: 24.1% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $133 million
expenditures: $284 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)
Industries: construction, shrimp processing, forestry products,
rum, gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 180,000 kW
production: 450 million kWh
consumption per capita: 3,149 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, corn, manioc, cocoa, vegetables, bananas,
sugar; cattle, pigs, poultry
Illicit drugs: small amount of marijuana grown for local
consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe
Exports: $110 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence
partners: France 52%, Spain 15%, US 5% (1992)
Imports: $719 million (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities: food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods,
producer goods, petroleum
partners: France 77%, Germany 11%, US 5% (1992)
External debt: $1.2 billion (1988)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km (1995)
Highways:
total: 1,817 km (national 432 km, departmental 385 km, community
1,000 km)
paved: 727 km
unpaved: 1,090 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river
and coastal steamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craft
Ports: Cayenne, Degrad des Cannes, Saint-Laurent du Maroni
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 10
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 31,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: fair open wire and microwave radio relay system
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 7, shortwave 0
Radios: 79,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 22,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 43,412
males fit for military service: 28,171 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@French Polynesia
----------------
(overseas territory of France)
Map
---
Location: 15 00 S, 140 00 W -- Oceania, archipelago in the South
Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to
Australia
Flag
----
Description: two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white
band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave
pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the
upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave
pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from South America to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 140 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)
land area: 3,660 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than one-third the size of
Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2,525 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but moderate
Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Orohena 2,241 m
Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 19%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 31%
other: 44%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: includes five archipelagoes; Makatea in French
Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the
Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and
Nauru
People
------
Population: 224,911 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 40,450; female 39,038)
15-64 years: 61% (male 70,506; female 65,620)
65 years and over: 4% (male 4,636; female 4,661) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.19% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 27.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.94 years
male: 68.49 years
female: 73.5 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: French Polynesian(s)
adjective: French Polynesian
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%,
metropolitan French 4%
Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16%
Languages: French (official), Tahitian (official)
Literacy: age 14 and over can read and write, but definition of
literacy not available (1977 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of French Polynesia
conventional short form: French Polynesia
local long form: Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise
local short form: Polynesie Francaise
Data code: FP
Type of government: overseas territory of France since 1946
Capital: Papeete
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France);
there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the
US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel
des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du
Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent
note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French
Polynesia
Independence: none (overseas territory of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: based on French system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995); represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Paul
RONCIERE (since 8 August 1994) who was appointed by the French
Ministry of Interior
head of government: President of the Territorial Government of
French Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 4 April 1991); President of
the Territorial Assembly Tinomana EBB (since NA)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members
of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as
ministers
Legislative branch: unicameral
Territorial Assembly: elections last held 17 March 1991 (next to be
held NA March 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(41 total) People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 18, Polynesian
Union Party 12, New Fatherland Party 7, other 4
French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be
held NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (1 total) party NA
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993
(next to be held NA March 1998); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (2 total) People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; Court of the First Instance;
Court of Administrative Law
Political parties and leaders: People's Rally for the Republic
(Tahoeraa Huiraatira), Gaston FLOSSE; Polynesian Union Party
(includes Te Tiarama and Here Ai'a Party), Jean JUVENTIN; New
Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Independent Party (Ia
Mana Te Nunaa), Jacques DROLLET; Te Aratia Ote Nunaa, Tinomana EBB;
Haere i Mua, Alexandre LEONTIEFF; other small parties
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), FZ,
ICFTU, SPC, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory of
France)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France)
Flag: two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band;
centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave
pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the
upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave
pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Since 1962, when France stationed military
personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a
subsistence economy to one in which a high proportion of the work
force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist
industry. Tourism accounts for about 20% of GDP and is a primary
source of hard currency earnings. The territory will continue to
benefit from a five-year (1994-98) development agreement with France
aimed principally at creating new jobs.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.76 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $8,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 18%
services: 78% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1994)
Labor force: 76,630 employed (1988)
by occupation: agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1992
est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $686 million
expenditures: $884 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1989)
Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 75,000 kW
production: 334 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,189 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef,
dairy products
Exports: $230 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: cultured pearls 41.6%, coconut products,
mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat (1992)
partners: France 34%, US 10% (1992)
Imports: $912 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, equipment
partners: ECE 64% (France 45.4%), US 13.6%, Australia 6.9%, NZ 5.8%,
Japan 5% (1992)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per
US$1 - 91.00 (January 1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.94 (1994), 102.96
(1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991); note - linked at the rate of
18.18 to the French franc
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 792 km
paved: 792 km (1995 est.)
Ports: Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWT
ships by type: passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 41
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13
with paved runways under 914 m: 15
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 33,200 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 116,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 35,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: French Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force),
Gendarmerie
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands
-----------------------------------
(overseas territory of France)
Map
---
Location: 43 00 S, 67 00 E -- Southern Africa, islands in the
southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica,
and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands includes
Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen in
the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of
Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French
claim to "Adelie Land"
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean,
about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note -
French Southern and Antarctic Lands includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile
Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen in the southern Indian
Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie
Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"
Geographic coordinates: 43 00 S, 67 00 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:
total area: 7,781 sq km
land area: 7,781 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Delaware
note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet and Iles
Kerguelen; excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in
Antarctica that is not recognized by the US
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,232 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen only
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica is not
recognized by the US
Climate: antarctic
Terrain: volcanic
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Ross on Kerguelen 1,850 m
Natural resources: fish, crayfish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct
volcanoes
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: remote location in the southern Indian Ocean
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there were 145
(1995) mostly researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to
summer (January)
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and
Antarctic Lands
conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques
Francaises
local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
Data code: FS
Type of government: overseas territory of France since 1955;
governed by High Administrator Christian DORS (since 4 December 1991)
Capital: none; administered from Paris, France
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France);
there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the
US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles
Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land"
claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US
Independence: none (overseas territory of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to servicing
meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and
other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by
foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion.
Budget:
revenues: $22.6 million
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995)
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine:
total: 66 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,133,942 GRT/3,617,863
DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 6, chemical tanker 7, container 10,
liquefied gas tanker 4, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil
tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13,
specialized tanker 1
note: a subset of the French register allowing French-owned ships to
operate under more liberal taxation and manning regulations than
permissable under the main French register (1995 est.)
Airports: none (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Gabon
-----
Map
---
Location: 1 00 S, 11 45 E -- Western Africa, bordering the
Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow,
and blue
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the
Equator, between Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 267,670 sq km
land area: 257,670 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Colorado
Land boundaries:
total: 2,551 km
border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea
350 km
Coastline: 885 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial
Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and
south
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m
Natural resources: petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber,
iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 78%
other: 2%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; poaching
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber 94
People
------
Population: 1,172,798 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 197,188; female 196,562)
15-64 years: 61% (male 364,033; female 353,451)
65 years and over: 5% (male 30,270; female 31,294) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.47% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 28.22 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 90.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.59 years
male: 52.72 years
female: 58.56 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Gabonese (singular and plural)
adjective: Gabonese
Ethnic divisions: Bantu tribes including four major tribal
groupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou, Bateke), other Africans and
Europeans 100,000, including 27,000 French
Religions: Christian 55%-75%, Muslim less than 1%, animist
Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke,
Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 63.2%
male: 73.7%
female: 53.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Gabonese Republic
conventional short form: Gabon
local long form: Republique Gabonaise
local short form: Gabon
Data code: GB
Type of government: republic; multiparty presidential regime
(opposition parties legalized 1990)
Capital: Libreville
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue,
Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo,
Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem
Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Renovation Day, 12 March (1968) (Gabonese
Democratic Party established)
Constitution: adopted 14 March 1991
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the
Supreme Court; compulsory ICJ jurisdiction not accepted
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967)
was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage on 5 December
1993 (next election to be held 1998); results - President Omar BONGO
received 51% of the vote
head of government: Prime Minister Paulin OBAME Nguema (since 9
December 1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister in
consultation with the president
Legislative branch: unicameral; note - the provision of the
constitution for the establishment of a senate has not been
implemented
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held on 5
December 1993 (next to be held by July 1996, according to the
October 1994 Paris Accords; however, President BONGO has indicated
that date might slip); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (120 total) PDG 64, National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks
(Morena-Bucherons/RNB) 17, PGP 12, National Recovery Movement
(Morena-Original) 2, PUP 4, CLR 1, FAR 4, UPG 1, independents 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG,
former sole party), Simplice Guedet MANZELA, secretary general;
Circle of Liberal Reformers (CLR), General Jean Boniface ASSELE;
People's Unity Party (PUP), Louis Gaston MAYILA; Gabonese Socialist
Union (USG), Dr. Serge Mba BEKALE; National Recovery Movement -
Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons/RNB), Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE; Gabonese
Party for Progress (PGP), Pierre-Louis AGONDHO-OKAWE, president;
National Recovery Movement (Morena-Origina), note - this party won 2
seats in the 5 December 1993 elections for the National Assembly but
is no longer very active; Gabonese Party for Progress (PGP), Pierre
Louis AGONDJO OKAWE; African Forum for Reconstruction (FAR), Leon
MBOU-YEMBI, secretary general; Gabonese People's Union (UPG), Pierre
MAMBOUNDOU
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,
CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHA
chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000
FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth RASPOLIC
embassy: Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville
mailing address: B. P. 4000, Libreville
telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, 74 34 92
FAX: [241] 74 55 07
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Notwithstanding its serious ongoing economic
problems, Gabon enjoys a per capita income more than three times
that of most nations of sub-Saharan Africa. Gabon depended on timber
and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s.
The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Real GDP growth has been
feeble since 1992 and Gabon continues to face the problem of
fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, manganese, and uranium
exports. Despite an abundance of natural wealth, and a manageable
rate of population growth, the economy is hobbled by poor fiscal
management. In 1992, the fiscal deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, and
Gabon failed to settle arrears on its bilateral debt, leading to a
cancellation of rescheduling agreements with official and private
creditors. Devaluation of its Francophone currency by 50% on 12
January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate
dropped to 15% in 1995. Nevertheless, the government must continue
to keep a tight rein on spending and wage increases. The IMF and
France are considering offering financial assistance in 1996 if
Gabon shows progress in privatization and fiscal discipline.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.2%
industry: 44.7%
services: 47.1% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 120,000 salaried
by occupation: agriculture 65.0%, industry and commerce 30.0%,
services 2.5%, government 2.5%
Unemployment rate: 10%-14% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.3 billion
expenditures: $1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $311
million (1993 est.)
Industries: food and beverage; textile; lumbering and plywood;
cement; petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, uranium, and
gold mining; chemicals; ship repair
Industrial production growth rate: -3% (1991)
Electricity:
capacity: 315,000 kW
production: 910 million kWh
consumption per capita: 757 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil; rubber; okoume (a
tropical softwood); cattle; small fishing operations (provide a
catch of about 20,000 metric tons)
Exports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: crude oil 80%, timber 14%, manganese 6%, uranium
partners: US 50%, France 16%, Japan 8%, Spain 6%, Germany NA (1994
est.)
Imports: $800 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products,
construction materials, manufactures, machinery
partners: France 35%, African countries, US, Japan, Netherlands
(1994)
External debt: $3.8 billion (1993 )
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $75 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 649 km Gabon State Railways (OCTRA)
standard gauge: 649 km 1.435-m gauge; single track (1994)
Highways:
total: 7,456 km
paved: 560 km
unpaved: 6,896 km (1988 est.)
Waterways: 1,600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 km
Ports: Cape Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Mayumba, Owendo,
Port-Gentil
Merchant marine:
total: 3 bulk (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 36,976 GRT/60,319 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 54
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 21
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 15 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 22,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay,
tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a
domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 250,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (repeaters 5)
Televisions: 40,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard, National
Gendarmerie, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 273,662
males fit for military service: 139,439
males reach military age (20) annually: 10,966 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $154 million,
2.4% of GDP (1993)
======================================================================
@Gaza Strip
----------
The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government
Arrangements ("the DOP"), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993,
provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years of
Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West
Bank. Permanent status negotiations began on 5 May 1996.
Map
---
Location: 31 25 N, 34 20 E -- Middle East, bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between
Egypt and Israel
Geographic coordinates: 31 25 N, 34 20 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 360 sq km
land area: 360 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 62 km
border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: Israeli occupied with current status subject to
the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be
determined through further negotiation
International disputes: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli
occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian
Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through
further negotiation
Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers
Terrain: flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 13%
permanent crops: 32%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 55%
Irrigated land: 115 sq km (1992 est.)
Environment:
current issues: desertification
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: there are 24 Israeli settlements and civilian
land use sites in the Gaza Strip (August 1995 est.)
People
------
Population: 923,940 (July 1996 est.)
note: in addition, there are 5,000 Israeli settlers in the Gaza
Strip (August 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 52% (male 244,026; female 231,976)
15-64 years: 46% (male 210,706; female 210,764)
65 years and over: 2% (male 11,553; female 14,915) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 6.79% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 50.67 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.4 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 21.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.98 years
male: 70.69 years
female: 73.34 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.79 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: NA
adjective: NA
Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 99.4%, Jewish 0.6%
Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%,
Jewish 0.6%
Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers), English
(widely understood)
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Government note: Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles
on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed
to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian
Authority, which includes a Palestinian Legislative Council elected
in January 1996, as part of interim self-governing arrangements in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and
responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho has taken place
pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza
Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank
pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement. The
DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the
transitional period for external security and for internal security
and public order of settlements and Israelis. Permanent status is to
be determined through direct negotiations within five years.
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Gaza Strip
local long form: none
local short form: Qita Ghazzah
Data code: GZ
Economy
-------
Economic overview: In 1991 roughly 40% of Gaza Strip workers were
employed across the border by Israeli industrial, construction, and
agricultural enterprises, with worker remittances supplementing GDP
by roughly 50%. Gaza has depended upon Israel for nearly 90% of its
external trade. Aggravating the impact of Israeli military
administration, unrest in the territory from 1988 to 1993
(intifadah) raised unemployment and lowered the standard of living
of Gazans. The Persian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also dealt
blows to Gaza since August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulf
states have dropped, unemployment has increased, and exports have
fallen. The withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip in May 1994 has
brought a new set of adjustment problems. The stringent border
restrictions have held back economic growth in 1995 and 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3%-4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 33%
industry: 7%
services: 60% (1995 est., includes West Bank)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1995 est.)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: construction 33.4%, agriculture 20.0%, commerce,
restaurants, and hotels 14.9%, industry 10.0%, other services 21.7%
(1991)
note: excluding Israeli settlers
Unemployment rate: 30%-45% (1995 est.)
Budget: $NA
Industries: generally small family businesses that produce
textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs;
the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in
an industrial center
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: power supplied by Israel
Agriculture: olives, citrus, other fruits, vegetables; beef, dairy
products
Exports: $49 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: citrus
partners: Israel, Egypt
Imports: $339 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials
partners: Israel, Egypt
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: $410 million (est.) disbursed from international aid pledges
in 1995 (includes aid to West Bank)
Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot
Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 3.1295
(January 1996), 3.0113 (1995), 3.0111 (1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591
(1992), 2.2791 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: NA km; note - one line, abandoned and in disrepair, little
trackage remains
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
note: small, poorly developed road network
Ports: Gaza
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
note: 10% of Palestinian households have telephones (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA; note - 95% of Palestinian households have radios (1992
est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA; note - 59% of Palestinian households have
televisions (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: NA
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Georgia
-------
Beset by ethnic and civil strife since independence in 1991, Georgia
began to stabilize in 1994. Separatist conflicts in Abkhazia and
South Ossetia have been dormant for more than two years, although
political settlements remain elusive. Russian peacekeepers are
deployed in both regions and a UN Observer Mission is operating in
Abkhazia. As a result of these conflicts, Georgia still has about
250,000 internally displaced people. In November 1995, Georgia held
peaceful, generally free and fair nationwide presidential and
parliamentary elections. Although the country continues to suffer
from a crippling economic crisis, aggravated by a severe energy
shortage, some progress has been made and the Georgian Government
remains committed to economic reform in cooperation with the IMF and
the World Bank. Violence and organized crime were sharply curtailed
in 1995.
Map
---
Location: 42 00 N, 43 30 E -- Southwestern Asia, bordering the
Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia
Flag
----
Description: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side
corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below
Geography
---------
Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between
Turkey and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 43 30 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 69,700 sq km
land area: 69,700 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 1,461 km
border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km,
Turkey 252 km
Coastline: 310 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: none
Climate: warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Terrain: largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the
north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhida Lowland
opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east;
good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida
Lowland
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Mt'a Mqinvartsveri (Gora Kazbek) 5,048 m
Natural resources: forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron
ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils
allow for important tea and citrus growth
Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 29%
forest and woodland: 38%
other: 18%
Irrigated land: 4,660 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy
pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of
potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People
------
Population: 5,219,810 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 595,524; female 571,207)
15-64 years: 66% (male 1,643,506; female 1,784,286)
65 years and over: 12% (male 229,910; female 395,377) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -1.02% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.81 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -10.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.9 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 22.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.09 years
male: 63.43 years
female: 72.98 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Georgian(s)
adjective: Georgian
Ethnic divisions: Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%,
Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%
Religions: Christian Orthodox 75% (Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian
Orthodox 10%), Muslim 11%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6%
Languages: Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian
9%, other 7%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 99%
male: 100%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Georgia
conventional short form: Georgia
local long form: Sak'art'velos Respublika
local short form: Sak'art'velo
former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: GG
Type of government: republic
Capital: T'bilisi
Administrative divisions: 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy
respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia (Sokhumi), Ajaria
(Bat'umi)
note: the administrative centers of the autonomous republics are
included in parentheses; there are no oblasts - the rayons around
T'bilisi are under direct republic jurisdiction
Independence: 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 May (1991)
Constitution: adopted 17 October 1995
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Eduard
Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously elected Chairman of the
Government Council 10 March 1992, Council has since been disbanded;
previously elected Chairman of Parliament 11 October 1992);
presidential election last held 5 November 1995 (next to be held NA
April 2001); results - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 74%; president's term to
last five years
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers
Legislative branch: unicameral
Georgian Parliament: elections last held 5 November 1995 (next to be
held NA November 2000); results - CUG 24%, NDP 8%, All Georgia
Revival Union 7%, all other parties received less than 5% each;
seats - (235 total) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Citizens Union of Georgia (CUG),
Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, Zurab ZHVANIA, general secretary; National
Democratic Party (NDP), Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTARIA; United
Republican Party, umbrella organization for parties including the
GPF and the Charter 1991 Party, Notar NATADZE, chairman; Georgian
Popular Front (GPF), Nodar NATADZE, chairman; Charter 1991 Party,
Tedo PAATASHVILI; Georgian Social Democratic Party (GSDP), Guram
MUCHAIDZE, secretary general; All Georgia Union for Revival, Alsan
ABASHIDZE; Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Irakli SHENGELAYA;
Democratic Georgia Union (DGU), Avtandil MARGIANI; National
Independence Party (NIP), Irakliy TSERETELI, chairman; Georgian
Monarchists' Party (GMP), Temur ZHORZHOLIANI; Greens Party; Agrarian
Party of Georgia (APG), Roin LIPARTELIANI; United Communist Party of
Georgia (UCP), Panteleimon GIORGADZE, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: supporters of ousted President
Zviad GAMSAKHURDIA (deceased 1 January 1994) remain a source of
opposition; separatist elements in the breakaway region of Abkhazia
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CIS, EBRD,
ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tedo JAPARIDZE
chancery: (temporary) Suite 424, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC
20005
telephone: [1] (202) 393-5959
FAX: [1] (202) 393-6060
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William H. COURTNEY
embassy: #25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [7] (8832) 98-99-67, 93-38-03
FAX: [7] (8832) 93-37-59
Flag: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side
corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved
around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and
grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and a small industrial
sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles.
The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural
gas and oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource is
hydropower. Since 1991 the economy has sustained severe damage from
civil strife. Georgia has been suffering from acute energy
shortages, as it is having problems paying for even minimal imports.
Georgia is pinning its hopes for long-term recovery largely on
reestablishing trade ties with Russia and on developing
international transportation through the key Black Sea ports of
P'ot'i and Bat'umi. Statistical estimates on Georgia are subject to
a particularly wide margin of error, even compared with other FSU
countries. The GDP estimate below probably does not reflect much of
its grass roots economic activity. GDP is supplemented by
considerable EU and US humanitarian aid.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.2 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -11% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,080 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 70.4%
industry: 10.2%
services: 19.4% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% monthly average (first half
1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.763 million
by occupation: industry and construction 31%, agriculture and
forestry 25%, other 44% (1990)
Unemployment rate: officially less than 5% but real unemployment
may be more than 20%, with even larger numbers of underemployed
workers
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: steel, aircraft, machine tools, foundry equipment,
electric locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment,
machinery for food preparation and meat packing, electric motors,
process control equipment, trucks, tractors, textiles, shoes,
chemicals, wood products, wine
Industrial production growth rate: -10% (1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 4,410,000 kW
production: 9.1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,526 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: citrus, grapes, tea, vegetables, potatoes; small
livestock sector
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy;
mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for
illicit drugs to Western Europe
Exports: $140 million (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products;
diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles;
chemicals; fuel re-exports
partners: Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan
Imports: $250 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts,
transport equipment
partners: Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey; note - EU and US send
humanitarian food shipments
External debt: $1.2 billion (of which $135 million to Russia)
(1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $28 million (1993)
note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,200 million ($675 million
disbursements)
Currency: lari introduced September 1995 replacing the coupon
Exchange rates: laris per US$1 - 1.24 (end December 1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,570 km in common carrier service; does not include
industrial lines
broad gauge: 1,570 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways:
total: 35,100 km
paved: 31,200 km
unpaved: 3,900 km (1990 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas
440 km (1992)
Ports: Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi
Merchant marine:
total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 307,765 GRT/483,567 DWT
ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 2, oil tanker 12, short-sea passenger 1
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 28
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 6 (1994 est.)
Transportation note: transportation network is in poor condition
and disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel
shortages; network lacks maintenance and repair
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 672,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: poor service; 339,000 unsatisfied applications
for telephones (December 1990 est.)
domestic: NA
international: landline to CIS members and Turkey; satellite earth
station - 1 Eutelsat; leased connections with other countries via
the Moscow international gateway switch; international electronic
mail and telex service available
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces,
Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,288,291
males fit for military service: 1,021,632
males reach military age (18) annually: 40,654 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $60 million to
$65 million, NA% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Germany
-------
Map
---
Location: 51 00 N, 9 00 E -- Central Europe, bordering the Baltic
Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of
Denmark
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and
yellow
Geography
---------
Location: Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North
Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark
Geographic coordinates: 51 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 356,910 sq km
land area: 349,520 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana
note: includes the formerly separate Federal Republic of Germany,
the German Democratic Republic, and Berlin, following formal
unification on 3 October 1990
Land boundaries:
total: 3,621 km
border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646
km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577
km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km
Coastline: 2,389 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and
summers; occasional warm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidity
Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in
south
lowest point: Freepsum Lake -2 m
highest point: Zugspitze 2,962 m
Natural resources: iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite,
uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel
Land use:
arable land: 34%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 16%
forest and woodland: 30%
other: 19%
Irrigated land: 4,800 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries
and lead emissions from vehicle exhausts (the result of continued
use of leaded fuels) contribute to air pollution; acid rain,
resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; heavy
pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents
from rivers in eastern Germany
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: strategic location on North European Plain and
along the entrance to the Baltic Sea
People
------
Population: 83,536,115 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.15% (male 6,928,750; female 6,563,026)
15-64 years: 68.52% (male 29,339,780; female 27,902,549)
65 years and over: 15.33% (male 4,658,014; female 8,143,996) (July
1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.66 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 8.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.95 years
male: 72.8 years
female: 79.27 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: German(s)
adjective: German
Ethnic divisions: German 95.1%, Turkish 2.3%, Italians 0.7%,
Greeks 0.4%, Poles 0.4%, other 1.1% (made up largely of people
fleeing the war in the former Yugoslavia)
Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37%, unaffiliated or
other 18%
Languages: German
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1977 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany
conventional short form: Germany
local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland
local short form: Deutschland
Data code: GM
Type of government: federal republic
Capital: Berlin
note: the shift from Bonn to Berlin will take place over a period of
years, with Bonn retaining many administrative functions and several
ministries
Administrative divisions: 16 states (laender, singular - land);
Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg,
Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen,
Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt,
Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen
Independence: 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided
into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in
1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or
West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US,
and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany)
proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone;
unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October
1990; all four power rights formally relinquished 15 March 1991
National holiday: German Unity Day (Day of Unity), 3 October (1990)
Constitution: 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution
of the united German people 3 October 1990
Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial
review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Roman HERZOG (since 1 July 1994) was
elected by the Federal Convention including members of the Bundestag
and an equal number of members elected by the Land Parliaments
head of government: Chancellor Dr. Helmut KOHL (since 4 October
1982) was elected by an absolute majority of the Bundestag
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president upon the proposal of
the chancellor
Legislative branch: bicameral chamber (no official name for the
two chambers as a whole)
Federal Assembly (Bundestag): election last held 16 October 1994
(next to be held by NA 1998); results - CDU 34.2%, SPD 36.4%,
Alliance 90/Greens 7.3%, CSU 7.3%, FDP 6.9%, PDS 4.4%, Republicans
1.9%; seats - (usually 656 total, but 672 for the 1994 term) CDU
244, SPD 252, Alliance 90/Greens 49, CSU 50, FDP 47, PDS 30; elected
by direct popular vote under a system combining direct and
proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national
vote or three direct mandates to gain representation
Federal Council (Bundesrat): State governments are directly
represented by votes; each has 3 to 6 votes depending on size and
are required to vote as a block; current composition: votes - (68
total) SPD-led states 41, CDU-led states 27
Judicial branch: Federal Constitutional Court
(Bundesverfassungsgericht), half the judges are elected by the
Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Union (CDU),
Helmut KOHL, chairman; Christian Social Union (CSU), Theo WAIGEL,
chairman; Free Democratic Party (FDP), Wolfgang GERHARDT, chairman;
Social Democratic Party (SPD), Oskar LA FONTAINE, chairman; Alliance
'90/Greens, Krista SAGER, Juergen TRITTIN, cochairpersons; Party of
Democratic Socialism (PDS), Lothar BISKY, chairman; Republikaner,
Rolf SCHLIERER, chairman; National Democratic Party (NPD),
Ellen-Doris SCHERER; Communist Party (DKP), Rolf PRIEMER and Heinz
STEHR, cochairpersons
Other political or pressure groups: expellee, refugee, and
veterans groups
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CDB (non-regional),
CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO,
MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE,
PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOMIG, UNPROFOR, UPU, WEU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Juergen CHROBOG
chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000
FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston,
Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Charles E. REDMAN
embassy: Deichmanns Aue 29, 53170 Bonn
mailing address: APO AE 09080, PSC 117, Bonn
telephone: [49] (228) 3391
FAX: [49] (228) 339-2663
branch office: Berlin
consulate(s) general: Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig,
Munich, and Stuttgart
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Germany, the world's third-most powerful
economy, faces its own unique problem of bringing its eastern area
up to scratch after 45 years of communist rule. Despite substantial
progress toward economic integration, the eastern states will
continue to rely on subsidies from the federal government into the
next century. Assistance to the east of about $100 billion annually
has helped the region average nearly 8% annual economic growth since
1991, even though the overall German economy has averaged less than
2% growth. The economic recovery in the east has been led by the
construction industries, with growth increasingly supported by the
service sectors and light manufacturing industries. Western Germany,
which accounts for 90% of overall German GDP and has three times the
per capita income of eastern Germany, is perennially the first- or
second-largest exporter, after the US, in the world. Nonetheless,
business and political leaders have in recent years become
increasingly concerned about Germany's apparent decline in
attractiveness as a business location. They cite the increasing
preference of German companies to locate manufacturing facilities -
long the strength of the postwar economy - to foreign countries,
including the US, rather than in Germany, so they can be closer to
their markets and avoid Germany's high production costs. The
conditions under which European economic integration - especially
movement toward a single European currency - will proceed will be
another key issue facing Germany in the next few years.
GDP:
Germany: purchasing power parity - $1.4522 trillion (1995 est.)
western: purchasing power parity - $1.3318 trillion (1995 est.)
eastern: purchasing power parity - $120.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate:
Germany: 1.8% (1995 est.)
western: 1.5% (1995 est.)
eastern: 6.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita:
Germany: $17,900 (1995 est.)
western: $21,100 (1995 est.)
eastern: $6,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 34.2%
services: 64.8% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
western: 2% (1995 est.)
eastern: 2% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 36.75 million
by occupation: industry 41%, agriculture 6%, other 53% (1987)
Unemployment rate:
western: 8.7% (December 1995)
eastern: 14.9% (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $690 billion
expenditures: $780 billion, including capital expenditures of $96.5
billion (1994)
Industries:
western: among world's largest and technologically advanced
producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery,
vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages
eastern: metal fabrication, chemicals, brown coal, shipbuilding,
machine building, food and beverages, textiles, petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate:
western: 2.8% (1994)
eastern: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 115,430,000 kW
production: 493 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 5,683 kWh (1993)
Agriculture:
western: potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbage;
cattle, pigs, poultry
eastern: wheat, rye, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, fruit; pork,
beef, chicken, milk, hides
Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American
cocaine processors; transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
and Latin American cocaine for West European markets
Exports: $437 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: manufactures 89.3% (including machines and machine
tools, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel products),
agricultural products 5.5%, raw materials 2.7%, fuels 1.3% (1993)
partners: EC 47.9% (France 11.7%, Netherlands 7.4%, Italy 7.5%, UK
7.7%, Belgium-Luxembourg 6.6%), EFTA 15.5%, US 7.7%, Eastern Europe
5.2%, OPEC 3.0% (1993)
Imports: $362 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: manufactures 75.1%, agricultural products 10.0%, fuels
8.3%, raw materials 5.0% (1993)
partners: EC 46.4% (France 11.3%, Netherlands 8.4%, Italy 8.1%, UK
6.0%, Belgium-Luxembourg 5.7%), EFTA 14.3%, US 7.3%, Japan 6.3%,
Eastern Europe 5.1%, OPEC 2.6% (1993)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $6.954 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 deutsche mark (DM) = 100 pfennige
Exchange rates: deutsche marks (DM) per US$1 - 1.4617 (January
1996), 1.4331 (1995), 1.6228 (1994), 1.6533 (1993), 1.5617 (1992),
1.6595 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 43,966 km
standard gauge: 43,531 km 1.435-m; 40,355 km are owned by Deutsche
Bahn AG (DB); 17,015 km of the DB system are electrified and 16,941
km are double- or more-tracked
narrow gauge: 389 km 1.000-m gauge (DB operates 146 km of 1.000-m
gauge); 7 km 0.900-m gauge; 39 km 0.750-m gauge
note: in addition to the DB system there are 54 privately-owned
industrial or excursion railways, ranging in route length from 2 km
to 632 km, with a total length of 3,465 km (1995)
Highways:
total: 636,282 km
paved: 531,018 km (including 10,955 km of expressways)
unpaved: 105,264 km (1991 est.)
Waterways:
western: 5,222 km, of which almost 70% are usable by craft of
1,000-metric-ton capacity or larger; major rivers include the Rhine
and Elbe; Kiel Canal is an important connection between the Baltic
Sea and North Sea
eastern: 2,319 km (1988)
Pipelines: crude oil 3,644 km; petroleum products 3,946 km;
natural gas 97,564 km (1988)
Ports: Berlin, Bonn, Brake, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Cologne, Dresden,
Duisburg, Emden, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Kiel, Lubeck, Magdeburg,
Mannheim, Rostock, Stuttgart
Merchant marine:
total: 452 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,054,327
GRT/6,367,036 DWT
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 193, chemical tanker 15, combination
bulk 4, combination ore/oil 5, container 166, liquefied gas tanker
12, multifunction large-load carrier 6, oil tanker 11, passenger 3,
railcar carrier 3, refrigerated cargo 7, roll-on/roll-off cargo 14,
short-sea passenger 7 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 617
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 13
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 65
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 67
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 51
with paved runways under 914 m: 351
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 55 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 55 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 44 million
Telephone system: Germany has one of the world's most
technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of
intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly
backward system of the eastern part of the country is being rapidly
modernized and integrated with that of the western part
domestic: the region which was formerly West Germany is served by an
extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by
modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio
relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service
is widely available and includes roaming service to many foreign
countries; since the reunification of Germany, the telephone system
of the eastern region has been upgraded and enjoys many of the
advantages of the national system
international: satellite earth stations - 14 Intelsat (12 Atlantic
Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean
region), 2 Intersputnik (1 Atlantic Ocean region and 1 Indian Ocean
region); 6 submarine cable connections; 2 HF radiotelephone
communication centers; tropospheric scatter links
Radio broadcast stations:
western: AM 80, FM 470, shortwave 0
eastern: AM 23, FM 17, shortwave 0
Radios: 70 million (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 246 (repeaters 6,000); note - there
are 15 Russian repeaters in eastern Germany
Televisions: 44.8 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm), Air Force, Border
Police, Coast Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 21,540,919
males fit for military service: 18,537,347
males reach military age (18) annually: 449,292 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $42.8 billion,
1.5% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Ghana
-----
Map
---
Location: 8 00 N, 2 00 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow,
and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the
yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia;
similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in
the yellow band
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 238,540 sq km
land area: 230,020 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 2,093 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 548 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo
877 km
Coastline: 539 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast
coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central
area
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m
Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite,
manganese, fish, rubber
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 15%
forest and woodland: 37%
other: 36%
Irrigated land: 80 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: recent drought in north severely affecting
agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;
poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations;
water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water
natural hazards: dry, dusty, harmattan winds occur from January to
March; droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Desertification, Marine Life Conservation
Geographic note: Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial
lake; northeasterly harmattan wind (January to March)
People
------
Population: 17,698,271 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 3,856,673; female 3,819,946)
15-64 years: 54% (male 4,658,142; female 4,814,060)
65 years and over: 3% (male 262,159; female 287,291) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.29% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.15 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 80.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 56.17 years
male: 54.18 years
female: 58.22 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.59 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Ghanaian(s)
adjective: Ghanaian
Ethnic divisions: black African 99.8% (major tribes - Akan 44%,
Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%), European and other 0.2%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%,
other 8%
Languages: English (official), African languages (including Akan,
Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 64.5%
male: 75.9%
female: 53.5%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Ghana
conventional short form: Ghana
former: Gold Coast
Data code: GH
Type of government: constitutional democracy
Capital: Accra
Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo,
Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West,
Volta, Western
Independence: 6 March 1957 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
Constitution: new constitution approved 28 April 1992
Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Jerry John RAWLINGS
(since 3 November 1992); elected for a four-year term by direct
universal suffrage; the president can appoint a vice president;
election last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA December 1996)
cabinet: Cabinet; president nominates members subject to approval by
the Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 29 December 1992 (next to be held NA
December 1996); results - opposition boycotted the election, the
National Democratic Congress won 198 of the total 200 seats and 2
seats were won by independents; because of interim bye-elections,
the National Democratic Congress and its remaining coalition
partner, Every Ghanian Living Everywhere (EGLE), now control 189
seats; former coalition partner, NCP, has 8 seats; independents hold
3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Congress (NDC),
Jerry John RAWLINGS; New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Ala ADJETY;
People's Heritage Party (PHP), Alex ERSKINE; National Convention
Party (NCP), Kow ARKAAH; Every Ghanian Living Everywhere (EGLE),
Ashang OKINE; Peoples Convention Party (PCP), B.K. NKETSIA; Peoples
National Convention (PNC), Alhaji Asuma BANDA
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer),
ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, UN, UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ekwow SPIO-GARBRAH
chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520
FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward BRYNN
embassy: Ring Road East, East of Danquah Circle, Accra
mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra
telephone: [233] (21) 775348
FAX: [233] (21) 775747
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green
with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band;
uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag
of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has
twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa.
Heavily reliant on international assistance, Ghana has made steady
progress in liberalizing its economy since 1983. Overall growth
continued at a rate of approximately 5% in 1995, due largely to
increased gold, timber, and cocoa production - major sources of
foreign exchange. The economy, however, continues to revolve around
subsistence agriculture, which accounts for almost half of GDP and
employs 55% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Public
sector wage increases, regional peacekeeping commitments, and the
containment of internal unrest in the underdeveloped north have
placed substantial demands on the government's budget and have led
to inflationary deficit financing, depreciation of the cedi, and
rising public discontent with Ghana's austerity program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $25.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 47%
industry: 16%
services: 37% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 69% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 3.7 million
by occupation: agriculture and fishing 54.7%, industry 18.7%, sales
and clerical 15.2%, professional 3.7%, services, transportation, and
communications 7.7%
Unemployment rate: 10% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.05 billion
expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $178
million (1993)
Industries: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum, food
processing
Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,180,000 kW
production: 6.1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 323 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts,
corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international
drug trade; transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin
destined for Europe and the US
Exports: $1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: cocoa 40%, gold, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum,
manganese ore, and diamonds
partners: Germany , US , UK , Netherlands , Japan (1995)
Imports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: petroleum, consumer goods, foods, intermediate goods,
capital equipment
partners: UK, US, Germany, Japan, Netherlands (1995)
External debt: $4.6 billion (December 1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $472 million (1993)
Currency: 1 new cedi (C) = 100 pesewas
Exchange rates: new cedis per US$1 - 1,246.11 (September 1995),
956.71 (1994), 649.06 (1993), 437.09 (1992), 367.83 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 953 km; note - undergoing major renovation (1995 est.)
narrow gauge: 953 km 1.067-m gauge; 32 km double track
Highways:
total: 38,145 km
paved: 7,476 km (including 21 km of expressways)
unpaved: 30,669 km (1990 est.)
Waterways: Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 168 km of
perennial navigation for launches and lighters; Lake Volta provides
1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways
Pipelines: none
Ports: Takoradi, Tema
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,427 GRT/35,894 DWT
ships by type: cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 12
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 70,000 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: poor to fair system
domestic: primarily microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4 (repeaters 8)
Televisions: 250,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force, Palace Guard, Civil
Defense
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 4,135,538
males fit for military service: 2,303,423
males reach military age (18) annually: 176,332 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 0.8%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Gibraltar
---------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 36 11 N, 5 22 W -- Southwestern Europe, bordering the
Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain
Flag
----
Description: two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and
red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band;
hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
Geography
---------
Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar,
which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on
the southern coast of Spain
Geographic coordinates: 36 11 N, 5 22 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 6.5 sq km
land area: 6.5 sq km
comparative area: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries:
total: 1.2 km
border country: Spain 1.2 km
Coastline: 12 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: source of friction between Spain and the UK
Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: limited natural freshwater resources, so large
concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rain water
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that
links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
People
------
Population: 28,765 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 3,109; female 2,728)
15-64 years: 66% (male 10,668; female 8,292)
65 years and over: 14% (male 1,582; female 2,386) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.54% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.73 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.29 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.15 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.83 years
male: 74.5 years
female: 81.31 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Gibraltarian(s)
adjective: Gibraltar
Ethnic divisions: Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, Spanish
Religions: Roman Catholic 74%, Protestant 11% (Church of England
8%, other 3%), Muslim 8%, Jewish 2%, none or other 5% (1981)
Languages: English (used in schools and for official purposes),
Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Gibraltar
Data code: GI
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Gibraltar
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Commonwealth Day (second Monday of March)
Constitution: 30 May 1969
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects
resident six months or more
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor and
Commander in Chief Field Marshal Sir John CHAPPLE (since NA March
1993)
head of government: Chief Minister Joe BOSSANO (since 25 March 1988)
was appointed by the governor
Gibraltar Council: advises the governor
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed from the elected members
of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the
chief minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 16 January 1992 (next to be
held NA January 1996); results - SL 73.3%, SD 20.2%, NP 4.7%,
independents 1.8%; seats - (18 total, 15 elected) SL 8, SD 7
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party
(SL), Joe BOSSANO; Gibraltar Labor Party/Association for the
Advancement of Civil Rights (GCL/AACR), leader Adolfo CANEPA;
Gibraltar Social Democrats (SD), Peter CARUANA; Gibraltar National
Party (NP), Joe GARCIA
Other political or pressure groups: Housewives Association;
Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization
International organization participation: Interpol (subbureau)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red
with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band;
hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping
trade and offshore banking. The British military presence has been
sharply reduced and now contributes about 11% to the local economy.
The financial sector accounts for 15% of GDP; tourism, shipping
services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue.
Because more than 70% of the economy is in the public sector,
changes in government spending have a major impact on the level of
employment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $205 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $6,600 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers)
note: UK military establishments and civil government employ nearly
50% of the labor force
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $116 million
expenditures: $124 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992-93)
Industries: tourism, banking and finance, construction, commerce;
support to large UK naval and air bases; tobacco, mineral waters,
beer, canned fish
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 47,000 kW
production: 90 million kWh
consumption per capita: 2,539 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: none
Exports: $57 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured
goods 41%, other 8%
partners: UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, FRG
Imports: $420 million (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities: fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs
partners: UK, Spain, Japan, Netherlands
External debt: $318 million (1987)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Gibraltar pound (LG) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds (LG) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January
1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992),
0.5652 (1991); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British
pound
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: NA km; 1.000-m gauge system in dockyard area only
Highways:
total: 49.9 km (including 12.9 km public highways)
paved: 49.9 km
unpaved: 0 km
Pipelines: none
Ports: Gibraltar
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 357,730 GRT/635,769 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1, oil
tanker 13 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 19,529 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate
international facilities
domestic: automatic exchange facilities
international: radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite
earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Glorioso Islands
----------------
(possession of France)
Map
---
Location: 11 30 S, 47 20 E -- Southern Africa, group of islands in
the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean,
northwest of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 11 30 S, 47 20 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 5 sq km
land area: 5 sq km
comparative area: about eight times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock,
and South Rock
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 35.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 12 m
Natural resources: guano, coconuts
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: periodic cyclones
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Glorioso Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Iles Glorieuses
Data code: GO
Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner
of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:
total: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Greece
------
Map
---
Location: 39 00 N, 22 00 E -- Southern Europe, bordering the
Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania
and Turkey
Flag
----
Description: nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating
with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner
bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the
established religion of the country
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea,
and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 22 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 131,940 sq km
land area: 130,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Alabama
Land boundaries:
total: 1,210 km
border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km,
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 228 km
Coastline: 13,676 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 6 nm
International disputes: complex maritime, air, and territorial
disputes with Turkey in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question; dispute with
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over name; border
demarcation with Albania, the treatment of Albania's ethnic Greek
minority, and migrant Albanian workers in Greece remain unresolved
issues
Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly mountains with ranges extending into sea as
peninsulas or chains of islands
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m
Natural resources: bauxite, lignite, magnesite, petroleum, marble
Land use:
arable land: 23%
permanent crops: 8%
meadows and pastures: 40%
forest and woodland: 20%
other: 9%
Irrigated land: 11,900 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution; water pollution
natural hazards: severe earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides,
Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Desertification
Geographic note: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and
southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country,
possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands
People
------
Population: 10,538,594 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16% (male 899,029; female 837,308)
15-64 years: 68% (male 3,571,918; female 3,542,556)
65 years and over: 16% (male 736,818; female 950,965) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.42% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.53 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.1 years
male: 75.6 years
female: 80.78 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Greek(s)
adjective: Greek
Ethnic divisions: Greek 98%, other 2%
note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in
======================================================================
@Greenland
---------
(part of the Danish realm)
Map
---
Location: 72 00 N, 40 00 W -- Northern North America, island
between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of
Canada
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red
with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top
half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white
Geography
---------
Location: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean
and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Geographic coordinates: 72 00 N, 40 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:
total area: 2,175,600 sq km
land area: 383,600 sq km (ice free)
comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 44,087 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Terrain: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow,
mountainous, barren, rocky coast
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m
Natural resources: zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum,
cryolite, uranium, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 99%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of
the island
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North
America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements
along coast
People
------
Population: 58,203 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27% (male 7,871; female 7,723)
15-64 years: 68% (male 21,755; female 17,961)
65 years and over: 5% (male 1,307; female 1,586) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.06 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.21 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.13 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.24 years
male: 63.97 years
female: 72.53 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.22 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Greenlander(s)
adjective: Greenlandic
Ethnic divisions: Greenlander 86% (Eskimos and Greenland-born
whites), Danish 14%
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran
Languages: Eskimo dialects, Danish
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Greenland
local long form: none
local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat
Data code: GL
Type of government: part of the Danish realm; self-governing
overseas administrative division
Capital: Nuuk (Godthab)
Administrative divisions: 3 municipalities (kommuner, singular -
kommun); Nordgronland, Ostgronland, Vestgronland
Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing
overseas administrative division)
National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system: Danish
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (of Denmark since 14 January
1972), a constitutional monarch, is represented by High Commissioner
Steen SPORE (since NA 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Lars Emil JOHANSEN (since 15
March 1991) was elected by the Landsting
cabinet: Landsstyre is formed from the Landsting on basis of
strength of parties
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Landsting): election last held on 4 March 1995 (next to
be held NA 5 March 1999); results - Siumut 38.5%, Inuit Ataqatigiit
20.3%, Atassut Party 29.7%; seats - (31 total) Siumut 12, Atassut
Party 10, Inuit Ataqatigiit 6, conservative splinter grouping 2,
independent 1
Danish Folketing: election last held on 21 September 1994 (next to
be held by NA September 1998); Greenland elects two representatives
to the Folketing; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2
total) Liberals 1, Social Democrats 1; note - Greenlandic
representatives are affiliated with Danish political parties
Judicial branch: High Court (Landsret)
Political parties and leaders: two-party ruling coalition; Siumut
(Forward Party, a moderate socialist party that advocates more
distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark),
Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman; Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) (Eskimo
Brotherhood, a Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete
independence from Denmark rather than home rule), Josef MOTZFELDT;
Atassut Party (Solidarity, a more conservative party that favors
continuing close relations with Denmark), Daniel SKIFTE; Akulliit
Party, Bjarne KREUTZMANN; Issituup (Polar Party), Nicolai HEINRICH
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a
large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of
the disk is red, the bottom half is white
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Greenland's economic situation at present is
difficult. Unemployment is increasing, and prospects for economic
growth in the immediate future are dim. Following the closing of the
Black Angel lead and zinc mine in 1989, Greenland became almost
completely dependent on fishing and fish processing, the sector
accounting for 95% of exports. Prospects for fisheries are not
bright, as the important shrimp catches will at best stabilize and
cod catches have dropped. Resumption of mining and hydrocarbon
activities is not around the corner, thus leaving only tourism with
some potential for the near future. The public sector, i.e., the
central government and its commercial entities and the
municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland, accounting for
about two-thirds of total employment. About half the government's
revenues come from grants from the Danish Government, an important
supplement of GDP.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $892 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $15,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 22,800
Unemployment rate: 6.6% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $667 million
expenditures: $635 million, including capital expenditures of $103.8
million (1993 est.)
Industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp), lead, zinc,
handicrafts, small shipyards
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 84,000 kW
production: 210 million kWh
consumption per capita: 3,361 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: forage crops, small garden vegetables; sheep; 1988
fish catch of 133,500 metric tons
Exports: $330.5 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: fish and fish products 95%
partners: Denmark 79%, Benelux 9%, Germany 5%
Imports: $369.6 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities: manufactured goods 28%, machinery and transport
equipment 24%, food and live animals 12.4%, petroleum products 12%
partners: Denmark 65%, Norway 8.8%, US 4.6%, Germany 3.8%, Japan
3.8%, Sweden 2.4%
External debt: $297.1 million (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: substantial annual subsidy from Denmark
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 5.652 (January
1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 150 km
paved: 60 km
unpaved: 90 km
Ports: Faeringehavn, Frederikshaab, Holsteinsborg, Nanortalik,
Narsaq, Nuuk (Godthaab), Sondre Stromfjord
Merchant marine:
total: 1 short-sea passenger (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,162
GRT/610 DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 8
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 17,900 (1984 est.)
Telephone system: adequate domestic and international service
provided by cables and microwave radio relay
domestic: microwave radio relay
international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station -
1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 7 (repeaters 35), shortwave 0
Radios: 23,000 (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (repeaters 9)
Televisions: 12,000 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark
======================================================================
@Grenada
-------
Map
---
Location: 12 07 N, 61 40 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean
Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Flag
----
Description: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles
(top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side)
with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow
five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three
centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk
superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic
nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's
second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars
represent the seven administrative divisions
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of
Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 12 07 N, 61 40 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 340 sq km
land area: 340 sq km
comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 121 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Terrain: volcanic in origin with central mountains
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m
Natural resources: timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors
Land use:
arable land: 15%
permanent crops: 26%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 9%
other: 47%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season
lasts from June to November
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
Geographic note: the administration of the islands of the
Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
and Grenada
People
------
Population: 94,961 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 20,975; female 20,246)
15-64 years: 52% (male 26,089; female 23,068)
65 years and over: 5% (male 2,112; female 2,471) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.55% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 29.13 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -17.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.07 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.89 years
male: 68.39 years
female: 73.44 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.78 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Grenadian(s)
adjective: Grenadian
Ethnic divisions: black African
Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, other Protestant sects
Languages: English (official), French patois
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Grenada
Data code: GJ
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Saint George's
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou
and Petit Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George,
Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick
Independence: 7 February 1974 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Constitution: 19 December 1973
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Reginald
Oswald PALMER (since 6 August 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 22 June
1995) was appointed from members of the House of Assembly by the
governor general
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on advice of
the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government
and three by the leader of the opposition
House of Representatives: elections last held on 20 June 1995 (next
to be held by NA October 2000); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (15 total) NDC 5, GULP 2, NNP 8
Judicial branch: West Indies Associate States Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Congress (NDC),
George BRIZAN; Grenada United Labor Party (GULP), Sir Eric GAIRY;
The National Party (TNP), Ben JONES; New National Party (NNP), Keith
MITCHELL; Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement (MBPM), Terrence
MARRYSHOW; New Democratic Party (NDP), James MITCHELL; Unity Labor
Party (ULP), Vincent BEACHE
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS,
OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Denneth MODESTE
chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: the ambassador to Barbados is accredited to
Grenada; Charge d'Affaires Dennis CARTER
embassy: Point Salines, Saint George's
mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, W.I.
telephone: [1] (809) 444-1173 through 1178
FAX: [1] (809) 444-4820
Flag: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top
and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a
red border around the flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed
stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in
the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the
center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the
hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer
of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven
administrative divisions
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is essentially agricultural and
centers on the traditional production of spices and tropical plants.
Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and 80% of exports and
employs 24% of the labor force. Tourism is the leading foreign
exchange earner, followed by agricultural exports. Manufacturing
remains relatively undeveloped, but is growing due to a favorable
private investment climate since 1983. The economy achieved an
impressive average annual growth rate of 5.5% in 1986-91 but has
slowed since 1992. The new MITCHELL government has moved forward
with a plan to eliminate personal income tax in the hope of spurring
domestic consumption.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $284 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 40.3%
services: 49.5% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 36,000
by occupation: services 31%, agriculture 24%, construction 8%,
manufacturing 5%, other 32% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 14% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $75.7 million (1996 est.)
expenditures: $126.7 million, including capital expenditures of $51
million (1996 est.)
Industries: food and beverages, textiles, light assembly
operations, tourism, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 12,500 kW
production: 60 million kWh
consumption per capita: 639 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root
crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables
Illicit drugs: produces and exports marijuana for US markets
Exports: $24.2 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing,
mace
partners: Caricom 32.3%, UK 20%, US 13%, Netherlands 8.8% (1991)
Imports: $162.2 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: food 25%, manufactured goods 22%, machinery 20%,
chemicals 10%, fuel 6% (1989)
partners: US 31.2%, Caricom 23.6%, UK 13.8%, Japan 7.1% (1991)
External debt: $89.1 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70
(fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 994 km
paved: 597 km
unpaved: 397 km (1988 est.)
Ports: Grenville, Saint George's
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 5,650 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: automatic, islandwide telephone system
domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links
international: new SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago
and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 80,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 30,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Guadeloupe
----------
(overseas department of France)
Map
---
Location: 16 15 N, 61 35 W -- Caribbean, islands in the eastern
Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands, a narrow green band (top), a
wide red band, and a narrow green band; the green bands are
separated from the red band by two narrow white stripes; a
five-pointed gold star is centered in the red band toward the hoist
side; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea,
southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 16 15 N, 61 35 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 1,780 sq km
land area: 1,706 sq km
comparative area: 10 times the size of Washington, DC
note: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands, of
which Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, and Marie-Galante are the three
largest
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 306 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high
humidity
Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior
mountains; Grand-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven
other islands are volcanic in origin
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Soufriere 1,467 m
Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate that
foster tourism
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 40%
other: 24%
Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere is an
active volcano
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 407,768 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 53,118; female 51,219)
15-64 years: 66% (male 132,846; female 136,147)
65 years and over: 8% (male 14,617; female 19,821) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.2% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.59 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.4 years
male: 74.37 years
female: 80.58 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Guadeloupian(s)
adjective: Guadeloupe
Ethnic divisions: black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian,
Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%,
Protestant sects 1%
Languages: French (official) 99%, Creole patois
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.)
total population: 90%
male: 90%
female: 90%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Department of Guadeloupe
conventional short form: Guadeloupe
local long form: Departement de la Guadeloupe
local short form: Guadeloupe
Data code: GP
Type of government: overseas department of France
Capital: Basse-Terre
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995), represented by Prefect Michel DIEFENBACHER (since NA March
1995), who was appointed by the French Ministry of Interior
head of government: President of the General Council Dominique
LARIFLA (since NA); President of the Regional Council Lucette
MICHAUX-CHEVRY (since 22 March 1992)
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral
Regional Council
General Council: elections last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held
by NA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (43
total) FRUI.G 13, RPR/DUD 13, PPDG 8, FGPS 3, PCG 3, UPLG 1, PSG 1,
independent 1
Regional Council: elections last held 31 January 1994 (next to be
held by 16 March 1998); results - RPR/FGPS-dissadents 48.30%, FGPS
17.09%, FRUI.G 7.44%, PPDG 8.90%, UPLG 7.75% PCG 6.05%; seats - (41
total) RPR/FGPS-dissadents 22, FGPS/FRUI.G 9, PPDG 5, PCG 3, UPLG 2
French Senate: elections last held in September 1995 (next to be
held NA September 2004); Guadeloupe elects two representatives;
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) PPDG 1,
FGPS 1
French National Assembly: elections last held on 21 and 28 March
1993 (next to be held NA March 1998); Guadeloupe elects four
representatives; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (4
total) FGPS 1, RPR 1, PPDG 1, independent 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) with jurisdiction
over Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR),
Daniel BEAUBRUN; Communist Party of Guadeloupe (PCG), Christian
Medard CELESTE; Socialist Party (FGPS), Georges LOUISOR; Popular
Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG), Claude MAKOUKE; FGPS
Dissidents (FRUI.G), Dominique LARIFLA; Union for French Democracy
(UDF), Marcel ESDRAS; Progressive Democratic Party (PPDG), Henri
BANGOU
Other political or pressure groups: Movement for Independent
Guadeloupe (MPGI); General Union of Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG);
General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers (CGT-G); Christian Movement
for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (KLPG)
International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of
France)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France)
Flag: three horizontal bands, a narrow green band (top), a wide
red band, and a narrow green band; the green bands are separated
from the red band by two narrow white stripes; a five-pointed gold
star is centered in the red band toward the hoist side; the flag of
France is used for official occasions
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy depends on agriculture, tourism,
light industry, and services. It is also dependent upon France for
large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most
tourists from the US. In addition, an increasingly large number of
cruise ships visit the islands. The traditionally important
sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as
bananas (which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant,
and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for
local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still dependent on
imported food, which comes mainly from France. Light industry
consists mostly of sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods
and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the
young.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $9,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 9%
services: 85% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1990)
Labor force: 129,700
by occupation: agriculture 15%, industry 20%, services 65% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 31.3% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $395 million
expenditures: $407 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 320,000 kW
production: 650 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,421 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables;
cattle, pigs, goats
Exports: $130 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: bananas, sugar, rum
partners: France 70%, Martinique 17% (1991)
Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing and other
consumer goods, construction materials
partners: France 60%, EC, US, Japan (1991)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: substantial annual French subsidies
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: NA km; privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines
Highways:
total: 2,082 km (national 329 km, regional 582 km, community/local
1171 km)
paved: 1,742 km
unpaved: 340 km (1985 est.)
Ports: Basse-Terre, Gustavia, Marigot, Pointe-a-Pitre
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 9
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 64,916 (1984 est.)
Telephone system: domestic facilities inadequate
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and
Martinique
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 8 (private stations licensed to
broadcast FM 30), shortwave 0
Radios: 100,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 150,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Guam
----
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 13 28 N, 144 47 E -- Oceania, island in the North
Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the
Philippines
Flag
----
Description: territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red
border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed,
vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with
sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red
letters; US flag is the national flag
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 47 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 541.3 sq km
land area: 541.3 sq km
comparative area: three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 125.5 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by
northeast trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season
from July to December; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively
flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with
steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising
hills in center, mountains in south
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources: fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism
(especially from Japan)
Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: 11%
meadows and pastures: 15%
forest and woodland: 18%
other: 45%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively
rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in
August)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: largest and southernmost island in the Mariana
Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific
Ocean
People
------
Population: 156,974 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 2.34% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.24 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 3.86 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 15.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.29 years
male: 72.42 years
female: 76.13 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Guamanian(s)
adjective: Guamanian
Ethnic divisions: Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, white 10%, Chinese,
Japanese, Korean, and other 18%
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%
Languages: English, Chamorro, Japanese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of Guam
conventional short form: Guam
Data code: GQ
Type of government: organized, unincorporated territory of the US
with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction
of the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US
Department of the Interior
Capital: Agana
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US)
Independence: none (territory of the US)
National holiday: Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March)
(1521); Liberation Day, 21 July
Constitution: Organic Act of 1 August 1950
Legal system: modeled on US; federal laws apply
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote
in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of the United States) William Jefferson
CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr.
(since 20 January 1993)
head of government: Governor Carl GUTIERREZ (since 8 November 1994)
and Lieutenant Governor Madeleine BORDALLO (since 8 November 1994)
were elected for a four-year term by popular vote; election last
held 8 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998); results -
Carl GUTIERREZ (Democrat) defeated Tommy TANAKA (Republican) with
54.6% of the vote
cabinet: executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with
the consent of the Guam legislature
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislature: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held NA
November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21
total) Democrats 14, Republican 7
US House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994
(next to be held NA November 1996); Guam elects one delegate;
results - Robert UNDERWOOD was reelected as delegate; seats - (1
total) Democrat 1
Judicial branch: Federal District Court, judge is appointed by the
president; Territorial Superior Court, judges appointed for
eight-year terms by the governor
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (controls the
legislature); Republican Party (party of the Governor)
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), IOC,
SPC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US)
Flag: territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on
all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical
ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a
palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US
flag is the national flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy depends mainly on US military
spending and on revenues from tourism. Over the past 20 years, the
tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for
new hotels and the expansion of older ones. Visitors numbered about
900,000 in 1992. The slowdown in Japanese economic growth has been
reflected in less vigorous growth in the tourism sector. About 60%
of the labor force works for the private sector and the rest for
government. Most food and industrial goods are imported, with about
75% from the US. Guam faces the problem of building up the civilian
economic sector to offset the impact of military downsizing.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2 billion (1991 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $14,000 (1991 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1992 est.)
Labor force: 46,930 (1990)
by occupation: federal and territorial government 40%, private 60%
(trade 18%, services 15.6%, construction 13.8%, other 12.6%) (1990)
Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $525 million
expenditures: $395 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1991)
Industries: US military, tourism, construction, transshipment
services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food
processing, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 300,000 kW
production: 750 million kWh
consumption per capita: 4,797 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Exports: $34 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities: mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products,
construction materials, fish, food and beverage products
partners: US 25%, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%, other
12%
Imports: $493 million (c.i.f., 1984)
commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured
goods
partners: US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive
large transfer payments from the general revenues of the US Federal
Treasury into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under
the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury,
rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by
military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 674 km (all-weather roads)
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Apra Harbor
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 4
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 26,317 (1989 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific
Ocean); submarine cables to US and Japan
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 75,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Guatemala
---------
Map
---
Location: 15 30 N, 90 15 W -- Middle America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize and bordering the North
Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist
side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the
white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the
national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE
SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain)
all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed
swords and framed by a wreath
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between
Honduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between
El Salvador and Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 15 30 N, 90 15 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 108,890 sq km
land area: 108,430 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total: 1,687 km
border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256
km, Mexico 962 km
Coastline: 400 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: border with Belize in dispute; talks to
resolve the dispute are stalled
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling
limestone plateau (Peten)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m
Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 12%
forest and woodland: 40%
other: 32%
Irrigated land: 780 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
natural hazards: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with frequent
violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other
tropical storms
international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: no natural harbors on west coast
People
------
Population: 11,277,614 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 2,464,498; female 2,362,457)
15-64 years: 54% (male 3,026,834; female 3,031,278)
65 years and over: 3% (male 184,927; female 207,620) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.48% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.96 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.15 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 50.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.24 years
male: 62.64 years
female: 67.97 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.5 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Guatemalan(s)
adjective: Guatemalan
Ethnic divisions: Mestizo - mixed Amerindian-Spanish ancestry (in
local Spanish called Ladino) 56%, Amerindian or predominantly
Amerindian 44%
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan
Languages: Spanish 60%, Indian language 40% (23 Indian dialects,
including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 55.6%
male: 62.5%
female: 48.6%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala
conventional short form: Guatemala
local long form: Republica de Guatemala
local short form: Guatemala
Data code: GT
Type of government: republic
Capital: Guatemala
Administrative divisions: 22 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango,
Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango,
Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu,
Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez,
Totonicapan, Zacapa
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986
note: suspended 25 May 1993 by President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June
1993 following ouster of president
Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative
acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Alvaro Enrique ARZU
Irigoyen (since 14 January 1996); Vice President Luis Alberto FLORES
Asturias (since 14 January 1996); results - Alvaro Enrique ARZU
Irigoyen (PAN) 51.2%, Jorge PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 48.8%; ARZU was
elected for a four-year term by universal suffrage; election runoff
held on 14 January 1996 (next to be held November 2000)
cabinet: Council of Ministers was named by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica): elections were
held on 12 November 1995 to select 80 new congressmen (next election
will be held in November 2000); results - seats (80 total) PAN 43,
FRG 21, FDNG 6, DCG 4, UCN 3, UD 2, MLN 1
note: on 11 November 1993 the congress approved a procedure that
reduced its number from 116 seats to 80; the procedure provided for
a special election in mid-1994 to elect an interim congress of 80
members to serve until replaced in the November 1995 general
election; the plan was approved in a general referendum in January
1994 and the special election was held on 14 August 1994
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justicia); additionally the Court of Constitutionality is presided
over by the President of the Supreme Court, judges are elected for a
five-year term by Congress
Political parties and leaders: National Centrist Union (UCN),
(vacant); Solidarity Action Movement (MAS), Oliverio GARCIA Rodas;
Christian Democratic Party (DCG), Alfonso CABRERA Hidalgo; National
Advancement Party (PAN), Alvaro ARZU Irigoyen; National Liberation
Movement (MLN), Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon; Social Democratic Party
(PSD), Mario SOLORZANO Martinez; Revolutionary Party (PR), Carlos
CHAVARRIA Perez; Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG), Efrain RIOS
Montt; Democratic Union (UD), Jose CHEA Urruela; New Guatemalan
Democratic Front (FDNG), Jorge GONZALEZ del Valle
Other political or pressure groups: Coordinating Committee of
Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations
(CACIF); Mutual Support Group (GAM); Agrarian Owners Group (UNAGRO);
Committee for Campesino Unity (CUC); leftist guerrilla movement
known as Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union (URNG) has four
main factions - Guerrilla Army of the Poor (EGP); Revolutionary
Organization of the People in Arms (ORPA); Rebel Armed Forces (FAR);
Guatemalan Labor Party (PGT/O)
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC,
FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,
LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNMIH, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro LAMPORT Kelsall
chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952 through 4954
FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marilyn McAFEE
embassy: 7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City
mailing address: APO AA 34024
telephone: [502] (2) 311541
FAX: [502] (2) 318885
Flag: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side),
white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white
band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the
national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE
SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain)
all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed
swords and framed by a wreath
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is based on family and corporate
agriculture, which accounts for 25% of GDP, employs about 60% of the
labor force, and supplies two-thirds of exports. Manufacturing,
predominantly in private hands, accounts for about 20% of GDP and
12% of the labor force. In both 1990 and 1991, the economy grew by
3%, the fourth and fifth consecutive years of mild growth. In 1992
growth picked up to almost 5% as government policies favoring
competition and foreign trade and investment took stronger hold. In
1993-94, despite political unrest, this momentum continued, foreign
investment held up, and annual growth averaged 4%. Strong
international prices for Guatemala's traditional commodity exports
featured 4.9% growth in 1995. Given the markedly uneven distribution
of land and income, the government faces major obstacles in its
program of economic modernization and the reduction of poverty.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $36.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.9% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 25%
industry: 20%
services: 55%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 3.2 million (1994 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 60%, services 13%, manufacturing 12%,
commerce 7%, construction 4%, transport 3%, utilities 0.7%, mining
0.3% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 4.9%; underemployment 30%-40% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.6 billion
expenditures: $1.88 billion, including capital expenditures of $570
million (1996 est.)
Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals,
petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 700,000 kW
production: 2.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 211 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom;
cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens
Illicit drugs: transit country for cocaine shipments; illicit
producer of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug
trade; the government has an active eradication program for cannabis
and opium poppy
Exports: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamom, beef
partners: US 30%, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras
Imports: $2.85 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain,
fertilizers, motor vehicles
partners: US 44%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany
External debt: $3.1 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $84 million (1993)
Currency: 1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 - 5.9346
(December 1995), 5.8103 (1995), 5.7512 (1994), 5,6354 (1993), 5.1706
(1992), 5.0289 (1991); note - black-market rate 2.800 (May 1989)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 884 km (102 km privately owned)
narrow gauge: 884 km 0.914-m gauge (single track)
Highways:
total: 12,033 km
paved: 3,117 km (including 125 km of expressways)
unpaved: 8,916 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km
navigable during high-water season
Pipelines: crude oil 275 km
Ports: Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo
Tomas de Castilla
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 463
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with paved runways under 914 m: 320
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 124 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 210,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: fairly modern network centered in the city of
======================================================================
@Guernsey
--------
(British crown dependency)
Map
---
Location: 49 28 N, 2 35 W -- Western Europe, islands in the
English Channel, northwest of France
Flag
----
Description: white with the red cross of Saint George (patron
saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, islands in the English Channel,
northwest of France
Geographic coordinates: 49 28 N, 2 35 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 194 sq km
land area: 194 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC
note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other
smaller islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 50 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50%
of days are overcast
Terrain: mostly level with low hills in southwest
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m
Natural resources: cropland
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
People
------
Population: 62,920 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 5,592; female 5,439)
15-64 years: 67% (male 20,636; female 21,472)
65 years and over: 15% (male 3,925; female 5,856) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.28% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.06 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.73 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 9.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.92 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.22 years
male: 75.28 years
female: 81.27 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.56 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Channel Islander(s)
adjective: Channel Islander
Ethnic divisions: UK and Norman-French descent
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist,
Congregational, Methodist
Languages: English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in
country districts
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey
conventional short form: Guernsey
Data code: GK
Type of government: British crown dependency
Capital: Saint Peter Port
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and
practice
Legal system: English law and local statute; justice is
administered by the Royal Court
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief
Vice-Admiral Sir John COWARD (since NA 1994) and Bailiff Mr. Graham
Martyn DOREY (since February 1992) were appointed by the queen
cabinet: Advisory and Finance Committee (other committees);
appointed by the Assembly of the States
Legislative branch: unicameral
Assembly of the States: elections last held NA (next to be held NA);
results - no percent of vote by party since all are independents;
seats - (60 total, 33 elected), all independents
Judicial branch: Royal Court
Political parties and leaders: none; all independents
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (British crown dependency)
US diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency)
Flag: white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of
England) extending to the edges of the flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Financial services account for about 55% of
total income. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly
tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Bank profits (1992)
registered a record 26% growth. Fund management and insurance are
the two other major income generators.
GDP: $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1988)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 3%-4% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $238.3 million
expenditures: $223.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993 est.)
Industries: tourism, banking
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 173,000 kW
production: 525 million kWh
consumption per capita: 9,060 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers,
eggplant, other vegetables, fruit; Guernsey cattle
Exports: $NA
commodities: tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant,
other vegetables
partners: UK (regarded as internal trade)
Imports: $NA
commodities: coal, gasoline, and oil
partners: UK (regarded as internal trade)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Guernsey (LG) pound = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Guernsey pounds (LG) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January
1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992),
0.5652 (1991); note - the Guernsey pound is at par with the British
pound
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 41,850 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: 1 submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Guinea
------
Map
---
Location: 11 00 N, 10 00 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side),
yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia;
similar to the flag of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R
centered in the yellow band
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 10 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 245,860 sq km
land area: 245,860 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 3,399 km
border countries: Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 610 km,
Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
Coastline: 320 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season
(June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to
May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous
interior
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium,
hydropower, fish
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 12%
forest and woodland: 42%
other: 40%
Irrigated land: 240 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water;
desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing
natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce
visibility during dry season
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Hazardous
Wastes
People
------
Population: 7,411,981 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 1,632,414; female 1,637,007)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,928,586; female 2,013,343)
65 years and over: 3% (male 84,005; female 116,626) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.85% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.59 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 18.71 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -5.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: in prior years Guinea received several hundred thousand
refugees from the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, many of
whom are now returning to their own countries
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 134.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 45.06 years
male: 42.73 years
female: 47.47 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Guinean(s)
adjective: Guinean
Ethnic divisions: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller
tribes 10%
Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Languages: French (official), each tribe has its own language
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 35.9%
male: 49.9%
female: 21.9%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea
conventional short form: Guinea
local long form: Republique de Guinee
local short form: Guinee
former: French Guinea
Data code: GV
Type of government: republic
Capital: Conakry
Administrative divisions: 33 administrative regions (regions
administratives, singular - region administrative); Beyla, Boffa,
Boke, Conakry, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Faranah,
Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia,
Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola,
Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele,
Tougue, Yomou
Independence: 2 October 1958 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April
(1984)
Constitution: 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
Legal system: based on French civil law system, customary law, and
decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Lansana CONTE,
elected in the first multiparty election 19 December 1993 (president
must be elected by a majority of the votes cast); prior to the
election he had ruled as head of military government since 5 April
1984
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
People's National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire): the
People's National Assembly was dissolved after the 3 April 1984
coup; framework established in December 1991 for a new National
Assembly with 114 seats; legislative elections were held on 11 June
1995; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (114 total) PUP
71, RPG 19, PRP 9, UNR 9, UPG 2, PDG 1, UNP 1, PDG/RDA 1, other 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders: political parties were legalized on
1 April 1992; of the more than 40 with legal status, the following
won seats in the legislature in the 11 June 1995 elections
pro-government: Party for Unity and Progress (PUP)
other: Rally for the Guinean People (RPG), Alpha CONDE; Union for a
New Republic (UNR), Mamadou BAH; Party for Renewal and Progress
(PRP), Siradiou DIALLO; Union for Progress of Guinea (UPG),
Secretary-General Jean-Marie DORE; Democratic Party of Guinea (DPG),
Ahmed Sekou TOURE; National Union for the Prosperity of Guinea
(UNPG), Lt.Col. Facine TOURE, leader; Democratic Party of Guinea
(PDG), El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN, leader
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURSO, NAM,
OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bangoura Mahawa CAMARA
chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-9420
FAX: [1] (202) 483-8688
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph A. SALOOM III
embassy: Rue KA 038, Conakry
mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry
telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23
FAX: [224] 44 15 22
Flag: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and
green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to
the flag of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R centered in the
yellow band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Although possessing major mineral, hydropower,
and agricultural resources, Guinea remains one of the poorest
countries in the world. The agricultural sector employs 80% of the
work force. Guinea possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite
reserves. The mining sector accounted for 85% of exports in 1991.
Long-run improvements in literacy, financial institutions, and the
legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty.
Except in the bauxite industry, foreign investment remains minimal.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,020 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 31%
services: 45% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 2.4 million (1983)
by occupation: agriculture 80.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%,
services 5.4%, civil service 3.6%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $449 million
expenditures: $708 million, including capital expenditures of $361
million (1990 est.)
Industries: bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light
manufacturing and agricultural processing industries
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 180,000 kW
production: 520 million kWh
consumption per capita: 77 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava
(tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
Exports: $562 million (1994 est.)
commodities: bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, pineapples,
bananas, palm kernels
partners: US 23%, Belgium 12%, Ireland 12%, Spain 12%
Imports: $688 million (1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport
equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
partners: France 26%, Cote d'Ivoire 12%, Hong Kong 6%, Germany 6%
External debt: $3.02 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 995.3 (August
1995), 976.6 (1994), 955.5 (1993), 902.0 (1992), 753.9 (1991)
note: the official exchange rate of the Guinean franc was set and
quoted weekly against the US dollar until end-October 1993; since 1
November 1994, the exchange rate is determined in the interbank
market for foreign exchange
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,086 km
standard gauge: 279 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 807 km 1.000-m gauge; note - includes 662 km in common
carrier service from Kankan to Conakry
Highways:
total: 29,750 km
paved: 4,490 km
unpaved: 25,260 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft
Ports: Boke, Conakry, Kamsar
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 14
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 18,000 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small
radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay
system
domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 257,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 65,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), Air Force,
Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary National
Gendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,684,264
males fit for military service: 849,404 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $50 million, 1.6%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Guinea-Bissau
-------------
Map
---
Location: 12 00 N, 15 00 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green
with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black
five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular
pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Guinea and Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 12 00 N, 15 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 36,120 sq km
land area: 28,000 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of
Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 724 km
border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km
Coastline: 350 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy
season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season
(December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the
country 300 m
Natural resources: phosphates, bauxite, unexploited deposits of
petroleum, fish, timber
Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 43%
forest and woodland: 38%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing
natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce
visibility during dry season; brush fires
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test
Ban, Wetlands
People
------
Population: 1,151,330 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 247,471; female 246,725)
15-64 years: 54% (male 295,132; female 329,681)
65 years and over: 3% (male 15,603; female 16,718) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.35% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 39.7 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 16.23 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 115.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 48.28 years
male: 46.63 years
female: 49.99 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.34 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Guinea-Bissauan(s)
adjective: Guinea-Bissauan
Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%,
Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5%
Languages: Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 54.9%
male: 68%
female: 42.5%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau
conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau
local long form: Republica de Guine-Bissau
local short form: Guine-Bissau
former: Portuguese Guinea
Data code: PU
Type of government: republic, formerly highly centralized,
multiparty since mid-1991
Capital: Bissau
Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao);
Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali
Independence: 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 10 September (1974)
Constitution: 16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991 (currently
undergoing revision to liberalize popular participation in the
government)
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 15 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau Joao
Bernardo VIEIRA (assumed power 14 November 1980) was elected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held August 1994
(next to be held 1999); results - Joao Bernardo VIEIRA 52%, Kumba
YALLA 48%
head of government: Prime Minister Manuel SATURNINO (since 5
November 1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National People's Assembly: (Assembleia Nacional Popular) elections
last held 3 July and 7 August 1994 (next to be held 1999); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (100 total) PAIGC 62, RGB 19,
PRS 12, Union for Change Coalition 6, FLING 1
Judicial branch: none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the
Council of Ministers
Political parties and leaders: African Party for the Independence
of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), President Joao Bernardo
VIEIRA, leader; Guinea-Bissau Resistance (RGB), Helder Jorge VAZ
Gomes Lopes, leader; Democratic Front (FD); Social Renovation Party
(PRS), Koumba YALLA, leader; Union for Change Coalition; Front for
the Liberation and Independence of Guinea (FLING); Democratic Social
Front (FDS), Rafael BARBOSA, leader; Bafata Movement, Domingos
Fernandes GARNER, leader; Guinea-Bissau Resistance (RGB); Union for
Change Coalition
International organization participation: ACCT (associate), ACP,
AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOM
(observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIL, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfredo Lopes CABRAL
chancery: 918 16th Street NW, Mezzanine Suite, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 872-4222
FAX: [1] (202) 872-4226
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peggy BLACKFORD
embassy: Bairro de Penha, Bissau
mailing address: C.P. 297, 1067 Bissau Codex, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
telephone: [245] 252273, 252274, 252275, 252276
FAX: [245] 252282
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a
vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed
star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors
of Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries
in the world. Agriculture and fishing are the main economic
activities. Cashew nuts, peanuts, and palm kernels are the primary
exports. Exploitation of known mineral deposits is unlikely at
present because of a weak infrastructure and the high cost of
development. With IMF support, the country is committed to an
economic reform program emphasizing monetary stability and private
sector growth. This process will continue at a slow pace because of
a heavy foreign debt burden and internal constraints.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 44%
industry: 8%
services: 48% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 403,000 (est.)
by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry, services, and commerce 5%,
government 5%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 22,000 kW
production: 40 million kWh
consumption per capita: 37 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts,
peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; fishing and forest potential not
fully exploited
Exports: $32 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: cashews, fish, peanuts, palm kernels
partners: Portugal, Spain, Senegal, India, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire
Imports: $63 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, petroleum products,
machinery and equipment
partners: Portugal, Netherlands, China, Germany, Senegal
External debt: $692 million (December 1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guinea-Bissauan peso (PG) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1 - 17,659
(December 1995), 12,892 (1994), 10,082 (1993), 6,934 (1992), 3,659
(1991), 2,185 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3,000 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: poor system
domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, and
radiotelephone communications
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 40,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includes Army,
Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 259,738
males fit for military service: 148,291 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9 million, 4.5%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Guyana
------
Map
---
Location: 5 00 N, 59 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the
North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Flag
----
Description: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the
hoist side) superimposed on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a
narrow black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow white
border between the yellow and the green
Geography
---------
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic
Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 5 00 N, 59 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 214,970 sq km
land area: 196,850 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Idaho
Land boundaries:
total: 2,462 km
border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
Coastline: 459 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental
margin
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: all of the area west of the Essequibo
River claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (Upper
Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all headwaters of the
Courantyne)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds;
two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)
Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in
south
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m
Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber,
shrimp, fish
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 83%
other: 8%
Irrigated land: 1,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from sewage and agricultural and
industrial chemicals; deforestation
natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat during rainy
seasons
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical
Timber 83, Whaling
People
------
Population: 712,091 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 118,796; female 114,327)
15-64 years: 63% (male 224,219; female 222,562)
65 years and over: 4% (male 14,582; female 17,605) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.9% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 19.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.55 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -18.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 51.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.1 years
male: 57.55 years
female: 62.78 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.19 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Guyanese
Ethnic divisions: East Indian 51%, black and mixed 43%, Amerindian
4%, European and Chinese 2%
Religions: Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1%
Languages: English, Amerindian dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1995 est.)
total population: 98.1%
male: 98.6%
female: 97.5%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Co-operative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form: Guyana
former: British Guiana
Data code: GY
Type of government: republic
Capital: Georgetown
Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini,
Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo
Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam,
Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Independence: 26 May 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
Constitution: 6 October 1980
Legal system: based on English common law with certain admixtures
of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Executive President Cheddi JAGAN (since 9 October
1992); the president is elected by the majority party in the
National Assembly after legislative elections, which must be held
within five years; legislative elections last held 5 October 1992
(next to be held NA 1997); results - Cheddi JAGAN was elected
president by the PPP
head of government: Prime Minister Sam HINDS (since 9 October 1992)
was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president; is
responsible to the legislature
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held on 5 October 1992 (next to be
held in 1997); results - PPP 53.4%, PNC 42.3%, WPA 2%, TUF 1.2%;
seats - (65 total, 53 elected) PPP 36, PNC 26, WPA 2, TUF 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature
Political parties and leaders: People's Progressive Party (PPP),
Cheddi JAGAN; People's National Congress (PNC), Hugh Desmond HOYTE;
Good and Green Georgetown (GGG), Hamilton GREEN; Working People's
Alliance (WPA), Eusi KWAYANA, Rupert ROOPNARINE; Democratic Labor
Movement (DLM), Paul TENNASSEE; People's Democratic Movement (PDM),
Llewellyn JOHN; National Democratic Front (NDF), Joseph BACCHUS; The
United Force (TUF), Manzoor NADIR; United Republican Party (URP),
Leslie RAMSAMMY; National Republican Party (NRP), Robert GANGADEEN;
Guyana Labor Party (GLP), Nanda GOPAUL
Other political or pressure groups: Trades Union Congress (TUC);
Guyana Council of Indian Organizations (GCIO); Civil Liberties
Action Committee (CLAC)
note: the latter two organizations are small and active but not well
organized
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC,
CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,
IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Ali Odeen ISHMAEL
chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900, 6901
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David L. HOBBS
embassy: 99-100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown
mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown
telephone: [592] (2) 54900 through 54909, 57960 through 57969
FAX: [592] (2) 58497
Flag: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist
side) superimposed on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow
black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border
between the yellow and the green
Economy
-------
Economic overview: In 1995, Guyana, one of the poorest countries
in the Western Hemisphere, posted its fifth straight year of
economic growth of 5% or better, with the advance led by gold mining
and by production of rice, sugar, and forestry products for export.
Favorable factors include recovery in the key agricultural and
mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiative,
a more realistic exchange rate, a sharp drop in the inflation rate,
and the continued support of international organizations. Serious
underlying economic problems will continue. Electric power has been
in short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in
national output. The government must persist in efforts to manage
its $2 billion external debt, control inflation, and extend the
privatization program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 27.8%
services: 45.7% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (1995)
Labor force: 268,000
by occupation: industry and commerce 44.5%, agriculture 33.8%,
services 21.7%
note: public-sector employment amounts to 60%-80% of the total labor
force (1985)
Unemployment rate: 12% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $209 million
expenditures: $303 million, including capital expenditures of $109
million (1995 est.)
Industries: bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing
(shrimp), textiles, gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: 5.6% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 110,000 kW
production: 230 million kWh
consumption per capita: 286 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork,
poultry, dairy products; development potential exists for fishing
and forestry
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics from South
America - primarily Venezuela - to the US and Europe; producer of
cannabis
Exports: $453 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: sugar, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses
partners: UK 33%, US 31%, Canada 9%, France 5%, Japan 3% (1992)
Imports: $456 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food
partners: US 37%, Trinidad and Tobago 13%, UK 11%, Italy 8%, Japan
5% (1992)
External debt: $2.2 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1 - 140.3 (January
1996), 142.0 (1995), 138.3 (1994), 126.7 (1993), 125.0 (1992), 111.8
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 88 km
standard gauge: 40 km 1.435-m gauge (dedicated to ore transport)
narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge (dedicated to ore transport)
Highways:
total: 7,621 km
paved: 547 km
unpaved: 7,074 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice,
Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels
for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km, respectively
Ports: Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,317 GRT/2,558 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 47
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 32
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 33,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: fair system for long-distance calling
domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines
international: tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth
station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 1
Radios: 398,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 32,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Guyana Defense Force (GDF; includes Ground Forces, Coast
Guard, and Air Corps), Guyana People's Militia (GPM), Guyana
National Service (GNS)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 197,548
males fit for military service: 149,646 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $7 million, 1.7%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Haiti
-----
Map
---
Location: 19 00 N, 72 25 W -- Caribbean, western one-third of the
island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with
a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains
a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing
the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of
Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,
west of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 72 25 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 27,750 sq km
land area: 27,560 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 275 km
border country: Dominican Republic 275 km
Coastline: 1,771 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims US-administered Navassa Island
Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade
winds
Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m
Natural resources: bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 13%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 45%
Irrigated land: 750 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: extensive deforestation (much of the remaining
forested land is being cleared for agriculture and use as fuel);
soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water
natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and
subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding
and earthquakes; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear
Test Ban
Geographic note: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican
Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the
Dominican Republic)
People
------
Population: 6,731,539 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 1,568,943; female 1,523,406)
15-64 years: 50% (male 1,614,679; female 1,758,388)
65 years and over: 4% (male 132,460; female 133,663) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.77% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 38.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.96 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 103.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 49.26 years
male: 47.26 years
female: 51.35 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Haitian(s)
adjective: Haitian
Ethnic divisions: black 95%, mulatto and European 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 80% (of which an overwhelming majority
also practice Voodoo), Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%,
Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982)
Languages: French (official) 10%, Creole
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 45%
male: 48%
female: 42.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Haiti
conventional short form: Haiti
local long form: Republique d'Haiti
local short form: Haiti
Data code: HA
Type of government: republic
Capital: Port-au-Prince
Administrative divisions: 9 departments, (departements, singular -
departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est,
Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est
Independence: 1 January 1804 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1804)
Constitution: approved March 1987, suspended June 1988, most
articles reinstated March 1989; in October 1991, government claimed
to be observing the constitution; return to constitutional rule,
October 1994
Legal system: based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Rene Garcia PREVAL (since 7 February
1996), was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;
election last held 17 December 1995 (next to be held by December
2000); results - Rene PREVAL 88%, Leon JEUNE 2.5%, Victor BENOIT 2.3%
head of government: Prime Minister Rosny SMARTH (since March 1996)
was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet; was chosen by prime minister in consultation with
the president
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Assemblee
Nationale)
Senate: elections last held 25 June 1995 with reruns on 13 August
and runoffs on 17 September (next to be held 25 June 1999); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - 27 total
Chamber of Deputies: elections last held 25 June 1995 with reruns on
13 August and runoffs on 17 September; results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - 83 total
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation)
Political parties and leaders: National Front for Change and
Democracy (FNCD), Evans PAUL and Turneb DELPE; National Cooperative
Action Movement (MKN), Volvick Remy JOSEPH; National Congress of
Democratic Movements (CONACOM), Victor BENOIT; Movement for the
Installation of Democracy in Haiti (MIDH), Marc BAZIN; National
Progressive Revolutionary Party (PANPRA), Serge GILLES; National
Patriotic Movement of November 28 (MNP-28), Dejean BELIZAIRE;
National Agricultural and Industrial Party (PAIN), Louis DEJOIE;
Movement for National Reconstruction (MRN), Rene THEODORE; Haitian
Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Fritz PIERRE; Assembly of
Progressive National Democrats (RDNP), Leslie MANIGAT; National
Labor Party (PNT), Remy ZAMOR; Mobilization for National Development
(MDN), Hubert DE RONCERAY; Democratic Movement for the Liberation of
Haiti (MODELH), Francois LATORTUE; Haitian Social Christian Party
(PSCH), Gregoire EUGENE; Movement for the Organization of the
Country (MOP), Gesner COMEAU and Jean MOLIERE; Democratic Unity
Confederation (KID), Evans PAUL; National Lavalas Political
Organization (OPL), Gerard PIERRE-CHARLES; Open the Gate Party
(PLB), Renaud BERNARDIN; Haitian National Democratic Progressive
Party (PNDPH), Turneb DELPE
Other political or pressure groups: Roman Catholic Church;
Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH); Federation of Workers Trade
Unions (FOS); Autonomous Haitian Workers (CATH); National Popular
Assembly (APN); Papaye Peasants Movement (MPP)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, Caricom
(observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ITU, LAES, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jean CASIMIR
chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090 through 4092
FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan
(Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William Lacy SWING
embassy: 5 Harry Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince
mailing address: P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince
telephone: [509] 22-0354, 22-0368, 22-0200, 22-0612
FAX: [509] 23-1641
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a
centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a
palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing
the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: About 75% of the population lives in abject
poverty. Nearly 70% of all Haitians depend on the agriculture
sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming and
employs about two-thirds of the economically active work force. The
country has experienced only moderate job creation since President
ARISTIDE was returned to power in October 1994. Failure to reach
agreement with multilateral lenders in late 1995 led to rising
deficit spending and subsequently increasing inflation and a drop in
the value of the Haitian currency in the final months of 1995.
Potential investors, both foreign and domestic, have been reluctant
to risk their capital, planning to "wait and see" what happens in
the months following the inauguration of newly elected President
Rene PREVAL and the drawdown of UN peacekeeping forces. The PREVAL
government will have to grapple with implementing necessary,
although unpopular, economic reforms in order to obtain badly needed
foreign aid and improve Haiti's ability to attract foreign capital
if the Haitian economy is to gain momentum. Haiti will continue to
depend heavily on foreign aid in the medium term.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 34.8%
industry: 23%
services: 42.2% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.5% (FY 94/95)
Labor force: 2.3 million
by occupation: agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9%
note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1982)
Unemployment rate: 60% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $242 million
expenditures: $299.4 million including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95)
Industries: sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement,
tourism, light assembly industries based on imported parts
Industrial production growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 150,000 kW
production: 590 million kWh
consumption per capita: 86 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana en
route to the US and Europe
Exports: $161 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: light manufactures 65%, coffee 19%, other agriculture
8%, other 8%
partners: US 81%, Europe 12% (1993)
Imports: $537 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machines and manufactures 34%, food and beverages 22%,
petroleum products 14%, chemicals 10%, fats and oils 9%
partners: US 51%, Europe 16%, Latin America 18% (1993)
External debt: $827 million (September 1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: gourdes (G) per US$1 - 16.783 (January 1996),
16.160 (1995), 12.947 (1994), 12.805 (1993), 10.953 (1992), 8.240
(1991)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 40 km (single track; privately owned industrial line)-closed
in early 1990's
narrow gauge: 40 km 0.760-m gauge
Highways:
total: 3,978 km
paved: 944 km
unpaved: 3,034 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: negligible; less than 100 km navigable
Ports: Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Jeremie, Cayes, Miragoane,
Port-au-Prince, Port-de-Paix, Saint-Marc
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 11
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 50,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: domestic facilities barely adequate,
international facilities slightly better
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 33, FM 0, shortwave 2
Radios: 320,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 32,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Haitian National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,379,116
males fit for military service: 746,617
males reach military age (18) annually: 67,287 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands
---------------------------------
(territory of Australia)
Map
---
Location: 53 06 S, 72 31 E -- Southern Africa, islands in the
Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to
Antarctica
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, islands in the Indian Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
Geographic coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:
total area: 412 sq km
land area: 412 sq km
comparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 101.9 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: antarctic
Terrain: Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent
volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: Heard Island is dominated by a dormant volcano
called Big Ben
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: primarily used for research stations
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald
Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Data code: HM
Type of government: territory of Australia administered by the
Ministry for Environment, Sport, and Territories
Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
======================================================================
@Holy See (Vatican City)
-----------------------
Map
---
Location: 41 54 N, 12 27 E -- Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome
(Italy)
Flag
----
Description: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white
with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in
the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 0.44 sq km
land area: 0.44 sq km
comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 3.2 km
border country: Italy 3.2 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May)
with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Terrain: low hill
lowest point: unnamed location 19 m
highest point: unnamed location 75 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution,
Environmental Modification
Geographic note: urban; landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy;
world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in
Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy
extraterritorial rights
People
------
Population: 840 (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.15% (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: none
adjective: none
Ethnic divisions: Italians, Swiss
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: Italian, Latin, various other languages
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
Data code: VT
Type of government: monarchical-sacerdotal state
Capital: Vatican City
Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy)
National holiday: Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978)
(John Paul II)
note: Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978
Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March
1968)
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Executive branch:
chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October
1978) was elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election
last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the
current pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by the
College of Cardinals
head of government: Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal
SODANO (since NA 1991) was appointed by the pope
cabinet: Pontifical Commission was appointed by Pope
Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission
Judicial branch: none; normally handled by Italy
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: none (exclusive of influence
exercised by church officers)
International organization participation: IAEA, ICFTU, Intelsat,
IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD,
UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WToO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino
CACCIAVILLAN
chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN
embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via Delle Terme Deciane 26, Rome 00153
mailing address: PSC 59, APO AE 09624
telephone: [39] (6) 46741
FAX: [39] (6) 5758346, 57300682
Flag: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the
crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the
white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: This unique, noncommercial economy is supported
financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman
Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and
tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of
publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are
comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who
work in the city of Rome.
Labor force: NA
by occupation: dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay
workers who live outside the Vatican
Budget:
revenues: $175.5 million
expenditures: $175 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)
Industries: printing and production of a small amount of mosaics
and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Electricity:
capacity: 5,000 kW standby
production: power supplied by Italy
consumption per capita: NA kWh (1992)
Currency: 1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi
Exchange rates: Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,583.8 (January
1996), 1,629.6 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4
(1992), 1,240.6 (1991); note - the Vatican lira is at par with the
Italian lira which circulates freely
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 862 meters; note - connects to Italy's network at Rome's
Saint Peter's station
narrow gauge: 862 meters 1.435-m gauge
Highways: none; all city streets
Ports: none
Airports: none
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2,000
Telephone system: automatic exchange
domestic: tied into Italian system
international: uses Italian system
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal
Guards are posted at entrances to Vatican City
======================================================================
@Honduras
--------
Map
---
Location: 15 00 N, 86 30 W -- Middle America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the
North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Nicaragua
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
and blue with five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern
centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the
former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of
El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white
band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a
triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and
AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between
Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the North Pacific Ocean,
between El Salvador and Nicaragua
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 112,090 sq km
land area: 111,890 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total: 1,520 km
border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua
922 km
Coastline: 820 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: land boundary dispute with El Salvador
mostly resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice
(ICJ) decision; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo
de Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and
advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras,
and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute
with Nicaragua
Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m
Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron
ore, antimony, coal, fish
Land use:
arable land: 14%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 30%
forest and woodland: 34%
other: 20%
Irrigated land: 900 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: urban population expanding; deforestation results
from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes;
further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled
development and improper land use practices such as farming of
marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the
country's largest source of freshwater) with heavy metals as well as
several rivers and streams
natural hazards: frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging
hurricanes and floods along Caribbean coast
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed,
but not ratified - Desertification, Tropical Timber 94
People
------
Population: 5,605,193 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 1,220,188; female 1,177,725)
15-64 years: 54% (male 1,496,625; female 1,520,918)
65 years and over: 3% (male 91,126; female 98,611) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.6% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 41.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.42 years
male: 66.01 years
female: 70.96 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.41 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Honduran(s)
adjective: Honduran
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian
7%, black 2%, white 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority
Languages: Spanish, Indian dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 72.7%
male: 72.6%
female: 72.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Honduras
conventional short form: Honduras
local long form: Republica de Honduras
local short form: Honduras
Data code: HO
Type of government: republic
Capital: Tegucigalpa
Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan,
Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca,
Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa
Barbara, Valle, Yoro
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982
Legal system: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some
influence of English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Carlos Roberto
REINA Idiaquez (since 27 January 1994) was elected for a four-year
term by a simple majority of the people; First Vice President
General (Ret.) Walter LOPEZ; Second Vice President Juan DE LA CRUZ
Avelar; Third Vice President Guadeloupe JEREZANO; election last held
28 November 1993 (next to be held November 1997); results - Carlos
Roberto REINA Idiaquez (PLH) 53%, Oswaldo RAMOS Soto (PNH) 41%,
other 6%
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Congress (Congreso Nacional): elections last held on 27
November 1993 (next to be held November 1997); results - PNH 53%,
PLH 41%, PDCH 1.0%, PINU-SD 2.5%, other 2.5%; seats - (134 total)
PNH 55, PLH 77, PINU-SD 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justica), judges are elected for four-year terms by the National
Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PLH), Rafael PINEDA
Ponce, president; National Party of Honduras (PNH), Oswaldo RAMOS
Soto, president; National Innovation and Unity Party (PINU), Olban
VALLADARES, president; Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Efrain
DIAZ Arrivillaga, president
Other political or pressure groups: National Association of
Honduran Campesinos (ANACH); Honduran Council of Private Enterprise
(COHEP); Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH); National Union of
Campesinos (UNC); General Workers Confederation (CGT); United
Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH); Committee for the Defense of
Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH); Coordinating Committee of Popular
Organizations (CCOP)
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO,
G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),
MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary),
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto FLORES Bermudez
chancery: 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702, 2604, 5008, 4596
FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Boston, Detroit, and Jacksonville
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William T. PRYCE
embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No 3453, Tegucigalpa
mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa
telephone: [504] 36-9320, 38-5114
FAX: [504] 36-9037
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue
with five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered
in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former
Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El
Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white
band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a
triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and
AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the
Western Hemisphere. Agriculture, the most important sector of the
economy, employs nearly two-thirds of the labor force and produces
two-thirds of exports. Productivity remains low. Manufacturing,
still in its early stages, employs about 9% of the labor force, and
generates 20% of exports. Many basic problems face the economy,
including rapid population growth, high unemployment, inflation, a
lack of basic services, a large and inefficient public sector, and
the dependence of the export sector mostly on coffee and bananas,
which are subject to sharp price fluctuations. A far-reaching reform
program, initiated by former President CALLEJAS in 1990 and scaled
back by President REINA, is beginning to take hold.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,980 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: 20%
services: 50% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1.3 million
by occupation: agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%,
construction 3%, other 6% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 10%; underemployed 30%-40% (1992)
Budget:
revenues: $527 million
expenditures: $668 million, including capital expenditures of $166
million (1993 est.)
Industries: sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 290,000 kW
production: 2.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 445 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp;
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics; illicit producer
of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for
local consumption
Exports: $843 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, meat, lumber
partners: US 53%, Germany 11%, Belgium 8%, UK 5%
Imports: $1.1 billion (c.i.f. 1994)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemical products,
manufactured goods, fuel and oil, foodstuffs
partners: US 50%, Mexico 8%, Guatemala 6%
External debt: $3.7 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: lempiras (L) per US$1 - 10.3432 (December 1994),
10.3432 (1995), 9.4001 (1994), 7.2600 (1993), 5.8300 (1992), 5.4000
(1991); the lempira was allowed to float in 1992
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 595 km
narrow gauge: 190 km 1.067-m gauge; 128 km 1.057-m gauge; 277 km
0.914-m gauge
note: in 1993, there was a total of 988 km of track (1995)
Highways:
total: 14,203 km
paved: 2,533 km
unpaved: 11,670 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 465 km navigable by small craft
Ports: La Ceiba, Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo,
Tela, Puerto Lempira
Merchant marine:
total: 257 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 769,518 GRT/1,148,423
DWT
ships by type: bulk 29, cargo 165, chemical tanker 2, combination
bulk 1, container 7, liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 3,
oil tanker 19, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 3, refrigerated cargo
16, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, short-sea passenger 2, vehicle carrier
1
note: a flag of convenience registry; Russia owns 8 ships, Vietnam
4, North Korea 2, Greece 1, Japan 1, US 1, Iran 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 111
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with paved runways under 914 m: 79
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 105,000 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: inadequate system
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System
Radio broadcast stations: AM 176, FM 0, shortwave 7
Radios: 2.115 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 28
Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, Public
Security Forces (FUSEP)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,322,525
males fit for military service: 787,889
males reach military age (18) annually: 64,378 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $41 million,
about 0.4% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Hong Kong
---------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 22 15 N, 114 10 E -- Eastern Asia, bordering the South
China Sea and China
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant with the Hong Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on
the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a shield
(bearing two junks below a crown) held by a lion (representing the
UK) and a dragon (representing China) with another lion above the
shield and a banner bearing the words HONG KONG below the shield
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates: 22 15 N, 114 10 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 1,040 sq km
land area: 990 sq km
comparative area: six times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 30 km
border country: China 30 km
Coastline: 733 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy
from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall
Terrain: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m
Natural resources: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 12%
other: 79%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: air and water pollution from rapid urbanization
natural hazards: occasional typhoons
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: more than 200 islands
People
------
Population: 6,305,413 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 609,493; female 593,687)
15-64 years: 70% (male 2,312,141; female 2,094,156)
65 years and over: 11% (male 307,186; female 388,750) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.77% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.5 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.23 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 12.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 82.19 years
male: 78.88 years
female: 85.71 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Chinese
adjective: Chinese
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, other 5%
Religions: eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%
Languages: Chinese (Cantonese), English
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1995 est.)
total population: 92.2%
male: 96%
female: 88.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Hong Kong
abbreviation: HK
Data code: HK
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK scheduled to
revert to China on 1 July 1997
Capital: Victoria
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK; the UK signed
an agreement with China on 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to
China on 1 July 1997; in the joint declaration, China promises to
respect Hong Kong's existing social and economic systems and
lifestyle)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 29 August (1945)
Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and
practice; new Basic Law approved in March 1990 in preparation for
1997
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent
residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven
years; indirect election limited to about 100,000 professionals of
electoral college and functional constituencies
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council
Christopher Francis PATTEN (since 9 July 1992) was appointed by the
Queen; Chief Secretary Anson CHAN Fang On-Sang (since 29 November
1993)
cabinet: Executive Council was appointed by the Governor
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: indirect and direct elections last held 17
September 1995 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote
by party NA; seats - (60 total, 30 indirectly elected by functional
constituencies, 20 directly elected, 10 elected by election
committee) Democratic Party 21, Liberal Party 10, Democratic
Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong 6, other parties and
independents 23
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Martin LEE,
chairman; Liberal Party, Allen LEE, chairman; Democratic Alliance
for the Betterment of Hong Kong, TSANG Yuk-shing, chairman; Hong
Kong Democratic Foundation, Dr. Patrick SHIU Kin-ying, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Association for Democracy and
People's Livelihood (ADPL), Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman;
Liberal Democratic Federation, HU Fa-kuang, chairman; Federation of
Trade Unions (pro-China), LEE Chark-tim, president; Hong Kong and
Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Confederation of Trade
Unions (pro-democracy), LEE Cheuk-yan, chairman; Hong Kong General
Chamber of Commerce; Chinese General Chamber of Commerce
(pro-China); Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Chinese
Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Professional
Teachers' Union, CHEUNG Man-kwong, president; Hong Kong Alliance in
Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China, Szeto WAH,
chairman
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP
(associate), ICFTU, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO
(correspondent), WCL, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Consul General Richard W. MUELLER
consulate general(s): 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
mailing address: PSC 464, Box 30, FPO AP 96522-0002
telephone: [852] 2523-9011
FAX: [852] 2845-1598
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant with the Hong Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on
the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a shield
(bearing two junks below a crown) held by a lion (representing the
UK) and a dragon (representing China) with another lion above the
shield and a banner bearing the words HONG KONG below the shield
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy
with few tariffs or nontariff barriers. Natural resources are
limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Manufacturing
and construction account for about 18% of GDP. Goods and services
exports account for about 50% of GDP. Real GDP growth averaged a
remarkable 8% in 1987-88, slowed to 3.0% in 1989-90, and picked up
to 4.2% in 1991, 5.0% in 1992, 5.2% in 1993, 5.5% in 1994, and 5.0%
in 1995. Unemployment, which has been declining since the mid-1980s,
edged up from 2% to 3.5% in 1995. Notwithstanding, a shortage of
labor continues to put upward pressure on prices and the cost of
living. Prospects for 1996 remain bright so long as major trading
partners continue to be reasonably prosperous and so long as
investors feel China will support free market practices after the
takeover in 1997.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $152.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $27,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.2%
industry: 18.4%
services: 81.4% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.4% (1995)
Labor force: 2,915,400 (1994)
by occupation: manufacturing 28.5%, wholesale and retail trade,
restaurants, and hotels 27.9%, services 17.7%, financing, insurance,
and real estate 9.2%, transport and communications 4.5%,
construction 2.5%, other 9.7% (1989)
Unemployment rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $19 billion
expenditures: $14.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $289
million (FY94/95)
Industries: textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics,
toys, watches, clocks
Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 8,930,000 kW
production: 33 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 4,628 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fresh vegetables; poultry
Illicit drugs: a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade;
transshipment and money-laundering center; increasing indigenous
amphetamine abuse
Exports: $177.1 billion (including re-exports)(f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: clothing, textiles, yarn and fabric, footwear,
electrical appliances, watches and clocks, toys
partners: China 33%, US 22%, Germany 5%, Japan 5%, UK 3% (1993)
Imports: $195.4 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials,
semimanufactures, petroleum; a large share is re-exported
partners: China 38%, Japan 17%, Taiwan 9%, US 7% (1993)
External debt: none (1995)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Hong Kong dollar (HK$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$ - 7.800 (1995),
7.800 (1994), 7.800 (1993), 7.741 (1992), 7.771 (1991); note -
linked to the US dollar at the rate of about 7.8 HK$ per 1 US$ since
1985
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 35 km
standard gauge: 35 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:
total: 1,661 km
paved: 1,661 km
unpaved: 0 km (1994 est.)
Ports: Hong Kong
Merchant marine:
total: 238 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,632,224
GRT/14,820,657 DWT
ships by type: bulk 129, cargo 32, chemical tanker 1, combination
bulk 4, combination ore/oil 3, container 39, liquefied gas tanker 3,
multifunction large load carrier 1, oil tanker 17, refrigerated
cargo 5, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 3
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 17
countries among which are UK 51, China 11, Belgium 8, South Africa
8, US 8, Japan 7, Bermuda 6, Switzerland 6, Germany 3, and Israel 3
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
note: new international airport to be commissioned in 1997/98
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 4.13 million (1995 est.)
Telephone system: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and
international services
domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic
network
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific
Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; access
to 5 international submarine cables providing connections to ASEAN
member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western
Europe
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 3 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (British Broadcasting Corporation
repeater 1; British Forces Broadcasting Service repeater 1)
Televisions: 1.75 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Headquarters of British Forces, Army, Royal Navy, Royal
Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Hong Kong
Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,895,535
males fit for military service: 1,442,072
males reach military age (18) annually: 46,248 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $207 million,
0.2% of GDP (FY92/93); this represents 65% of the total cost of
defending the colony, the remainder being paid by the UK
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK until 1 July
1997, when China will assume command
======================================================================
@Howland Island
--------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 0 48 N, 176 38 W -- Oceania, island in the North Pacific
Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 0 48 N, 176 38 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 1.6 sq km
land area: 1.6 sq km
comparative area: about three times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6.4 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded
by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 5%
other: 95%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: no natural fresh water resources
natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can
be a maritime hazard
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate
vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center;
primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds,
shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats
People
------
Population: uninhabited; note - American civilians evacuated in
1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II;
occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the
war; public entry is by special-use permit only and generally
restricted to scientists and educators
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Howland Island
Data code: HQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US
administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department
of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one boat
landing area along the middle of the west coast
Airports: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling
stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan
- they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen
again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable
Transportation note: Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle
of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II,
but has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia
Earhart
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited
annually by the US Coast Guard
======================================================================
@Hungary
-------
Map
---
Location: 47 00 N, 20 00 E -- Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
green
Geography
---------
Location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 93,030 sq km
land area: 92,340 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 2,009 km
border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,
Serbia and Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km,
Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on
the Slovakian border
lowest point: Tisza River 78 m
highest point: Kekes 1,014 m
Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils
Land use:
arable land: 51%
permanent crops: 6%
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 18%
other: 12%
Irrigated land: 1,750 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: an early-1996 government study identified 179 areas
that suffer from air pollution, 54 areas with polluted soil, and 32
areas with polluted underground water; the study estimated clean-up
costs at $350 million, but the 1996 government budget allocates only
about $7 million for this purpose
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; strategic location astride main land
routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as
between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin
People
------
Population: 10,002,541 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 907,963; female 867,536)
15-64 years: 68% (male 3,325,529; female 3,464,588)
65 years and over: 14% (male 538,106; female 898,819) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -0.68% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.72 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.06 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.91 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.02 years
male: 64.23 years
female: 74.04 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Hungarian(s)
adjective: Hungarian
Ethnic divisions: Hungarian 89.9%, Gypsy 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%,
Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7%
Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%,
atheist and other 7.5%
Languages: Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Hungary
conventional short form: Hungary
local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag
local short form: Magyarorszag
Data code: HU
Type of government: republic
Capital: Budapest
Administrative divisions: 38 counties (megyek, singular - megye)
and 1 capital city* (fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes,
Bekescsaba, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest*, Csongrad, Debrecen,
Dunaujvaros, Eger, Fejer, Gyor, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar,
Heves, Hodmezovasarhely, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar, Kecskemet,
Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs,
Pest, Somogy, Sopron, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged,
Szekesfehervar, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Tolna, Vas,
Veszprem, Zala, Zalaegerszeg
Independence: 1001 (unification by King Stephen I)
National holiday: St. Stephen's Day (National Day), 20 August
(commemorates the founding of Hungarian state circa 1000 AD)
Constitution: 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19
April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for
individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime
minister and also established the principle of parliamentary
oversight
Legal system: in process of revision, moving toward rule of law
based on Western model
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990;
previously interim president from 2 May 1990) was elected for a
four-year term by the National Assembly; election last held 19 June
1995 (next to be held NA 1999); results - President GONCZ elected by
parliamentary vote with a total of 259 votes out of 335
head of government: Prime Minister Gyula HORN (since 15 July 1994)
was elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the
president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was elected by the National Assembly
on recommendation of the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Orszaggyules): elections last held on 8 and 29
May 1994 (next to be held spring 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (386 total) MSzP 209, SzDSz 70, MDF 37, FKgP 26,
KDNP 22, FiDeSz 20, other 2
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the
National Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF),
Lajos FUR, chairman; Independent Smallholders (FKgP), Jozsef
TORGYAN, president; Hungarian Socialist Party (MSzP), Gyula HORN,
president; Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), Gyorgy GICZY,
president; Federation of Young Democrats (FiDeSz), Viktor ORBAN,
chairman; Alliance of Free Democrats (SzDSz), Ivan PETO, chairman
note: the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party (MSzMP)
renounced Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSzP)
in October 1989; there is still a small MMP
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,
CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG,
OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WEU
(associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gyorgy BANLAKI
chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730
FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald M. BLINKEN
embassy: V. Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapest
mailing address: Am Embassy, Unit 1320, APO AE 09213-1320
telephone: [36] (1) 267-4400, 269-9331
FAX: [36] (1) 269-9326
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Hungary, probably the most Western-oriented
economy in East Europe before the transition to a market system
began in 1990, made good progress in the initial years of
transition. The reform process slowed in 1993-94, however, in part
because of the May 1994 elections and the resulting change in
government. By 1994 the privatization of state firms had ground to a
halt, while both the budget and current account deficits soared to
unsustainable levels - about 8% and 10% of GDP, respectively. The
situation improved sharply in 1995; an austerity program introduced
in March reduced both deficits, and a renewed privatization effort
later in 1995 resulted in more than $3 billion worth of sales of
state firms to foreign investors - money that will be used to reduce
Hungary's large foreign debt. As for other macroeconomic
developments, real GDP increased 2.9% in 1994 - following several
years of steep decline - and about 1.5% in 1995. Unemployment
reached 14% in early 1993 before gradually falling back to 10% in
1995. Inflation has oscillated; it reached 40% in mid-1991, dropped
to 17% in early 1994, and then jumped back to 31% by mid-1995.
Prospects for 1996 are good. With the government still committed to
austerity, both the budget and current account deficits should fall
to about 4% of GDP. Economic growth is expected to be about 2% and
unemployment at about 10%, with inflation falling to 20% by yearend.
In March 1996 the IMF signed a new standby loan agreement with
Budapest, and the OECD approved Hungary's application for admission.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $72.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.5% (1995)
GDP per capita: $7,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.3%
industry: 37.5%
services: 55.2%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 28.3% (1995)
Labor force: 4.8 million (1995)
by occupation: services, trade, government, and other 47.2%,
industry 29.7%, agriculture 16.1%, construction 7.0% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 10.4% (yearend 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $12.6 billion
expenditures: $13.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed
foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor
vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 6,740,000 kW
production: 31 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,012 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets;
pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products
Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for Southwest Asian
heroin and transit point for South American cocaine destined for
Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals
Exports: $13 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: raw materials and semi-finished goods 36.4%, consumer
goods 26.7%, food and agriculture 20.5%, capital goods 13.1%, fuels
and energy 3.3% (1994)
partners: Germany 28.2%, Austria 10.9%, Italy 8.5%, Russia 7.5%, US
4.0% (1994)
Imports: $15 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: fuels and energy 11.0%, raw materials and semi-finished
goods 36.9%, capital goods 23.3%, consumer goods 22.0%, food and
agriculture 6.8% (1994)
partners: Germany 23.4%, Austria 12.0%, Russia 12.0%, Italy 7.0%, UK
4.0% (1994)
External debt: $32.7 billion (October 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $136 million (1993)
note: assistance received from OECD countries and international
organizations, $3,700 million (1990-93)
Currency: 1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler
Exchange rates: forints per US$1 - 144 (January 1996), 125.681
(1995),105.160 (1994), 91.933 (1993), 78.988 (1992), 74.735 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 7,685 km
broad gauge: 35 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 7,474 km 1.435-m gauge (2,162 km electrified; 1,236
km double track)
narrow gauge: 176 km mostly 0.760-m gauge (1995)
note: Hungry and Austria jointly manage the cross-border
standard-gauge railway between Gyor, Sopron, Ebenfurti, and Vasut, a
distance of about 100 km
Highways:
total: 158,711 km
paved: 69,992 km (including 441 km of expressways)
unpaved: 88,719 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 1,622 km (1988)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991)
Ports: Budapest, Dunaujvaros
Merchant marine:
total: 10 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 46,121 GRT/61,613
DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 78
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 34 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.52 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: 14,213 telex lines; automatic telephone network
based on microwave radio relay system; 608,000 telephones on order;
12-15 year wait for a telephone; 49% of all telephones are in
Budapest (1991 est.); note - the former state-owned
telecommunications firm MATAV - now privatized and managed by a
US/German consortium - has ambitious plans to upgrade the inadequate
system, including a contract with the German firm Siemens and the
Swedish firm Ericsson to provide 600,000 new phone lines during
1996-98
domestic: microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat and 1
Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 32, FM 15, shortwave 0
Radios: 6 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 41 (Russian repeaters 8)
Televisions: 4.38 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard,
Territorial Defense
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,552,794
males fit for military service: 2,036,399
males reach military age (18) annually: 82,040 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $620 million,
1.7% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Iceland
-------
Map
---
Location: 65 00 N, 18 00 W -- Northern Europe, island between the
Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Flag
----
Description: blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends
to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted
to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and
the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Geographic coordinates: 65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:
total area: 103,000 sq km
land area: 100,250 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,988 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Rockall continental shelf dispute
involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have
signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)
Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild,
windy winters; damp, cool summers
Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks,
icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 1%
other: 78%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate
wastewater treatment
natural hazards: earthquakes and volcanic activity
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life
Conservation
Geographic note: strategic location between Greenland and Europe;
westernmost European country; more land covered by glaciers than in
all of continental Europe
People
------
Population: 270,292 (July 1996 est.)
note: population data estimates based on average growth rate may
differ slightly from official population data because of volatile
migration rates
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 33,605; female 31,933)
15-64 years: 64% (male 88,064; female 85,724)
65 years and over: 12% (male 13,916; female 17,050) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.83% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.17 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.08 years
male: 77.68 years
female: 82.6 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.24 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Icelander(s)
adjective: Icelandic
Ethnic divisions: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegians
and Celts
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 96%, other Protestant and Roman
Catholic 3%, none 1% (1988)
Languages: Icelandic
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)
total population: 100%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Iceland
conventional short form: Iceland
local long form: Lyoveldio Island
local short form: Island
Data code: IC
Type of government: republic
Capital: Reykjavik
Administrative divisions: 23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla)
and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur);
Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla,
Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla,
Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*,
Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*,
Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla,
Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*,
Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*,
Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla,
Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla,
Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla,
Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla
Independence: 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Establishment of the
Republic, 17 June (1944)
Constitution: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944
Legal system: civil law system based on Danish law; does not
accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1 August
1980) was elected for a four-year term by universal suffrage;
election last held 29 June 1988 (next to be held June 1996); results
- there was no election in 1992 as President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR
was unopposed
head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April
1991) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Althing): elections last held on 8 April 1995 (next to
be held by April 1999); results - Independence Party 37.1%,
Progressive Party 23.3%, Social Democratic Party 11.4%, Socialists
14.3%, People's Movement 7.2%, Women's Party 4.9%; seats - (63
total) Independence 25, Progressive 15, Social Democratic 7,
Socialists 9, People's Movement 4, Women's Party 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Haestirettur), justices are
appointed for life by the president
Political parties and leaders: Independence Party (conservative),
David ODDSSON; Progressive Party (liberal), Halldor ASGRIMSSON;
Social Democratic Party, Jon Baldvin HANNIBALSSON; People's Alliance
(left socialist), Margret FRIMANNSDOTTIR; Women's Party, Kristin
ASTGEIRSDOTTIR; People's Movement (centrist); National Awakening
(People's Revival Party), Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,
CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Einar BENEDIKTSSON
chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653 through 6655
FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Parker W. BORG
embassy: Laufasvegur 21, Reykjavik
mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340
telephone: [354] 5629100
FAX: [354] 5629139
Flag: blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the
edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the
hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is
basically capitalistic, but with an extensive welfare system, low
unemployment, and comparatively even distribution of income. The
economy is heavily dependent on the fishing industry, which provides
nearly 75% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force. In
the absence of other natural resources - except energy - Iceland's
economy is vulnerable to changing world fish prices. The economy, in
recession since 1988, began to recover in 1993, posting 0.4% growth,
but was still hampered by cutbacks in fish quotas as well as falling
world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum,
and ferrosilicon. The center-right government plans to continue its
policies of reducing the budget and current account deficits,
limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising
agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and
privatizing state-owned industries. The government, however, remains
divided on the issue of EU membership, primarily because of
Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing
resources.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $18,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.6%
industry: 22.1%
services: 68.3% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 127,900
by occupation: commerce, transportation, and services 60.0%,
manufacturing 12.5%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, construction
10.8%, agriculture 4.0%, other 0.9% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 3.9% (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $1.9 billion
expenditures: $2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $297
million (1994 est.)
Industries: fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon
production, geothermal power
Industrial production growth rate: 1.75% (1991 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,070,000 kW
production: 4.7 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 16,458 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep; fish catch of about
1.1 million metric tons in 1992
Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: fish and fish products, animal products, aluminum,
ferrosilicon, diatomite
partners: EC 68% (UK 25%, Germany 12%), US 11%, Japan 8% (1992)
Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum
products, foodstuffs, textiles
partners: EC 53% (Germany 14%, Denmark 10%, UK 9%), Norway 14%, US
9% (1992)
External debt: $2.5 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar
Exchange rates: Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1 - 65.970 (January
1996), 64.692 (1995), 69.944 (1994), 67.603 (1993), 57.546 (1992),
58.996 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 11,373 km
paved: 2,513 km
unpaved: 8,860 km (1992 est.)
Ports: Akureyri, Hornafjordur, Isafjordur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn,
Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vestmannaeyjar
Merchant marine:
total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,025 GRT/40,410 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, oil tanker 1,
refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 84
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with paved runways under 914 m: 49
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 22 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 143,600 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: adequate domestic service
domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic
cables and microwave radio relay links
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions); note -
Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic
countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 147 (transmitters and
repeaters), shortwave 0
Radios: 91,500 licensed (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 202 (transmitters and repeaters)
Televisions: 96,100 licensed (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard; note -
Iceland's defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense
Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 71,317
males fit for military service: 63,126 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: none
======================================================================
@India
-----
Map
---
Location: 20 00 N, 77 00 E -- Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian
Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white,
and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white
band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk
centered in the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of
Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 77 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 3,287,590 sq km
land area: 2,973,190 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than one-third the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 14,103 km
border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463
km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km
Coastline: 7,000 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: boundaries with Bangladesh and China in
dispute; status of Kashmir with Pakistan; water-sharing problems
with downstream riparians, Bangladesh over the Ganges and Pakistan
over the Indus (Wular Barrage)
Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in
north
Terrain: upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling
plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m
Natural resources: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world),
iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural
gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 55%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 23%
other: 17%
Irrigated land: 430,390 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing;
desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle
emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of
agricultural pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the
country; huge and rapidly growing population is overstraining
natural resources
natural hazards: droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms
common; earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed, but
not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification
Geographic note: dominates South Asian subcontinent; near
important Indian Ocean trade routes
People
------
Population: 952,107,694 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 168,030,766; female 159,283,151)
15-64 years: 62% (male 304,805,787; female 281,311,834)
65 years and over: 4% (male 19,148,385; female 19,527,771) (July
1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.64% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 25.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.61 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.07 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 71.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 59.71 years
male: 59.12 years
female: 60.32 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.2 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Indian(s)
adjective: Indian
Ethnic divisions: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and
other 3%
Religions: Hindu 80%, Muslim 14%, Christian 2.4%, Sikh 2%,
Buddhist 0.7%, Jains 0.5%, other 0.4%
Languages: English enjoys associate status but is the most
important language for national, political, and commercial
communication, Hindi the national language and primary tongue of 30%
of the people, Bengali (official), Telugu (official), Marathi
(official), Tamil (official), Urdu (official), Gujarati (official),
Malayalam (official), Kannada (official), Oriya (official), Punjabi
(official), Assamese (official), Kashmiri (official), Sindhi
(official), Sanskrit (official), Hindustani a popular variant of
Hindu/Urdu, is spoken widely throughout northern India
note: 24 languages each spoken by a million or more persons;
numerous other languages and dialects, for the most part mutually
unintelligible
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 52%
male: 65.5%
female: 37.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of India
conventional short form: India
Data code: IN
Type of government: federal republic
Capital: New Delhi
Administrative divisions: 25 states and 7 union territories*;
Andaman and Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*,
Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachel Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,
Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Pondicherry*, Punjab,
Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
Independence: 15 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic,
26 January (1950)
Constitution: 26 January 1950
Legal system: based on English common law; limited judicial review
of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Shankar Dayal SHARMA (since 25 July 1992)
was elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting
of elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures
of the states; Vice President Kicheril Raman NARAYANAN (since 21
August 1992) was elected by both houses of Parliament
head of government: Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha RAO (since 21
June 1991) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Sansad)
Council of States (Rajya Sabha): body consisting of not more than
250 members, up to 12 appointed by the president, the remainder
chosen by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies
People's Assembly (Lok Sabha): elections last held 21 May, 12 and 15
June 1991 (next to be held 27 April through May 1996); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (545 total, 543 elected, 2
appointed) Congress (I) Party 245, BJP 119, Janata Dal Party 39,
Janata Dal (Ajit Singh) 20, CPI/M 35, CPI 14, Telugu Desam 13,
AIADMK 11, Samajwadi Janata Party 5, Shiv Sena 4, RSP 4, BSP 1,
Congress (S) Party 1, other 23, vacant 9; note - the distribution of
seats as of 18 January 1995 is as follows: Congress (I) Party 260,
BJP 117, CPI/M 36, Janata Dal Party 24, Samata Party 14, CPI 14,
AIADMK 12, Janata Dal (Ajit) 7, Telugu Desam 7, RSP 4, Janata Dal
(Ex-Ajit) 3, Samajwadi Party 3, BSP 3, AIFB 3, Shiv Sena 2, Congress
(S) Party 1, Kerala Congress (Mani faction) 1, Bihar Peoples Party
1, India National League 1, other 14, vacant 16
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
president
Political parties and leaders: Congress (I) Party, P. V. Narasimha
RAO, president; Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), L.K. ADVANI; Janata
Dal Party, Laloo Prasad YADAV; Janata Dal (Ajit), Ajit SINGH; Janata
Dal (Ex-Ajit), leader NA; Communist Party of India/Marxist (CPI/M),
Harkishan Singh SURJEET; Communist Party of India (CPI), Indrajit
GUPTA; Telugu Desam (Naidu) (a regional party in Andhra Pradesh),
Chandrababu NAIDU; All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK;
a regional party in Tamil Nadu), Jayaram JAYALALITHA; Samajwadi
Party (SP), Mulayam Singh YADAV (president), Om Prakash CHAUTALA,
Devi LAL; Shiv Sena, Bal THACKERAY; Revolutionary Socialist Party
(RSP), Tridip CHOWDHURY; Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Kanshi RAM;
Congress (S) Party, leader NA; Communist Party of
India/Marxist-Leninist (CPI/ML), Vinod MISHRA; Dravida Munnetra
Kazagham (a regional party in Tamil Nadu), M. KARUNANIDHI; Akali Dal
factions representing Sikh religious community in the Punjab;
National Conference (NC; a regional party in Jammu and Kashmir),
Farooq ABDULLAH; Bihar Peoples Party, Lovely ANAND; Samata Party
(formerly Janata Dal members), George FERNANDES; Indian National
League, Suliaman SAIT; Kerala Congress (Mani faction), K.M. MANI;
All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), Prem Dutta PALIWAL (chairman), Chitta
BASU (general secretary); Congress (Tiwari), Arjun SINGH and N.D.
TIWARI
Other political or pressure groups: various separatist groups
seeking greater communal and/or regional autonomy; numerous
religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations, including Adam
Sena, Ananda Marg, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G- 6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM,
OAS (observer), PCA, SAARC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNOMIL, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Naresh CHANDRA
chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note -
Embassy located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Frank G. WISNER
embassy: Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021, New Delhi
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [91] (11) 600651
FAX: [91] (11) 6872028
consulate(s) general: Calcutta, Madras, Mumbai (Bombay)
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and
green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white
band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk
centered in the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: India's economy is a mixture of traditional
village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of
modern industries, and a multitude of support services. Faster
economic growth in the 1980s permitted a significant increase in
real per capita private consumption. A large share of the
population, perhaps as much as 40%, remains too poor to afford an
adequate diet. Financial strains in 1990 and 1991 prompted
government austerity measures that slowed industrial growth but
permitted India to meet its international payment obligations
without rescheduling its debt. Production, trade, and investment
reforms since 1991 have provided new opportunities for Indian
businessmen and an estimated 200 million plus middle class
consumers. New Delhi has always paid its foreign debts on schedule
and has stimulated exports, attracted foreign investment, and
revived confidence in India's economic prospects. GDP growth in
1992-95 has averaged nearly 5%. Most of the country's external
fundamentals - including the current account balance and reserves
(now nearly $17 billion) are healthy. Party politics is increasingly
shaping the debate over economic reforms. In addition, the 25 Indian
states and several union territories, which are playing a more
active role in determining economic policy, are further complicating
the economic climate. The Indian Government will also have to watch
closely rising government expenditures and higher debt servicing
which could create a debt trap by the turn of the century.
Nevertheless, India should achieve economic growth of 5.5%-6.5%
annually through the next several years. Even if a weak coalition
government comes to power in 1996 and is unable to push reforms
aggressively, parts of the economy that have already benefited from
deregulation will continue to grow. Moreover, the country can build
on other strengths, including its diverse industrial base, large
scientific and technical pool, well-developed legal system, and its
large middle class to achieve higher growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.4087 trillion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1995)
Labor force: 314.751 million (1990)
by occupation: agriculture 65% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $36.5 billion
expenditures: $54.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $11.4
billion (FY94/95)
Industries: textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel,
transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 81,200,000 kW (March 1995)
production: 314 billion kWh (1993)
consumption per capita: 324 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane,
potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish catch
of about 3 million metric tons ranks India among the world's top 10
fishing nations
Illicit drugs: licit producer of opium for the pharmaceutical
trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit
international drug markets; major transit country for illicit
narcotics produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of
hashish and methaqualone; produced 70 metric tons of illicit opium
in 1995
Exports: $29.96 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: clothing, gems and jewelry, engineering goods,
chemicals, leather manufactures, cotton yarn, and fabric
partners: US, Japan, Germany, UK, Hong Kong
Imports: $33.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, machinery, gems,
fertilizer, chemicals
partners: US, Germany, Saudi Arabia, UK, Belgium, Japan
External debt: $97.9 billion (March 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $1.237 billion (1993); US ODA bilateral commitments
$171 million; US Ex-Im bilateral commitments $680 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA bilateral commitments $2.48 billion; OPEC
bilateral aid $200 million; World Bank (IBRD) multilateral
commitments $2.8 billion; Asian Development Bank (AsDB) multilateral
commitments $760 million; International Finance Corporation (IFC)
multilateral commitments $200 million; other multilateral
commitments $554 million (1995-96)
Currency: 1 Indian rupee (Re) = 100 paise
Exchange rates: Indian rupees (Rs) per US$1 - 35.766 (January
1996), 32.427 (1995), 31.374 (1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918 (1992),
22.742 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 62,462 km (11,793 km electrified; 12,617 km double track)
broad gauge: 37,824 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 20,653 km 1.000-m gauge; 3,985 km 0.762-m and 0.610-m
gauge (1995 est.)
Highways:
total: 2.037 million km
paved: 981,834 km
unpaved: 1,055,166 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 16,180 km; 3,631 km navigable by large vessels
Pipelines: crude oil 3,005 km; petroleum products 2,687 km;
natural gas 1,700 km (1995)
Ports: Calcutta, Cochin, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Madras, Mumbai
(Bombay), Vishakhapatnam
Merchant marine:
total: 310 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,787,834
GRT/11,296,222 DWT
ships by type: bulk 133, cargo 65, chemical tanker 10, combination
bulk 2, combination ore/oil 3, container 11, liquefied gas tanker 6,
oil tanker 73, passenger-cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1,
short-sea passenger 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 288
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 11
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 48
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 59
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 68
with paved runways under 914 m: 62
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 36 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 15 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 9.8 million (1995)
Telephone system: probably the least adequate telephone system of
any of the industrializing countries; three of every four villages
have no telephone service; only 5% of India's villages have
long-distance service; poor telephone service significantly impedes
commercial and industrial growth and penalizes India in global
markets; slow improvement is taking place with the recent admission
of private and private-public investors, but demand for
communication services is also growing rapidly
domestic: local service is provided mostly by open wire and obsolete
electromechanical and manual switchboard systems; within the last 10
years a substantial amount of digital switch gear has been
introduced for local service; long-distance traffic is carried
mostly by open wire, coaxial cable, and low-capacity microwave radio
relay; since 1985, however, significant trunk capacity has been
added in the form of fiber-optic cable and a domestic satellite
system with over 100 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean Region); submarine cables to Malaysia
and UAE
Radio broadcast stations: AM 96, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 70 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 274 (government controlled)
Televisions: 33 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, various security or paramilitary
forces (includes Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, and Coast
Guard)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 260,624,007
males fit for military service: 153,176,413
males reach military age (17) annually: 9,770,331 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $8.0 billion,
2.7% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Indian Ocean
------------
Map
---
Location: 30 00 S, 80 00 E -- body of water between Africa,
Antarctica, Asia, and Australia
Geography
---------
Location: body of water between Africa, Antarctica, Asia, and
Australia
Geographic coordinates: 30 00 S, 80 00 E
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 73.6 million sq km
comparative area: slightly less than eight times the size of the US;
third-largest ocean (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but
larger than the Arctic Ocean)
note: includes Arabian Sea, Bass Straight, Bay of Bengal, Great
Australian Bight, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of
Malacca, and other tributary water bodies
Coastline: 66,526 km
International disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral
states)
Climate: northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon
(June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and
October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February
in the southern Indian Ocean
Terrain: surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad,
circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique
reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low
atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer
air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast
winds and currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from
cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and
northeast-to-southwest winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated
by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian
Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninety East Ridge
lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and
gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules
Environment:
current issues: endangered marine species include the dugong, seals,
turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf,
and Red Sea
natural hazards: ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme
south near Antarctica from May to October
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait
of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and
the Lombok Strait
Government
----------
Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard for
hydrographic codes - see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic
Codes appendix
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes
connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and
the Americas. It carries a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum
and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and
Indonesia. Its fish are of great and growing importance to the
bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing
fleets from Russia, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian
Ocean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons
are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India,
and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil
production comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy
minerals and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by
bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia,
Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Transportation
--------------
Ports: Calcutta (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South
Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Madras (India), Melbourne (Australia),
Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richard's Bay (South Africa)
Communications
--------------
Telephone system:
international: submarine cables from India to UAE and Malaysia and
from Sri Lanka to Djibouti and Indonesia
======================================================================
@Indonesia
---------
Map
---
Location: 5 00 S, 120 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, archipelago
between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white;
similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the
flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean
and the Pacific Ocean
Geographic coordinates: 5 00 S, 120 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 1,919,440 sq km
land area: 1,826,440 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 2,602 km
border countries: Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km
Coastline: 54,716 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor
Province) disputed with Portugal and not recognized by the UN; two
islands in dispute with Malaysia
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior
mountains
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m
Natural resources: petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber,
bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 67%
other: 15%
Irrigated land: 75,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; water pollution from industrial
wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas
natural hazards: occasional floods, severe droughts, and tsunamis
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Marine Life Conservation
Geographic note: archipelago of 13,500 islands (6,000 inhabited);
straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea
lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean
People
------
Population: 206,611,600 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 33,354,840; female 32,414,363)
15-64 years: 64% (male 66,385,852; female 66,827,085)
65 years and over: 4% (male 3,380,567; female 4,248,893) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.53% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.67 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.38 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 63.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 61.64 years
male: 59.51 years
female: 63.88 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Indonesian(s)
adjective: Indonesian
Ethnic divisions: Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%,
coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26%
Religions: Muslim 87%, Protestant 6%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%,
Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1985)
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay),
English, Dutch, local dialects the most widely spoken of which is
Javanese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 83.8%
male: 89.6%
female: 78%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia
conventional short form: Indonesia
local long form: Republik Indonesia
local short form: Indonesia
former: Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies
Data code: ID
Type of government: republic
Capital: Jakarta
Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (propinsi-propinsi,
singular - propinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa,
singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district**
(daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Bengkulu, Irian Jaya, Jakarta
Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan
Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur,
Lampung, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Riau,
Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi
Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Timor
Timur, Yogyakarta*
Independence: 17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27
December 1949, Indonesia became legally independent from the
Netherlands)
National holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1945)
Constitution: August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of
1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by
indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures code; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal and married persons
regardless of age
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Gen. (Ret.)
SOEHARTO (since 27 March 1968) and Vice President Gen. (Ret.) Try
SUTRISNO (since 11 March 1993) were elected for five-year terms by
the People's Consultative Assembly
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR): elections
last held 8 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - GOLKAR
68%, PPP 17%, PDI 15%; seats - (500 total, 400 elected, 100 military
representatives appointed) GOLKAR 282, PPP 62, PDI 56
note: the People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan
Rakyat or MPR) includes the DPR plus 500 indirectly elected members
who meet every five years to elect the president and vice president
and, theoretically, to determine national policy
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung), the judges are
appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: GOLKAR (quasi-official party based
on functional groups), HARMOKO, general chairman; Indonesia
Democracy Party (PDI - federation of former Nationalist and
Christian Parties), Megawati SUKARNOPUTRI, chairman; Development
Unity Party (PPP, federation of former Islamic parties), Ismail
Hasan METAREUM, chairman
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC,
CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, OIC,
OPEC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Arifin Mohamad SIREGAR
chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200
FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Stapleton ROY
embassy: Medan Merdeka Selatan 5, Jakarta
mailing address: Box 1, APO AP 96520
telephone: [62] (21) 360360
FAX: [62] (21) 3862259
consulate(s) general: Medan, Surabaya
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar
to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of
Poland, which is white (top) and red
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Indonesia is a mixed economy with some central
planning but with an emphasis on rapid deregulation and private
enterprise. Real GDP growth in 1985-95 averaged about 7%, quite
impressive, but not sufficient to both slash underemployment and
absorb the 2.3 million workers annually entering the labor force.
Plantation crops - rubber and palm oil - and textiles and plywood
are being encouraged for both export and job generation. Industrial
output is based on a supply of diverse natural resources, including
crude oil, natural gas, timber, metals, and coal. Foreign investment
has also boosted manufacturing output and exports in recent years.
Indeed, the economy's growth is highly dependent on the continuing
expansion of nonoil exports. Japan remains Indonesia's most
important customer and supplier of aid. Like some other rapidly
developing countries in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is struggling to
keep the economy from overheating.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $710.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 7.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 17%
industry: 32.6%
services: 50.4%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 67 million
by occupation: agriculture 55%, manufacturing 10%, construction 4%,
transport and communications 3% (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3% official rate; underemployment 40% (1994
est.)
Budget:
revenues: $38.1 billion
expenditures: $38.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $14.5
billion (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: petroleum and natural gas, textiles, mining, cement,
chemical fertilizers, plywood, food, rubber
Industrial production growth rate: 13.9% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 12,100,000 kW
production: 44 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 207 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa,
coffee, palm oil, copra, other tropical products; poultry, beef,
pork, eggs
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic
use; government actively eradicating plantings and prosecuting
traffickers; minor role as transshipment point for Golden Triangle
heroin
Exports: $39.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: manufactures 51.9%, fuels 26.4%, foodstuffs 12.7%, raw
materials 9.0%
partners: Japan 27.4%, US 14.6%, Singapore 10.1%, South Korea 6.5%,
Taiwan 4.1%, Netherlands 3.3%, China 3.3%, Hong Kong 3.3%, Germany
3.2%
Imports: $32 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: manufactures 75.3%, raw materials 9.0%, foodstuffs
7.8%, fuels 7.7%
partners: Japan 24.2%, US 11.2%, Germany 7.7%, South Korea 6.8%,
Singapore 5.9%, Australia 4.8%, Taiwan 4.5%, China 4.3%
External debt: $97.6 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $1.542 billion (1993)
Currency: Indonesian rupiah (Rp)
Exchange rates: Indonesian rupiahs (Rp) per US$1 - 2,306.3
(January 1996), 2,248.6 (1995), 2,160.8 (1994), 2,087.1 (1993),
2,029.9 (1992), 1,950.3 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 6,458 km
narrow gauge: 5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (101 km electrified; 101 km
double track); 497 km 0.750-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 283,516 km
paved: 125,051 km
unpaved: 158,465 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 21,579 km total; Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820
km, Kalimantan 10,460 km, Celebes 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km
Pipelines: crude oil 2,505 km; petroleum products 456 km; natural
gas 1,703 km (1989)
Ports: Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Palembang, Semarang,
Surabaya, Ujungpandang
Merchant marine:
total: 457 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,098,958
GRT/3,056,040 DWT
ships by type: bulk 30, cargo 265, chemical tanker 6, container 11,
liquefied gas tanker 5, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 98,
passenger 5, passenger-cargo 12, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, short-sea
passenger 6, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 4 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 414
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 35
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 41
with paved runways under 914 m: 299
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 23 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,276,600 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: domestic service fair, international service good
domestic: interisland microwave system and HF radio police net;
domestic satellite communications system
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 618, FM 38, shortwave 0
Radios: 28.1 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 11.5 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 57,222,025
males fit for military service: 33,702,395
males reach military age (18) annually: 2,280,360 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion,
1.4% of GNP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Iran
----
Map
---
Location: 32 00 N, 53 00 E -- Middle East, bordering the Gulf of
Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and
Pakistan
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white,
and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word
Allah) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is
Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom
edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red
band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian
Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 53 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 1.648 million sq km
land area: 1.636 million sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 5,440 km
border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km,
Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq
1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km
Coastline: 2,440 km
note: Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: natural prolongation
exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements, or median lines in
the Persian Gulf
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic
relations in 1990 but are still trying to work out written
agreements settling outstanding disputes from their eight-year war
concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of
navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al-Arab waterway; Iran
occupies two islands in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE: Lesser
Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e
Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in
Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran); it
jointly administers with the UAE an island in the Persian Gulf
claimed by the UAE (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye
Abu Musa in Persian by Iran); in 1992 the dispute over Abu Musa and
the Tunb islands became more acute when Iran unilaterally tried to
control the entry of third country nationals into the UAE portion of
Abu Musa island, Tehran subsequently backed off in the face of
significant diplomatic support for the UAE in the region, but in
1994 it increased its military presence on the disputed islands;
periodic disputes with Afghanistan over Helmand water rights;
Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined; support to clients in
Afghanistan
Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast
Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with
deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Qolleh-ye Damavand 5,671 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper,
iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 27%
forest and woodland: 11%
other: 54%
Irrigated land: 57,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution, especially in urban areas, from
vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents;
deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the
Persian Gulf; inadequate supplies of potable water
natural hazards: periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms;
earthquakes along the Western border
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed,
but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
People
------
Population: 66,094,264 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 15,166,131; female 14,289,283)
15-64 years: 52% (male 17,326,388; female 16,731,470)
65 years and over: 3% (male 1,327,718; female 1,253,274) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 2.21% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.67 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.61 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 52.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.39 years
male: 66.12 years
female: 68.72 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Iranian(s)
adjective: Iranian
Ethnic divisions: Persian 51%, Azerbaijani 24%, Gilaki and
Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%,
other 1%
Religions: Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 10%, Zoroastrian,
Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 1%
Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic
dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Baloch 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%,
other 2%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1994 est.)
total population: 72.1%
male: 78.4%
female: 65.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran
conventional short form: Iran
local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran
local short form: Iran
Data code: IR
Type of government: theocratic republic
Capital: Tehran
Administrative divisions: 25 provinces (ostanha, singular -
ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr,
Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Hamadan,
Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshahan, Khorasan, Khuzestan,
Kohkiluyeh va Buyer Ahmadi, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi,
Mazandaran, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan
Independence: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)
National holiday: Islamic Republic Day, 1 April (1979)
Constitution: 2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of
the presidency and eliminate the prime ministership
Legal system: the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of
government
Suffrage: 15 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
supreme leader (rahbar-e moazam) and functional chief of sta: Leader
of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4
June 1989) was appointed for life by Council of Experts
head of government: President Ali Akbar Hashemi-RAFSANJANI (since 3
August 1989) was elected for a four-year term by universal suffrage;
First Vice President Hasan Ebrahim HABIBI (since NA August 1989);
election last held 11 June 1993 (next to be held NA May 1997);
results - Ali Akbar Hashemi-RAFSANJANI was elected with 63% of the
vote
cabinet: Council of Ministers was selected by the president with
legislative approval
Legislative branch: unicameral
Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami): elections
last held 8 March and 19 April 1996 (next to be held NA March 2000);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (270 seats total)
number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: there are at least 76 licensed
parties, none are, as yet, openly active; the most important
groupings are - Tehran Militant Clergy Association, leader NA;
Militant Clerics Association, Mehdi MAHDAVI-KARUBI and Mohammad
Asqar MUSAVI-KHOINIHA; Servants of Reconstruction (G-6), leader NA
Other political or pressure groups: groups that generally support
the Islamic Republic include Ansar-e Hizballah, Mojahedin of the
Islamic Revolution, Muslim Students Following the Line of the Imam,
and the Islamic Coalition Association; opposition groups include the
Liberation Movement of Iran and the Nation of Iran party; armed
political groups that have been almost completely repressed by the
government include Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), People's
Fedayeen, Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran; the Society for the
Defense of Freedom
International organization participation: CCC, CP, ECO, ESCAP,
FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: none; note - Iran has an
Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy, headed by Faramarz
FATH-NEJAD; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy,
2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202)
965-4990
US diplomatic representation: none; note - protecting power in
Iran is Switzerland
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red;
the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah) in
red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in
white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of
the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Iran's economy is a mixture of central
planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises,
village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service
ventures. Over the past several years, the government has introduced
several measures to liberalize the economy and reduce government
intervention, but most of these changes have moved slowly or have
been reversed because of political opposition. Iran has faced
increasingly severe financial difficulties since mid-1992 due to an
import surge that began in 1989 and general financial mismanagement.
At yearend 1993 the Iranian Government estimated that it owed
foreign creditors about $30 billion; an estimated $8 billion of this
debt was in arrears. At yearend 1994, Iran rescheduled $12 billion
in debt. Earnings from oil exports - which provide 85% of Iran's
export revenues - are providing less relief to Iran than usual
because of reduced oil prices. Iran's financial situation will
remain tight in 1996 because the bulk of payments due under its
rescheduling agreements in 1993-94 will be coming due.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $323.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 21%
industry: 37%
services: 42% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 60% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 15.4 million
by occupation: agriculture 33%, manufacturing 21%
note: shortage of skilled labor (1988 est.)
Unemployment rate: over 30% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other
construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining
and vegetable oil production), metal fabricating, armaments
Industrial production growth rate: 4.3% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 19,080,000 kW
production: 50.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 745 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts,
cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium poppy for the domestic
and international drug trade; produced 35-70 metric tons in 1993;
net opiate importer but also a key transshipment point for Southwest
Asian heroin to Europe
Exports: $16 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum 85%, carpets, fruits, nuts, hides, iron, steel
partners: Japan, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium/Luxembourg,
Spain, and Germany
Imports: $13 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery, military supplies, metal works, foodstuffs,
pharmaceuticals, technical services, refined oil products
partners: Germany, Japan, Italy, UK, UAE
External debt: $30 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $40 million (1993)
Currency: 10 Iranian rials (IR) = 1 toman; note - domestic figures
are generally referred to in terms of the toman
Exchange rates: Iranian rials (IR) per US$1 - 1,750 (January
1996), 1,747.93 (1995), 1,748.75 (1994), 1,267.77 (1993), 65.55
(1992), 67.51 (1991); black market rate: 4,000 rials per US$1
(December 1995); note - as of May 1995, the "official rate" of 1,750
rials per US$1 is used for imports of essential goods and services
and for oil exports, wheras the "official export rate" of 3,000
rials per US$1 is used for non-oil exports and imports not covered
by the official rate
Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 5,093 km
broad gauge: 96 km 1.676-m gauge
standard gauge: 4,997 km 1.432-m gauge (146 km electrified) (1995)
Highways:
total: 140,200 km
paved: 42,700 km
unpaved: 97,500 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 904 km; the Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by
maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m
and is in use
Pipelines: crude oil 5,900 km; petroleum products 3,900 km;
natural gas 4,550 km
Ports: Abadan (largely destroyed in fighting during 1980-88 war),
Ahvaz, Bandar Beheshti, Bandar-e 'Abbas, Bandar-e Anzali, Bandar-e
Bushehr, Bandar-e Khomeyni, Bandar-e Mah Shahr, Bandar-e Torkeman,
Jazireh-ye Khark, Jazireh-ye Lavan, Jazireh-ye Sirri, Khorramshahr
(limited operation since November 1992), Now Shahr
Merchant marine:
total: 130 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,791,892
GRT/4,891,615 DWT
ships by type: bulk 47, cargo 41, chemical tanker 5, combination
bulk 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, multifunction large-load carrier 1,
oil tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 9,
short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 212
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 30
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 11
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 31
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 17
with paved runways under 914 m: 22
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 88 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 12 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3.02 million (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: microwave radio relay extends throughout country; system
centered in Tehran
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean Region); HF
radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait,
Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE
Radio broadcast stations: AM 77, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 14.3 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 28
Televisions: 3.9 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Islamic Republic of Iran regular forces (includes Ground
Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces), Revolutionary Guards
(includes Ground, Air, Navy, Qods, and Basij-mobilization-forces),
Law Enforcement Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 15,157,796
males fit for military service: 9,010,648
males reach military age (21) annually: 632,602 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: according to official Iranian data, Iran in
1994 budgeted 4,377 billion rials and in 1993 spent 2,182 billion
rials, including $850 million in hard currency; note - conversion of
defense expenditures into US dollars using current exchange rates
could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Iraq
----
Map
---
Location: 33 00 N, 44 00 E -- Middle East, bordering the Persian
Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
black with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line
centered in the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great)
in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and
Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991
during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria that
has two stars but no script and the flag of Yemen that has a plain
white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt that has a symbolic
eagle centered in the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran
and Kuwait
Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 44 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 437,072 sq km
land area: 432,162 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Idaho
Land boundaries:
total: 3,631 km
border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 242 km, Saudi
Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 331 km
Coastline: 58 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic
relations in 1990 but are still trying to work out written
agreements settling outstanding disputes from their eight-year war
concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of
navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway; in
November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with
Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions
687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier
claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands; dispute over
water development plans by Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot,
cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and
Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy
snows which melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive
flooding in central and southern Iraq
Terrain: mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border
in south; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Gundah Zhur 3,608 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 9%
forest and woodland: 3%
other: 75%
Irrigated land: 25,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: government water control projects have drained most
of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or
diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population
of Shi'a Muslims, who have inhabited these areas for thousands of
years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the
natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife
populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of
Tigris-Euphrates Rivers system contingent upon agreements with
upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation
(salinization) and erosion; desertification
natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms, floods
international agreements: party to - Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test
Ban; signed, but not ratified - Environmental Modification
People
------
Population: 21,422,292 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 5,179,240; female 5,014,141)
15-64 years: 49% (male 5,342,529; female 5,228,802)
65 years and over: 3% (male 307,097; female 350,483) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.69% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 43.07 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.57 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 60 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.95 years
male: 65.92 years
female: 68.03 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.41 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Iraqi(s)
adjective: Iraqi
Ethnic divisions: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman,
Assyrian or other 5%
Religions: Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or
other 3%
Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions),
Assyrian, Armenian
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 58%
male: 70.7%
female: 45%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Iraq
conventional short form: Iraq
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah
local short form: Al Iraq
Data code: IZ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Baghdad
Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (muhafazat, singular -
muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An
Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi
Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit
Independence: 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under
British administration)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 17 July (1968)
Constitution: 22 September 1968, effective 16 July 1970
(provisional Constitution); new constitution drafted in 1990 but not
adopted
Legal system: based on Islamic law in special religious courts,
civil law system elsewhere; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President SADDAM Husayn (since 16 July 1979); Vice
President Taha Muhyi al-Din MARUF (since 21 April 1974); Vice
President Taha Yasin RAMADAN (since 23 March 1991) were elected by a
two-thirds majority of the Revolutionary Command Council
head of government: Prime Minister SADDAM Husayn (since NA May
1994); Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Mikhail AZIZ (since NA 1979)
Revolutionary Command Council: Chairman SADDAM Husayn, Vice Chairman
Izzat IBRAHIM al-Duri
cabinet: Council of Ministers
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani): elections last held 24 March
1996 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote NA; seats -
(250 total, 30 appointed by SADDAM Husayn to represent three
northern provonces of Dahuk, Arbil, and As Sulaymaniyah)
note: in northern Iraq, a "Kurdish Assembly" was elected in May 1992
and calls for Kurdish self-determination within a federated Iraq;
the assembly is not recognized by the Baghdad government
Judicial branch: Court of Cassation
Political parties and leaders: Ba'th Party, SADDAM Husayn, central
party leader
Other political or pressure groups: political parties and activity
severely restricted; opposition to regime from disaffected members
of the Ba'th Party, Army officers, tribes, and Shi'a religious and
ethnic Kurdish dissidents; the Green Party (government-controlled)
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL,
AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: none; note - Iraq has an Interest
Section in the Algerian Embassy; address: Iraqi Interests Section,
Algerian Embassy, 1801 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone:
[1] (202) 483-7500; FAX: [1] (202) 462-5066
US diplomatic representation: none; note - the US has an Interests
Section in the Polish Embassy in Baghdad, which is in the Masbah
Quarter (opposite the Foreign Ministry Club); address: P. O. Box
2447 Alwiyah, Baghdad; telephone: [964] (1) 719-6138, 719-6139,
718-1840, 719-3791; Telex 212287
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in
the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green
Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to
the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the
Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria that has two stars
but no script and the flag of Yemen that has a plain white band;
also similar to the flag of Egypt that has a symbolic eagle centered
in the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Ba'thist regime engages in extensive
central planning and management of industrial production and foreign
trade while leaving some small-scale industry and services and most
agriculture to private enterprise. The economy has been dominated by
the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of
foreign exchange earnings. In the 1980s, financial problems caused
by massive expenditures in the eight-year war with Iran and damage
to oil export facilities by Iran, led the government to implement
austerity measures and to borrow heavily and later reschedule
foreign debt payments; Iraq suffered economic losses of at least
$100 billion from the war. After the end of hostilities in 1988, oil
exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines
and restoration of damaged facilities. Agricultural development
remained hampered by labor shortages, salinization, and dislocations
caused by previous land reform and collectivization programs. The
industrial sector, although accorded high priority by the
government, also was under financial constraints. Iraq's seizure of
Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic embargoes,
and military action by an international coalition beginning in
January 1991 drastically changed the economic picture. Industrial
and transportation facilities, which suffered severe damage, have
been partially restored. Oil exports remain at less than 5% of the
previous level. Shortages of spare parts continue. Living standards
deteriorated even further in 1994 and 1995; consumer prices have
more than doubled in both 1994 and 1995. The UN-sponsored economic
embargo has reduced exports and imports and has contributed to the
sharp rise in prices. The Iraqi Government has been unwilling to
abide by UN resolutions so that the economic embargo can be removed.
The government's policies of supporting large military and internal
security forces and of allocating resources to key supporters of the
regime have exacerbated shortages. In brief, per capita output for
1994-95 is well below the 1989-90 level, but any estimate has a wide
range of error.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $41.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $2,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 4.4 million (1989)
by occupation: services 48%, agriculture 30%, industry 22%
note: severe labor shortage; expatriate labor force was about
1,600,000 (July 1990); since then, it has declined substantially
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction
materials, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 7,170,000 kW
production: 25.7 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,247 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, other fruit,
cotton; cattle, sheep
Exports: $NA
commodities: crude oil and refined products, fertilizer, sulfur
partners: US, Brazil, Turkey, Japan, Netherlands, Spain (1990)
Imports: $NA
commodities: manufactures, food
partners: Germany, US, Turkey, France, UK (1990)
External debt: $50 billion (1989 est.), excluding debt of about
$35 billion owed to Gulf Arab states
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Iraqi dinar (ID) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Iraqi dinars (ID) per US$1 - 3.2169 (fixed
official rate since 1982); black-market rate (December 1995) US$1 =
2,900 Iraqi dinars; semi-official rate US$1 = 1,000 Iraqi dinars
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,032 km
standard gauge: 2,032 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:
total: 45,554 km
paved: 38,402 km (including 976 km of expressways)
unpaved: 7,152 km (1989 est.)
Waterways: 1,015 km; Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by
maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3
meters and is in use; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable
sections for shallow-draft watercraft; Shatt al Basrah canal was
navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of
the Persian Gulf war
Pipelines: crude oil 4,350 km; petroleum products 725 km; natural
gas 1,360 km
Ports: Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, and Al Basrah have limited
functionality
Merchant marine:
total: 36 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 795,346 GRT/1,432,292
DWT
ships by type: cargo 14, oil tanker 16, passenger 1, passenger-cargo
1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 102
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 21
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 34
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6
with paved runways under 914 m: 16
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 5 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 632,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: reconstitution of damaged telecommunication
facilities began after the Gulf war; most damaged facilities have
been rebuilt
domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio
relay links
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan,
Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational
Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 4.02 million (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 13
Televisions: 1 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Republican Guard and Special Republican Guard,
Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Border Guard Force, Internal
Security Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 4,832,001
males fit for military service: 2,711,312
males reach military age (18) annually: 237,843 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Ireland
-------
Map
---
Location: 53 00 N, 8 00 W -- Western Europe, occupying five-sixths
of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great
Britain
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side),
white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is
shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white,
and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and
has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of
Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 70,280 sq km
land area: 68,890 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 360 km
border country: UK 360 km
Coastline: 1,448 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: not specified
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Northern Ireland question with the UK;
Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and
the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the
Rockall area)
Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current;
mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half
the time
Terrain: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by
rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Carrauntoohill 1,041 m
Natural resources: zinc, lead, natural gas, petroleum, barite,
copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver
Land use:
arable land: 14%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 71%
forest and woodland: 5%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: water pollution, especially of lakes, from
agricultural runoff
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Climate Change, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life
Conservation
Geographic note: strategic location on major air and sea routes
between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the
population resides within 60 miles of Dublin
People
------
Population: 3,566,833 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 424,558; female 402,062)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,175,383; female 1,157,960)
65 years and over: 12% (male 173,150; female 233,720) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -0.22% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.22 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.93 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.58 years
male: 72.88 years
female: 78.46 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(men), Irish (collective plural)
adjective: Irish
Ethnic divisions: Celtic, English
Religions: Roman Catholic 93%, Anglican 3%, none 1%, unknown 2%,
other 1% (1981)
Languages: Irish (Gaelic), spoken mainly in areas located along
the western seaboard, English is the language generally used
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.)
total population: 98%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Ireland
Data code: EI
Type of government: republic
Capital: Dublin
Administrative divisions: 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork,
Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim,
Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon,
Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow
Independence: 6 December 1921 (from UK)
National holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March
Constitution: 29 December 1937; adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite
Legal system: based on English common law, substantially modified
by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in
Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mary Bourke ROBINSON (since 9 November
1990) was elected for a seven-year term by popular vote; election
last held 9 November 1990 (next to be held NA November 1997);
results - Mary Bourke ROBINSON 52.8%, Brian LENIHAN 47.2%
head of government: Prime Minister John BRUTON (since 15 December
1994) was nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by
the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by president with previous nomination
of the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Oireachtas)
Senate (Seanad Eireann): elections last held NA February 1992 (next
to be held NA February 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (60 total, 49 elected) Fianna Fail 26, Fine Gael 16, Labor
9, Progressive Democrats 2, Democratic Left 1, independents 6
House of Representatives (Dail Eireann): elections last held 25
November 1992 (next to be held by NA November 1997); results -
Fianna Fail 39.1%, Fine Gael 24.5%, Labor Party 19.3%, Progressive
Democrats 4.7%, Democratic Left 2.8%, Sinn Fein 1.6%, Workers' Party
0.7%, independents 5.9%; seats - (166 total) Fianna Fail 68, Fine
Gael 45, Labor Party 33, Progressive Democrats 10, Democratic Left
4, Greens 1, independents 5
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president
on the advice of the government (prime minister and cabinet)
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Left, Proinsias DE
ROSSA; Fianna Fail, Bertie AHERN; Labor Party, Richard SPRING; Fine
Gael, John BRUTON; Communist Party of Ireland, Michael O'RIORDAN;
Sinn Fein, Gerry ADAMS; Progressive Democrats, Mary HARNEY; The
Workers' Party, Marion DONNELLY; Green Alliance, Bronwen MAHER
note: Prime Minister BRUTON heads a three-party coalition consisting
of the Fine Gael, the Labor Party, and the Democratic Left
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,
CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM,
IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NEA, NSG, OECD, OSCE, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIH, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR,
UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dermot A. GALLAGHER
chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Kennedy SMITH
embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [353] (1) 6688777
FAX: [353] (1) 6689946
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and
has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green;
also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors
of green (hoist side), white, and red
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is small and trade dependent.
Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by
industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and
employs 28% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary
engine for Ireland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting
from a rise in consumer spending and recovery in both construction
and business investment. Ireland has substantially reduced its
external debt since 1987, to 40% of GDP in 1994. Over the same
period, inflation has fallen sharply and chronic trade deficits have
been transformed into annual surpluses. Unemployment remains a
serious problem, however, and job creation is the main focus of
government policy. To ease unemployment, Dublin aggressively courts
foreign investors and recently created a new industrial development
agency to aid small indigenous firms. Government assistance is
constrained by Dublin's continuing deficit reduction measures.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $54.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $15,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.8%
industry: 35.3%
services: 57.9% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.37 million
by occupation: services 57.0%, manufacturing and construction 28%,
agriculture, forestry, and fishing 13.5%, energy and mining 1.5%
(1992)
Unemployment rate: 13.5% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $19.3 billion
expenditures: $20.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.6
billion (1994)
Industries: food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and
crystal
Industrial production growth rate: 8.9% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 3,930,000 kW
production: 14.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,938 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; meat
and dairy products
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for hashish from North Africa
to the UK and Netherlands
Exports: $29.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: chemicals, data processing equipment, industrial
machinery, live animals, animal products
partners: EU 73% (UK 27%, Germany 14%, France 9%), US 9%
Imports: $25.3 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: food, animal feed, data processing equipment, petroleum
and petroleum products, machinery, textiles, clothing
partners: EU 58% (UK 36%, Germany 7%, France 4%), US 18%
External debt: $19.5 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $81 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Irish pound (LIr) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Irish pounds (LIr) per US$1 - 0.6315 (January
1996), 0.6235 (1995), 0.6676 (1994), 0.6816 (1993), 0.5864 (1992),
0.6190 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,944 km
broad gauge: 1,944 km 1.600-m gauge (37 km electrified; 485 km
double track) (1995)
Highways:
total: 92,327 km
paved: 86,787 km (including 32 km of expressways)
unpaved: 5,540 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: limited for commercial traffic
Pipelines: natural gas 225 km
Ports: Arklow, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Foynes, Galway, Limerick,
New Ross, Waterford
Merchant marine:
total: 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 129,027 GRT/155,371 DWT
ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 27, chemical tanker 1, container 3, oil
tanker 2, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 40
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 29
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 900,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: modern digital system using cable and microwave
radio relay
domestic: microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 45, shortwave 0
Radios: 2.2 million (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 86 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 1.025 million (1990 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps), National
Police (Garda Siochana)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 939,237
males fit for military service: 761,048
males reach military age (17) annually: 35,904 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $618 million,
1.3% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Israel
------
(also see separate Gaza Strip and West Bank entries)
Note: The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are
not included in the data below. In keeping with the framework
established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral
negotiations are being conducted between Israel and Palestinian
representatives, and Israel and Syria, to achieve a permanent
settlement between them. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the
Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace treaty. Outstanding
territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26
October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace.
Map
---
Location: 31 30 N, 34 45 E -- Middle East, bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon
Flag
----
Description: white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star)
known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two
equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between
Egypt and Lebanon
Geographic coordinates: 31 30 N, 34 45 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 20,770 sq km
land area: 20,330 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,006 km
border countries: Egypt 255 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km,
Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km
Coastline: 273 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli
occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian
Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through
further negotiation; Golan Heights is Israeli occupied; Israeli
troops in southern Lebanon since June 1982
Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert
areas
Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central
mountains; Jordan Rift Valley
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m
highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m
Natural resources: copper, phosphates, bromide, potash, clay,
sand, sulfur, asphalt, manganese, small amounts of natural gas and
crude oil
Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 40%
forest and woodland: 6%
other: 32%
Irrigated land: 2,140 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: limited arable land and natural fresh water
resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution
from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from
industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides
natural hazards: sandstorms may occur during spring and summer
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change,
Desertification, Marine Life Conservation
Geographic note: there are 202 Israeli settlements and civilian
land use sites in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan
Heights, 24 in the Gaza Strip, and 26 in East Jerusalem (August 1995
est.)
People
------
Population: 5,421,995 (July 1996 est.)
note: includes 127,600 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, 14,800 in
the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 5,000 in the Gaza Strip, and
153,700 in East Jerusalem (August 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29% (male 793,712; female 756,735)
15-64 years: 62% (male 1,670,082; female 1,669,481)
65 years and over: 9% (male 230,082; female 301,903) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.11% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 20.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.26 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 7.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.01 years
male: 76.16 years
female: 79.96 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.77 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Israeli(s)
adjective: Israeli
Ethnic divisions: Jewish 82% (Israel-born 50%,
Europe/Americas/Oceania-born 20%, Africa-born 7%, Asia-born 5%),
non-Jewish 18% (mostly Arab) (1993 est.)
Religions: Judaism 82%, Islam 14% (mostly Sunni Muslim), Christian
2%, Druze and other 2%
Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab
minority, English most commonly used foreign language
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992 est.)
total population: 95%
male: 97%
female: 93%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: State of Israel
conventional short form: Israel
local long form: Medinat Yisra'el
local short form: Yisra'el
Data code: IS
Type of government: republic
Capital: Jerusalem
note: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the
US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel
Aviv
Administrative divisions: 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz);
Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv
Independence: 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under
British administration)
National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May 1948 (Israel declared
independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and
the holiday may occur in April or May)
Constitution: no formal constitution; some of the functions of a
constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948),
the basic laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli
citizenship law
Legal system: mixture of English common law, British Mandate
regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim
legal systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat
that it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ezer WEIZMAN (since 13 May 1993) was
elected for a five-year term by the Knesset; election last held 24
March 1993 (next to be held NA March 1998); results - Ezer WEIZMAN
elected by Knesset
head of government: Prime Minister Shimon PERES (since 15 November
1995) was appointed by the president following the assassination of
Prime Minister Yitzhak RABIN
cabinet: Cabinet was selected from and approved by the Knesset
Legislative branch: unicameral
parliament (Knesset): elections last held NA June 1992 (next to be
held 29 May 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(120 total) Labor 44, Likud 32, MERETZ 12, Tzomet 8, National
Religious Party 6, SHAS 6, United Torah Jewry 4, Democratic Front
for Peace and Equality (Hadash) 3, Moledet 3, Arab Democratic Party
2; note - the distribution of seats as of January 1996 is as follows
- Labor Party 45, Likud bloc 33, MERETZ 12, National Religious Party
6, SHAS 6, Tzomet 5, United Torah Jewry 4, Democratic Front for
Peace and Equality (Hadash) 3, Moledet 2, Arab Democratic Party 2,
Yi'ud 1 (in coalition), Right of Israel 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
members of the government: Labor Party, Prime Minister Shimon PERES;
MERETZ, Minister of Environment Yossi SARID; Yi'ud, Gonen SEGEV
not in coalition but voting with the government: Democratic Front
for Peace and Equality (Hadash), Hashim MAHAMID; Arab Democratic
Party, Abd al Wahab DARAWSHAH
opposition parties: Likud Party, Binyamin NETANYAHU; Tzomet, Rafael
EITAN; National Religious Party, Zevulun HAMMER; United Torah Jewry,
Avraham SHAPIRA; Moledet, Rehavam ZEEVI; Peace Guard (independent),
Shaul GUTMAN; SHAS, Arieh DERI; Right of Israel, leader NA
note: Israel currently has a coalition government comprising three
parties that hold 58 seats of the Knesset's 120 seats
Other political or pressure groups: Gush Emunim, Israeli
nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West Bank and Gaza
Strip; Peace Now supports territorial concessions in the West Bank
and is critical of government's Lebanon policy
International organization participation: AG (observer), BSEC
(observer), CCC, CE (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, ECE, FAO,
IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, OAS (observer), OSCE
(partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Itamar RABINOVICH
chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 364-5610
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Martin S. INDYK
embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv
mailing address: PSC 98, Box 100, APO AE 09830
telephone: [972] (3) 519-7575
FAX: [972] (3) 517-3227
consulate(s) general: Jerusalem
Flag: white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known
as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal
horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Israel has a market economy with substantial
government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil,
grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited
natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural
and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Industry employs
about 22% of Israeli workers, agriculture, forestry, and fishing
3.5%, and services the rest. Israel is largely self-sufficient in
food production except for grains. Diamonds, high-technology
equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are
leading exports. Israel usually posts current account deficits,
which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by
foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is
owed to the US, which is its major source of economic and military
aid. To earn needed foreign exchange, Israel has been targeting
high-technology niches in international markets, such as medical
scanning equipment. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the former
USSR, which topped 525,000 during the period 1990-95, increased
unemployment, intensified housing problems, and strained the
government budget. At the same time, the immigrants bring to the
economy valuable scientific and professional expertise.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $80.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 7.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $15,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.5%
industry: 22%
services: 74.5%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.1% (1995)
Labor force: 1.9 million (1992)
by occupation: public services 29.3%, industry 22.1%, commerce
13.9%, finance and business 10.4%, personal and other services 7.4%,
construction 6.5%, transport, storage, and communications 6.3%,
agriculture, forestry, and fishing 3.5%, other 0.6% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 6.3% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $41 billion
expenditures: $53 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996)
Industries: food processing, diamond cutting and polishing,
textiles and apparel, chemicals, metal products, military equipment,
transport equipment, electrical equipment, potash mining,
high-technology electronics, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 10.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 4,140,000 kW
production: 23 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 4,290 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: citrus and other fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef,
poultry, dairy products
Illicit drugs: increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin
abuse and trafficking
Exports: $28.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, cut diamonds, chemicals,
textiles and apparel, agricultural products, metals
partners: US, EU, Japan
Imports: $40.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds,
oil, other productive inputs, consumer goods
partners: EU, US, Japan
External debt: $18.5 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: total receipts $12.14 billion of which $11.38 billion
from the US (1990-93)
Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot
Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 3.1295
(January 1996), 3.0113 (1995), 3.0111 (1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591
(1992), 2.2791 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 526 km
standard gauge: 526 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:
total: 13,461 km
paved: 13,461 km (including 56 km of expressways)
unpaved: 0 km (1992 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 708 km; petroleum products 290 km; natural
gas 89 km
Ports: Ashdod, Ashqelon, Elat, Hadera, Haifa, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Merchant marine:
total: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 577,747 GRT/701,459 DWT
ships by type: cargo 5, container 20, refrigerated cargo 2,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 50
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8
with paved runways under 914 m: 22
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2.425 million (1990 est.)
Telephone system: most highly developed system in the Middle East
although not the largest
domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay
international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 45, shortwave 0
Radios: 2.25 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 20
Televisions: 1.5 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Israel Defense Forces (includes ground, naval, and air
components), Pioneer Fighting Youth (Nahal), Frontier Guard, Chen
(women); note - historically there have been no separate Israeli
military services
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,390,603
females age 15-49: 1,363,986
males fit for military service: 1,139,137
females fit for military service: 1,112,947
males reach military age (18) annually: 50,508
females reach military age (18) annually: 48,176 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9.2 billion,
about 9.8% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Italy
-----
Map
---
Location: 42 50 N, 12 50 E -- Southern Europe, a peninsula
extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side),
white, and red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and
is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag
of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist
side), white, and green
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central
Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia
Geographic coordinates: 42 50 N, 12 50 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 301,230 sq km
land area: 294,020 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Arizona
note: includes Sardinia and Sicily
Land boundaries:
total: 1,935.2 km
border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican
City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 235 km, Switzerland 740 km
Coastline: 7,600 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Italy is negotiating with Slovenia over
property and minority rights issues dating from World War II
Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot,
dry in south
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal
lowlands
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
Natural resources: mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, dwindling
natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, coal
Land use:
arable land: 32%
permanent crops: 10%
meadows and pastures: 17%
forest and woodland: 22%
other: 19%
Irrigated land: 31,000 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions such as
sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial
and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate
industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities
natural hazards: regional risks include landslides, mudflows,
avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land
subsidence in Venice
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification
Geographic note: strategic location dominating central
Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western
Europe
People
------
Population: 57,460,274 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15% (male 4,419,636; female 4,167,860)
15-64 years: 68% (male 19,656,546; female 19,629,291)
65 years and over: 17% (male 3,902,426; female 5,684,515) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.13% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.87 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.82 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.06 years
male: 74.85 years
female: 81.48 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Italian(s)
adjective: Italian
Ethnic divisions: Italian (includes small clusters of German-,
French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and
Greek-Italians in the south), Sicilians, Sardinians
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%
Languages: Italian, German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region
are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking
minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking
minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 96%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Italian Republic
conventional short form: Italy
local long form: Repubblica Italiana
local short form: Italia
former: Kingdom of Italy
Data code: IT
Type of government: republic
Capital: Rome
Administrative divisions: 20 regions (regioni, singular -
regione); Abruzzi, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna,
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise,
Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige,
Umbria, Valle d'Aosta, Veneto
Independence: 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Republic, 2 June (1946)
Constitution: 1 January 1948
Legal system: based on civil law system, with ecclesiastical law
influence; appeals treated as trials de novo; judicial review under
certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial
elections, where minimum age is 25)
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Oscar Luigi SCALFARO (since 28 May 1992)
was elected for a seven-year term by an electoral college consisting
of both houses of Parliament and 58 regional representatives
head of government: Prime Minister (referred to in Italy as the
President of the Council of Ministers) Romano PRODI (since 18 May
1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was nominated by the President of the
Council (i.e., Prime Minister) and approved by the President of the
Republic
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlamento)
Senate (Senato della Repubblica): elections last held 22 April 1996
(next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (326 total, 315 elected, 11 appointed senators-for-life)
Olive Tree 157, Freedom Alliance 116, Northern League 27, Refounded
Communists 10, regional lists 3, Social Movement-Tricolor Flames 1,
Panella Reformers 1
Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati): elections last held 22
April 1996 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (630 total) Olive Tree 284, Freedom Alliance 246,
Northern League 59, Refounded Communists 35, Southern Tyrol List 3,
Autonomous List 2, other 1
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (Corte Costituzionale),
composed of 15 judges (one-third appointed by the president,
one-third elected by Parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary
and administrative supreme courts)
Political parties and leaders:
Olive Tree: Democratic Party of the Left (PDS), Massimo D'ALEMA;
Greens, Carlo RIPA DI MEANA; Italian Renewal, Lamberto DINI;
Southern Tyrols List (German speakers)
Freedom Alliance: Forza Italia (FI), Silvio BERLUSCONI; National
Alliance (AN), Gianfranco FINI; Christian Democratic Center (CCD),
Pier Ferdinando CASINI; Democratic Union Party, Antonio MACCANICO
other: Northern League (NL), Umberto BOSSI; Italian Social Movement,
Pino RAUTI; Communist Refoundation (RC), Fausto BERTINOTTI; Italian
Socialists, Enrico BOSELLI; Rete (The Network), Leoluca ORLANDO;
Christian Socialists, Luciano GUERZONI; Democratic Pact for Italy,
Mario SEGNI; Italian Popular Party (PPI), Gerardo BIANCO; Pannella's
Reformers, Marco PANNELLA; Christian Democratic Union (United
Christian Democrats - CDU), Rocco BUTTIGLIONE; Democratic Alliance,
Willer BORDON; Union for the New Republic, Raffaele COSTA; Unitary
Communists, Famiano CRUCIANELLI; Autonomous List (a group of minor
parties); Social Movement-Tricolor Flames
Other political or pressure groups: the Roman Catholic Church;
three major trade union confederations (Confederazione Generale
Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL which is PDS-dominated, Confederazione
Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL which is centrist, and
Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL which is center-left); Italian
manufacturers and merchants associations (Confindustria,
Confcommercio); organized farm groups (Confcoltivatori,
Confagricoltura)
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CEI, CERN,
EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer),
MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU,
WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ferdinando SALLEO
chancery: 1601 Fuller Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 328-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 483-2187
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los
Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco
consulate(s): Detroit and New Orleans
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Reginald BARTHOLOMEW
embassy: Via Veneto 119/A, 00187-Rome
mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, Rome; APO AE 09624
telephone: [39] (6) 46741
FAX: [39] (6) 488-2672
consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green
(hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the
Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side),
white, and green
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Since World War II, the Italian economy has
changed from one based on agriculture into a ranking industrial
economy, with approximately the same total and per capita output as
France and the UK. The country is still divided into a developed
industrial north, dominated by private companies, and an undeveloped
agricultural south, dominated by large public enterprises. Most raw
materials needed by industry and over 75% of energy requirements
must be imported. In the second half of 1992, Rome became unsettled
by the prospect of not qualifying to participate in EU plans for
economic and monetary union later in the decade; thus, it finally
began to address its huge fiscal imbalances. Subsequently, the
government has adopted fairly stringent budgets, abandoned its
inflationary wage indexation system, and started to scale back its
generous social welfare programs, including pension and health care
benefits. Monetary officials were forced to withdraw the lira from
the European monetary system in September 1992, when it came under
extreme pressure in currency markets. For the 1990s, Italy faces the
problems of pushing ahead with fiscal reform, refurbishing a
tottering communications system, curbing pollution in major
industrial centers, and adjusting to the new competitive forces
accompanying the ongoing expansion and economic integration of the
EU.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.0886 trillion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $18,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 31.6%
services: 65.5% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1995)
Labor force: 23.988 million
by occupation: services 58%, industry 32.2%, agriculture 9.8% (1988)
Unemployment rate: 12.2% (January 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $339 billion
expenditures: $431 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food
processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics
Industrial production growth rate: 5.5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 61,630,000 kW
production: 209 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 4,033 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets,
soybeans, grain, olives; meat and dairy products; fish catch of
525,000 metric tons in 1990
Illicit drugs: important gateway country for Latin American
cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market
Exports: $190.8 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: metals, textiles and clothing, production machinery,
motor vehicles, transportation equipment, chemicals
partners: EU 53.4%, US 7.8%, OPEC 3.8% (1994)
Imports: $168.7 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: industrial machinery, chemicals, transport equipment,
petroleum, metals, food, agricultural products
partners: EU 56.3%, OPEC 5.3%, US 4.6% (1994)
External debt: $67 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $3.043 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100 centesimi
Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,583.8 (January
1996), 1,629.6 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4
(1992), 1,240.6 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 18,961 km
standard gauge: 17,981 km 1.435-m gauge; Italian Railways (FS)
operates 16,118 km of the total standard gauge routes (10,560 km
electrified)
narrow gauge: 113 km 1.000-m gauge (113 km electrified); 867 km
0.950-m gauge (144 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 305,388 km (including 45,076 km major roads, 112,111 km
secondary roads, 6,301 km motorways)
paved: 271,674 km
unpaved: 33,714 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 2,400 km for various types of commercial traffic,
although of limited overall value
Pipelines: crude oil 1,703 km; petroleum products 2,148 km;
natural gas 19,400 km
Ports: Ancona, Augusta, Bari, Cagliari (Sardinia), Catania, Gaeta,
Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Naples, Oristano (Sardinia), Palermo
(Sicily), Piombino, Porto Torres (Sardinia), Ravenna, Savona,
Trieste, Venice
Merchant marine:
total: 419 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,480,320
GRT/7,919,064 DWT
ships by type: bulk 35, cargo 57, chemical tanker 39, combination
bulk 1, combination ore/oil 3, container 16, liquefied gas tanker
37, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 123, passenger 5,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 53, short-sea passenger 31, specialized
tanker 11, vehicle carrier 7 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 132
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 34
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 15
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 24
with paved runways under 914 m: 32
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 20 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 25.6 million (1987 est.)
Telephone system: modern, well-developed, fast; fully automated
telephone, telex, and data services
domestic: high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (with a total
of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2 for Indian Ocean), 1
Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean Region), and NA Eutelsat; 21 submarine
cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 135, FM 28 (repeaters 1,840),
shortwave 0
Radios: 45.7 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 83 (repeaters 1,000)
Televisions: 24.35 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 14,739,097
males fit for military service: 12,769,628
males reach military age (18) annually: 358,884 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $20.4 billion,
1.9% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Jamaica
-------
Map
---
Location: 18 15 N, 77 30 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean
Sea, south of Cuba
Flag
----
Description: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four
triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer
side)
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 77 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 10,990 sq km
land area: 10,830 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,022 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m
Natural resources: bauxite, gypsum, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 6%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 28%
other: 29%
Irrigated land: 350 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial
waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution
in Kingston results from vehicle emissions
natural hazards: hurricanes (especially July to November)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
Geographic note: strategic location between Cayman Trench and
Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for Panama Canal
People
------
Population: 2,595,275 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 430,609; female 411,966)
15-64 years: 61% (male 781,626; female 795,808)
65 years and over: 7% (male 77,725; female 97,541) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.8% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.19 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.57 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -8.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.88 years
male: 72.6 years
female: 77.29 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.45 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Jamaican(s)
adjective: Jamaican
Ethnic divisions: African 76.3%, Afro-European 15.1%, East Indian
and Afro-East Indian 3%, white 3.2%, Chinese and Afro-Chinese 1.2%,
other 1.2%
Religions: Protestant 55.9% (Church of God 18.4%, Baptist 10%,
Anglican 7.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.9%, Pentecostal 5.2%,
Methodist 3.1%, United Church 2.7%, other 2.5%), Roman Catholic 5%,
other, including some spiritual cults 39.1% (1982)
Languages: English, Creole
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1995 est.)
total population: 85%
male: 80.8%
female: 89.1%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Jamaica
Data code: JM
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Kingston
Administrative divisions: 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover,
Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint
Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas,
Trelawny, Westmoreland
Independence: 6 August 1962 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day (first Monday in August) (1962)
Constitution: 6 August 1962
Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Sir Howard
COOKE (since 1 August 1991) who was appointed by the queen on
recommendation of the prime minister
head of government: Prime Minister Percival James PATTERSON (since
30 March 1992) and the Deputy Prime Minister Seymour MULLINGS (since
NA 1993) were appointed by the governor general
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the advice
of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of a 21-member body appointed by the governor
general
House of Representatives: elections last held 30 March 1993 (next to
be held by March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (60 total) PNP 52, JLP 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the governor
general on advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: People's National Party (PNP), P.
J. PATTERSON; Jamaica Labor Party (JLP), Edward SEAGA; National
Democratic Movement (NDM), Bruce GOLDING
Other political or pressure groups: Rastafarians (black
religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists); New Beginnings Movement
(NBM)
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC,
CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO,
ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR,
UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Leighton BERNAL
chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660
FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081
consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Gary COOPER
embassy: Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, 3rd floor,
Kingston
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [1] (809) 929-4850 through 4859
FAX: [1] (809) 926-6743
Flag: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles -
green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Key sectors in this island economy are bauxite
(alumina and bauxite account for more than half of exports) and
tourism. Since assuming office in 1992, Prime Minister PATTERSON has
consolidated the market-oriented reforms initiated by his
predecessor, Michael MANLEY, to make Jamaica a regional leader in
economic reform. PATTERSON has eliminated most price controls,
streamlined tax schedules, and privatized government enterprises.
Tight monetary and fiscal policies under an IMF program have helped
slow inflation and stabilize the exchange rate, but, as a result,
economic growth has slowed down and unemployment remains high.
Jamaica's medium-term prospects depend largely on its ability to
continue to attract foreign capital and limit speculation against
the Jamaican dollar.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.9%
industry: 28.1%
services: 64% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25.5% (1995)
Labor force: 1,062,100
by occupation: services 41%, agriculture 22.5%, industry 19%,
unemployed 17.5% (1989)
Unemployment rate: 15.4% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.45 billion
expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $732
million (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: bauxite, tourism, textiles, food processing, light
manufactures
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 730,000 kW
production: 2.6 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 988 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes,
vegetables; poultry, goats, milk
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine from Central and
South America to North America and Europe; illicit cultivation of
cannabis; government has an active cannabis eradication program
Exports: $2 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: alumina, bauxite, sugar, bananas, rum
partners: US 47%, UK 11%, Canada 9%, Norway 7%, France 4% (1993)
Imports: $2.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, construction
materials, fuel, food, chemicals
partners: US 54%, Japan 4.0%, Mexico 6%, UK 4%, Venezuela 3% (1993)
External debt: $3.6 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $239 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Jamaican dollar (J$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Jamaican dollars (J$) per US$1 - 39.86 (December
1995), 33.086 (1994), 24.949 (1993), 22.960 (1992), 12.116 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 272 km
standard gauge: 272 km 1.435-m gauge; note - 207 km belonging to the
Jamaica Railway Corporation which were in common carrier service are
no longer operational; the remaining track is privately owned and
used to transport bauxite
Highways:
total: 18,094 km
paved: 12,528 km
unpaved: 5,566 km (1988 est.)
Pipelines: petroleum products 10 km
Ports: Alligator Pond, Discovery Bay, Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho
Rios, Port Antonio, Longs Wharf, Rocky Point
Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,435 GRT/6,105 DWT
ships by type: oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 27
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 21
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 212,257 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: fully automatic domestic telephone network
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); 3 coaxial submarine cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 0
Radios: 1.04 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 8
Televisions: 330,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Jamaica Defense Force (includes Ground Forces, Coast
Guard and Air Wing), Jamaica Constabulary Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 680,965
males fit for military service: 481,616
males reach military age (18) annually: 25,810 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, NA%
of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Jan Mayen
---------
(territory of Norway)
Map
---
Location: 71 00 N, 8 00 W -- Northern Europe, island between the
Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Norway is used
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and
the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland
Geographic coordinates: 71 00 N, 8 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:
total area: 373 sq km
land area: 373 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 124.1 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 10 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 4 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog
Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Haakon VII Toppen (Beerenberg) 2,277 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: dominated by the volcano Beerenberg; volcanic
activity resumed in 1970
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass
People
------
Population: no permanent inhabitants; note - there are personnel
who man the Long Range Navigation (LORAN) C base and the weather and
coastal services radio station
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Jan Mayen
Data code: JN
Type of government: territory of Norway
Capital: none
Independence: none (territory of Norway)
Executive branch: administered from Oslo, Norway, through a
governor (sysselmann) resident in Longyearbyen (Svalbard); however,
authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian
Defense Communication Service
Flag: the flag of Norway is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no
exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to
providing services for employees of Norway's radio and
meteorological stations located on the island.
Electricity:
capacity: 15,000 kW
production: 40 million kWh
consumption per capita: NA kWh (1992)
Transportation
--------------
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:
total: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
note: radio and meteorological station
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Norway
======================================================================
@Japan
-----
Map
---
Location: 36 00 N, 138 00 E -- Eastern Asia, island chain between
the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean
Peninsula
Flag
----
Description: white with a large red disk (representing the sun
without rays) in the center
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific
Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula
Geographic coordinates: 36 00 N, 138 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 377,835 sq km
land area: 374,744 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than California
note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto,
Minami-jima, Okinotori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and
Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 29,751 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm; 3 nm in the international straits - La
Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of
the Korea or Tsushima Strait
International disputes: islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan,
and the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now
administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; Liancourt Rocks disputed
with South Korea; Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands) claimed by China
and Taiwan
Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous
lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m
highest point: Fujiyama 3,776 m
Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish
Land use:
arable land: 13%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 67%
other: 18%
Irrigated land: 28,680 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from power plant emissions results in
acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water
quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan's appetite for fish and
tropical timber is contributing to the depletion of these resources
in Asia and elsewhere
natural hazards: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500
seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis
international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: strategic location in northeast Asia
People
------
Population: 125,449,703 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16% (male 10,121,414; female 9,644,243)
15-64 years: 69% (male 43,624,464; female 43,359,249)
65 years and over: 15% (male 7,737,781; female 10,962,552) (July
1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.21% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.19 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.71 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.55 years
male: 76.57 years
female: 82.68 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.46 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Japanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Japanese
Ethnic divisions: Japanese 99.4%, other 0.6% (mostly Korean)
Religions: observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16%
(including Christian 0.7%)
Languages: Japanese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Japan
Data code: JA
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Tokyo
Administrative divisions: 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori,
Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Hiroshima,
Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima,
Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano,
Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga,
Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo,
Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi
Independence: 660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor Jimmu)
National holiday: Birthday of the Emperor, 23 December (1933)
Constitution: 3 May 1947
Legal system: modeled after European civil law system with
English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in
the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) is a
constitutional monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Ryutaro HASHIMOTO (since 11
January 1996) and Deputy Prime Minister Wataru KUBO (since 11
January 1996) were designated by the Diet and appointed by the
emperor
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Diet (Kokkai)
House of Councillors (Sangi-in): half of the members elected every
three years to six-year terms; elections last held 23 July 1995
(next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (252 total, with 126 up for election) LDP 110 (49 newly
won), Shinshinto 56 (40 newly won), SDP 38 (16 newly won), JCP 14 (8
newly won), Sakigate 3 (3 newly won), others 19 (4 newly won),
independents 12 (6 newly won); note - the distribution of seats as
of 1 March 1996 is as follows - LDP 111, Heisei-kai 69, SDP 35, JCP
14, Sakigake 3, others and independents 19, vacancies 1
House of Representatives (Shugi-in): all members elected every four
years to four-year terms; elections last held 18 July 1993 (next to
be held by July 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (511 total) LDP 223, SDP 70, Shinseito 55, Komeito 51, JNP 35, JCP
15, DSP 15, Sakigake 13, others 4, independents 30; note - the
distribution of seats as of 1 March 1996 is as follows - LDP 207,
Shinshinto 170, SDP 63, Sakigake 22, JCP 15, others and independents
19, vacant 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is appointed by the
emperor after designation by the cabinet, all other justices are
appointed by the cabinet
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),
Ryutaro HASHIMOTO, president and Koichi KATO, secretary general;
Social Democratic Party (SDP), Tomiichi MURAYAMA, president and
Kanju SATO, secretary general; Sakigake (Harbinger), Masayoshi
TAKEMURA, chairman and Yukio HATOYAMA, secretary general; Shinshinto
(New Frontier Party, NFP), Ichiro OZAWA, chairman and Takashi
YONEZAWA, secretary general; Japan Communist Party (JCP), Tetsuzo
FUWA, presidium chairman
note: Shinshinto was formed in December 1994 by the merger of
Shinseito (Japan Renewal Party, JRP), Komeito (Clean Government
Party, CGP), Japan New Party (JNP), Democratic Socialist Party
(DSP), and several minor groups; Heisei-kai is a joint bloc of
Shinshinto and Komei members; Komei is a group formed from what
remains of Komeito in the upper house
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G- 2,
G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE (partner),
PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNRWA, UNU, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kunihiko SAITO
chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6700
FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187
consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston,
Chicago, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City (Missouri), Los
Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San
Francisco, and Seattle
consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Walter F. MONDALE
embassy: 10-5, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku (107), Tokyo
mailing address: Unit 45004, Box 258, APO AP 96337-0001
telephone: [81] (3) 3224-5000
FAX: [81] (3) 3505-1862
consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo
consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya
Flag: white with a large red disk (representing the sun without
rays) in the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Government-industry cooperation, a strong work
ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense
allocation (roughly 1% of GDP) have helped Japan advance with
extraordinary rapidity to the rank of second most powerful economy
in the world. One notable characteristic of the economy is the
working together of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in
closely knit groups called keiretsu. A second basic feature has been
the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of
the urban labor force; this guarantee is slowly eroding. Industry,
the most important sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on
imported raw materials and fuels. The much smaller agricultural
sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among
the highest in the world. Usually self-sufficient in rice, Japan
must import about 50% of its requirements of other grain and fodder
crops. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and
accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades
overall economic growth had been spectacular: a 10% average in the
1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s and 1980s. Growth came to a halt in
1992-95 largely because of the aftereffects of overinvestment during
the late 1980s and contractionary domestic policies intended to
wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets.
At yearend 1995, the financial structure is shaky with banks holding
hundreds of billions of dollars of suspect assets. At the same time,
the continued basic strength of the economy has been reflected in
substantial trade surpluses, sizable foreign investments, and
remarkably low rates of unemployment, inflation, and social
disorder. The crowding of the habitable land area and the aging of
the population are two major long-run problems.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.6792 trillion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $21,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.1%
industry: 40.2%
services: 57.7% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.1% (1995)
Labor force: 65.87 million (December 1994)
by occupation: trade and services 54%, manufacturing, mining, and
construction 33%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 7%, government
3%, other 3% (1988)
Unemployment rate: 3.1% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $595 billion
expenditures: $829 billion, including capital expenditures (public
works only) of about $122 billion (1995 est.)
Industries: among world's largest and technologically advanced
producers of steel and non-ferrous metallurgy, heavy electrical
equipment, construction and mining equipment, motor vehicles and
parts, electronic and telecommunication equipment, machine tools,
automated production systems, locomotives and railroad rolling
stock, ships, chemicals; textiles, processed foods
Industrial production growth rate: 3.3% (1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 205,140,000 kW (1993)
production: 915 billion kWh (1995)
consumption per capita: 7,293 kWh (1995)
Agriculture: rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry,
dairy products, eggs; world's largest fish catch of 10 million
metric tons in 1991
Exports: $442.84 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: manufactures 97% (including machinery 46%, motor
vehicles 20%, consumer electronics 10%)
partners: Southeast Asia 38%, US 27%, Western Europe 17%, China 5%
Imports: $336.09 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: manufactures 52%, fossil fuels 20%, foodstuffs and raw
materials 28%
partners: Southeast Asia 25%, US 22%, Western Europe 16%, China 11%
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $11.259 billion (1993)
note: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-95), $143 billion
Currency: yen (Y)
Exchange rates: yen (Y) per US$1 - 105.84 (January 1996), 94.06
(1995), 102.21 (1994), 111.20 (1993), 126.65 (1992), 134.71 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 26,506 km
standard gauge: 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (entirely electrified)
narrow gauge: 72 km 1.372-m gauge (72 km electrified); 23,154 km
1.067-m gauge (13,835 km electrified); 47 km 0.762-m gauge (47 km
electrified) (1994)
Highways:
total: 1,112,844 km
paved: 790,119 km (including 5,054 km of expressways)
unpaved: 322,725 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: about 1,770 km; seagoing craft ply all coastal inland
seas
Pipelines: crude oil 84 km; petroleum products 322 km; natural gas
1,800 km
Ports: Akita, Amagasaki, Chiba, Hachinohe, Hakodate,
Higashi-Harima, Himeji, Hiroshima, Kawasaki, Kinuura, Kobe, Kushiro,
Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Sakai, Sakaide, Shimizu, Tokyo,
Tomakomai
Merchant marine:
total: 796 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 15,944,137
GRT/23,662,930 DWT
ships by type: bulk 192, cargo 57, chemical tanker 6, combination
bulk 2, combination ore/oil 6, container 38, liquefied gas tanker
39, oil tanker 259, passenger 9, passenger-cargo 3, refrigerated
cargo 35, roll-on/roll-off cargo 43, short-sea passenger 28,
specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 77
note: Japan owns an additional 1,587 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 50,072,815 DWT operating under the registries of Panama,
Liberia, Vanuatu, The Bahamas, Singapore, Cyprus, Philippines, Hong
Kong, and Malta (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 164
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 32
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 34
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 30
with paved runways under 914 m: 60
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 11 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 64 million (1987 est.)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international service
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region), and
1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions); submarine cables to
China, Philippines, Russia, and US (via Guam)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 318, FM 58, shortwave 0
Radios: 97 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 12,350 (1 kW or greater 196)
Televisions: 100 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Japan Maritime
Self-Defense Force (Navy), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 31,833,691
males fit for military service: 27,322,517
males reach military age (18) annually: 858,912 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $50.2 billion, 1%
of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Jarvis Island
-------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 0 22 S, 160 03 W -- Oceania, island in the South Pacific
Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to the Cook Islands
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from Hawaii to the Cook Islands
Geographic coordinates: 0 22 S, 160 03 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 4.5 sq km
land area: 4.5 sq km
comparative area: about eight times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 8 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain: sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 23 m
Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: no natural fresh water resources
natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can
be a maritime hazard
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and
low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging
habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats
People
------
Population: uninhabited; note - Millersville settlement on western
side of island occasionally used as a weather station from 1935
until World War II, when it was abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during
the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958;
public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted
to scientists and educators
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Jarvis Island
Data code: DQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US
administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department
of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one boat
landing area in the middle of the west coast and another near the
southwest corner of the island
Transportation note: there is a day beacon near the middle of the
west coast
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited
annually by the US Coast Guard
======================================================================
@Jersey
------
(British crown dependency)
Map
---
Location: 49 15 N, 2 10 W -- Western Europe, island in the English
Channel, northwest of France
Flag
----
Description: white with the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick
(patron saint of Ireland) extending to the corners of the flag
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest
of France
Geographic coordinates: 49 15 N, 2 10 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 117 sq km
land area: 117 sq km
comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 70 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; mild winters and cool summers
Terrain: gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north
coast
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 143 m
Natural resources: agricultural land
Land use:
arable land: 57%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands;
about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier
People
------
Population: 87,848 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 7,787; female 7,284)
15-64 years: 69% (male 29,928; female 30,395)
65 years and over: 14% (male 5,107; female 7,347) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.77% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.93 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.11 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.36 years
male: 75.63 years
female: 81.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Channel Islander(s)
adjective: Channel Islander
Ethnic divisions: UK and Norman-French descent
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New
Church, Methodist, Presbyterian
Languages: English (official), French (official), Norman-French
dialect spoken in country districts
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey
conventional short form: Jersey
Data code: JE
Type of government: British crown dependency
Capital: Saint Helier
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and
practice
Legal system: English law and local statute
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
Head of Government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Sir
Michael WILKES (since NA 1995) and Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE
(since NA 1995) were appointed by the queen
cabinet: committees were appointed by the Assembly of the States
Legislative branch: unicameral
Assembly of the States: elections last held NA (next to be held NA);
results - no percent of vote by party since all are independents;
seats - (56 total, 52 elected) independents 52
Judicial branch: Royal Court, judges elected by an electoral
college and the bailiff
Political parties and leaders: none; all independents
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (British crown dependency)
US diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency)
Flag: white with the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron
saint of Ireland) extending to the corners of the flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is based largely on financial
services, agriculture, and tourism. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes,
and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to
the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and
represents an important export earner. Milk products go to the UK
and other EU countries. In 1986 the finance sector overtook tourism
as the main contributor to GDP, accounting for 40% of the island's
output. In recent years, the government has encouraged light
industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics
industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of
knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as
well as a large share of Jersey's food needs.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $643.7 million
expenditures: $597.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, banking and finance, dairy
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 50,000 kW standby
production: power supplied by France
consumption per capita: NA kWh (1992)
Agriculture: potatoes, cauliflowers, tomatoes; meat, dairy products
Exports: $NA
commodities: light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs,
textiles
partners: UK
Imports: $NA
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,
foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals
partners: UK
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Jersey pound (LJ) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Jersey pounds (LJ) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January
1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992),
0.5652 (1991); the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 61,447 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: 3 submarine cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Johnston Atoll
--------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 16 45 N, 169 30 W -- Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific
Ocean, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about
one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands
Geographic coordinates: 16 45 N, 169 30 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 2.8 sq km
land area: 2.8 sq km
comparative area: about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 10 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade
winds with little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly flat
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Summit Peak 5 m
Natural resources: NA; guano deposits worked until depletion about
1890
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: no natural fresh water resources
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean;
Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been
expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island
(Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; closed to
the public; former nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston Atoll
Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); some low-growing vegetation
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 1,200 US
military and civilian contractor personnel (July 1996 est.)
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Johnston Atoll
Data code: JQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US
administered by the US Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) and managed
cooperatively by DNA and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US
Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge
system
Capital: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US)
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to providing
services to US military personnel and contractors located on the
island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity: supplied by the management and operations contractor
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Johnston Island
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: 52 telephone lines; excellent system
domestic: 60-channel submarine cable, 22 DSN circuits by satellite,
Autodin with standard remote terminal, digital telephone switch,
Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS station), UHF/VHF air-ground
radio, a link to the Pacific Consolidated Telecommunications Network
(PCTN) satellite, and amateur radio
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 5, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Jordan
------
Map
---
Location: 31 00 N, 36 00 E -- Middle East, northwest of Saudi
Arabia
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), white,
and green with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
bearing a small white seven-pointed star; the seven points on the
star represent the seven fundamental laws of the Koran
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 31 00 N, 36 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 89,213 sq km
land area: 88,884 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 1,619 km
border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 728 km,
Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km
Coastline: 26 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to
April)
Terrain: mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west;
Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m
highest point: Jabal Ram 1,754 m
Natural resources: phosphates, potash, shale oil
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 0.5%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 0.5%
other: 94%
Irrigated land: 570 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources;
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 4,212,152 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 949,822; female 903,043)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,153,360; female 1,091,416)
65 years and over: 3% (male 57,783; female 56,728) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.65% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 36.67 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 3.95 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 31.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.48 years
male: 70.62 years
female: 74.45 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.1 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Jordanian(s)
adjective: Jordanian
Ethnic divisions: Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%
Religions: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 8%
Languages: Arabic (official), English widely understood among
upper and middle classes
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 86.6%
male: 93.4%
female: 79.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
conventional short form: Jordan
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah
local short form: Al Urdun
former: Transjordan
Data code: JO
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Amman
Administrative divisions: 8 governorates (muhafazat, singular -
muhafazah); Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az
Zarqa', Irbid, Ma'an
Independence: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under
British administration)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946)
Constitution: 8 January 1952
Legal system: based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial
review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HUSSEIN Bin Talal Al Hashimi (since 2 May 1953)
is a constitutional monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Abd al-Karim al-KABARITI (since 4
February 1996) was appointed by the king
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the king
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Majlis al-'Umma)
House of Notables (Majlis al-A'ayan): consists of a 40-member body
appointed by the king from designated categories of public figures
House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1993 (next
to be held NA November 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (80 total) IAF 16, Jordanian National Alliance Party 4,
Al-Yaqazah Party 2, Al-Watan Party 2, Al-'Ahd Party 2, Jordanian
Arab Democratic Party 2, Al-Mustaqbal Party 1, Jordanian Arab
Socialist Ba'th Party 1, Jordanian Democratic Progressive Party 1,
Jordanian People's Democratic Party-Hashd 1, Jordanian Socialist
Democratic Party 1, independents 47
note: the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved
by the king several times since 1974; in November 1989 the first
parliamentary elections in 22 years were held
Judicial branch: Court of Cassation
Political parties and leaders: Al-'Ahd (Pledge) Party, 'Abd
al-Hadi al-MAJALI, secretary general; Al-Ahrar (Liberals) Party,
Ahmad al-ZU'BI, secretary general; Al-Taqaddumi (Progressive) Party,
Fawwaz al-ZUBI, secretary general; Al-Watan (Homeland) Party, 'Akif
al-FAYIZ; Al-Yaqazah (Awakening) Party, 'Abd al-Ra'uf al-RAWABIDAH,
secretary general; Constitutional Jordanian Arab Front Party, Milhim
al-TALL; Democratic Arab Islamic Movement Party-Du'a', Yusuf Abu
BAKR, secretary general; Democratic Arab Unionist Party-Wad, Anis
al-MU'ASHIR, secretary general; Islamic Action Front (IAF), Ishaq
al-FARHAN, secretary general; Jordanian Arab Masses Party, 'Abd
al-Khaliq SHATAT, secretary general; Jordanian Arab Socialist Ba'th
Party, Taysir al-HIMSI, command first secretary; Jordanian Communist
Party (JCP), Ya'qub ZAYADIN, secretary general; Jordanian Democratic
Popular Unity Party, 'Azmi al-KHAWAJA, secretary general; Jordanian
National Alliance Party, Mijhim al-KHURAYSHAH, secretary general;
Jordanian People's Democratic Party-Hashd, Salim al-NAHHAS,
secretary general; Jordanian Unionist Democratic Party, 'Isa MADANAT
(secretary general), Ali AMIR (secretary general), Munis al-RAZZAZ
(secretary general); Pan-Arab Action Front Party, Muhammad al-ZU'BI,
secretary general; Popular Unity Party-the Unionists, Mustafa
AL-'ISAWI, secretary general; Progress and Justice Party, 'Ali
al-SA'D, secretary general; Progressive Arab Ba'th Party, Mahmud
al-MA'AYITAH, command secretary; Al-Mustaqbal (Future) Party,
Sulayman 'ARAR, secretary general; Jordanian Arab Partisans Party,
Muhammad al-MAJALI, leader, Muhammad SHURAYDAH, secretary general
note: in 1995, the Jordanian Arab Democratic Party, the Jordanian
Democratic Progressive Party, and the Jordanian Socialist Democratic
Party merged to form the Jordanian Unionist Democratic Party
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL,
AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, PCA, UN, UNAMIR,
UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UNMOT, UNOMIG,
UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,
WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Fayiz A. TARAWNEH
chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664
FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Wesley W. EGAN, Jr.
embassy: Jabel Amman, Amman
mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; APO AE 09892-0200
telephone: [962] (6) 820101
FAX: [962] (6) 820159
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), white, and
green with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing
a small white seven-pointed star; the seven points on the star
represent the seven fundamental laws of the Koran
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Jordan is a small Arab country with inadequate
supplies of water and other natural resources such as oil and coal.
Jordan benefited from increased Arab aid during the oil boom of the
late 1970s and early 1980s, when its annual real GNP growth averaged
more than 10%. In the remainder of the 1980s, however, reductions in
both Arab aid and worker remittances slowed real economic growth to
an average of roughly 2% per year. Imports - mainly oil, capital
goods, consumer durables, and food - outstripped exports, with the
difference covered by aid, remittances, and borrowing. In mid-1989,
the Jordanian Government began debt-rescheduling negotiations and
agreed to implement an IMF-supported program designed to gradually
reduce the budget deficit and implement badly needed structural
reforms. The Persian Gulf crisis that began in August 1990, however,
aggravated Jordan's already serious economic problems, forcing the
government to shelve the IMF program, stop most debt payments, and
suspend rescheduling negotiations. Aid from Gulf Arab states, worker
remittances, and trade contracted; and refugees flooded the country,
producing serious balance-of-payments problems, stunting GDP growth,
and straining government resources. The economy rebounded in 1992,
largely due to the influx of capital repatriated by workers
returning from the Gulf, but the recovery was uneven throughout 1994
and 1995. The government is implementing the reform program adopted
in 1992 and continues to secure rescheduling and write-offs of its
heavy foreign debt. Debt, poverty, and unemployment remain Jordan's
biggest on-going problems.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $19.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 11%
industry: 25%
services: 64% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 600,000 (1992)
by occupation: industry 11.4%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels
10.5%, construction 10.0%, transport and communications 8.7%,
agriculture 7.4%, other services 52.0% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 16% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $2.5 billion
expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $640
million (1996 est.)
Industries: phosphate mining, petroleum refining, cement, potash,
light manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate: 5.6% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,050,000 kW
production: 4.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,072 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives;
sheep, goats, poultry
Exports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products,
manufactures
partners: India, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, EU, Indonesia, UAE
Imports: $3.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, food, live
animals, manufactured goods
partners: EU, US, Iraq, Japan, Turkey
External debt: $6.9 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $238 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.7090 (January
1996), 0.7005 (1995), 0.6987 (1994), 0.6928 (1993), 0.6797 (1992),
0.6808 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 676 km
narrow gauge: 676 km 1.050-m gauge; note - an additional 110 km
stretch of the old Hedjaz railroad is out of use
Highways:
total: 5,680 km
paved: 5,680 km (including 1,712 km of expressways)
unpaved: 0 km (1991 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 209 km
Ports: Al'Aqabah
Merchant marine:
total: 3 bulk ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 41,960 GRT/67,515
DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 14
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 10
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 81,500 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: adequate telephone system
domestic: microwave radio relay, cable, and radiotelephone links
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave
radio relay to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria; microwave radio relay
to Lebanon is inactive; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 7, shortwave 0
Radios: 1.1 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 8 and 1 TV receive-only satellite
link
Televisions: 350,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF; includes Royal Jordanian
Land Force, Royal Naval Force, and Royal Jordanian Air Force);
Ministry of the Interior's Public Security Force (falls under JAF
only in wartime or crisis situations)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,011,588
males fit for military service: 721,460
males reach military age (18) annually: 45,406 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $589 million,
8.2% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Juan de Nova Island
-------------------
(possession of France)
Map
---
Location: 17 03 S, 42 45 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Mozambique Channel, about one-third of the way between Madagascar
and Mozambique
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about
one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 17 03 S, 42 45 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 4.4 sq km
land area: 4.4 sq km
comparative area: about seven times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 24.1 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth the of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 10 m
Natural resources: guano deposits and other fertilizers
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 90%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: periodic cyclones
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: wildlife sanctuary
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Juan de Nova Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Juan de Nova
Data code: JU
Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner
of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: NA km; short line going to a jetty
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:
total: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Kazakstan
---------
Map
---
Location: 48 00 N, 68 00 E -- Central Asia, northwest of China
Flag
----
Description: sky blue background representing the endless sky and
a gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the
center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in yellow
Geography
---------
Location: Central Asia, northwest of China
Geographic coordinates: 48 00 N, 68 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 2,717,300 sq km
land area: 2,669,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than four times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 12,012 km
border countries: China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Russia 6,846
km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
note: Kazakstan borders the Aral Sea (1,015 km) and the Caspian Sea
(1,894 km)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet
determined
Climate: continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and
semiarid
Terrain: extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from
the plains in western Siberia to oasis and desert in Central Asia
lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m
highest point: Zhengis Shingy 7,439 m
Natural resources: major deposits of petroleum, coal, iron ore,
manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead,
zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 15%
permanent crops: NEGL%
meadows and pastures: 57%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 24%
Irrigated land: 23,080 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with
its former defense industries and test ranges are found throughout
the country and pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial
pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers
which flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it
is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical
pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by
the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the
Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals
and salinization from faulty irrigation practices
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 16,916,463 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30% (male 2,576,204; female 2,486,937)
15-64 years: 63% (male 5,203,035; female 5,451,404)
65 years and over: 7% (male 384,341; female 814,542) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.15% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 19.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.65 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -10.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.93 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 63.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.09 years
male: 58.56 years
female: 69.9 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.36 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Kazakstani(s)
adjective: Kazakstani
Ethnic divisions: Kazak (Qazaq) 41.9%, Russian 37%, Ukrainian
5.2%, German 4.7%, Uzbek 2.1%, Tatar 2%, other 7.1% (1991 official
data)
Religions: Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other
7%
Languages: Kazak (Qazaqz) official language spoken by over 40% of
population, Russian (language of interethnic communication) spoken
by two-thirds of population and used in everyday business
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 96%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Kazakstan
conventional short form: Kazakstan
local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy
local short form: none
former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KZ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Almaty
Administrative divisions: 19 oblystar (singular - oblys) and 1
city (qalalar, singular - qala)*; Almaty Qalasy*, Almaty Oblysy,
Aqmola Oblysy, Aqtobe Oblysy, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy
(Oral), Kokshetau Oblysy, Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), Ongtustik
Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy,
Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Semey Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan
Oblysy (Oskemen; formerly Ust'-Kamenogorsk), Soltustik Qazaqstan
Oblysy (Petropavl), Taldyqorghan Oblysy, Torghay Oblysy, Zhambyl
Oblysy, Zhezqazghan Oblysy
note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when name
differs from oblys name
Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 December (1991)
Constitution: adopted 28 January 1993; has been amended in April
1995 and August 1995
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (since 22 February
1990) was elected chairman of the Supreme Soviet 22 February 1990,
and president by popular election 1 December 1991; was elected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 1 December
1991 (next to be held NA 2000); results - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV
ran unopposed; note - President NAZARBAYEV's term was extended to
the year 2000 by a nationwide referendum held 30 April 1995
head of government: Prime Minister Akezhan KAZHEGELDIN (since 12
October 1994) and First Deputy Prime Ministers Nigmatzhan ISINGARIN
(since 12 October 1994) were appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
note: President NAZARBAYEV has expanded his presidential powers by
decree: only he can initiate constitutional amendments, appoint and
dismiss the government, dissolve parliament, call referenda at his
discretion, and appoint administrative heads of regions and cities
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: elections (indirect) last held 5 December 1995 (next to be
held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47
total) "independent" state officials 25, progovernment parties 11,
other parties 2, vacant 9 (of which 7 are to be nominated by the
president)
Majilis: elections last held 9 December and 23 December 1995 (next
to be held NA); percent of vote by party NA; seats - (67 total)
seats by party NA; note - 172 candidates were forwarded by parties
and social organizations and 113 candidates were independents
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: ALASH party; People's Unity Party
(PUP; was Union of People's Unity), Akhan BIZHANOV, chairman;
Democratic Party, Tulegen ZHUKEYEV and Altynbek SARSENBAYEV,
cochairmen; People's Congress of Kazakstan (PCK), Olzhas SULEYMENOV,
chairman; Socialist Party of Kazakstan (SPK; former Communist
Party), Petr SVOIK, chairman; Communist Party, Baidabek TULEPBAYEV;
National Democratic Party, Kamal ORMANTAYEV, chairman; AZAT party,
Khasen KOZH-AKHMET, chairman; Confederation of Trade Unions of the
Republic of Kazakstan; Peasant Union of the Republic Kazakstan
(KPU); Slavic Movement LAD, Aleksandra DOKUCHAYEVA, chairman; Party
for Social Justice and Economic Revival "Tagibat"; Social Democratic
Party, Dos KUSHIMOV, cochairman; People's Cooperative Party, Umirzak
SARSENOV, chairman; Organization of Veterans; Republican Party
Other political or pressure groups: Independent Trade Union
Center, Leonid SOLOMIN, president; Kazakstani-American Bureau on
Human Rights, Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive director; Democratic
Committee on Human Rights; Independent Miners Union
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CIS, EBRD,
ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bolat NURGALIYEV
chancery: (temporary) 3421 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-4504 through 4507
FAX: [1] (202) 333-4509
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador A. Elizabeth JONES
embassy: 99/97 Furmanova Street, Almaty, Republic of Kazakstan 480012
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [7] (3272) 63-39-05, 63-13-75, 63-24-26
FAX: [7] (3272) 63-29-42
Flag: sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold
sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the center;
on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in yellow
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Kazakstan, the second largest of the former
Soviet states in territory, possesses enormous untapped fossil-fuel
reserves as well as plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals.
It also has considerable agricultural potential with its vast steppe
lands accommodating both livestock and grain production. Kazakstan's
industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these
natural resources and also on a relatively large machine building
sector specializing in construction equipment, tractors,
agricultural machinery, and some defense items. The breakup of the
USSR and the collapse of demand for Kazakstan's traditional heavy
industry products have resulted in a sharp contraction of the
economy since 1991, with the steepest annual decline occurring in
1994. The government has pursued a moderate program of economic
reform and privatization, resulting in a gradual lifting of state
controls over economic activity and a shifting of assets into the
private sector. Nevertheless, government control over key sectors of
the economy remains strong. Moreover, continued lack of pipeline
transportation for expanded oil exports has closed off a likely
source of economic recovery.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $46.9 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -8.9% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 28.5%
industry: 41.5%
services: 30% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 60.3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 7.356 million
by occupation: industry and construction 31%, agriculture and
forestry 26%, other 43% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 1.4% includes only officially registered
unemployed; also large numbers of underemployed workers (September
1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc,
copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron
and steel, nonferrous metal, tractors and other agricultural
machinery, electric motors, construction materials; much of
industrial capacity is shut down and/or is in need of repair
Industrial production growth rate: -8% (1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 17,380,000 kW
production: 65.7 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,700 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture: grain, mostly spring wheat, cotton; wool, meat
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy;
mostly for CIS consumption; government eradication program; used as
transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe and North
America from Southwest Asia
Exports: $5.1 billion (1995)
commodities: oil, ferrous and nonferrous metals, chemicals, grain,
wool, meat, coal
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Imports: $3.9 billion (1995)
commodities: machinery and parts, industrial materials, oil and gas
partners: Russia and other former Soviet republics, China
External debt: $2.5 billion (of which $1.3 billion to Russia)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $10 million (1993)
note: commitments, 1992-95, $4,780 million ($1,795 million
disbursements)
Currency: national currency, the tenge, introduced on 15 November
1993
Exchange rates: tenges per US$1 - 64 (yearend 1995), 54 (yearend
1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 13,841 km in common carrier service; does not include
industrial lines
broad gauge: 13,841 km 1.520-m gauge (3,299 km electrified) (1992)
Highways:
total: 87,873 km public roads
paved: 82,568 km
unpaved: 5,305 km (1994)
Waterways: 4,002 km on the Syrdariya River and Ertis River
Pipelines: crude oil 2,850 km; refined products 1,500 km; natural
gas 3,480 km (1992)
Ports: Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen
(Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk)
Airports:
total: 352
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 23
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 11
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with paved runways under 914 m: 9
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 9
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 25
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 65
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 190 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2.2 million
Telephone system: service is poor
domestic: landline and microwave radio relay
international: international traffic with other former Soviet
republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay
and with other countries by satellite and through 8 international
telecommunications circuits at the Moscow international gateway
switch; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat and a new satellite
earth station established at Almaty of unknown type
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: 4.088 million (with multiple speakers for program
diffusion 6.082 million)
Television broadcast stations: NA; Orbita (TV receive only) earth
station
Televisions: 4.75 million
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard,
Security Forces (internal and border troops); Kazakstan may also be
establishing a maritime force - navy or coast guard - on the Caspian
Sea
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 4,399,356
males fit for military service: 3,516,583
males reach military age (18) annually: 154,750 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 18.9 billion tenges, NA% of GDP (1995); note
- conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Kenya
-----
Map
---
Location: 1 00 N, 38 00 E -- Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian
Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and
green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield
covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between
Somalia and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 582,650 sq km
land area: 569,250 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Land boundaries:
total: 3,446 km
border countries: Ethiopia 830 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km,
Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km
Coastline: 536 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does
not coincide with international boundary; possible claim by Somalia
based on unification of ethnic Somalis
Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great
Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m
Natural resources: gold, limestone, soda ash, salt barytes,
rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 85%
Irrigated land: 520 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from urban and industrial wastes;
degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and
fertilizers; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most
successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers on
Mt. Kenya; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife
of scientific and economic value
People
------
Population: 28,176,686 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 6,362,160; female 6,226,333)
15-64 years: 53% (male 7,413,876; female 7,448,733)
65 years and over: 2% (male 328,649; female 396,935) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.27% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.3 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 55.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.61 years
male: 55.53 years
female: 55.69 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.45 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Kenyan(s)
adjective: Kenyan
Ethnic divisions: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%,
Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, Asian, European, and Arab 1%, other 15%
Religions: Protestant (including Anglican) 38%, Roman Catholic
28%, indigenous beliefs 26%, other 8%
Languages: English (official), Swahili (official), numerous
indigenous languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 78.1%
male: 86.3%
female: 70%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Kenya
conventional short form: Kenya
former: British East Africa
Data code: KE
Type of government: republic
Capital: Nairobi
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast,
Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western
Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 December (1963)
Constitution: 12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964;
reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992
Legal system: based on English common law, tribal law, and Islamic
law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982
making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Daniel Toroitich
arap MOI (since 14 October 1978) elected for a five-year term from
the National Assembly by direct popular vote; election last held 29
December 1992 (next to be held by early 1998); results - President
Daniel T. arap MOI was reelected with 37% of the vote; Kenneth
MATIBA (FORD-ASILI) 26%; Mwai KIBAKI (DP) 19%, Oginga ODINGA
(FORD-Kenya) 17%; Vice President George SAITOTI (since 10 May 1989)
was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Bunge): election last held 29 December 1992 (next
to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (188
total) KANU 100, FORD-Kenya 31, FORD-Asili 31, DP 23, smaller
parties 3; president nominates 12 additional members; note - as of 9
April 1996 seat distribution was: KANU 106, FORD-Kenya 32,
FORD-Asili 22, DP 22, smaller parties and vacancies 6
note: first multiparty election since repeal of one-party state law
in 1991
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court
Political parties and leaders: ruling party is Kenya African
National Union (KANU), President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI;
opposition parties include Forum for the Restoration of Democracy
(FORD-Kenya), Michael WAMALWA; Forum for the Restoration of
Democracy (FORD-Asili), Kenneth MATIBA; Democratic Party of Kenya
(DP), Mwai KIBAKI
Other political or pressure groups: labor unions; Roman Catholic
Church; unregistered SAFINA party with which prominent naturalist
Richard Leakey is associated
International organization participation: ACP, C, CCC, EADB, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
MINURSO, NAM, OAU, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNIKOM, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Benjamin Edgar KIPKORIR
chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101
FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Aurelia E. BRAZEAL
embassy: corner of Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi
mailing address: P. O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831
telephone: [254] (2) 334141
FAX: [254] (2) 340838
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green;
the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering
crossed spears is superimposed at the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Kenya in recent years has had one of the
highest natural rates of growth in population, but the statistics
have been complicated by the large-scale movement of nomadic groups
and of Somalis back and forth across the border. Population growth
has been accompanied by deforestation, deterioration in the road
system, the water supply, and other parts of the infrastructure. In
industry and services, Nairobi's reluctance to embrace IMF-supported
reforms had held back investment and growth in 1991-93. Nairobi's
push on economic reform in 1994, however, helped support a 3.3%
increase in output. The strong economy continued into 1995 with
inflation cut sharply and GDP growth at 5%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $36.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 27%
industry: 19%
services: 54% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1995 est.)
Labor force:
by occupation: agriculture 75%-80% (1993 est.), non-agriculture
20%-25% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 35% urban (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $2.4 billion
expenditures: $2.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $740
million (1990 est.)
Industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture,
batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural
processing; oil refining, cement; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 810,000 kW
production: 3.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 117 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, tea, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit,
vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs
Illicit drugs: widespread harvesting of small, wild plots of
marijuana and qat (chat); most locally consumed; transit country for
Southwest Asian heroin moving to West Africa and onward to Europe
and North America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South
Africa
Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: tea 25%, coffee 18%, petroleum products 11% (1990)
partners: EC 47%, Africa 23%, Asia 11%, US 4%, Middle East 3% (1991)
Imports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 29%, petroleum
and petroleum products 15%, iron and steel 7%, raw materials, food
and consumer goods (1989)
partners: EC 46%, Asia 23%, Middle East 20%, US 5% (1991)
External debt: $7 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $589 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Kenyan shilling (KSh) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Kenyan shillings (KSh) per US$1 - 56.715 (January
1996), 51.430 (1995), 56.051 (1994), 58.001 (1993), 32.217 (1992),
27.508 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,652 km
narrow gauge: 2,652 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 62,573 km
paved: 8,322 km
unpaved: 54,251 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of
======================================================================
@Kingman Reef
------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 6 24 N, 162 24 W -- Oceania, reef in the North Pacific
Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half
of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Geographic coordinates: 6 24 N, 162 24 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 1 sq km
land area: 1 sq km
comparative area: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds
Terrain: low and nearly level
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 1 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of
about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon;
closed to the public
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Kingman Reef
Data code: KQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US
administered by the US Navy; however, it is awash the majority of
the time, so it is not usable and is uninhabited
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and
American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and
1938
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Kiribati
--------
Map
---
Location: 1 25 N, 173 00 E -- Oceania, group of islands in the
Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator and the International Date
Line, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Flag
----
Description: the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird
flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with
three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the Pacific Ocean,
straddling the equator and the International Date Line, about
one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 1 25 N, 173 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 717 sq km
land area: 717 sq km
comparative area: four times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands,
Phoenix Islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,143 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive
reefs
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m
Natural resources: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979)
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 51%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 3%
other: 46%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due
to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon
latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk
natural hazards: typhoons can occur any time, but usually November
to March; occasional tornadoes
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
Geographic note: 20 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean
Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands
in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia
and Nauru
People
------
Population: 80,919 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.89% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 27.13 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 52.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 62.02 years
male: 60.25 years
female: 64.03 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.21 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural)
adjective: I-Kiribati
Ethnic divisions: Micronesian
Religions: Roman Catholic 52.6%, Protestant (Congregational)
40.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist, Baha'i, Church of God, Mormon 6% (1985)
Languages: English (official), Gilbertese
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati
conventional short form: Kiribati
note: pronounced kiribas
former: Gilbert Islands
Data code: KR
Type of government: republic
Capital: Tarawa
Administrative divisions: 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands,
Phoenix Islands
note: in addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts,
Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21
island councils (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru,
Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei,
Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa,
Teraina; note - one council for each of the inhabited islands)
Independence: 12 July 1979 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1979)
Constitution: 12 July 1979
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President (Beretitenti)
Teburoro TITO (since 1 October 1994) was elected by popular vote;
note - the House of Assembly chooses the presidential candidates
from among their members and then those candidates compete in a
general election; election last held 30 September 1994 (next to be
held by NA 1999); results - Teburoro TITO 51.2%, Tewareka TENTOA
18.3%, Roniti TEIWAKI 16.0%, Peter Taberannang TIMEON 14.5%; Vice
President (Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti) Tewareka TENTOA (since 12 October
1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president from among the
members of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly (Maneaba Ni Maungatabu): elections last held 22
July 1994 (next to be held by NA 1999); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (40 total, 39 elected) Maneaban Te Mauri 13,
National Progressive Party 7, independents 19
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, judges at all levels are
appointed by the president; High Court, judges at all levels are
appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party, Teatao
TEANNAKI; Christian Democratic Party, Teburoro TITO; New Movement
Party, leader NA; Liberal Party, Tewareka TENTOA; Maneaban Te Mauri
Party, Roniti TEIWAKI
note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties
in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups
because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party
structures
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP,
IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),
Interpol, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: Kiribati does not have an embassy
in the US
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Kiribati; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati
Flag: the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over
a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three
horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean
Economy
-------
Economic overview: A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls,
Kiribati has few national resources. Commercially viable phosphate
deposits were exhausted at the time of independence in 1979. Copra
and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The
economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Real GDP growth has
declined from about 10% in 1988 to about 2.6% in 1995. Economic
development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak
infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. The
financial sector is at an early stage of development. Foreign
financial aid, largely from the UK and Japan, is a critical
supplement to GDP, equal in amount to 25%-50% of GDP in recent years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $68 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $860 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 7,870 economically active, not including subsistence
farmers (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2%; underemployment 70% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $32.5 million
expenditures: $54.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: fishing, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: 0.7% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 5,000 kW
production: 13 million kWh
consumption per capita: 131 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables;
fish
Exports: $6.3 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: copra 50%, seaweed 16%, fish 15%
partners: Denmark, Fiji, US
Imports: $38.6 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous
manufactured goods, fuel
partners: Australia 40%, Japan 18%, Fiji 17%, NZ 6%, US 4% (1991)
External debt: $2 million (December 1989 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January
1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992),
1.2835 (1991)
Fiscal year: NA
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 640 km (1987 est.)
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Waterways: small network of canals, totaling 5 km, in Line Islands
Ports: Banaba, Betio, English Harbor, Kanton
Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,248 GRT/4,496 DWT
ships by type: oil tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 20
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 5
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,400 (1984 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 15,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 0 (1988 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: no regular military forces; Police Force (carries out
law enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; small police
posts are on all islands)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Korea, North
------------
Map
---
Location: 40 00 N, 127 00 E -- Eastern Asia, northern half of the
Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan,
between China and South Korea
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple
width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side
of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula
bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and
South Korea
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 127 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 120,540 sq km
land area: 120,410 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Mississippi
Land boundaries:
total: 1,673 km
border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km
Coastline: 2,495 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
military boundary line: 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive
economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and
aircraft without permission are banned
International disputes: short section of boundary with China is
indefinite; Demarcation Line with South Korea
Climate: temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer
Terrain: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow
valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east
lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m
highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m
Natural resources: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite,
magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar,
hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 74%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: 14,000 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: localized air pollution attributable to inadequate
industrial controls; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable
water
natural hazards: late spring droughts often followed by severe
flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall
international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Ship Pollution; signed,
but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea,
Ozone Layer Protection
Geographic note: strategic location bordering China, South Korea,
and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated, nearly inaccessible,
and sparsely populated
People
------
Population: 23,904,124 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30% (male 3,605,972; female 3,465,038)
15-64 years: 66% (male 7,871,783; female 7,956,935)
65 years and over: 4% (male 355,284; female 649,112) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.74% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.86 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.45 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 25.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.32 years
male: 67.23 years
female: 73.57 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.31 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Korean(s)
adjective: Korean
Ethnic divisions: racially homogeneous
Religions: Buddhism and Confucianism, some Christianity and
syncretic Chondogyo
note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent;
government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of
religious freedom
Languages: Korean
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write Korean (1990 est.)
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea
conventional short form: North Korea
local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk
local short form: none
note: the North Koreans generally use the term "Choson" to refer to
their country
abbreviation: DPRK
Data code: KN
Type of government: Communist state; Stalinist dictatorship
Capital: P'yongyang
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural)
and 3 special cities* (si, singular and plural); Chagang-do (Chagang
Province), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong Province), Hamgyong-namdo
(South Hamgyong Province), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae Province),
Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae Province), Kaesong-si* (Kaesong
City), Kangwon-do (Kangwon Province), Namp'o-si* (Namp'o City),
P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan Province), P'yongan-namdo (South
P'yongan Province), P'yongyang-si* (P'yongyang City), Yanggang-do
(Yanggang Province)
Independence: 9 September 1948
note: 15 August 1945, date of independence from the Japanese and
celebrated in North Korea as National Liberation Day
National holiday: DPRK Foundation Day, 9 September (1948)
Constitution: adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972,
revised again in April 1992
Legal system: based on German civil law system with Japanese
influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of
legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: KIM Chong-il [defacto]; note - President KIM Il-song
was reelected without opposition 24 May 1990 and died 8 July 1994
leaving his son KIM Chong-il as designated successor; however the
son has not assumed the titles that his father held and no new
elections have been held or scheduled
head of government: Premier KANG Song-san (since NA December 1992)
was elected by the Supreme People's Assembly
cabinet: State Administration Council was appointed by the Supreme
People's Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
Supreme People's Assembly (Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui): elections last held
7-9 April 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (687 total) the KWP approves a single list of
candidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold a
few seats
Judicial branch: Central Court, judges are elected by the Supreme
People's Assembly
Political parties and leaders: major party - Korean Workers' Party
(KWP), KIM Chong-il, secretary, Central Committee; Korean Social
Democratic Party, KIM Pyong-sik, chairman; Chondoist Chongu Party,
YU Mi-yong, chairwoman
International organization participation: ESCAP, FAO, G-77, ICAO,
ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ISO, ITU,
NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: none; note - North Korea has a
Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, headed by PAK Kil-yon
US diplomatic representation: none
Flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width),
and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the
red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star
Economy
-------
Economic overview: More than 90% of this command economy is
socialized; agricultural land is collectivized; and state-owned
industry produces 95% of manufactured goods. State control of
economic affairs is unusually tight even for a communist country
because of the small size and homogeneity of the society and the
strict rule of KIM Il-song in the past and now his son, KIM
Chong-il. Economic growth during the period 1984-88 averaged 2%-3%,
but output declined by an average of 4%-5% annually during 1989-95
because of systemic problems and disruptions in socialist-style
economic relations and technological links with the former USSR and
China. The leadership has insisted on maintaining its high level of
military outlays from a shrinking economic pie. Moreover, a serious
drawdown in inventories and critical shortages in the energy sector
have led to increasing interruptions in industrial production.
Abundant mineral resources and hydropower have formed the basis of
industrial development since World War II. Manufacturing is centered
on heavy industry, including military industry, with light industry
lagging far behind. Despite the use of improved seed varieties,
expansion of irrigation, and the heavy use of fertilizers, North
Korea has not yet become self-sufficient in food production. Indeed,
a shortage of arable lands, several years of poor harvests, and a
cumbersome distribution system have resulted in chronic food
shortages. The year 1995 was marked by serious summer floods that
worsened an already tenuous food situation. Substantial grain
shipments from Japan and South Korea offset a portion of the losses.
North Korea remains far behind South Korea in economic development
and living standards.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $920 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 25%
industry: 60%
services: 15% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 9.615 million
by occupation: agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $19.3 billion
expenditures: $19.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)
Industries: military products; machine building, electric power,
chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper,
zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food
processing
Industrial production growth rate: -7% to -9% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 9,500,000 kW
production: 50 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,053 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs,
pork, eggs
Exports: $840 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: minerals, metallurgical products, agricultural and
fishery products, manufactures (including armaments)
partners: China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia
Imports: $1.27 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum, grain, coking coal, machinery and equipment,
consumer goods
partners: China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Russia, Singapore
External debt: $8 billion (1992 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: small amounts of grant aid from Japan and other countries
Currency: 1 North Korean won (Wn) = 100 chon
Exchange rates: North Korean won (Wn) per US$1 - 2.15 (May 1994),
2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990), 2.3
(December 1989)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 4,915 km
standard gauge: 4,250 km 1.435-m gauge (3,397 km electrified; 159 km
double track)
narrow gauge: 665 km 0.762-m gauge (1989)
Highways:
total: 30,000 km
paved: 4,500 km
unpaved: 25,500 km
Waterways: 2,253 km; mostly navigable by small craft only
Pipelines: crude oil 37 km
Ports: Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong,
Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang,
Wonsan
Merchant marine:
total: 88 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 712,480 GRT/1,140,923
DWT
ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 71, combination bulk 1, oil tanker 3,
passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1
note: North Korea owns an additional 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling approximately 34,782 DWT operating under the registries of
Hondurus and Poland (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 49
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 6 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 30,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: system is believed to be available principally
for government business
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
and 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region); other international
connections through Moscow and Beijing
Radio broadcast stations: AM 18, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.5 million
Television broadcast stations: 11
Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Korean People's Army (includes Army, Navy, Air Force),
Civil Security Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 6,844,035
males fit for military service: 4,143,713
males reach military age (18) annually: 194,922 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5 billion to $7
billion, 25% to 33% of GDP (1995 est.)
======================================================================
@Korea, South
------------
Map
---
Location: 37 00 N, 127 30 E -- Eastern Asia, southern half of the
Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea,
south of North Korea
Flag
----
Description: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in
the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I
Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula
bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, south of North Korea
Geographic coordinates: 37 00 N, 127 30 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 98,480 sq km
land area: 98,190 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 238 km
border country: North Korea 238 km
Coastline: 2,413 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea: 12 nm; 3 nm in the Korea Strait
International disputes: Demarcation Line with North Korea;
Liancourt Rocks claimed by Japan
Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter
Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west
and south
lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m
highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m
Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead,
hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 21%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 67%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: 13,530 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution in large cities; water pollution from
the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing
natural hazards: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods;
earthquakes in southwest
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law
of the Sea
People
------
Population: 45,482,291 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 5,531,032; female 4,962,915)
15-64 years: 71% (male 16,374,678; female 15,910,846)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,014,649; female 1,688,171) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.02% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.24 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.26 years
male: 69.65 years
female: 77.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.77 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Korean(s)
adjective: Korean
Ethnic divisions: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Religions: Christianity 48.6%, Buddhism 47.4%, Confucianism 3%,
pervasive folk religion (shamanism), Chondogyo (Religion of the
Heavenly Way) 0.2%
Languages: Korean, English widely taught in high school
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99.3%
female: 96.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Korea
conventional short form: South Korea
local long form: Taehan-min'guk
local short form: none
note: the South Koreans generally use the term "Hanguk" to refer to
their country
abbreviation: ROK
Data code: KS
Type of government: republic
Capital: Seoul
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural)
and 6 special cities* (gwangyoksi, singular and plural); Cheju-do,
Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo,
Inch'on-gwangyoksi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-gwangyoksi*, Kyonggi-do,
Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-gwangyoksi*,
Soul-t'ukpyolsi*, Taegu-gwangyoksi*, Taejon-gwangyoksi*
Independence: 15 August 1948
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1948)
Constitution: 25 February 1988
Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law
systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President KIM Yong-sam (since 25 February 1993) was
elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18
December 1992 (next to be held NA December 1997); results - KIM
Yong-sam (DLP) 41.9%, KIM Tae-chung (DP) 33.8%, CHONG Chu-yong (UPP)
16.3%, other 8%
head of government: Prime Minister YI Su-song (since 15 December
1995) was appointed by the president with the consent of the
National Assembly; Deputy Prime Ministers NA Ung-pae (since 20
December 1995) and KWON O-ki (since 20 December 1995) were appointed
by the president on the prime minister's recommendation
cabinet: State Council was appointed by the president on the prime
minister's recommendation
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Kukhoe): members elected for four-year terms;
elections last held 11 April 1996 (next to be held NA 2000); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (299 total) NKP 139, NCNP 79,
ULD 50, DP 15, independents 16
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed by the
president subject to the consent of the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders:
majority party: New Korea Party (NKP), KIM Yong-sam, president
opposition: United Liberal Democratic Party (ULD), KIM Chong-p'il,
president; Democratic Party (DP), KIM Won-ki, co-chairman and CHANG
Ul-pyong, co-chairman; National Congress for New Politics (NCNP),
KIM Tae-chung, president
Other political or pressure groups: Korean National Council of
Churches; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation
of Student Associations; National Federation of Farmers'
Associations; National Council of Labor Unions; Federation of Korean
Trade Unions; Korean Veterans' Association; Federation of Korean
Industries; Korean Traders Association
International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC,
CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, MINURSO, OAS (observer), OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador PAK Kun-u
chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600, 524-9273
consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston,
Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San
Francisco, and Seattle
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador James T. LANEY
embassy: 82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul
mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-0001
telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114
FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845
consulate(s): Pusan
Flag: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the
center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching
(Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field
Economy
-------
Economic overview: As one of the Four Dragons of East Asia, South
Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth. Three decades ago
its GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer
countries of Africa and Asia. Today its GDP per capita is nine times
India's, 14 times North Korea's, and already up with the lesser
economies of the European Union. This success has been achieved by a
unique combination of authoritarian government guidance of what is
at bottom an essentially entrepreneurial process. The government has
sponsored large-scale adoption of technology and management from
Japan and other modern nations; has successfully pushed the
development of export industries while encouraging the import of
machinery and materials at the expense of consumer goods; and has
pushed its labor force to a work effort seldom matched anywhere even
in wartime. Real GDP grew by an average 10% in 1986-91, then paused
to a "mere" 5% in 1992-93, only to move back up to 8% in 1994 and 9%
in 1995. With a much higher standard of living and with a
considerable easing of authoritarian controls, the work pace has
softened. Growth rates will probably slow down over the medium term
because of the exhaustion of former growth opportunities and the
need to deal with pollution and the other problems of success.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $590.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 9% (1995)
GDP per capita: $13,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 45%
services: 47% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 20 million
by occupation: services and other 52%, mining and manufacturing 27%,
agriculture, fishing, forestry 21% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 2% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $69 billion
expenditures: $67 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: electronics, automobile production, chemicals,
shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: 12.2% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 28,750,000 kW
production: 165 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,899 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle,
pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish catch of 2.9 million metric tons,
seventh largest in world
Exports: $125.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: electronic and electrical equipment, machinery, steel,
automobiles, ships; textiles, clothing, footwear; fish
partners: US 19%, Japan 14%, EU 13%
Imports: $135.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil,
steel, transport equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grains
partners: Japan 24%, US 22%, EU 13%
External debt: $77 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 South Korean won (W) = 100 chun (theoretical)
Exchange rates: South Korean won (W) per US$1 - 787.27 (January
1996), 771.27 (1995), 803.45 (1994), 802.67 (1993), 780.65 (1992),
733.35 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,101 km
standard gauge: 3,081 km 1.435-m gauge (560 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 20 km 0.762-m gauge
Highways:
total: 61,296 km
paved: 51,918 km (including 1,550 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,378 km (1993)
Waterways: 1,609 km; use restricted to small native craft
Pipelines: petroleum products 455 km
Ports: Chinhae, Inch'on, Kunsan, Masan, Mokp'o, Pohang, Pusan,
Ulsan, Yosu
Merchant marine:
total: 428 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,076,981
GRT/9,822,089 DWT
ships by type: bulk 124, cargo 122, chemical tanker 21, combination
bulk 3, combination ore/oil 1, container 59, liquefied gas tanker
12, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 61, refrigerated
cargo 13, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 10
note: South Korea owns an additional 231 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 10,128,506 DWT operating under the registries of Panama,
Liberia, Cyprus, Malta, The Bahamas, and Thailand (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 105
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 20
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14
with paved runways under 914 m: 54
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 201 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 16.6 million (1993)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international services
domestic: NA
international: fiber-optic submarine cable to China; satellite earth
stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1
Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 79, FM 46, shortwave 0
Radios: 42 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 256 (57 of which are 1 kW or
greater) (1987 est.)
Televisions: 9.3 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Maritime
Police (Coast Guard)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 13,602,115
males fit for military service: 8,706,545
males reach military age (18) annually: 398,322 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $17.4 billion,
3.3% of GNP (1996)
======================================================================
@Kuwait
------
Map
---
Location: 29 30 N, 45 45 E -- Middle East, bordering the Persian
Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white,
and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq
and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 29 30 N, 45 45 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 17,820 sq km
land area: 17,820 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 464 km
border countries: Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline: 499 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted
the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in
Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993);
this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and
Warbah islands; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands
disputed by Saudi Arabia
Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 306 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 8%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 92%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; some of
world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities
provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
natural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October to
April, they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads
and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year,
but are most common between March and August
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
Geographic note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
People
------
Population: 1,950,047 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 334,778; female 317,241)
15-64 years: 65% (male 757,535; female 507,064)
65 years and over: 2% (male 18,459; female 14,970) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 6.65% (1996 est.)
note: this rate reflects the continued post-Gulf crisis return of
nationals and expatriates
Birth rate: 20.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 2.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 48.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.49 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.32 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.92 years
male: 73.59 years
female: 78.38 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.82 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Kuwaiti(s)
adjective: Kuwaiti
Ethnic divisions: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%,
Iranian 4%, other 7%
Religions: Muslim 85% (Shi'a 30%, Sunni 45%, other 10%),
Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%
Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 78.6%
male: 82.2%
female: 74.9%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: State of Kuwait
conventional short form: Kuwait
local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt
local short form: Al Kuwayt
Data code: KU
Type of government: nominal constitutional monarchy
Capital: Kuwait
Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular -
muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Jahrah, Al Kuwayt, Hawalli, Al Farwaniyah
Independence: 19 June 1961 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 25 February (1950)
Constitution: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962
Legal system: civil law system with Islamic law significant in
personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or
more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male
descendants at age 21
note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996,
naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but
have been naturalized for 30 years will be eligible to vote
Executive branch:
chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31
December 1977) is a hereditary monarch of the MUBARAK line of the
ruling Sabah family
head of government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah
al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978), First Deputy Prime
Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992),
and Second Deputy Prime Minister Nasir Abdallah al-RUDAN (since NA)
were appointed by the Amir
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
and approved by the amir
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Majlis al-umma): elected members serve four-year
terms; elections last held 5 October 1992 (next to be held NA
September 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (50 total)
independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio
members of the National Assembly
Judicial branch: High Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: several political groups act
as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists,
and secular leftists and nationalists
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador MUHAMMAD al-Sabah al-Salim Al SABAH
chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702
FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER
embassy: Bneid al-Gar (opposite the Kuwait International Hotel),
Kuwait City
mailing address: P.O. Box 77, SAFAT, 13001 SAFAT, Kuwait; Unit 6900,
APO AE 09880-9000
telephone: [965] 2424151 through 2424159
FAX: [965] 2442855
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red
with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Kuwait is a small and relatively open economy
with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of
world reserves. Kuwait has rebuilt its war-ravaged petroleum sector;
its crude oil production averaged 2.0 million barrels per day in
1994. The government continues to record large fiscal deficits.
Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues,
and 70% of government income. Kuwait lacks water and has practically
no arable land, thus preventing development of agriculture. With the
exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About
75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Because of its
high per capita income, comparable with Western European incomes,
Kuwait provides its citizens with extensive health, educational, and
retirement benefits. Per capita military expenditures are among the
highest in the world. The economy improved moderately in 1994-95,
with the growth in industry and finance. The World Bank has urged
Kuwait to push ahead with privatization, including in the oil
industry, but the government will move slowly on this front.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $30.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $17,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 0%
industry: 55%
services: 45%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1 million (1994 est.)
by occupation: industry and agriculture 25.0%, services 25.0%,
government and social services 50.0%
note: 80% of labor force non-Kuwaiti (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $9.7 billion
expenditures: $14.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96 est.)
Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food
processing, construction materials, salt, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 7,070,000 kW
production: 11 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 6,007 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: practically no crops; extensive fishing in
territorial waters
Exports: $11.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: oil
partners: US 23%, Japan 13%, Germany 10%, UK 9%, France 8%
Imports: $6.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts,
clothing
partners: US 14%, Japan 12%, Germany 8%, UK 7%, France 6% (1994 est.)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.2993 (January
1996), 0.2984 (1995), 0.2976 (1994), 0.3017 (1993), 0.2934 (1992),
0.2843 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 4,273 km
paved: NA km (including 280 km of expressways) (1989 est.)
unpaved: NA km
Pipelines: crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas
165 km
Ports: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah,
Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud
Merchant marine:
total: 46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,053,667 GRT/3,242,305
DWT
ships by type: cargo 10, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 7,
livestock carrier 4, oil tanker 21, vehicle carrier 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 4
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 548,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: the civil network suffered some damage as a
result of the Gulf war, but most of the telephone exchanges were
left intact and, by the end of 1994, domestic and international
telecommunications had been restored to normal operation; the
quality of service is excellent
domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new
subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay,
coaxial cable, open wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone
system operates throughout Kuwait and the country is well supplied
with pay telephones
international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi
Arabia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2
Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 720,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 800,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, Ministry of
Interior Forces, Coast Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 658,270
males fit for military service: 391,586
males reach military age (18) annually: 17,544 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion,
12.8% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Kyrgyzstan
----------
Map
---
Location: 41 00 N, 75 00 E -- Central Asia, west of China
Flag
----
Description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40
rays representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the
rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center
of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a
stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt
Geography
---------
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 198,500 sq km
land area: 191,300 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 3,878 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870
km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on
southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area
Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical
in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins
encompass entire nation
lowest point: Kara-Daryya 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu 7,439 m
Natural resources: abundant hydroelectric potential; significant
deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal,
oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth,
lead, and zinc
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: NEGL%
meadows and pastures: 42%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 51%
Irrigated land: 10,320 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution; many people get their water
directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result,
water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from
faulty irrigation practices
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 4,529,648 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37% (male 847,859; female 828,889)
15-64 years: 57% (male 1,263,044; female 1,312,040)
65 years and over: 6% (male 100,524; female 177,292) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.07% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 26.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -16.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 77.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.86 years
male: 59.18 years
female: 68.77 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.22 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Kyrgyz(s)
adjective: Kyrgyz
Ethnic divisions: Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 21.5%, Uzbek 12.9%,
Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 8.3%
Religions: Muslim NA%, Russian Orthodox NA%
Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian -
official language
note: in March 1996, the Kyrgyz legislature amended the constitution
to make Russian an official language, along with Kyrgyz, in
territories and work places where Russian-speaking citizens
predominate
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 96%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: none
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Bishkek
Administrative divisions: 6 oblasttar (singular - oblast) and 1
city* (singular - shaar); Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek),
Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty,
Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)
note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when name
differs from oblast name
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31
August (1991)
Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993
note: amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a
national referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the
powers of the president at the expense of the legislature
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990) was
elected for a five-year term by popular vote; elections last held 24
December 1995 (next to be held NA); results - Askar AKAYEV won
election with 75% of vote with 86% of electorate voting; note -
elections were held early which gave the two opposition candidates
little time to campaign; AKAYEV may have orchestrated the
"deregistration" of two other candidates, one of whom was a major
rival
head of government: Prime Minister Apas JUMAGULOV (since NA December
1993) was appointed by the president and reappointed February 1996
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Council (Zhogorku Kenesh)
Assembly of People's Representatives: elections last held 5 February
1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (70 total) seats by party NA; note - not all the 70
seats were filled at the 5 February elections; as a result, run-off
elections were held at later dates; the assembly meets twice yearly
Legislative Assembly: elections last held 5 February 1995 (next to
be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (35
total) seats by party NA; note - not all the 35 seats were filled at
the 5 February elections; as a result, run-off elections were held
note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995
elections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed for a 10-year
term by the Zhogorku Kenesh on recommendation of the president;
Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party (SDP);
Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan (DDK), Jypar JEKSHEYEV, chairman;
National Unity; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan (PCK), Absamat
MASALIYEV, chairman; Democratic Movement of Free Kyrgyzstan (ErK),
Tursunbay Bakir UULU, chairman; Republican Popular Party of
Kyrgyzstan; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan; Atu Meken Party, Omurbek
TEKEBAYEV; ASABA
Other political or pressure groups: National Unity Democratic
Movement; Peasant Party; Council of Free Trade Unions; Union of
Entrepreneurs; Agrarian Party
International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EBRD, ECE,
ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Acting Ambassador Almas CHUKIN
chancery: (temporary) Suite 706, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC
20005
telephone: [1] (202) 347-3732
FAX: [1] (202) 347-3718
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Eileen A. MALLOY
embassy: Erkindik Prospekt #66, Bishkek 720002
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [7] (3312) 22-29-20, 22-27-77, 22-26-31, 22-24-73
FAX: [7] (3312) 22-35-51
Flag: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays
representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run
counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the
sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized
representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous
country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, wool, and
meat are the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial
exports included gold, mercury, uranium, and hydropower. Kyrgyzstan
has been one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet
Union in carrying out market reforms. Following a successful
stabilization program, which has lowered inflation from 88% in 1994
to 32% for 1995, attention is turning toward stimulating growth.
About half of government stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops
in production have been severe since the break up of the Soviet
Union, but by mid-1995 production began to level off as exports
began to increase. The level of hardship for pensioners, unemployed
workers, and government workers with salaries arrears continues to
be very high. Foreign assistance plays a substantial role in the
country's budget. In early 1996, the economy apparently is slowly
beginning to restore previous levels of output.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,140 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 32% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.836 million
by occupation: agriculture and forestry 38%, industry and
construction 21%, other 41% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 4.8% includes officially registered unemployed;
also large numbers of unregistered unemployed and underemployed
workers (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement,
shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold,
rare earth metals
Industrial production growth rate: -12.5% (1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 3,660,000 kW
production: 12.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,500 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture: wool, tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes,
fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy;
mostly for CIS consumption; government eradication program; used as
transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe and North
America from Southwest Asia
Exports: $380 million (1995)
commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium,
hydropower; machinery; shoes
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Turkey, Cuba, and
Germany
Imports: $439 million (1995)
commodities: grain, lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals,
fuel, machinery, textiles, footwear
partners: Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, China, and UK
External debt: $480 million (of which $115 million to Russia)
(1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $56 million (1993)
note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,695 million ($390 million
disbursements)
Currency: introduced national currency, the som (10 May 1993)
Exchange rates: soms per US$1 - 11.2 (yearend 1995), 10.6 (yearend
1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 370 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial
lines
broad gauge: 370 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways:
total: 28,400 km
paved: 22,400 km
unpaved: 6,000 km (1990)
Pipelines: natural gas 200 km
Ports: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
Airports:
total: 54
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 32 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 342,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied
applications for household telephones
domestic: principally microwave radio relay
international: connections with other CIS countries by landline or
microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections
with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite
earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note -1
state-run radio broadcast station
Radios: 825,000 (radio receiver systems with multiple speakers for
program diffusion 748,000)
Television broadcast stations: 1
note: receives Turkish broadcasts
Televisions: 875,000
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, National Guard, Security Forces (internal and
border troops), Civil Defense
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,096,985
males fit for military service: 890,901
males reach military age (18) annually: 44,159 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 151 million soms, NA% of GDP (1995); note -
conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current
exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Laos
----
Map
---
Location: 18 00 N, 105 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, northeast of
Thailand
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double
width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 236,800 sq km
land area: 230,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries:
total: 5,083 km
border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km,
Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: boundary dispute with Thailand
Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry
season (December to April)
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 58%
other: 35%
Irrigated land: 1,554 sq km (1992 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the
population does not have access to potable water
natural hazards: floods, droughts, and blight
international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification,
Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change,
Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 4,975,772 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 1,142,825; female 1,114,628)
15-64 years: 51% (male 1,237,660; female 1,316,591)
65 years and over: 4% (male 75,748; female 88,320) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.81% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 41.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 96.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.69 years
male: 51.14 years
female: 54.31 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.87 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
adjective: Lao or Laotian
Ethnic divisions: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%,
Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien)
9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Religions: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40%
Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic
languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 56.6%
male: 69.4%
female: 44.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form: Laos
local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form: none
Data code: LA
Type of government: Communist state
Capital: Vientiane
Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and
plural) and 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural);
Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan,
Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan,
Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of
the Lao People's Democratic Republic)
Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991
Legal system: based on traditional customs, French legal norms and
procedures, and Socialist practice
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President NOUHAK PHOUMSAVAN (since 25 November 1992)
was elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly
head of government: Prime Minister Gen. KHAMTAI SIPHANDON (since 15
August 1991) was appointed for a five-year term by the president
with the approval of the National Assembly; Deputy Prime Minister
KHAMPHOUI KEOBOUALAPHA (since NA)
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president,
approved by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: members elected for five-year terms; elections
last held 20 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results -
percent of vote NA; seats - (85 total) LPRP 85
Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court, the president of the
People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the
recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee, the vice
president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed
by the National Assembly Standing Committee
Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party
(LPRP), KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president; other parties proscribed
Other political or pressure groups: noncommunist political groups
proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN
(observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU,
Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador HIEM PHOMMACHANH
chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416, 6417
FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Victor L. TOMSETH
embassy: Rue Bartholonie, B.P. 114, Vientiane
mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546
telephone: [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585
FAX: [856] (21) 212584
Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width),
and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The government of Laos - one of the few
remaining official communist states - has been decentralizing
control and encouraging private enterprise since 1986. The results,
starting from an extremely low base, have been striking - growth has
averaged 7.5% annually since 1988. Even so, Laos is a landlocked
country with a primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a
rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal
telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban
areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides
80% of total employment. The predominant crop is rice. In
non-drought years, Laos is self-sufficient overall in food, but each
year flood, pests, and localized drought cause shortages in various
parts of the country. For the foreseeable future the economy will
continue to depend on aid from the IMF and other international
sources; aid from the former USSR/Eastern Europe has been cut
sharply. As in many developing countries, deforestation and soil
erosion will hamper efforts to maintain the high rate of GDP growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 50%
industry: 17%
services: 33% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1 million-1.5 million
by occupation: agriculture 80% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: 21% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $198 million
expenditures: $351 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)
Industries: tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power,
agricultural processing, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 7.5% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 260,000 kW
production: 870 million kWh
consumption per capita: 44 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane,
cotton; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Illicit drugs: world's third largest opium producer (180 metric
tons from nearly 20,000 hectares in 1995); heroin producer;
increasingly used as transshipment point for heroin produced in
Burma; illicit producer of cannabis
Exports: $278 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: electricity, wood products, coffee, tin, garments
partners: Thailand, Japan, France, Germany, Netherlands
Imports: $486 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: food, fuel oil, consumer goods, manufactures
partners: Thailand, China, Japan, France, US
External debt: $2 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 new kip (NK) = 100 at
Exchange rates: new kips (NK) per US$1 - 920 (1995), 717 (1994
est.), 720 (July 1993), 710 (May 1992), 710 (December 1991), 700
(September 1990), 576 (1989)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 14,130 km
paved: 2,261 km
unpaved: 11,869 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897
additional kilometers are sectionally navigable by craft drawing
less than 0.5 m
Pipelines: petroleum products 136 km
Ports: none
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,000 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 39
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 16
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 6,600 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: service to general public very poor;
radiotelephone communications network provides generally erratic
service to government users
domestic: radiotelephone communications
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian
Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 560,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 32,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Lao People's Army (LPA; includes riverine naval and
militia elements), Air Force, National Police Department
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,087,264
males fit for military service: 586,664
males reach military age (18) annually: 53,250 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $105 million,
8.1% of GDP (FY92/93)
======================================================================
@Latvia
------
Map
---
Location: 57 00 N, 25 00 E -- Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic
Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Flag
----
Description: two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom),
white (middle, narrower than other two bands)
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between
Estonia and Lithuania
Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 64,100 sq km
land area: 64,100 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,078 km
border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 267 km, Lithuania 453 km,
Russia 217 km
Coastline: 531 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
International disputes: the Abrene/Pytalovo section of border
ceded by the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic to Russia in 1944;
the maritime borders with Lithuania and Estonia
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain: low plain
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Natural resources: minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite
Land use:
arable land: 27%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 39%
other: 21%
Irrigated land: 160 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: air and water pollution because of a lack of waste
conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily
polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and
petroleum products at military bases
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed,
but not ratified - Ozone Layer Protection
People
------
Population: 2,468,982 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 254,664; female 244,502)
15-64 years: 66% (male 775,690; female 848,128)
65 years and over: 14% (male 108,814; female 237,184) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -1.39% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.19 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.86 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 21.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.91 years
male: 60.84 years
female: 73.27 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.62 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Latvian(s)
adjective: Latvian
Ethnic divisions: Latvian 51.8%, Russian 33.8%, Byelorussian 4.5%,
Ukrainian 3.4%, Polish 2.3%, other 4.2%
Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Languages: Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 99%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
conventional short form: Latvia
local long form: Latvijas Republika
local short form: Latvija
former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: LG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Riga
Administrative divisions: 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7
municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons,
Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles
Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas
Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*,
Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons,
Ogres Rajons, Preiju Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas
Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons,
Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918)
Constitution: newly elected Parliament in 1993 restored the 1933
constitution
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993) was
elected by Parliament (Saeima) in the third round of balloting;
election last held 7 July 1993 (next to be held NA June 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Andris SKELE (since 21 December
1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was nominated by the prime minister
and appointed by the Supreme Council
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Saeima): elections last held 30 September-1 October 1995
(next to be held NA October 1998); results - Saimnieks 18%, LC 17%,
For Latvia 16%, TB 14%, LNNK 8%, Unity 8%, LSZ/LKDS 7%, Harmony 6%,
Socialist 6%; seats - (100 total) Saimnieks 18, LC 17, For Latvia
16, TB 14, LNNK 8, Unity 8, LSZ/LKDS 7, Harmony 6, Socialist 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges' appointments are confirmed
by the Saeima
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party "Saimnieks" (DPS),
Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman; Latvia's Way (LC), Valdis BIRKAVS;
People's Movement For Latvia, Joachim SIEGERIST; Fatherland and
Freedom (TB), Maris GRINBLATS; Latvian Unity Party (LVP), A. KAULS;
Latvian National Conservative Party (LNNK), A. SEILE; Green Party
(LSZ), O. BATAREVSK; Latvian Farmers Union (LZS), A. ROZENTALS;
Christian Democrat Union (LKDS), P. KLAVINS; National Harmony Party
(TSP), Janis JURKANS; Latvian Socialist Party (LSP), F. STROGANOVS;
Latvian Liberal Party (LLP), J. DANOSS; Political Association of the
Underprivileged (MPA), B. PELSE, V. DIMANTS, J. KALNINS; Latvian
Democratic Labor Party (LDDP), J. BOJARS; Party of Russian Citizens
(LKPP), V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV; Popular Front of Latvia (LTF), Uldis
AUGSTKALNS; Political Union of Economists (TPA), E. KIDE; Latvian
National Democratic Party (LNDP), A. MALINS; "Our Land" (MZ), M.
DAMBEKALNE; Anticommunist Union (PA), P. MUCENIEKS; Latvian
Social-Democratic Workers Party (LSDSP); Party for the Defense of
Latvia's Defrauded People; Latvian Independence Party (LNP), V.
KONOVALOUS
International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE,
EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ojars Eriks KALNINS
chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214
FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Larry C. NAPPER
embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga
mailing address: PSC 78, Box R, APO AE 09723
telephone: [371] (2) 210-005
FAX: [371] (2) 226-530
Flag: two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom), white
(middle, narrower than other two bands)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Latvia's economic transformation to a modern
market economy - rivaled only by Estonia among the former Soviet
states - faltered in 1995 as a result of banking and budget crises.
Latvia's largely unregulated financial sector suffered a series of
bank failures, including the collapse of the country's largest
commercial bank - Bank Baltija - due largely to criminal activity by
the owners. The government's attempts to compensate depositors of
failed banks exacerbated an existing budget shortfall; poor revenue
collection and a soft treasury bill market had already caused the
government to incur a larger than expected deficit early in the
year. As a result of the crises, Latvia's budget deficit for 1995
was $168 million, double that originally planned. In addition, GDP
growth came to a halt. The Central Bank maintained its tough
monetary policies - severely limiting credits to the state, despite
the budget problems - helping to keep annual inflation the lowest
among the Baltic states, at about 20%. New Prime Minister SKELE
wants to invigorate the privatization of industry; agriculture
already is mainly in private hands.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $14.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -1.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,300 (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World
Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 31%
services: 60% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.407 million
by occupation: industry and construction 41%, agriculture and
forestry 16%, other 43% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic
fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines,
radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles;
dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate
products
Industrial production growth rate: -9.5% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,080,000 kW
production: 5.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,864 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; meat, milk,
eggs; fish
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central
and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; limited
producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption; also
produces illicit amphetamines for export
Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: timber, textiles, dairy products
partners: Russia, Germany, Sweden, UK, Lithuania
Imports: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: fuels, cars, chemicals
partners: Russia, Germany, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, Lithuania, Finland
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $122 million (1993)
note: commitments from the West and international institutions, $525
million (1992-95)
Currency: 1 lat = 100 cents; introduced NA March 1993
Exchange rates: lats per US$1 - 0.544 (January 1996), 0.528
(1995), 0.560 (1994), 0.675 (1993), 0.736 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,412 km
broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992)
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 66,718 km
paved: 12,076 km
unpaved: 54,642 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 300 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas
560 km (1992)
Ports: Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Merchant marine:
total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 519,859 GRT/678,987 DWT
ships by type: cargo 7, oil tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 18,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 7 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 50
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 27
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 10 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 660,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: service is better than in most of the other
former Soviet republics
domestic: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network covers 75% of
Latvia's population
international: international traffic carried by leased connection to
the Moscow international gateway switch, through the new Ericsson
digital telephone exchange in Riga, and through the Finnish cellular
net; Sprint data network carries electronic mail
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there
are 25 radio broadcast stations of unknown type
Radios: 1.4 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 30
Televisions: 1.1 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces,
Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 583,134
males fit for military service: 457,067
males reach military age (18) annually: 16,180 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 176 million rubles, 3% to 5% of GDP (1994);
note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
prevailing exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Lebanon
-------
Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political
institutions and regaining its national sovereignty since the end of
the devastating 16-year civil war which began in 1975. Under the
Ta'if accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the
Lebanese have established a more equitable political system,
particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political
process. Since December 1990, the Lebanese have formed four cabinets
and conducted the first legislative election in 20 years. Most of
the militias have been weakened or disbanded. The Lebanese Armed
Forces (LAF) has seized vast quantities of weapons used by the
militias during the war and extended central government authority
over about one-half of the country. Hizballah, the radical Shi'a
party, retains most of its weapons. Foreign forces still occupy
areas of Lebanon. Israel maintains troops in southern Lebanon and
continues to support a proxy militia, The Army of South Lebanon
(ASL), along a narrow stretch of territory contiguous to its border.
The ASL's enclave encompasses this self-declared security zone and
about 20 kilometers north to the strategic town of Jazzin. Syria
maintains about 30,000 troops in Lebanon. These troops are based
mainly in Beirut, North Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Syria's
deployment was legitimized by the Arab League early in Lebanon's
civil war and in the Ta'if accord. Citing the continued weakness of
the LAF, Beirut's requests, and failure of the Lebanese Government
to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if accord,
Damascus has so far refused to withdraw its troops from Beirut.
Map
---
Location: 33 50 N, 35 50 E -- Middle East, bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double
width), and red with a green and brown cedar tree centered in the
white band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between
Israel and Syria
Geographic coordinates: 33 50 N, 35 50 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 10,400 sq km
land area: 10,230 sq km
comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 454 km
border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km
Coastline: 225 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Israeli troops in southern Lebanon since
June 1982; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon
since October 1976
Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry
summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows
Terrain: narrow coastal plain; Al Biqa' (Bekaa Valley) separates
Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal al Makmal 3,087 m
Natural resources: limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state
in a water-deficit region
Land use:
arable land: 21%
permanent crops: 9%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 8%
other: 61%
Irrigated land: 860 sq km (1990 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air
pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of
industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and
oil spills
natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation
Geographic note: Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not
crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically
helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based
on religion, clan, and ethnicity
People
------
Population: 3,776,317 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 687,631; female 662,100)
15-64 years: 59% (male 1,049,689; female 1,163,255)
65 years and over: 5% (male 98,406; female 115,236) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.16% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 27.93 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 36.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.99 years
male: 67.49 years
female: 72.62 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.24 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Lebanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Lebanese
Ethnic divisions: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
Religions: Islam 70% (5 legally recognized Islamic groups -
Alawite or Nusayri, Druze, Isma'ilite, Shi'a, Sunni), Christian 30%
(11 legally recognized Christian groups - 4 Orthodox Christian, 6
Catholic, 1 Protestant), Judaism NEGL%
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Armenian, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 92.4%
male: 94.7%
female: 90.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Lebanon
conventional short form: Lebanon
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah
local short form: none
Data code: LE
Type of government: republic
Capital: Beirut
Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular -
muhafazah); Al Biqa', Al Janub, Ash Shamal, Bayrut, Jabal Lubnan
Independence: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate
under French administration)
National holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
Constitution: 23 May 1926, amended a number of times
Legal system: mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code,
and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized
for women at age 21 with elementary education
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ilyas HARAWI (since 24 November 1989) was
elected for a six-year term by the National Assembly and in 1995 the
National Assembly amended the constitution to extend his term by
three years; note - by custom, the president is a Maronite
Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of
the legislature is a Shi'a Muslim
head of government: Prime Minister Rafiq al-HARIRI (since 22 October
1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Michel al-MURR (since NA) were
appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly
cabinet: Cabinet was chosen by the prime minister in consultation
with the members of the National Assembly; the current Cabinet was
formed in 1995
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Arabic - Majlis Alnuwab French - Assembl:
elections last held in the summer of 1992 (next to be held NA 1996);
results - percent of vote NA; seats - (128 total, one-half Christian
and one-half Muslim) independents 128
Judicial branch: four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil
and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases)
Political parties and leaders: political party activity is
organized along largely sectarian lines; numerous political
groupings exist, consisting of individual political figures and
followers motivated by religious, clan, and economic considerations
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AL,
AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA,
UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Riyad TABBARAH
chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300
FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324
consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard H. JONES
embassy: Antelias, Beirut
mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Beirut; PSC 815, Box 2, FPO AE
09836-0002
telephone: [961] (1) 402200, 403300, 406650, 406651, 426183, 417774,
889926
FAX: [961] (1) 407112
Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width),
and red with a green and brown cedar tree centered in the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The 1975-91 civil war seriously damaged
Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and
all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and
banking hub. Peace has enabled the central government to restore
control in Beirut, begin collecting taxes, and regain access to key
port and government facilities. Economic recovery has been helped by
a financially sound banking system and resilient small- and
medium-scale manufacturers. Family remittances, banking services,
manufactured and farm exports, and international aid are the main
sources of foreign exchange. In the relatively settled year of 1991,
industrial production, agricultural output, and exports showed
substantial gains. The rebuilding of the war-ravaged country was
delayed in 1992 because of an upturn in political wrangling. In
October 1992, Rafiq al-HARIRI was appointed prime minister. A
billionaire entrepreneur, al-HARIRI, announced ambitious plans for
Lebanon's reconstruction, which involve a substantial influx of
foreign aid and investment. The economy has posted considerable
gains since 1992, with GDP rebounding, inflation falling, and
foreign capital inflows jumping. Signs of strain have emerged in
recent years, however, as the government budget deficit has risen
and grassroots economic dissatisfaction has grown. Meantime, the
future fate of Lebanon and its economy is being determined largely
by outside forces - in Syria, other Arab nations, Israel, and the
West.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 28%
services: 59% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 650,000
by occupation: services 60%, industry 28%, agriculture 12% (1990
est.)
Unemployment rate: 30% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.4 billion
expenditures: $3.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: banking, food processing, textiles, cement, oil
refining, chemicals, jewelry, some metal fabricating
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 1,220,000 kW
production: 2.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 676 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: citrus, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco, hemp
(hashish); sheep, goats
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of hashish and heroin for the
international drug trade; hashish production is shipped to Western
Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America; a key locus of
cocaine processing and trafficking; a Lebanese/Syrian 1994
eradication campaign practically eliminated the opium crop and
caused a 50% decrease in the cannabis crop
Exports: $1 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: agricultural products, chemicals, textiles, precious
and semiprecious metals and jewelry, metals and metal products
partners: Saudi Arabia 13%, Switzerland 12%, UAE 11%, Syria 9%, US 5%
Imports: $7.3 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: consumer goods, machinery and transport equipment,
petroleum products
partners: Italy 14%, France 9%, US 8%, Turkey 5%, Saudi Arabia 3%
External debt: $1.2 billion (July 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Lebanese pound (LL) = 100 piasters
Exchange rates: Lebanese pounds (LL) per US$1 - 1,584.0 (March
1996), 1,621.4 (1995), 1,680.1 (1994), 1,741.4 (1993), 1,712.8
(1992), 928.2 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 222 km
standard gauge: 222 km 1.435-m (from Beirut to the Syrian border)
Highways:
total: 7,370 km
paved: 6,265 km
unpaved: 1,105 km (1990 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 72 km (none in operation)
Ports: Al Batrun, Al Mina, An Naqurah, Antilyas, Az Zahrani,
Beirut, Jubayl, Juniyah, Shikka, Sidon, Tripoli, Tyre
Merchant marine:
total: 58 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 192,075 GRT/296,256 DWT
ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 39, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk
1, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, livestock carrier 4,
refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, specialized tanker
1, vehicle carrier 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 7
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 150,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: telecommunications system severely damaged by
civil war; rebuilding still underway
domestic: primarily microwave radio relay and cable
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (erratic operations); coaxial cable to Syria;
microwave radio relay to Syria but inoperable beyond Syria to
Jordan; 3 submarine coaxial cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 1
note: more than 100 AM and FM stations are operated sporadically by
various factions
Radios: 2.37 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 13
Televisions: 1.1 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF; includes Army, Navy, and Air
Force)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 889,517
males fit for military service: 553,538 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $278 million,
5.5% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Lesotho
-------
Map
---
Location: 29 30 S, 28 30 E -- Southern Africa, an enclave of South
Africa
Flag
----
Description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner;
the upper half is white bearing the brown silhouette of a large
shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal
blue band with a green triangle in the corner
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 30,350 sq km
land area: 30,350 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 909 km
border country: South Africa 909 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Terrain: mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains
lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m
highest point: Mount Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m
Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, some
diamonds and other minerals
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 66%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 24%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: population pressure forcing settlement in marginal
areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, soil exhaustion;
desertification; Highlands Water Project will control, store, and
redirect water to South Africa
natural hazards: periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Endangered Species, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping
Geographic note: landlocked; surrounded by South Africa
People
------
Population: 1,970,781 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 41% (male 404,733; female 402,813)
15-64 years: 54% (male 519,493; female 553,618)
65 years and over: 5% (male 37,237; female 52,887) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.9% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 32.7 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.74 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 81.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.08 years
male: 50.08 years
female: 54.14 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.32 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)
adjective: Basotho
Ethnic divisions: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans 1,600, Asians 800
Religions: Christian 80%, rest indigenous beliefs
Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu,
Xhosa
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 71.3%
male: 81.1%
female: 62.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho
conventional short form: Lesotho
former: Basutoland
Data code: LT
Type of government: modified constitutional monarchy
Capital: Maseru
Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe,
Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek,
Quthing, Thaba-Tseka
Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966)
Constitution: 2 April 1993
Legal system: based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law;
judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of
Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); the king is
the former Crown Prince David Monato BERENG Seeiso and succeeded his
father King MOSHOESHOE II, who died in an automobile accident on 16
January 1996; King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne (November
1990 to February 1995) while his father was in exile
note: the king is a hereditary monarch, but, under the terms of the
constitution which came into effect after the March 1993 election,
he has no executive or legislative powers; moreover, under
traditional law the king can be elected or deposed by a majority
vote of the College of Chiefs
head of government: Prime Minister Ntsu MOKHEHLE (since 2 April 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of 33 members (the 22 principal chiefs and 11 other
members appointed by the ruling party)
Assembly: members elected by popular vote; election last held NA
March 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats (65 total) BCP 65
Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate's Court;
customary or traditional court
Political parties and leaders: Basotho National Party (BNP),
Evaristus SEKHONYANA; Basotho Congress Party (BCP), Ntsu MOKHEHLE;
National Independent Party (NIP), A. C. MANYELI; Marematlou Freedom
Party (MFP), Vincent MALEBO; United Democratic Party, Charles
MOFELI; Communist Party of Lesotho (CPL), Jacob M. KENA
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU,
SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Eunice M. BULANE
chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536
FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bismarck MYRICK
embassy: address NA, Maseru
mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho
telephone: [266] 312666
FAX: [266] 310116
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the
upper half is white bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield
with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band
with a green triangle in the corner
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho has
no important natural resources other than water. Its economy is
based on agriculture, light manufacturing, and remittances from
laborers employed in South Africa (these remittances supplement
domestic income by as much as 45%). The great majority of households
gain their livelihoods from subsistence farming and migrant labor; a
large portion of the adult male work force is employed in South
African mines. Manufacturing depends largely on farm products which
support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries. Although
drought has decreased agricultural activity over the past few years,
improvement of a major hydropower facility will permit the sale of
water to South Africa and will support the economy's continued
expansion.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.8 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 13.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,430 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.4%
industry: 48.8%
services: 40.8% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.5% (January 1995)
Labor force: 689,000 economically active
by occupation: 86.2% of resident population engaged in subsistence
agriculture; roughly 60% of the active male wage earners work in
South Africa
Unemployment rate: substantial unemployment and underemployment
Budget:
revenues: $445 million
expenditures: $400 million, including capital expenditures of $128
million (FY94/95 est.)
Industries: food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts; construction;
tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 12.5% (1994 est.)
Electricity: power supplied by South Africa
Agriculture: corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock
Exports: $142 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: clothing, furniture, footwear, wool
partners: South Africa 39%, EC 22%, North and South America 33%
(1993)
Imports: $1 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: mainly corn, building materials, clothing, vehicles,
machinery, medicines, petroleum products
partners: South Africa 83%, Asia 12%, EC 3% (1993)
External debt: $512 million (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente
Exchange rates: maloti (M) per US$1 - 3.6417 (January 1996),
3.6266 (1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7563
(1991); note - the Basotho loti is at par with the South African rand
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2.6 km; note - owned by, operated by, and included in the
statistics of South Africa
narrow gauge: 2.6 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 5,324 km
paved: 799 km
unpaved: 4,525 km (1993 est.)
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 29
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 23
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 12,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: rudimentary system
domestic: consists of a few landlines, a small microwave radio relay
system, and a minor radiotelephone communication system
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 66,000
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing),
Lesotho Mounted Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 455,218
males fit for military service: 245,774 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Liberia
-------
Years of civil strife have destroyed much of Liberia's economic
infrastructure, made civil administration nearly impossible, and
brought economic activity virtually to a halt. The deterioration of
economic conditions has been greatly exacerbated by the flight of
most business people with their expertise and capital. Civil order
ended in 1990 when President Samuel Kanyon DOE was killed by rebel
forces. The ensuing civil war persisted until August 1995 when the
major factions signed the Abuja peace accord and, in September 1995,
formed a transitional coalition government under Wilton SANKAWULO.
The war was resumed in April 1996, when forces loyal to faction
leaders Charles TAYLOR and Alhaji KROMAH attacked rival factions in
Monrovia, further damaging the capital's already dilapidated
infrastructure and causing panic among the remaining foreign
residents, thousands of whom sought refuge in US facilities.
Prospects for peace became extremely uncertain again.
Map
---
Location: 6 30 N, 9 30 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
Flag
----
Description: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue
square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the
US flag
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates: 6 30 N, 9 30 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 111,370 sq km
land area: 96,320 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total: 1,585 km
border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone
306 km
Coastline: 579 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool
to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling
plateau and low mountains in northeast
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m
Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 2%
forest and woodland: 39%
other: 55%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: tropical rain forest subject to deforestation; soil
erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of rivers from the dumping
of iron ore tailings and of coastal waters from oil residue and raw
sewage
natural hazards: dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara
(December to March)
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94;
signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation
People
------
Population: 2,109,789 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 475,138; female 470,970)
15-64 years: 52% (male 557,855; female 532,143)
65 years and over: 3% (male 35,544; female 38,139) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.13% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.72 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.95 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: until the Ghanaian-led peace negotiations are successful, many
Liberian refugees will be unable to return from exile
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 108.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 58.59 years
male: 56.05 years
female: 61.22 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.23 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Liberian(s)
adjective: Liberian
Ethnic divisions: indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle,
Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai,
and Bella), Americo-Liberians 5% (descendants of former slaves)
Religions: traditional 70%, Muslim 20%, Christian 10%
Languages: English 20% (official), Niger-Congo language group
about 20 local languages come from this group
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 38.3%
male: 53.9%
female: 22.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Liberia
conventional short form: Liberia
Data code: LI
Type of government: republic
Capital: Monrovia
Administrative divisions: 13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa,
Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland,
Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, Sinoe
Independence: 26 July 1847
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
Constitution: 6 January 1986
Legal system: dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American
common law for the modern sector and customary law based on
unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Council of
State Wilton SANKAWULO (since NA September 1995); president was to
be elected for a six-year term by universal suffrage at the end of
1995; election last held 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA August
1996); results - Samuel Kanyon DOE (NDPL) 50.9%, Jackson DOE (LAP)
26.4%, other 22.7%
note: constitutional government ended in September 1990 when
President Samuel Kanyon DOE was killed by rebel forces; civil war
ensued and in August 1995 the Abuja peace accord was signed by the
major warring factions; a transitional coalition government under
Wilton SANKAWULO was formed in September 1995; presidential
elections are scheduled for August 1996
cabinet: Cabinet was selected by the leaders of the major factions
in the civil war
Legislative branch: unicameral Transitional Legislative Assembly,
the members of which are appointed by the leaders of the major
factions in the civil war
note: the former bicameral legislature no longer exists and is
unlikely to be reconstituted soon
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party of
Liberia (NDPL), Augustus CAINE, chairman; Liberian Action Party
(LAP), Emmanuel KOROMAH, chairman; Unity Party (UP), Joseph KOFA,
chairman; United People's Party (UPP), Gabriel Baccus MATTHEWS,
chairman; National Patriotic Party (NPP), Charles TAYLOR, chairman;
Liberian Peoples Party (LPP), Dusty WOLOKOLLIE, chairman
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Konah K.
BLACKETT
chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chief of Mission William MILAM
embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, Monrovia
mailing address: P. O. Box 100098, Mamba Point, Monrovia
telephone: [231] 226-370
FAX: [231] 226-148
Flag: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue
square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the
US flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Civil war since 1990 has destroyed much of
Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around
Monrovia. Businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and
expertise with them. Many will not return. Richly endowed with
water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to
agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic
products, while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been
small in scope. Political instability threatens prospects for
economic reconstruction and repatriation of some 750,000 Liberian
refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. The continued
political turmoil has prevented restoration of normal economic life,
including the re-establishment of a strong central government with
effective economic development programs. The economy deteriorated
further in 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.3 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $770 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 510,000 including 220,000 in the monetary economy
by occupation: agriculture 70.5%, services 10.8%, industry and
commerce 4.5%, other 14.2%
note: non-African foreigners hold about 95% of the top-level
management and engineering jobs
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $225 million
expenditures: $285 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: rubber processing, food processing, construction
materials, furniture, palm oil processing, iron ore, diamonds
Industrial production growth rate: NA% (1993-94)
Electricity:
capacity: 330,000 kW
production: 440 million kWh
consumption per capita: 143 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm
oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber
Illicit drugs: increasingly a transshipment point for heroin and
cocaine
Exports: $530 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: iron ore 61%, rubber 20%, timber 11%, coffee
partners: US, EC, Netherlands, Singapore
Imports: NA (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation
equipment, manufactured goods; rice and other foodstuffs
partners: US, EC, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWAS, South Korea
External debt: $1.9 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1 - 1.0000
(officially fixed rate since 1940); market exchange rate of US$1 -
L$50 (October 1995), L$7 (January 1992), market rate floats against
the US dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 490 km (single track); note - three rail systems owned and
operated by foreign steel and financial interests in conjunction
with Liberian Government; one of these, the Lamco Railroad, closed
in 1989 after iron ore production ceased; the other two have been
shut down by the civil war
standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 145 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 10,029 km
paved: 600 km
unpaved: 9,429 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia
Merchant marine:
total: 1,601 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 59,449,296
GRT/98,819,081 DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 411, cargo 121, chemical tanker
108, combination bulk 28, combination ore/oil 56, container 143,
liquefied gas tanker 77, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil
tanker 463, passenger 42, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 64,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 23, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker
9, vehicle carrier 48
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 59
countries among which are US 253, Japan 172, Norway 165, Germany
149, Greece 137, Hong Kong 114, UK 78, China 49, Monaco 41, and
Cyprus 34 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 39
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 29
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: less than 25,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: telephone and telegraph service via microwave
radio relay network; main center is Monrovia; most
telecommunications services inoperable due to insurgency movement
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 622,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 51,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: NA; the ultimate structure of the Liberian military
force will depend on who is the victor in the ongoing civil war
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 479,274
males fit for military service: 256,200 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 2.9%
of GDP (1993)
======================================================================
@Libya
-----
Map
---
Location: 25 00 N, 17 00 E -- Northern Africa, bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia
Flag
----
Description: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam
(the state religion)
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea,
between Egypt and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 17 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1,759,540 sq km
land area: 1,759,540 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 4,383 km
border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,150 km,
Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km
Coastline: 1,770 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Gulf of Sidra closing line: 32 degrees 30 minutes north
International disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
ruled in February 1994 that the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between
Chad and Libya belongs to Chad and that Libya must withdraw from it
by 31 May 1994; Libya has withdrawn some of its forces in response
to the ICJ ruling, but still maintains part of the airfield and a
small military presence at the airfield's water supply located in
Chad; maritime boundary dispute with Tunisia; claims part of
northern Niger and part of southeastern Algeria
Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior
Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus,
depressions
lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m
highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 8%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 90%
Irrigated land: 2,420 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: desertification; very limited natural fresh water
resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water
development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from
large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities
natural hazards: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind
lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms
international agreements: party to - Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 5,445,436 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 1,319,696; female 1,274,865)
15-64 years: 49% (male 1,375,441; female 1,308,613)
65 years and over: 3% (male 87,434; female 79,387) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.42 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.04 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 59.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.67 years
male: 62.48 years
female: 66.97 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Libyan(s)
adjective: Libyan
Ethnic divisions: Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians,
Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians
Religions: Sunni Muslim 97%
Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in
the major cities
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 76.2%
male: 87.9%
female: 63%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
conventional short form: Libya
local long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah
al Ishtirakiyah
local short form: none
Data code: LY
Type of government: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory,
governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military
dictatorship
Capital: Tripoli
Administrative divisions: 25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular -
baladiyat); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al
Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari,
Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq,
Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan
note: the 25 muncipalities may have been replaced by 1,500 communes
in 1992
Independence: 24 December 1951 (from Italy)
National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)
Constitution: 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977
Legal system: based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law;
separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial
review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar
al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969) was elected by the General
People's Congress
head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee
(Premier) Abd al Majid al-QA'UD (since 29 January 1994)
cabinet: General People's Committee was established by the General
People's Congress
note: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of
peoples' committees
Legislative branch: unicameral
General People's Congress: national elections are indirect through a
hierarchy of peoples' committees
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: various Arab nationalist
movements with almost negligible memberships may be functioning
clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO,
ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR,
UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US: Libya does not have an embassy in
the US
US diplomatic representation: the US suspended all embassy
activities in Tripoli on 2 May 1980
Flag: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the
state religion)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The socialist-oriented economy depends
primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contributes
practically all export earnings and about one-third of GDP. In 1990
per capita GDP was the highest in Africa at $5,410, but subsequently
GDP growth has slowed on average and has fluctuated sharply in
response to changes in the world oil market. Import restrictions and
inefficient resource allocations have led to periodic shortages of
basic goods and foodstuffs. The nonoil manufacturing and
construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have
expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the
production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Although
agriculture accounts for only 5% of GDP, it employs 18% of the labor
force. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit farm
output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food requirements. The UN
sanctions imposed in April 1992 have not yet had a major impact on
the economy because Libya's oil revenues generate sufficient foreign
exchange to sustain imports of food, consumer goods, and equipment
for the oil industry and ongoing development projects.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $32.9 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -0.9% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,510 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 1 million (includes about 280,000 resident foreigners)
by occupation: industry 31%, services 27%, government 24%,
agriculture 18%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $8.1 billion
expenditures: $9.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.1
billion (1989 est.)
Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts,
cement
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 4,600,000 kW
production: 16.1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,078 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables,
peanuts; meat, eggs
Exports: $7.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas
partners: Italy, Germany, Spain, France, UK, Turkey, Greece, Egypt
Imports: $6.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goods
partners: Italy, Germany, UK, France, Spain, Turkey, Tunisia,
Eastern Europe
External debt: $3.5 billion excluding military debt (1991 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams
Exchange rates: Libyan dinars (LD) per US$1 - 0.3617 (January
1996), 0.3532 (1995), 0.3596 (1994), 0.3250 (1993), 0.3013 (1992),
0.2684 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
note: Libya has had no railroad in operation since 1965, all
previous systems having been dismantled; current plans are to
construct a 1.435-m standard gauge line from the Tunisian frontier
to Tripoli and Misratah, then inland to Sabha, center of a
mineral-rich area, but there has been no progress; other plans made
jointly with Egypt would establish a rail line from As Sallum,
Egypt, to Tobruk with completion set for mid-1994; no progress has
been reported
Highways:
total: 19,189 km
paved: 10,738 km
unpaved: 8,451 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: none
Pipelines: crude oil 4,383 km; petroleum products 443 km (includes
liquefied petroleum gas 256 km); natural gas 1,947 km
Ports: Al Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah, Misratah,
Ra's Lanuf, Tobruk, Tripoli, Zuwarah
Merchant marine:
total: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 686,834 GRT/1,209,263
DWT
ships by type: cargo 10, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 2,
oil tanker 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, short-sea passenger 4
note: Libya owns an additional 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
38,260 DWT operating under the registries of Algeria and Turkey
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 130
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 24
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 22
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6
with paved runways under 914 m: 13
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 4
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 15
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 38 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 370,000
Telephone system: modern telecommunications system
domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, tropospheric
scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); planned Arabsat and Intersputnik
satellite earth stations; submarine cables to France and Italy;
microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to
Greece; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 1 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 12 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 500,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Armed Peoples of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah (includes
Army, Navy, and Air and Air Defense Command), Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,170,100
males fit for military service: 696,288
males reach military age (17) annually: 56,834 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion,
6.1% of GDP (1994 est.)
======================================================================
@Liechtenstein
-------------
Map
---
Location: 47 10 N, 9 32 E -- Central Europe, between Austria and
Switzerland
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with
a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band
Geography
---------
Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Geographic coordinates: 47 10 N, 9 32 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 160 sq km
land area: 160 sq km
comparative area: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 78 km
border countries: Austria 37 km, Switzerland 41 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: claims 1,600 square kilometers of Czech
territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918; the Czech
Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February
1948, when the communists seized power
Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or
rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western
third
lowest point: Ruggleller Riet 430 m
highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m
Natural resources: hydroelectric potential
Land use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 38%
forest and woodland: 19%
other: 18%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed,
but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Law of
the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; variety of microclimatic variations
based on elevation
People
------
Population: 31,122 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 2,961; female 2,871)
15-64 years: 70% (male 10,775; female 11,113)
65 years and over: 11% (male 1,366; female 2,036) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.08% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.47 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.84 years
male: 75.92 years
female: 82.17 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Liechtensteiner(s)
adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic divisions: Alemannic 95%, Italian and other 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 87.3%, Protestant 8.3%, unknown 1.6%,
other 2.8% (1988)
Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect
Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1981 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein
conventional short form: Liechtenstein
local long form: Furstentum Liechtenstein
local short form: Liechtenstein
Data code: LS
Type of government: hereditary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Vaduz
Administrative divisions: 11 communes (gemeinden, singular -
gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell,
Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence: 23 January 1719 (Imperial Principality of
Liechtenstein established)
National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August
Constitution: 5 October 1921
Legal system: local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Prince Hans ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, who is
a hereditary monarch, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir
Apparent Prince ALOIS von und zu Liechtenstein (born 11 June 1968)
head of government: Mario FRICK (since 15 December 1993) and Deputy
Head of Government Dr. Thomas BUECHEL (since 15 December 1993) were
elected by the Landtag for a four-year term and confirmed by the
prince
cabinet: Cabinet was elected by the Diet; confirmed by the prince
Legislative branch: unicameral
Diet (Landtag): elections last held on 24 October 1993 (next to be
held by March 1997); results - VU 50.1%, FBP 41.3%, FL 8.5%; seats -
(25 total) VU 13, FBP 11, FL 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for criminal
cases; Superior Court (Obergericht) for civil cases
Political parties and leaders: Fatherland Union (VU), Dr. Oswald
KRANTZ; Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), Otmar HASLER; The Free
List (FL)
International organization participation: CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA,
IAEA, ICRM, IFRCS, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: Liechtenstein does not have an
embassy in the US, but is represented by the Swiss embassy in
routine diplomatic matters
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Liechtenstein, but the US Consul General at Zurich (Switzerland) has
consular accreditation in Vaduz
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold
crown on the hoist side of the blue band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Despite its small size and limited natural
resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly
industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital service sector
and living standards on par with the urban areas of its large
European neighbors. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 18%
- and easy incorporation rules have induced about 25,000 holding or
so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in
Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country
participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss
franc as its national currency. Liechtenstein plans to join the
European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between
EFTA and EU) in 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $630 million (1990 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $22,300 (1990 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1990)
Labor force: 20,000 of which 12,000 are foreigners; 6,885 commute
from Austria and Switzerland to work each day
by occupation: industry, trade, and building 48.1%, services 50.2%,
agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 1.7% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 0.9% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $455 million
expenditures: $442 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics,
pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 23,000 kW
production: 150 million kWh
consumption per capita: 5,230 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapes; livestock
Exports: $1.636 billion (1993)
commodities: small specialty machinery, dental products, stamps,
hardware, pottery
partners: EC countries 42.7%, EFTA countries 20.9% (Switzerland
15.4%), other 36.4% (1990)
Imports: $NA
commodities: machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor
vehicles
partners: NA
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes,
rappen, or centesimi
Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 -
1.1810 (January 1996), 1.1825 (1995), 1.3677 (1994), 1.4776 (1993),
1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 18.5 km; note - owned, operated, and included in statistics
of Austrian Federal Railways
standard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)
Highways:
total: 238 km
paved: 238 km
unpaved: 0 km (1986 est.)
Ports: none
Airports: none
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 18,916 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: limited, but sufficient automatic telephone
system
domestic: NA
international: linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio
relay
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
note: linked to Swiss networks
Radios: 11,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: NA
note: linked to Swiss networks
Televisions: 10,620 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Switzerland
======================================================================
@Lithuania
---------
Map
---
Location: 56 00 N, 24 00 E -- Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic
Sea, between Latvia and Russia
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green,
and red
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia
and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 24 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 65,200 sq km
land area: 65,200 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,273 km
border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km,
Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km
Coastline: 108 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast)
over the position of the Nemunas (Nemen) River border presently
located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by
international standards; disputes maritime border with Latvia
(primary concern is oil exploration rights); treaty with Belarus
defining the border awaits ratification
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters and summers
Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Juozapine Kalnas 292 m
Natural resources: peat
Land use:
arable land: 49%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 22%
forest and woodland: 16%
other: 13%
Irrigated land: 430 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum
products and chemicals at military bases
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Ozone Layer
Protection
People
------
Population: 3,646,041 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 400,823; female 384,592)
15-64 years: 66% (male 1,162,626; female 1,244,103)
65 years and over: 12% (male 154,862; female 299,035) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -0.35% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.93 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.33 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.03 years
male: 62.15 years
female: 74.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Lithuanian(s)
adjective: Lithuanian
Ethnic divisions: Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Polish 7.7%,
Byelorussian 1.5%, other 2.1%
Religions: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, other
Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form: Lithuania
local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form: Lietuva
former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: LH
Type of government: republic
Capital: Vilnius
Administrative divisions: 44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas)
and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*,
Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*,
Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko
Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno
Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos
Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas,
Marijampole*, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo
Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas,
Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu
Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas,
Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas,
Sirvinty Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages
Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traky Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos
Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas,
Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918)
Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 25
November 1992; elected acting president by Parliament 25 November
1992 and elected by direct vote 15 February 1993) was elected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 14 February
1993 (next to be held spring 1997); results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS
was elected; percent of vote NA
head of government: Premier Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS (since 15
February 1996) was appointed by the president on approval of the
Seimas
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on the
nomination of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Seimas (parliament): elections last held 26 October and 25 November
1992 (next to be held NA October 1996); results - LDDP 51%; seats -
(141 total) LDDP 73, Conservative Party 30, LKDP 17, LTS 8, Farmers'
Union 4, LLS 4, Center Union 2, others 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Seimas;
Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Seimas
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (LKDP),
Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania
(LDDP), Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS , chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist
Union (LTS), Rimantas SMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social
Democratic Party (LSDP), Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman; Farmers' Union,
Jonas CIULEVICIUS, chairman; Center Union, Romualdas OZOLAS,
chairman; Homeland Union/Conservative Party, Vytautas LANDSBERGIS,
chairman; Lithuanian Polish Union (LLS), Rytardas MACIEKIANIEC,
chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Lithuanian Future Forum
International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE,
EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860, 2639
FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr.
embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600
mailing address: PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723
telephone: [78] (8) 973-0000, 227-224
FAX: [78] (8) 670-6084
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania
has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the
former socialist system. With the help of the IMF and other
international institutions, the government has adopted a disciplined
program to restrain inflation, reduce price controls, lower the
budget deficit and privatize the economy. Lithuania has embarked on
a series of price liberalizations; most price controls have been
abolished. More than two-thirds of its industrial facilities as well
as most housing and agricultural enterprises have been privatized,
although important "strategic" enterprises have been exempted from
privatization - namely energy and telecommunications. While
Lithuania has reduced its trade dependence on Russia and other
republics of the FSU from 85% in 1991 to about 40% in 1995, Russia
remains Lithuania's leading trading partner. Lithuania has made
great strides in reducing its annual rate of inflation - from over
1,100% in 1992 to about 35% in 1995. Production bottomed out in
1994-95. A banking crisis beginning in September, during which
central bank reserves dropped one-third, held back growth in 1995.
If the government can stay the course on economic reform and fiscal
discipline - which may be politically difficult in the election year
of 1996 - Lithuania could be set for strong economic growth in the
near term. As for real resources, Lithuania's growth depends largely
on its ability to exploit its strategic location - with its ice-free
port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting
it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Lacking
important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of
fuels and raw materials.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $13.3 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 42%
services: 38% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.836 million
by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and
forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 6.1% (January 1996)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors,
television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining,
shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food
processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment,
electronic components, computers, amber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 6,190,000 kW
production: 18.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 4,608 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables; meat, milk,
eggs; fish
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central
and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; limited
producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption
Exports: $2.2 billion (1994)
commodities: electronics 18%, food 10%, chemicals 6%, petroleum
products 5% (1989)
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Germany
Imports: $2.7 billion (1994)
commodities: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989)
partners: Russia, Germany, Belarus
External debt: $895 million
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $144 million (1993)
note: commitments from the West and international financial
institutions, $765 million (1992-95)
Currency: introduced the convertible litas in June 1993
Exchange rates: litai per US$1 - 4.000 (January 1996), 4.000
(1995), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992); note - fixed rate
since 1 May 1994
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,002 km
broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)
Highways:
total: 55,603 km
paved: 42,209 km (including 382 km of expressways)
unpaved: 13,394 km (1994)
Waterways: 600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)
Ports: Kaunas, Klaipeda
Merchant marine:
total: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 264,639 GRT/303,649 DWT
ships by type: cargo 26, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar
carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2 (1995
est.)
Airports:
total: 96
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 14
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 900,000
Telephone system: telecommunications system ranks among the most
modern of the former Soviet republics
domestic: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in
Vilnius and other cities; landlines and microwave radio relay
connect switching centers
international: international connections no longer depend on the
Moscow international gateway switch, but are established by
satellite through Oslo from Vilnius and through Copenhagen from
Kaunas; satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean); cellular network linked internationally through
Copenhagen by Eutelsat; international electronic mail is available;
landlines or microwave radio relay to former Soviet republics
Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1, longwave 1
Radios: 1.42 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 1.77 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security
Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 903,437
males fit for military service: 712,875
males reach military age (18) annually: 26,162 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $31.7 million, 1%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Luxembourg
----------
Map
---
Location: 49 45 N, 6 10 E -- Western Europe, between France and
Germany
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a
darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany
Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 6 10 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 2,586 sq km
land area: 2,586 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
total: 359 km
border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers
Terrain: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow
valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope
down to Moselle floodplain in the southeast
lowest point: Moselle River 133 m
highest point: Burgplatz 559 m
Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited)
Land use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 21%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; air and water pollution in urban areas
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83;
signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,
Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 415,870 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 39,199; female 37,239)
15-64 years: 68% (male 142,394; female 138,349)
65 years and over: 14% (male 23,118; female 35,571) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.14 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.32 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 10.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.26 years
male: 75.24 years
female: 81.56 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Luxembourger(s)
adjective: Luxembourg
Ethnic divisions: Celtic base (with French and German blend),
Portuguese, Italian, and European (guest and worker residents)
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3%
Languages: Luxembourgisch, German, French, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
conventional short form: Luxembourg
local long form: Grand-Duche de Luxembourg
local short form: Luxembourg
Data code: LU
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Luxembourg
Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher,
======================================================================
@Macau
-----
(overseas territory of Portugal)
Map
---
Location: 22 10 N, 113 33 E -- Eastern Asia, bordering the South
China Sea and China
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Portugal is used
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates: 22 10 N, 113 33 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 16 sq km
land area: 16 sq km
comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 0.34 km
border country: China 0.34 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: not specified
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Terrain: generally flat
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Coloane Alto 174 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Ozone Layer Protection
(extended from Portugal)
Geographic note: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge
connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland
People
------
Population: 496,837 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 60,709; female 57,004)
15-64 years: 68% (male 167,466; female 169,486)
65 years and over: 8% (male 17,569; female 24,603) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.15% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.16 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.95 years
male: 77.49 years
female: 82.54 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Macanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Macau
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2%
Religions: Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 7%, Protestant 1%, none
45.8%, other 1.2% (1981)
Languages: Portuguese (official) 4%, Chinese (Cantonese) is the
language of commerce
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.)
total population: 90%
male: 93%
female: 86%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Macau
local long form: none
local short form: Ilha de Macau
Data code: MC
Type of government: overseas territory of Portugal scheduled to
revert to China in 1999
Capital: Macau
Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular -
concelho); Ilhas, Macau
Independence: none (territory of Portugal; Portugal signed an
agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20
December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect
Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50
years after transition)
National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law
drafted primarily by Beijing promulgated 31 March 1993
Legal system: Portuguese civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since
9 March 1986)
head of government: Governor Gen. Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since
20 March 1991) was appointed by the President of Portugal after
consultation with the Legislative Assembly
cabinet: Consultative Council consists of a total of 15 members -
five appointed by the governor, two nominated by the governor, five
elected for a four-year term (two represent administrative bodies,
one represents moral, cultural, and welfare interests, and two
represent economic interests), and three statutory members
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly: elections last held 10 March 1991 (next to be
held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total,
8 elected by direct vote, 8 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the
governor) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, consisting of five magistrates
including the president; lower court judges appointed for three
years by governor
Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests
of Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of
Macau; Macau Independent Group
Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese
representing local interests, wealthy procommunist merchants
representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government
acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over
administration
International organization participation: CCC, ESCAP (associate),
IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), UNESCO (associate), WToO
(associate), WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (Chinese territory under
Portuguese administration)
US diplomatic representation: the US has no offices in Macau, and
US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong
Flag: the flag of Portugal is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is based largely on tourism
(including gambling) and textile and fireworks manufacturing.
Efforts to diversify have spawned other small industries - toys,
artificial flowers, and electronics. The tourist sector has
accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has
provided about two-thirds of export earnings; the gambling industry
probably represents over 40% of GDP. Macau depends on China for most
of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong
are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $13,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 180,000 (1986)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $305 million
expenditures: $298 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1989 est.)
Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture,
tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 258,000 kW
production: 950 million kWh
consumption per capita: 2,093 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, vegetables
Exports: $1.9 billion (1995 est.)
commodities: textiles, clothing, toys
partners: US 35%, Hong Kong 12.5%, Germany 12%, China 9.9%, France
8% (1992 est.)
Imports: $2 billion (1992 est.)
commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods
partners: Hong Kong 33%, China 20%, Japan 18% (1992 est.)
External debt: $0 (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos
Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1 - 8.034 (1991-95), 8.024
(1990), 8.030 (1989); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the
rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 90 km
paved: 42 km
unpaved: 48 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Macau
Merchant marine: none
Airports: new international airport completed in 1995; 1 seaplane
station
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 170,021 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: fairly modern communication facilities
maintained for domestic and international services
domestic: NA
international: HF radiotelephone communication facility; access to
international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and
China; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 135,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
note: TV programs received from Hong Kong
Televisions: 34,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: NA
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 142,704
males fit for military service: 79,225 (1996 est.)
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Portugal
======================================================================
@Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
------------------------------------------
Map
---
Location: 41 50 N, 22 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Flag
----
Description: a rising yellow sun with 8 rays extending to the
edges of the red field
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates: 41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 25,333 sq km
land area: 24,856 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Vermont
Land boundaries:
total: 748 km
border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 228 km,
Serbia and Montenegro 221 km (all with Serbia)
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: dispute with Greece over name; in
September 1995, Skopje and Athens signed an interim accord resolving
their dispute over symbols and certain constitutional provisions;
Athens also lifted its economic embargo on the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Climate: hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters
with heavy snowfall
Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and
valleys; there are three large lakes, each divided by a frontier
line; country bisected by the Vardar River
lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
highest point: Korab 2,753 m
Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten,
nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 30%
other: 40%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants
natural hazards: high seismic risks
international agreements: party to - Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection
Geographic note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from
Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to
Western Europe
People
------
Population: 2,104,035 (July 1996 est.)
note: the Macedonian government census of July 1994 put the
population at 1.94 million, but ethnic allocations were likely
undercounted
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 242,593; female 228,563)
15-64 years: 68% (male 728,969; female 703,665)
65 years and over: 10% (male 90,363; female 109,882) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.46% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.47 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 29.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.94 years
male: 69.86 years
female: 74.18 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Macedonian(s)
adjective: Macedonian
Ethnic divisions: Macedonian 65%, Albanian 22%, Turkish 4%, Serb
2%, Gypsies 3%, other 4%
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3%
Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%,
Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republika Makedonija
local short form: Makedonija
abbreviation: FYROM
Data code: MK
Type of government: emerging democracy
Capital: Skopje
Administrative divisions: 34 counties (opstinas, singular -
opstina) Berovo, Bitola, Brod, Debar, Delcevo, Gevgelija, Gostivar,
Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krusevo,
Kumanovo, Murgasevo, Negotino, Ohrid, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis,
Resen, Skopje-Centar, Skopje-Cair, Skopje-Karpos, Skopje-Kisela
Voda, Skopje-Gazi Baba, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Sveti Nikole,
Tetovo, Titov Veles, Valandovo, Vinica
Independence: 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: 8 September
Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991) was
elected by the Assembly in 1991 and reelected by popular vote in
1994; election last held 16 October 1994 (next to be held NA 1997);
results - percent of vote NA; note - following a failed
assassination attempt on the president in October 1995, then
Parliamentary Speaker Stojan ANDOV was acting president; GLIGOROV
resumed his duties in early 1996
head of government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 4
September 1992) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers were elected by the majority vote of
all the deputies in the Assembly; note - after the withdrawal of the
Liberal Party from the ruling coalition in early 1996, the Council
of Ministers was reorganized without LP participation
Legislative branch: unicameral
Assembly (Sobranje): elections last held 16 and 30 October 1994
(next to be held NA November 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (120 total) SDSM 58, LP 29, SPM 8, PDP 10, NDP 4,
independents 7, other 4
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the
Judicial Council; Judicial Court of the Republic, judges are elected
by the Judicial Council
Political parties and leaders: Social-Democratic Alliance of
Macedonia (SDSM; former Communist Party), Branko CRVENKOVSKI,
president; Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP), Abdurahman HALITI,
president; National Democratic Party (NDP), Ilijas HALINI,
president; Alliance of Reform Forces of Macedonia - Liberal Party
(SRSM-LP), Stojan ANDOV, president; Socialist Party of Macedonia
(SPM), Kiro POPOVSKI, president; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary
Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity
(VMRO-DPMNE), Ljupco GEORGIEVSKI, president; Party of Yugoslavs in
Macedonia (SJM), Milan DURCINOV, president; Democratic Party (DP),
Petar GOSEV, president; Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians
(PDPA), Arben XHAFFERI, president
Other political or pressure groups: Movement for All Macedonian
Action (MAAK); Democratic Party of Serbs; Democratic Party of Turks;
Party for Democratic Action (Slavic Muslim)
International organization participation: CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE,
FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ljubica ACEVSKA
chancery: 3050 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 337 3063
FAX: [1] (202) 337 3093
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Christopher HILL; Charge
d'Affaires Victor D. COMRAS
embassy: ul. 27 Mart No. 5, 9100 Skopje
mailing address: United States Liaison Office Skopje, Department of
State, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)
telephone: [389] (91) 116-180
FAX: [389] (91) 117-103
note: the US agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in September 1995, and to
upgrade the Liaison Office to an Embassy
Flag: a rising yellow sun with 8 rays extending to the edges of
the red field
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
although the poorest republic in the former Yugoslav federation, can
meet basic food and energy needs through its own agricultural and
coal resources. Its economic decline will continue unless ties are
reforged or enlarged with its neighbors Serbia and Montenegro,
Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. The economy depends on outside
sources for all of its oil and gas and most of its modern machinery
and parts. An important supplement of GDP is the remittances from
thousands of Macedonians working in Germany and other West European
nations. The end of sanctions on Serbia and the lifting of the Greek
embargo on Macedonia have reopened its natural trade corridors, but
the country has been slow to capitalize on these opportunities.
Moreover, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's geographical
isolation, technological underdevelopment, and potential political
instability place it far down the list of countries of interest to
Western investors. An internal commitment to economic reform would
encourage foreign investment over the long run.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4%
GDP per capita: $880 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 44%
services: 32%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 591,773 (June 1994)
by occupation: manufacturing and mining 40% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 37% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel,
textiles, wood products, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: -14% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,600,000 kW
production: 6.046 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,941 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame,
mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton
Illicit drugs: limited illicit opium cultivation; transshipment
point for Southwest Asian heroin
Exports: $916.2 million (1995)
commodities: manufactured goods 40%, machinery and transport
equipment 14%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 23%, raw
materials 7.6%, food (rice) and live animals 5.7%, beverages and
tobacco 4.5%, chemicals 4.7% (1990)
partners: principally Serbia and Montenegro and the other former
Yugoslav republics, Germany, Greece, Albania
Imports: $199 million (1995)
commodities: fuels and lubricants 19%, manufactured goods 18%,
machinery and transport equipment 15%, food and live animals 14%,
chemicals 11.4%, raw materials 10%, miscellaneous manufactured
articles 8.0%, beverages and tobacco 3.5% (1990)
partners: other former Yugoslav republics, Greece, Albania, Germany,
Bulgaria
External debt: $737.1 million (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: US, $10 million (for humanitarian and technical assistance);
in December 1995, the EU agreed to provide a credit line of ECU 21.7
million for investment projects
Currency: the denar, which was adopted by the Macedonian
legislature 26 April 1992, was initially issued in the form of a
coupon pegged to the German mark; subsequently repegged to a basket
of seven currencies
Exchange rates: denar per US$1 - 38.8 (December 1995), 39
(November 1994), 865 (October 1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 699 km
standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (232 km electrified) (1995)
Highways:
total: 10,591 km
paved: 5,091 km
unpaved: 5,500 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: none, lake transport only
Pipelines: none
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 16
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 12
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 125,000
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 369,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (relays 2)
Televisions: 327,011 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 571,927
males fit for military service: 458,231
males reach military age (19) annually: 16,698 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 7 billion denars, NA% of GDP (1993 est.);
note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Madagascar
----------
Map
---
Location: 20 00 S, 47 00 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green
with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 587,040 sq km
land area: 581,540 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,828 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island,
Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all
administered by France)
Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m
Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt,
quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 58%
forest and woodland: 26%
other: 11%
Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and
overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw
sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna
unique to the island are endangered
natural hazards: periodic cyclones
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location
along Mozambique Channel
People
------
Population: 13,670,507 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 3,105,958; female 3,034,279)
15-64 years: 52% (male 3,499,021; female 3,573,052)
65 years and over: 3% (male 224,710; female 233,487) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.83% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.63 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 14.38 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 93.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.19 years
male: 51.11 years
female: 53.3 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Malagasy (singular and plural)
adjective: Malagasy
Ethnic divisions: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo),
Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry -
Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian,
Creole, Comoran
Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 80%
male: 88%
female: 73%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form: Madagascar
local long form: Republique de Madagascar
local short form: Madagascar
former: Malagasy Republic
Data code: MA
Type of government: republic
Capital: Antananarivo
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo,
Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary
Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Constitution: 19 August 1992 by national referendum
Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional
Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993) was
elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election last held 10
February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - Albert ZAFY
(UNDD) 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 33%
head of government: Prime Minister Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY (since 30
October 1995) was elected by the National Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate (Senat): two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled
from popularly elected regional assemblies; the remaining third is
to be filled by presidential appointment; decentralization and
formation of regional assemblies is not expected before 1997
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 16 June
1993 (next to be held NA June 1997); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD
11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme); High Constitutional
Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)
Political parties and leaders: Committee of Living Forces (CFV),
an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy (UNDD),
Support Group for Democracy and Development in Madagascar (CSDDM),
Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar
(GRAD), Congress Party for Madagascar Independence - Renewal
(AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12 other parties, trade unions, and
religious groups; Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar
(PMDM/MFM), formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power, Manandafy
RAKOTONIRINA; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development
(CSCD), Guy Willy RAZANAMASY; Association of United Malagasys
(Famima); Rally for Social Democracy (RPSD), Pierre TSIRANANA
Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Christian
Churches (FFKM); Federalist Movement
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,
WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO
chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Vicki J. HUDDLESTON
embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo
telephone: [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18
FAX: [261] (2) 234-539
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in
the world, suffering from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health
and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth
rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion.
Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the
economy, accounting for 35% of GDP and contributing more than 70% of
export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of
agricultural products and textile manufacturing; it accounts for 15%
of GDP. In 1986, the government introduced a five-year development
plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990,
increased production for export, and reduced energy imports.
Subsequently, growth in output has been held back because of
protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political
reform. Since 1993, corruption and political instability have caused
the economy and infrastructure to decay further. Since April 1994,
the government commitment to economic reforms has been erratic.
Enormous obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its
considerable growth potential.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $820 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 35%
industry: 15%
services: 50% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.)
Labor force:
total workers: 4.9 million
workers not receiving money wages: 4.7 million (96% of total labor
force); note - 4.3 million workers are in subsistence agriculture
wage earners: 175,400 (3.6% of total work force)
wage earners by occupation: agriculture 45,500, domestic service
29,750, industry 26,250, commerce 24,500, construction 19,250,
service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $250 million
expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $180
million (1991 est.)
Industries: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar,
textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper,
petroleum
Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 220,000 kW
production: 560 million kWh
consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice,
cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild
varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point
for heroin
Exports: $240 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves 11%, shellfish, sugar,
petroleum products
partners: France, US, Germany, Japan, Russia
Imports: $510 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%,
petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13%
partners: France, Germany, Japan, UK, Italy, Netherlands
External debt: $4.3 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $318 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 4,239.5 (November
1995), 3,067.3 (1994), 1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992), 1,835.4 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 883 km
narrow gauge: 883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 34,750 km
paved: 5,352 km
unpaved: 29,398 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small
portions of Canal des Pangalanes
Ports: Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina,
Toliaria
Merchant marine:
total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,132 GRT/31,261 DWT
ships by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1,
oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 105
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21
with paved runways under 914 m: 31
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 45 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 96,000 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: system is above average for Africa
domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay,
and tropospheric scatter links
international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations
- 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean
Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 2.565 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 36)
Televisions: 260,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces,
Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force),
Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,103,022
males fit for military service: 1,843,732
males reach military age (20) annually: 132,146 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.0%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Malawi
------
Map
---
Location: 13 30 S, 34 00 E -- Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and
green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 118,480 sq km
land area: 94,080 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 2,881 km
border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in
Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May
to November)
Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded
hills, some mountains
lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary
with Mozambique 37 m
highest point: Mount Mlanje Sapitwa 3,002 m
Natural resources: limestone, unexploited deposits of uranium,
coal, and bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 50%
other: 5%
Irrigated land: 200 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution
from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of
spawning grounds endangers fish populations
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 9,452,844 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 2,189,223; female 2,168,317)
15-64 years: 51% (male 2,371,518; female 2,472,245)
65 years and over: 3% (male 107,701; female 143,840) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.71% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 41.56 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 24.48 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: the return of refugees to Mozambique is apparently complete
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 139.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 36.16 years
male: 35.87 years
female: 36.46 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.91 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Malawian(s)
adjective: Malawian
Ethnic divisions: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga,
Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European
Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%,
traditional indigenous beliefs
Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), other
languages important regionally
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 56.4%
male: 71.9%
female: 41.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Malawi
conventional short form: Malawi
former: Nyasaland
Data code: MI
Type of government: multiparty democracy
Capital: Lilongwe
Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa,
Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe,
Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba,
Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima,
Thyolo, Zomba
Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day 6 July (1964); Republic Day 6
July (1966)
Constitution: 18 May 1995; most recent revision
Legal system: based on English common law and customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Bakili MULUZI
(since 21 May 1994), leader of the UDF, was elected for a five-year
term by universal suffrage
cabinet: Cabinet was named by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held 17 May 1994 (next to be held
NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (177 total)
UDF 84, AFORD 33, MCP 55, others 5; note - because of defections and
a bi-election of 18 December 1995, the seats in the National
Assembly were held at the end of the year as follows: UDF 87, MCP
55, AFORD 35
note: the constitution of 18 May 1995, in addition to reducing the
age at which universal suffrage is conferred from 21 to 18 years,
provided for a bicameral legislature; by 1999, in addition to the
existing National Assembly, a Senate of 80 seats is to be elected
Judicial branch: High Court; Supreme Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
ruling party: United Democratic Front (UDF), Bakili MULUZI
opposition groups: Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Green MUNLO,
secretary general (top party position); Alliance for Democracy
(AFORD), Chakufwa CHIHANA; Christian Democratic Party (CDP), Eston
KAKHOME, president; Malawi Democratic Party (MDP), Kampelo KALUA,
president
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU,
SADC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Willie CHOKANI
chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 797-1007
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter R. CHAVEAS
embassy: address NA, in new capital city development area in Lilongwe
mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
telephone: [265] 783 166
FAX: [265] 780 471
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green
with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least
developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with
about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture
accounts for 31% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The economy
depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF,
the World Bank, and individual donor nations. The new government
faces strong challenges, e.g., to spur exports, to improve
educational and health facilities, and to deal with environmental
problems of deforestation and erosion. Drought hurt the 1994
economy, with GDP down by 12.4%. Good weather and a strong tobacco
crop resulted in an upturn in 1995. In December 1995, donors pledged
$332 million in aid for 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 9.9% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 31%
industry: 14%
services: 55% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83.3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 428,000 wage earners
by occupation: agriculture 43%, manufacturing 16%, personal services
15%, commerce 9%, construction 7%, miscellaneous services 4%, other
permanently employed 6% (1986)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $530 million
expenditures: $674 million, including capital expenditures of $129
million (1993)
Industries: tea, tobacco, sugar, sawmill products, cement,
consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 190,000 kW
production: 905 million kWh (1993)
consumption per capita: 92 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes,
cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; cattle, goats
Exports: $365 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts, wood products
partners: US, South Africa, Germany, Japan (1994)
Imports: $240 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer
goods, transportation equipment
partners: South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe
External debt: $1.95 billion (December 1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: in December 1995, donors pledged for 1996, $332 million
Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1 - 16.3516 (November
1995), 8.7364 (1994), 4.4028 (1993), 3.6033 (1992), 2.8033 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 789 km
narrow gauge: 789 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 27,294 km (1990 est.)
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km
Ports: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota
Airports:
total: 41
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 20
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 43,000 (1985 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: fair system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay
links, and radiotelephone communications stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 0
Radios: 1.011 million (1995)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police
(includes paramilitary Mobile Force Unit)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,106,905
males fit for military service: 1,076,788 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $10.4 million,
NA% of GDP (FY94/95)
======================================================================
@Malaysia
--------
Map
---
Location: 2 30 N, 112 30 E -- Southeastern Asia, peninsula and
northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and
the South China Sea, south of Vietnam
Flag
----
Description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating
with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow
fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional
symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of
the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea,
south of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 329,750 sq km
land area: 328,550 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,669 km
border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km
Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia
2,607 km)
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;
specified boundary in the South China Sea
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the
Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and
possibly Brunei; State of Sabah claimed by the Philippines; Brunei
may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into
two parts; two islands in dispute with Singapore; two islands in
dispute with Indonesia
Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and
northeast (October to February) monsoons
Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kinabalu 4,100 m
Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore,
natural gas, bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 10%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 63%
other: 24%
Irrigated land: 3,420 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular
emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation
natural hazards: flooding
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Whaling; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and
southern South China Sea
People
------
Population: 19,962,893 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 3,684,510; female 3,483,893)
15-64 years: 60% (male 5,996,369; female 6,017,327)
65 years and over: 4% (male 342,742; female 438,052) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.07% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 26.2 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.49 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.75 years
male: 66.82 years
female: 72.89 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.27 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Malaysian(s)
adjective: Malaysian
Ethnic divisions: Malay and other indigenous 59%, Chinese 32%,
Indian 9%
Religions:
Peninsular Malaysia: Muslim (Malays), Buddhist (Chinese), Hindu
(Indians)
Sabah: Muslim 38%, Christian 17%, other 45%
Sarawak: tribal religion 35%, Buddhist and Confucianist 24%, Muslim
20%, Christian 16%, other 5%
Languages:
Peninsular Malaysia: Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects,
Tamil
Sabah: English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects, Chinese (Mandarin
and Hakka dialects predominate)
Sarawak: English, Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 83.5%
male: 89.1%
female: 78.1%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Malaysia
former: Malayan Union
Data code: MY
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
note: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; nominally headed by
the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament; Peninsular
Malaysian states - hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, where
governors are appointed by Malaysian Pulau Pinang Government; powers
of state governments are limited by federal Constitution; Sabah -
self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of Representatives,
with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers
delegated to federal government; Sarawak - self-governing state,
holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs,
defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal
government
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular -
negeri) and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan,
singular - wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*,
Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah,
Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan*
Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957)
Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of
the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Paramount Ruler TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku
Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1994) and Deputy Paramount Ruler Sultan
TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin
Alam Shah (since 26 April 1994) were elected for five-year terms by
and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since
16 July 1981) was appointed by the paramount ruler; Deputy Prime
Minister ANWAR bin Ibrahim (since 1 December 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the paramount ruler from among the
members of Parliament
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen)
Senate (Dewan Negara): elected members serve six-year terms;
elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (58 total, 32 appointed by the paramount
ruler and 26 elected by the state legislatures) seats by party NA
House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat): members elected for
five-year terms; elections last held NA April 1995 (next to be held
NA 2000); results - National Front 63%, other 37%; seats - (192
total) National Front 162, DAP 9, PBS 8, PAS 7, Semangat'46 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the paramount
ruler
Political parties and leaders:
Peninsular Malaysia: National Front, a confederation of 13 political
parties dominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNO
Baru), MAHATHIR bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA),
LING Liong Sik; Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, LIM Keng Yaik; Malaysian
Indian Congress (MIC), S. Samy VELLU; Spirit of '46 (Semangat '46),
Tengku Tan Sri RAZALEIGH, president
Sabah: National Front, SALLEH Said Keruak, Sabah Chief Minister,
Sakaran DANDAI, head of Sabah State; United Sabah National
Organizaton (USNO), leader NA; Sabah United Party (Parti Bersatu
Sabah, PBS), Datuk Seri Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan
Sarawak: coalition Sarawak National Front composed of the Party
Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Amar Haji Abdul TAIB
Mahmud; Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar James WONG
Soon Kai; Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Datuk Amar James WONG;
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo MOGGIE; major opposition
parties are Democratic Action Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siang and
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Fadzil NOOR
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C,
CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, UN, UNAVEM III,
UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador DALI Mahmud Hashim
chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-2700
FAX: [1] (202) 483-7661
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John R. MALOTT
embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur, APO AP
96535-8152
telephone: [60] (3) 2489011
FAX: [60] (3) 2422207
Flag: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with
white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side
corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star;
the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the
design was based on the flag of the US
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Malaysian economy, a mixture of private
enterprise and public management, has posted a remarkable record of
9% average annual growth in 1988-95. The official growth target for
1996 is 8.3%. This growth has resulted in a substantial reduction in
poverty and a marked rise in real wages. Manufactured goods exports
expanded rapidly, and foreign investors continued to commit large
sums in the economy. The government is aware of the inflationary
potential of this rapid development and is closely monitoring fiscal
and monetary policies.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $193.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 9.5% (1995)
GDP per capita: $9,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 25%
services: 67%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (1995)
Labor force: 7.627 million (1993)
Unemployment rate: 2.8% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $20.2 billion
expenditures: $19.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.8
billion (1995 est.)
Industries:
Peninsular Malaysia: rubber and oil palm processing and
manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining
and smelting, logging and processing timber
Sabah: logging, petroleum production
Sarawak: agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining,
logging
Industrial production growth rate: 12% (1994)
Electricity:
capacity: 6,700,000 kW
production: 31 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,528 kWh (1993)
Agriculture:
Peninsular Malaysia: natural rubber, palm oil, rice
Sabah: subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconut, rice
Sarawak: rubber, pepper; timber
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to
the US, Western Europe, and the Third World despite severe penalties
for drug trafficking
Exports: $72 billion (1995)
commodities: electronic equipment, petroleum and petroleum products,
palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, textiles
partners: Singapore 21%, US 20%, Japan 12%, UK 4%, Thailand 4%,
Germany 3% (1994)
Imports: $72.2 billion (1995)
commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, food, petroleum
products
partners: Japan 26%, US 17%, Singapore 14%, Taiwan 5%, Germany 4%,
UK 3%, South Korea 3% (1993)
External debt: $27.4 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $45 million (1993)
Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1 - 2.5567 (January 1996),
2.5044 (1995), 2.6243 (1994), 2.5741 (1993), 2.5474 (1992), 2.7501
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,806 km (Peninsular Malaysia 1,672 km; Sabah 134 km; Sarawak
0 km)
narrow gauge: 1,806 km 1.000-m gauge (Peninsular Malaysia 1,672 km;
Sabah 134 km)
Highways:
total: 92,545 km
paved: 69,409 km (including 574 km of expressways)
unpaved: 23,136 km (1992 est.)
Waterways:
Peninsular Malaysia: 3,209 km
Sabah: 1,569 km
Sarawak: 2,518 km
Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km
Ports: Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Labuan,
Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Dickson, Port Kelang,
Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjong Berhala, Tanjong Kidurong, Tawau
Merchant marine:
total: 248 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,035,684
GRT/4,494,476 DWT
ships by type: bulk 43, cargo 83, chemical tanker 13, container 31,
liquefied gas tanker 12, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 55,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 4
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 105
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 11
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6
with paved runways under 914 m: 74
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2,550,957 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: international service good
domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia
mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio
relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic
satellite system with 2 earth stations
international: submarine cables to India, Hong Kong and Singapore;
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific
Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 8.08 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian
Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak
Border Scouts
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 5,160,884
males fit for military service: 3,129,626
males reach military age (21) annually: 184,236 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion,
2.9% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Maldives
--------
Map
---
Location: 3 15 N, 73 00 E -- Southern Asia, group of atolls in the
Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Flag
----
Description: red with a large green rectangle in the center
bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent
is on the hoist side of the flag
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean,
south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 300 sq km
land area: 300 sq km
comparative area: nearly twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 644 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 35-310 nm as defined by geographic
coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with
India
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to
March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili 24 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 3%
other: 84%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water
supplies
natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to
sea level rise
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -
Law of the Sea
Geographic note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls;
archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes
in Indian Ocean
People
------
Population: 270,758 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 47% (male 65,559; female 62,399)
15-64 years: 50% (male 69,071; female 65,659)
65 years and over: 3% (male 4,336; female 3,734) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.52% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 41.88 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.64 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 47 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.17 years
male: 64.6 years
female: 67.82 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Maldivian(s)
adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Maldivian Divehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived
from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 93.2%
male: 93.3%
female: 93%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
conventional short form: Maldives
Data code: MV
Type of government: republic
Capital: Male
Administrative divisions: 19 districts (atolls); Aliff, Baa,
Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu,
Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani,
Thaa, Waavu
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution: 4 June 1968
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English
common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Maumoon Abdul
GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978) was reelected for a five-year term
by secret ballot of the Majlis; election last held 1 October 1993
(next to be held NA 1998); results - President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM
was reelected with 92.76% of the vote
cabinet: Ministry of Atolls was appointed by the president; note -
need not be members of Majilis
Legislative branch: unicameral; members elected for five-year
terms or appointed by the president
Citizens' Council (Majlis): elections last held 2 December 1994
(next to be held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote NA;
seats - (48 total, 40 elected, 8 appointed by the president)
independents 40
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not
banned, none exist
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO,
G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: Maldives does not have an embassy
in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York,
headed by Ahmed ZAKI
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives
and makes periodic visits there
Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a
vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the
hoist side of the flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: During the 1980s tourism became one of the most
important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1994,
tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounted for about 18% of GDP
and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts.
Fishing is a second leading growth sector. Over 90% of government
tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. The
Maldivian Government initiated an economic reform program in 1989
initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the
private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to
allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing
continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the
limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic
labor. Most staple foods must be imported. In 1994, industry which
consisted mainly of garment production, boat building, and
handicrafts accounted for about 15% of GDP.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $390 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.6% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,560 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.5%
industry: 15.3%
services: 63.2% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 66,000 (est.)
by occupation: fishing industry 25%
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget:
revenues: $88 million (excluding foreign grants)
expenditures: $141 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building,
coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral
and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 5,000 kW
production: 30 million kWh
consumption per capita: 123 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fishing
Exports: $75.3 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: fish, clothing
partners: Sri Lanka, US, Germany, Singapore, UK
Imports: $195.1 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods,
petroleum products
partners: Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand
External debt: $137.5 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 11.770 (January 1996),
11.770 (1995), 11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993), 10.569 (1992), 10.253
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km; note - Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the
city (1988 est.)
Ports: Gan, Male
Merchant marine:
total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 73,284 GRT/113,669 DWT
ships by type: cargo 17, container 2, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 8,523 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: minimal domestic and international facilities
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,284 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 7,309 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 59,179
males fit for military service: 33,016 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Mali
----
Map
---
Location: 17 00 N, 4 00 W -- Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side),
yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1.24 million sq km
land area: 1.22 million sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 7,243 km
border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea
858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km,
Senegal 419 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: the disputed international boundary
between Burkina Faso and Mali was submitted to the International
Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final
ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina
Faso and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including
the tripoint with Niger
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy,
humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand;
savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
lowest point: Senegal River 23 m
highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone,
uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are
known but not exploited
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 25%
forest and woodland: 7%
other: 66%
Irrigated land: 50 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification;
inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry
seasons; recurring droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 9,653,261 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 2,310,294; female 2,308,941)
15-64 years: 49% (male 2,231,244; female 2,488,276)
65 years and over: 3% (male 149,370; female 165,136) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.95% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 51.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 19.49 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 102.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.84 years
male: 45.12 years
female: 48.6 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Malian(s)
adjective: Malian
Ethnic divisions: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul
17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%
Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%
Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African
languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 31%
male: 39.4%
female: 23.1%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Mali
conventional short form: Mali
local long form: Republique de Mali
local short form: Mali
former: French Sudan
Data code: ML
Type of government: republic
Capital: Bamako
Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region);
Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic,
22 September (1960)
Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which
was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held NA April 1992 (next to be held NA April 1997); Alpha KONARE was
elected in runoff race against Montaga TALL
head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since NA
March 1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held 8 March 1992 (next to be held
NA February 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(116 total) Adema 76, CNID 9, US/RAD 8, Popular Movement for the
Development of the Republic of West Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3,
UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy (Adema),
Ibrahim Baubacar KEITA; National Congress for Democratic Initiative
(CNID), Mountaga TALL; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally
(US/RDA), Mamadou Madeira KEITA; Popular Movement for the
Development of the Republic of West Africa; Rally for Democracy and
Progress (RDP), Almamy SYLLA; Union for Democracy and Development
(UDD), Moussa Balla COULIBALY; Rally for Democracy and Labor (RDT);
Union of Democratic Forces for Progress (UFDP), Dembo DIALLO; Party
for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE; Malian Union for
Democracy and Development (UMDD); Movement for the Independence, the
Renaissance and Integration of Africa (MIRIA), Mohammed Lamine TRAORE
Other political or pressure groups: United Movement and Fronts of
Azawad (MFUA); Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Kaye (MPGK)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU,
OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cheick Oumar DIARRAH
chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David RAWSON
embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako
mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako
telephone: [223] 22 54 70
FAX: [223] 22 37 12
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow,
and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the
world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic
activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the
Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the
labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrial
activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The economy
is beginning to turn around after contracting through 1992-93,
largely because of enhanced exports and import substitute production
in the wake of the 50% devaluation of 12 January 1994.
Post-devaluation inflation peaked at 35% in 1994, and the government
appears to be keeping on track with its IMF structural adjustment
program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.4% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $600 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 42.4%
industry: 15.4%
services: 42.2%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.666 million (1986 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce
1% (1981)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $376 million
expenditures: $697 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)
Industries: minor local consumer goods production and food
processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 90,000 kW
production: 310 million kWh
consumption per capita: 33 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts;
cattle, sheep, goats
Exports: $415 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: cotton, livestock, gold
partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Imports: $842 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction
materials, petroleum, textiles
partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe
External debt: $2.8 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 641 km; note - linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes
narrow gauge: 641 km 1.000-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 15,610 km
paved: 1,661 km
unpaved: 13,949 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 1,815 km navigable
Ports: Koulikoro
Airports:
total: 24
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 11,000 (1982 est.)
Telephone system: domestic system poor but improving; provides
only minimal service
domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, and
radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio
relay in progress
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 430,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National
Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,925,205
males fit for military service: 1,100,599 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 2.2%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Malta
-----
Map
---
Location: 35 50 N, 14 35 E -- Southern Europe, islands in the
Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Flag
----
Description: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and
red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the
George Cross, edged in red
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south
of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 320 sq km
land area: 320 sq km
comparative area: less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 140 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the
commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their
countries, particularly for oil exploration
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry
summers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal
cliffs
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Dingli Cliffs 245 m
Natural resources: limestone, salt
Land use:
arable land: 38%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 59%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources;
increasing reliance on desalination
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification
Geographic note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only
the three largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited;
numerous bays provide good harbors
People
------
Population: 375,576 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 42,067; female 39,958)
15-64 years: 67% (male 126,179; female 125,321)
65 years and over: 11% (male 17,766; female 24,285) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.01% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.79 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.11 years
male: 75.77 years
female: 80.6 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.17 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Maltese (singular and plural)
adjective: Maltese
Ethnic divisions: Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%
Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985 est.)
total population: 84%
male: 86%
female: 82%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Malta
conventional short form: Malta
Data code: MT
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Valletta
Administrative divisions: none (administered directly from
Valletta)
Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution: 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13
December 1974
Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; has
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI (since 4 April 1994)
was elected for a five-year term by the House of Representatives
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI
(since 12 May 1987) was appointed by the president; Deputy Prime
Minister (since 14 May 1987) and Foreign Minister (since 1990) Dr.
Guido DE MARCO
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president on advice of the
prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Representatives: elections last held 22 February 1992 (next
to be held by February 1997); results - NP 51.8%, MLP 46.5%; seats -
(usually 65 total) MLP 36, NP 29; note - additional seats are given
to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative
majority; current total: 69 (NP 36, MLP 33 after adjustment)
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are appointed by the
president on the advice of the prime minister; Court of Appeal,
judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime
minister
Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party (NP), Edward
FENECH ADAMI; Malta Labor Party (MLP), Alfred SANT
International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE,
EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer),
ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, NAM, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Albert Borg Olivier DE PUGET
chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612
FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470
consulate(s): New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph R. PAOLINO, Jr.
embassy: 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana,
======================================================================
@Man, Isle of
------------
(British crown dependency)
Map
---
Location: 54 15 N, 4 30 W -- Western Europe, island in the Irish
Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland
Flag
----
Description: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in
the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the
knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of
the flag, a two-sided emblem is used
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great
Britain and Ireland
Geographic coordinates: 54 15 N, 4 30 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 588 sq km
land area: 588 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 113 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half
the time
Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley
lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m
highest point: Snaefell 620 m
Natural resources: lead, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA% (extensive arable land and forests)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the
southwest, and is a bird sanctuary
People
------
Population: 73,837 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 6,606; female 6,348)
15-64 years: 65% (male 23,917; female 23,815)
65 years and over: 17% (male 5,239; female 7,912) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.94% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.43 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.09 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 9.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.15 years
male: 73.56 years
female: 80.91 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Manxman, Manxwoman
adjective: Manx
Ethnic divisions: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist,
Presbyterian, Society of Friends
Languages: English, Manx Gaelic
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Isle of Man
Data code: IM
Type of government: British crown dependency
Capital: Douglas
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July
Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act
Legal system: English law and local statute
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United
Kingdom since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor
His Excellency Sir Timothy DAUNT (since NA 1995) who was appointed
for a five-year term by the queen
head of government: President of the Legislative Council Sir Charles
KERRUISH (since NA 1990); was elected by the Tynwald
cabinet: Council of Ministers
Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald
Legislative Council: consists of a 10-member body composed of the
Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8
others named by the House of Keys
House of Keys: elections last held NA November 1991 (next to be held
NA 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (24 total)
independents 24
Judicial branch: High Court of Justice, justices are appointed by
the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant
governor
Political parties and leaders: there is no party system; members
sit as independents
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (British crown dependency)
US diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency)
Flag: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the
center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee;
in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the
flag, a two-sided emblem is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism
are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering
incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions
to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment
opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture
and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in
their shares of GDP. Banking now contributes about 45% to GDP. Trade
is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU
markets.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $780 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $10,800 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1992 est.)
Labor force: 31,829 (1991)
by occupation: manufacturing 11%, construction 11%, transport and
communication 6%, retail distribution 9%, professional and
scientific services 17%, public administration 7%, banking and
finance 8%
Unemployment rate: 1% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $130.4 million
expenditures: $114.4 million, including capital expenditures of
$18.1 million (1985 est.)
Industries: financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 61,000 kW
production: 190 million kWh
consumption per capita: 2,965 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Exports: $NA
commodities: tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb
partners: UK
Imports: $NA
commodities: timber, fertilizers, fish
partners: UK
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Manx pound (LM) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Manx pounds (LM) per US$1 - 0.6537 (January 1996),
0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652
(1991); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 52 km (27 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 640 km
paved: 320 km
unpaved: 320 km
Ports: Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey
Merchant marine:
total: 83 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,099,888 GRT/3,569,632
DWT
ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 10, chemical tanker 4, container 12,
liquefied gas tanker 8, oil tanker 18, passenger 2, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 13, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 2
note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 10 ships, Switzerland
2, South Africa 2, Denmark 1, and Netherlands 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 41,000 (1995)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Marshall Islands
----------------
Map
---
Location: 9 00 N, 168 00 E -- Oceania, group of atolls and reefs
in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to
Papua New Guinea
Flag
----
Description: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower
hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star
with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the
two stripes
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific
Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 168 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 181.3 sq km
land area: 181.3 sq km
comparative area: about the size of Washington, DC
note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, and Kwajalein
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 370.4 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims US territory of Wake Island
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border
typhoon belt
Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
Natural resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deep
seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 60%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 40%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water
natural hazards: occasional typhoons
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
Geographic note: two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and
1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites;
Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US
missile test range
People
------
Population: 58,363 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 51% (male 15,043; female 14,435)
15-64 years: 47% (male 14,084; female 13,399)
65 years and over: 2% (male 657; female 745) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.85% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 45.75 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.28 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.04 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 46.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.81 years
male: 62.25 years
female: 65.45 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.83 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)
adjective: Marshallese
Ethnic divisions: Micronesian
Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant)
Languages: English (universally spoken and is the official
language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian
family, Japanese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 93%
male: 100%
female: 88%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form: Marshall Islands
former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands)
Data code: RM
Type of government: constitutional government in free association
with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21
October 1986
Capital: Majuro
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN
trusteeship)
National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands, 1 May (1979)
Constitution: 1 May 1979
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the
legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Amata KABUA (since
NA 1979) was elected for a four-year term by the Nitijela from among
its own members; election last held 20 November 1995 (next to be
held NA 1999); results - President Amata KABUA was reelected
cabinet: Cabinet; president selects from among the members of
Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Nitijela): elections last held 20 November 1995 (next to
be held NA November 1999); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (33
total) seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders:
government: Our Islands Party, President Amata KABUA
opposition: Ralik/Ratak Democratic Party (RRDP), Ramsey REIMERS
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,
Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414
FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236
consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joan PLAISTED
embassy: Oceanside, Long Island, Majuro
mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall
Islands 96960-1379; Majuro, 20521-4380 (pouch)
telephone: [692] 247-4011
FAX: [692] 247-4012
Flag: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side
corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four
large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of
the economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms,
and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes,
melons, and breadfruit. A few cattle ranches supply the domestic
meat market. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish
processing, and copra. The tourist industry is the primary source of
foreign exchange and employs about 10% of the labor force. The
islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports.
The government is drafting economic reforms designed to increase
revenue and compensate for reductions in US Government grants - in
1994, the US Government provided grants of $50 million, equal to 55%
of the Marshall Islands' GDP. About 25% of the government's 1995/96
budget is devoted to debt repayment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $94 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,680 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 4,800 (1986)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 16% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $67.2 million
expenditures: $79.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95 est.)
Industries: copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood,
and pearls, offshore banking (embryonic)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 42,000 kW
production: 80 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,840 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs,
chickens
Exports: $21.3 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: coconut oil, fish, live animals, trochus shells
partners: US, Japan, Australia
Imports: $69.9 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, beverages and
tobacco, fuels
partners: US, Japan, Australia
External debt: $170 million (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the
US is to provide approximately $40 million in aid annually
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise
stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks
Ports: Majuro
Merchant marine:
total: 78 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,068,782 GRT/5,073,125
DWT
ships by type: bulk carrier 43, cargo 4, combination ore/oil 1,
container 17, oil tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 1, vehicle carrier 1
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 16
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 5
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 800 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: telex services
domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used
mostly for government purposes)
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific
Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: no regular military forces (a coast guard may be
established); Police Force
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Martinique
----------
(overseas department of France)
Map
---
Location: 14 40 N, 61 00 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean
Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Flag
----
Description: a light blue background is divided into four
quadrants by a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a
white snake; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of
Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 61 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 1,100 sq km
land area: 1,060 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than six times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 350 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to
October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every
eight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid
Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m
Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 8%
meadows and pastures: 30%
forest and woodland: 26%
other: 26%
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an
average of one major natural disaster every five years)
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 399,151 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 46,851; female 45,300)
15-64 years: 67% (male 132,161; female 135,707)
65 years and over: 10% (male 16,542; female 22,590) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.1% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.92 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.85 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.81 years
male: 76.07 years
female: 81.68 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural)
adjective: Martiniquais
Ethnic divisions: African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%,
white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Languages: French, Creole patois
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.)
total population: 93%
male: 92%
female: 93%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Department of Martinique
conventional short form: Martinique
local long form: Departement de la Martinique
local short form: Martinique
Data code: MB
Type of government: overseas department of France
Capital: Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995); Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA) was appointed by the
French Ministry of the Interior
head of government: President of the General Council Claude LISE
(since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Emile
CAPGRAS (since 22 March 1992);
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameral
Regional Assembly
General Council: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (44 total)
number of seats by party NA; note - the PPM won a plurality
Regional Assembly: elections last held on 22 March 1992 (next to be
held by March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(41 total) RPR-UDF 16, MIM 9, PPM 9, PCM 5, independents 2
French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be
held September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 March 1993 (next to
be held NA June 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (4 total) RPR 2, UDF 1, PPM 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Alex
URSULET; Union for a Martinique of Progress (UMP); Martinique
Progressive Party (PPM), Aime CESAIRE; Socialist Federation of
Martinique (FSM), Jean CRUSOL; Martinique Communist Party (PCM),
George ERICHOT; Martinique Patriots (PM); Union for French Democracy
(UDF), Miguel LAVENTURE; Martinique Independence Movement (MIM),
Alfred MARIE-JEANNE; Republican Party (PR), Jean BAILLY
Other political or pressure groups: Proletarian Action Group
(GAP); Alhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist Revolution Group (GRS);
Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance (ARC); Central Union for Martinique
Workers (CSTM), Marc PULVAR; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers
and Peasants; Parti Martiniquais Socialiste (PMS); Association for
the Protection of Martinique's Heritage (ecologist)
International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of
France)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France)
Flag: a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by a
white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the
flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas,
tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of
GDP and the small industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has
declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of
rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk
of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported,
contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual
transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than
agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority
of the work force is employed in the service sector and in
administration. Banana workers launched protests late in 1992
because of falling banana prices and fears of greater competition in
the European market from other producers.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.95 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $10,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 11%
services: 83% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1990)
Labor force: 121,600
by occupation: agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 32.1% (1990)
Budget:
revenues: $657 million
expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)
Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 113,100 kW
production: 761 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,677 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables,
sugarcane for rum
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound
for the US and Europe
Exports: $218 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples
partners: France 57%, Guadeloupe 31%, French Guiana (1991)
Imports: $1.76 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction
materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods
partners: France 62%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1991)
External debt: $180 million (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: French aid $600 million (1989-93); EU aid $137 million
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,690 km
paved: 1,300 km
unpaved: 390 km
Ports: Fort-de-France, La Trinite
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 159,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: domestic facilities are adequate
domestic: NA
international: microwave radio relay to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and
Saint Lucia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 74,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 10
Televisions: 65,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Mauritania
----------
Map
---
Location: 20 00 N, 12 00 W -- Northern Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Flag
----
Description: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow,
horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the
crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Senegal and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 12 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1,030,700 sq km
land area: 1,030,400 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than three times the size of New
Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 5,074 km
border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km,
Western Sahara 1,561 km
Coastline: 754 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: boundary with Senegal in dispute
Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central
hills
lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m
highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m
Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 38%
forest and woodland: 5%
other: 56%
Irrigated land: 120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion
aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very
limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is
the only perennial river
natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows
primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: most of the population concentrated along the
Senegal River in the southern part of the country
People
------
Population: 2,336,048 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 568,828; female 562,342)
15-64 years: 49% (male 560,540; female 592,914)
65 years and over: 3% (male 21,753; female 29,671) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.17% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 46.92 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.24 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 81.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 49.01 years
male: 46.09 years
female: 52.06 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.84 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Mauritanian(s)
adjective: Mauritanian
Ethnic divisions: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Religions: Muslim 100%
Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof
(official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 37.7%
male: 49.6%
female: 26.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form: Mauritania
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
local short form: Muritaniyah
Data code: MR
Type of government: republic
Capital: Nouakchott
Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular - region);
Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh
ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
note: there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution: 12 July 1991
Legal system: three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special
courts, and state security courts (in the process of being
eliminated)
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12
December 1984) was reelected for a six-year term by universal
suffrage; election last held 17 January 1992 (next to be held NA
January 1998); results - President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA
was reelected
head of government: Prime Minister Cheikh El Afia Ould Mohamed
KHOUNA (since NA January 1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature
Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh): elections last held 15 April 1994 (next
to be held 12 April 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats (56 total, with 17 up for election every two years) PRDS 16,
UFD/NE 1
National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani): elections last held 6 and 13
March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (79 total) UFD/NE 67, PMR 1, RDU 1,
independents 10
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: legalized by constitution passed 12
July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based; emerging
parties include Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led
by President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic
Forces-New Era (UFD/NE), headed by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for
Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and
Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party
for Renewal (PMR), Hameida BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party
(PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic
Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI
Other political or pressure groups: Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM)
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate),
ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77,
IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ismail Ould IYAHI
chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dorothy Myers SAMPAS
embassy: address NA, Nouakchott
mailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott
telephone: [222] (2) 526-60, 526-63
FAX: [222] (2) 515-92
Flag: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow,
horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the
crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Economy
-------
Economic overview: A majority of the population still depends on
agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the
nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by
recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive
deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports.
The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to
cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the
richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by
foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first
deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years,
drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a substantial
buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the second stage
of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank,
the IMF, and major donor countries. Short-term growth prospects are
gloomy because of the heavy debt service burden, rapid population
growth, and vulnerability to climatic conditions.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 27.1%
industry: 29.5%
services: 43.4% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980)
by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce
14%, government 10%
Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $254 million
expenditures: $280 million, including capital expenditures of $94
million (1994 est.)
Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 110,000 kW
production: 135 million kWh
consumption per capita: 61 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; cattle, sheep;
fish products
Exports: $390 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: iron ore, fish and fish products
partners: Japan 27%, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg
Imports: $355 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital
goods
partners: Algeria 15%, China 6%, US 3%, France, Germany, Spain, Italy
External debt: $1.9 billion (1992 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums
Exchange rates: ouguiyas (UM) per US$1 - 135.690 (January 1996),
129.768 (1995), 123.575 (1994), 120.806 (1993), 87.027 (1992),
81.946 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 704 km (single track); note - owned and operated by
government mining company
standard gauge: 704 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 7,496 km
paved: 1,342 km
unpaved: 6,154 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Ports: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 24
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 17,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor
microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications
stations (improvements being made)
domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean) and 2 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 300,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 50,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National
Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 500,754
males fit for military service: 244,546 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $33 million, 2.5%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Mauritius
---------
Map
---
Location: 20 17 S, 57 33 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Flag
----
Description: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue,
yellow, and green
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 20 17 S, 57 33 E
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 1,860 sq km
land area: 1,850 sq km
comparative area: almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint
Brandon), and Rodrigues
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 177 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims the island of Diego Garcia in
UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claims
French-administered Tromelin Island
Climate: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry
winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)
Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains
encircling central plateau
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire 828 m
Natural resources: arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land: 54%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 31%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: 170 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution
natural hazards: cyclones (November to April); almost completely
surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People
------
Population: 1,140,256 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27% (male 157,174; female 152,980)
15-64 years: 67% (male 379,840; female 383,295)
65 years and over: 6% (male 27,429; female 39,538) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.23% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 18.97 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.67 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.53 years
male: 66.72 years
female: 74.33 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.24 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Mauritian(s)
adjective: Mauritian
Ethnic divisions: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian
3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%
Religions: Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%,
Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1%
Languages: English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka,
Bojpoori
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 82.9%
male: 87.1%
female: 78.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius
conventional short form: Mauritius
Data code: MP
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Port Louis
Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega
Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka,
Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart,
Rodrigues*, Savanne
Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968)
Constitution: 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements of
English common law in certain areas
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Cassam UTEEM (since 1 July 1992) and Vice
President Rabindranath GHURBURRON (since 1 July 1992) were elected
for five-year terms by the National Assembly
head of government: Prime Minister Navin RAMGOOLAM (since 27
December 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 27
December 1995) were appointed by the president and are responsible
to the National Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly: elections last held on 20 December 1995 (next
to be held by December 2000); results - MMM/MLP 65%, MSM/RMM 20%,
other 15%; seats - (66 total; 62 elected, 4 appointed) MLP 35, MMM
25, allies of MLP and MMM on Rodrigues Island 2; appointed were
Rodrigues Movement 2, Gaetan Duval Party 1, Hizballah 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
government coalition: MLP/MMM alliance - Mauritian Labor Party
(MLP), Navin RAMGOOLAM; Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), Paul
BERENGER
opposition: Organization of the People of Rodrigues (OPR), Louis
Serge CLAIR; Rodrigues Movement, Nicolas VONMALLY; Gaetan Duval
Party, Gaetan DUVAL; Hizbullah, Imam Mustapha BEEHARRY; Militant
Socialist Movement (MSM); Mauritian Militant Resurgence (MMR)
Other political or pressure groups: various labor unions
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC,
ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Anund Priyay NEEWOOR
chancery: Suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492
FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie M. ALEXANDER
embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [230] 208-2347, 208-2354, 208-9763 through 9767
FAX: [230] 208-9534
Flag: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and
green
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has
developed from a low income, agriculturally based economy to middle
income diversified economy with growing industrial and tourist
sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been of the order
of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in
increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much
improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the
cultivated land area and accounts for 40% of export earnings. The
government's development strategy centers on industrialization (with
a view to modernization and to exports), agricultural
diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in 1991-93
continued strong with solid real growth and low unemployment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $9,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.4% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 335,000
by occupation: government services 29%, agriculture and fishing 27%,
manufacturing 22%, other 22%
Unemployment rate: 2.4% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $653 million
expenditures: $567 million, including capital expenditures of $143
million (FY92/93 est.)
Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles,
wearing apparel, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment,
nonelectrical machinery, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 5.8% (1992)
Electricity:
capacity: 340,000 kW
production: 920 million kWh
consumption per capita: 777 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses;
cattle, goats; fish
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international
drug trade; heroin consumption and transshipment are growing problems
Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: textiles 44%, sugar 40%, light manufactures 10%
partners: EU and US have preferential treatment, EU 77%, US 15%
Imports: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: manufactured goods 50%, capital equipment 17%,
foodstuffs 13%, petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7%
partners: EU, US, South Africa, Japan
External debt: $996.8 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1 - 17.842
(January 1996), 17.386 (1995), 17.960 (1994), 17.648 (1993), 15.563
(1992), 15.652 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,831 km
paved: 1,703 km (including 29 km of expressways)
unpaved: 128 km (1991 est.)
Ports: Port Louis
Merchant marine:
total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 221,446 GRT/308,478 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 9, container 4, liquefied gas tanker 1,
oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 4
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 65,000 (1985 est.)
Telephone system: small system with good service
domestic: primarily microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean);
new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several
countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 395,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 151,096 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special
Mobile Force or SMF, Special Support Units or SSU, and National
Coast Guard)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 327,403
males fit for military service: 166,466 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11.2 million,
0.4% of GDP (FY92/93)
======================================================================
@Mayotte
-------
(territorial collectivity of France)
Map
---
Location: 12 50 S, 45 10 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from northern
Madagascar to northern Mozambique
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about
one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 12 50 S, 45 10 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 375 sq km
land area: 375 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 185.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Comoros
Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during
northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to
November)
Terrain: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient
volcanic peaks
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Benara 660 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: cyclones during rainy season
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: part of Comoro Archipelago
People
------
Population: 100,838 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 50% (male 25,099; female 24,881)
15-64 years: 48% (male 24,790; female 23,727)
65 years and over: 2% (male 1,152; female 1,189) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.78% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 47.93 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.12 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 75.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 58.7 years
male: 56.43 years
female: 61.05 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.63 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Mahorais (singular and plural)
adjective: Mahoran
Ethnic divisions: NA
Religions: Muslim 99%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic)
Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte
conventional short form: Mayotte
Data code: MF
Type of government: territorial collectivity of France
Capital: Mamoutzou
Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France)
Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995) represented by Prefect Alain WEIL (since NA), who was
appointed by the French Ministry of the Interior
head of government: President of the General Council Younoussa
BAMANA (since NA 1976)
Legislative branch: unicameral
General Council (Conseil General): elections last held NA March 1994
(next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(19 total) MPM 12, RPR 4, independents 3
French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1995 (next to be
held 24 September 2001); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (1 total) MPM 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993
(next to be held NA 1998); results - UDF-CDS 54.3%, RPR 44.3%; seats
- (1 total) UDF-CDS 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders: Mahoran Popular Movement (MPM),
Younoussa BAMANA; Party for the Mahoran Democratic Rally (PRDM),
Daroueche MAOULIDA; Mahoran Rally for the Republic (RPR), Mansour
KAMARDINE; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Maoulida AHMED; Center
of Social Democrats (CDS)
International organization participation: FZ
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territorial collectivity of
France)
US diplomatic representation: none (territorial collectivity of
France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic activity is based primarily on the
agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising.
Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of
its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future
development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial
assistance. Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the
development of tourism.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $54 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $600 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $37.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1985 est.)
Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: NA kW
production: NA kWh
consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture: vanilla, ylang-ylang, coffee, copra
Exports: $2.9 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra
partners: France 80%, Comoros 15%, Reunion
Imports: $87.5 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: building materials, transportation equipment, rice,
clothing, flour
partners: France 63%, South Africa 11%, Thailand 9%, Singapore
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 93 km
paved: 72 km
unpaved: 21 km
Ports: Dzaoudzi
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 450
Telephone system: small system administered by French Department
of Posts and Telecommunications
domestic: NA
international: microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone
communications to Comoros and other international connections
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 30,000 (1994 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 3,500 (1994 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Mexico
------
Map
---
Location: 23 00 N, 102 00 W -- Middle America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and
bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side),
white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with
a snake in its beak) is centered in the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf
of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific
Ocean, between Guatemala and the US
Geographic coordinates: 23 00 N, 102 00 W
Map references: North America
Area:
total area: 1,972,550 sq km
land area: 1,923,040 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 4,538 km
border countries: Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,326 km
Coastline: 9,330 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims Clipperton Island (French
possession)
Climate: varies from tropical to desert
Terrain: high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high
plateaus, and desert
lowest point: Laguna Salada -10 m
highest point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 m
Natural resources: petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc,
natural gas, timber
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 39%
forest and woodland: 24%
other: 24%
Irrigated land: 51,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in
north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme
southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in
urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification;
serious air pollution in the national capital and urban centers
along US-Mexico border
natural hazards: tsunamis along the Pacific coast, destructive
earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Gulf and
Caribbean coasts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
Geographic note: strategic location on southern border of US
People
------
Population: 95,772,462 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 17,732,725; female 17,125,562)
15-64 years: 59% (male 27,562,285; female 29,165,138)
65 years and over: 5% (male 1,911,968; female 2,274,784) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.87% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 26.24 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.58 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 25 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.67 years
male: 70.07 years
female: 77.45 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.03 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Mexican(s)
adjective: Mexican
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (Indian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or
predominantly Amerindian 30%, Caucasian or predominantly Caucasian
9%, other 1%
Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%
Languages: Spanish, various Mayan dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 89.6%
male: 91.8%
female: 87.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: United Mexican States
conventional short form: Mexico
local long form: Estados Unidos Mexicanos
local short form: Mexico
Data code: MX
Type of government: federal republic operating under a centralized
government
Capital: Mexico
Administrative divisions: 31 states (estados, singular - estado)
and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja
California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua,
Coahuila de Zaragoza, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango,
Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo,
Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga,
Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas,
Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave, Yucatan, Zacatecas
Independence: 16 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1810)
Constitution: 5 February 1917
Legal system: mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law
system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not
enforced)
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto ZEDILLO
Ponce de Leon (since 1 December 1994) was elected for a six-year
term by popular vote; election last held 21 August 1994 (next to be
held NA 2000); results - Ernesto ZEDILLO Ponce de Leon (PRI) 50.18%,
Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (PRD) 17.08%, Diego FERNANDEZ DE
CEVALLOS (PAN) 26.69%; other 6.049%
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la
Union)
Senate (Camara de Senadores): elections last held 21 August 1994
(next to be held NA July 1997 for one-quarter of the seats); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats in full Senate - (128 total;
Senate expanded from 64 seats at the last election) PRI 93, PRD 25,
PAN 10
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 24
August 1994 (next to be held NA July 1997); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (500 total) PRI 300, PAN 119, PRD 71, PT 10
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justicia), judges are appointed by the president with consent of the
Senate
Political parties and leaders: (recognized parties) Institutional
Revolutionary Party (PRI), Santiago ONATE Laborde; National Action
Party (PAN), Carlos CASTILLO; Popular Socialist Party (PPS),
Indalecio SAYAGO Herrera; Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD),
Porfirio MUNOZ Ledo; Cardenist Front for the National Reconstruction
Party (PFCRN), Rafael AGUILAR Talamantes; Democratic Forum Party
(PFD), Pablo Emilio MADERO; Mexican Green Ecologist Party (PVEM),
Jorge GONZALEZ Torres; Workers Party (PT), Alberto ANYA Gutierrez
Other political or pressure groups: Roman Catholic Church;
Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM); Confederation of Industrial
Chambers (CONCAMIN); Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce
(CONCANACO); National Peasant Confederation (CNC); Revolutionary
Workers Party (PRT); Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and
Peasants (CROC); Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers (CROM);
Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic (COPARMEX);
National Chamber of Transformation Industries (CANACINTRA);
Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations (COECE);
Federation of Unions Providing Goods and Services (FESEBES)
International organization participation: AG (observer), APEC,
BCIE, Caricom (observer), CCC, CDB, EBRD, ECLAC, FAO, G- 6, G-11,
G-15, G-19, G-24, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM (observer), OAS, OECD,
OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNU, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jesus SILVA Herzog Flores
chancery: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 728-1600
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso,
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San
Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Albuquerque, Austin, Boston, Brownsville (Texas),
Calexico (California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit,
Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Loredo, McAllen (Texas),
Midland (Texas), Nogales (Arizona), Oxnard (California),
Philadelphia, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Bernardino,
San Jose, Santa Ana, Seattle
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador James R. JONES
embassy: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico,
Distrito Federal
mailing address: P. O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX 78044-3087
telephone: [52] (5) 211-0042
FAX: [52] (5) 511-9980, 208-3373
consulate(s) general: Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana
consulate(s): Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nuevo Laredo
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in
its beak) is centered in the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Mexico has a free market economy with a mixture
of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture, increasingly
dominated by the private sector. Mexico entered 1996 on the heels of
its worst recession since the 1930s. Economic activity contracted
about 7% in 1995 in the aftermath of the peso devaluation in late
1994. Although Mexico City was able to correct imbalances in its
external accounts, meet international payments obligations, and
dramatically improve its trade balance in 1995, the domestic economy
suffered harshly as the ZEDILLO administration stuck to a strict
austerity program. The tight monetary and fiscal policies helped
prevent spiraling inflation and kept government spending under
control but drove interest rates to record heights, making it
difficult for most Mexicans to service their debts. At the same
time, consumers' reduced purchasing power made buying even
necessities difficult for some. Many small- and medium-sized firms
were unable to survive under the twin burdens of high interest rates
and depressed domestic demand for their goods. Business closures and
cutbacks fueled unemployment; more than 1 million Mexicans lost
their jobs. According to the government and most private sector
observers, the recession bottomed out in the third quarter of 1995,
but the difficult year fed growing dissatisfaction with the ruling
party, led to a crisis of confidence in President ZEDILLO'S ability
to lead, and spurred increased tensions within the ruling party.
While the ZEDILLO administration is optimistic that 1996 will bring
some recovery - the government is forecasting 3% growth and 21%
inflation - Mexico will face several key vulnerabilities, including
the financial health of the banking sector, shaky investor
confidence that could be easily jarred by more political or economic
shocks, and increasingly emboldened dissenters within the ruling
party.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $721.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -6.9% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.5%
industry: 28.4%
services: 63.1%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 52% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 33.6 million (1994)
by occupation: services 31.7%, agriculture, forestry, hunting, and
fishing 28%, commerce 14.6%, manufacturing 11.1%, construction 8.4%,
transportation 4.7%, mining and quarrying 1.5%
Unemployment rate: 10% (1995 est.) plus considerable
underemployment
Budget:
revenues: $56 billion (1995 est.)
expenditures: $54 billion (1995 est.), including capital
expenditures of $NA
Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and
steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles,
consumer durables, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: -7.5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 28,780,000 kW
production: 122 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,239 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee,
fruit, tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis
continues in spite of increasing government eradication; major
supplier of heroin and marijuana to the US market; continues as the
primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South
America; increasingly involved in the production and distribution of
methamphetamine
Exports: $80 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.), includes in-bond
industries
commodities: crude oil, oil products, coffee, silver, engines, motor
vehicles, cotton, consumer electronics
partners: US 85%, Japan 1.6%, EU 4.6% (1994 est.)
Imports: $72 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.), includes in-bond
industries
commodities: metal-working machines, steel mill products,
agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for
assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft
parts
partners: US 69%, Japan 6%, EU 12% (1994 est.)
External debt: $155 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $85 million (1993)
note: US commitments, (Emergency Stabilization Fund), $13.5 billion;
IMF, $13 billion (1995-96)
Currency: 1 New Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1 -
7.6647 (December 1995), 6.4194 (1995), 3.3751 (1994), 3.1156 (1993),
3,094.9 (1992), 3,018.4 (1991)
note: the new peso replaced the old peso on 1 January 1993; 1 new
peso = 1,000 old pesos
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 20,567 km
standard gauge: 20,477 km 1.435-m gauge (246 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 90 km 0.914-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 245,433 km
paved: 88,601 km (including 4,286 km of expressways)
unpaved: 156,832 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals
Pipelines: crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km;
natural gas 13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km
Ports: Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, La
Paz, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso, Salina Cruz,
Tampico, Topolobampo, Tuxpan, Veracruz
Merchant marine:
total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 875,314 GRT/1,245,932
DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, container 4, liquefied
gas tanker 7, oil tanker 29, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 2, short-sea passenger 3 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1,411
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 25
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 88
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 66
with paved runways under 914 m: 815
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 50
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 358 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 11,890,868 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: highly developed system with extensive microwave
radio relay links; privatized in December 1990
domestic: adequate telephone service for business and government,
but the population is poorly served; domestic satellite system with
120 earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network
international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); launched Solidaridad I satellite in
November 1993 and Solidaridad II in October 1994, giving Mexico
improved access to South America, Central America and much of the US
as well as enhancing domestic communications; linked to Central
American Microwave System of trunk connections
Radio broadcast stations: AM 679, FM 0, shortwave 22
Radios: 22.5 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 238
Televisions: 13.1 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: National Defense (includes Army and Air Force), Navy
(includes Naval Air and Marines)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 23,945,962
males fit for military service: 17,451,706
males reach military age (18) annually: 1,057,538 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.24 billion,
0.9% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Micronesia, Federated States of
-------------------------------
Map
---
Location: 6 55 N, 158 15 E -- Oceania, island group in the North
Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to
Indonesia
Flag
----
Description: light blue with four white five-pointed stars
centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 15 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 702 sq km
land area: 702 sq km
comparative area: four times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk) Islands, Yap Islands,
and Kosrae
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6,112 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the
eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with
occasional severe damage
Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands
to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and
Truk
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Totolom 791 m
Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Desertification,
Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
Geographic note: four major island groups totaling 607 islands
People
------
Population: 125,377 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: 35% (est.)
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 3.34% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 27.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.22 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 11.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 35.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.99 years
male: 66.02 years
female: 69.99 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.96 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Micronesian(s)
adjective: Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese
Ethnic divisions: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other and none 3%
Languages: English (official and common language), Trukese,
Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 89%
male: 91%
female: 88%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form: none
former: Kosrae, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of
the Pacific Islands)
abbreviation: FSM
Data code: FM
Type of government: constitutional government in free association
with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3
November 1986
Capital: Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei)
note: a new capital is being built about 10 km southwest in the
Palikir valley
Administrative divisions: 4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk),
Yap
Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN
Trusteeship)
National holiday: Proclamation of the Federated States of
Micronesia, 10 May (1979)
Constitution: 10 May 1979
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the
legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Bailey OLTER (since
21 May 1991) and Vice President Jacob NENA (since 21 May 1991) were
elected by the Congress from among the four Senators-at-Large;
election last held 11 May 1995 (next to be held NA May 1999);
results - Bailey OLTER reelected to a second term as president;
Jacob NENA reelected to a second term as vice president
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral
Congress: elections last held 7 March 1995 (next to be held NA March
1999); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (14 total) independents
14
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: no formal parties
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO,
IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO,
WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse B. MAREHALAU
chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383
FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391
consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador March Fong EU
embassy: address NA, Kolonia
mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of
Micronesia 96941
telephone: [691] 320-2187
FAX: [691] 320-2186
Flag: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the
stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic activity consists primarily of
subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral
deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The
potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remoteness of the
location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development.
Financial assistance from the US is the primary source of revenue,
with the US pledged to spend $1 billion in the islands in the 1990s.
Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are
major impediments to long-term growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $205 million (1994 est.)
note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100
million annually
GDP real growth rate: 1.4% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,700 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1994 est.)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: two-thirds are government employees
Unemployment rate: 27% (1989)
Budget:
revenues: $45 million
expenditures: $31 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95 est.)
Industries: tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items
from shell, wood, and pearls
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 18,000 kW
production: 40 million kWh
consumption per capita: 380 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables,
coconuts, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens
Exports: $29.1 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: fish, garments, bananas, black pepper
partners: Japan, US, Guam
Imports: $141.1 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment,
beverages
partners: US, Japan, Australia
External debt: $129 million
Economic aid:
recipient: under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US
will provide $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 226 km
paved: 39 km
unpaved: 187 km
Ports: Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 960
Telephone system:
domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used
mostly for government purposes)
international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 1
Radios: 17,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 1,290 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Midway Islands
--------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 28 13 N, 177 22 W -- Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific
Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about
one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo
Geographic coordinates: 28 13 N, 177 22 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 5.2 sq km
land area: 5.2 sq km
comparative area: about nine times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
note: includes Eastern Island and Sand Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 15 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds
Terrain: low, nearly level
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 4 m
Natural resources: fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: a coral atoll; closed to the public
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 453 US
military personnel (July 1995 est.)
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Midway Islands
Data code: MQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US formerly
administered by the US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering
Command, Pacific Division; this facility has been operationally
closed since 10 September 1993 and is currently undergoing transfer
of accountability and responsibility to the US Department of the
Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is based on providing support
services for remaining activities located on the islands. All food
and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity: supplied by US Military
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 32 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Pipelines: 7.8 km
Ports: Sand Island
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Moldova
-------
Map
---
Location: 47 00 N, 29 00 E -- Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Flag
----
Description: same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical
bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of
flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak
and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive
branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons;
on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a
stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined
yellow
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 29 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 33,700 sq km
land area: 33,700 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Hawaii
Land boundaries:
total: 1,389 km
border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: certain territory of Moldova and Ukraine -
including Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina - are considered by
Bucharest as historically a part of Romania; this territory was
incorporated into the former Soviet Union following the
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1940
Climate: moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
lowest point: Nistru River 2 m
highest point: Mount Balaneshty 430 m
Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum
Land use:
arable land: 50%
permanent crops: 13%
meadows and pastures: 9%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 28%
Irrigated land: 2,920 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including
banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and
groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change;
signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 4,463,847 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 592,245; female 573,452)
15-64 years: 64% (male 1,381,017; female 1,496,428)
65 years and over: 10% (male 155,908; female 264,797) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.18% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.3 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.75 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.91 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 47.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.14 years
male: 60.77 years
female: 69.73 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.17 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Moldovan(s)
adjective: Moldovan
Ethnic divisions: Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%,
Russian 13%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7%
(1989 figures)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Russians and Ukrainians in the
Dniester region and Gagauz Turks in the south
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only
about 1,000 members) (1991)
note: the large majority of churchgoers are ethnic Moldavian
Languages: Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian
language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 96%
male: 99%
female: 94%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Moldova
conventional short form: Moldova
local long form: Republica Moldova
local short form: none
former: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia
Data code: MD
Type of government: republic
Capital: Chisinau
Administrative divisions: previously divided into 40 rayons; new
districts possible under new constitution in 1994
Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August 1991
Constitution: new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old
Soviet constitution of 1979
Legal system: based on civil law system; Constitutional Court
reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of
resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction but accepts many UN and OSCE documents
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mircea SNEGUR (since 3 September 1990) was
elected for a four-year term by popular vote; election last held 8
December 1991 (next to be held NA December 1996); results - Mircea
SNEGUR ran unopposed and won 98.17% of vote; note - President SNEGUR
was named executive president by the Supreme Soviet on 3 September
1990 and was confirmed by popular election on 8 December 1991
head of government: Prime Minister Andrei SANGHELI (since 1 July
1992; reappointed 5 April 1994 after elections for new legislature)
was appointed by Parliament; First Deputy Prime Minister Ion GUTU
(since NA April 1994)
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 27 February 1994 (next to be held NA
1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (104 total)
PDAM 56, Socialist/Yedinstvo Bloc 28, Peasants and Intellectuals
Bloc 11, FPCDM 9; note - seats as of June-July 1995 were as follows:
PDAM 45, PSM/UN 28, Peasants and Intellectuals Bloc 11, PRCM 11,
FPCDM 9
note: the comparative breakdown of seats by faction is approximate
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Popular Front
(FPCDM - formerly Moldovan Popular Front), Iurie ROSCA, chairman;
Socialist Unity Faction (US) of the Socialist Party of Moldova
(PSM), Vladimir SOLONARI, leader; Social Democratic Party of Moldova
(PSDM), Anatol TARAN, chairman; Agrarian Democratic Party of Moldova
(PDAM), Dumitru MOTPAN, chairman; Peasants and Intellectuals Bloc,
Mihai GHIMPU, leader; Liberal Party of Modova (PLM), Mircea RUSU,
chairman; Socialist Party of Moldova (PSM), Valeriu SENIC and Victor
MOREV, cochairmen; Party of Rivival and Conciliation of Moldova
(PRCM), Mircea SNEGUR, chairman; Moldovan Party of Democratic Forces
(PFDM), Valeriu MATEI, chairman; Party for Social Progress (PPSM),
Eugen SOBOR, chairman; Communist Party (PCM), Vladimir VORONIN,
first chairman; Yedinstvo Intermovement, Vladimir SOLONARI,
chairman, note - this party may not be in existence now
Other political or pressure groups: United Council of Labor
Collectives (UCLC), Igor SMIRNOV, chairman; The Ecology Movement of
Moldova (EMM), G. MALARCHUK, chairman; The Christian Democratic
League of Women of Moldova (CDLWM), L. LARI, chairman; National
Christian Party of Moldova (NCPM), D. TODIKE, M. BARAGA, V. NIKU,
leaders; The Peoples Movement Gagauz Khalky (GKh), S. GULGAR,
leader; The Democratic Party of Gagauzia (DPG), G. SAVOSTIN,
chairman; The Alliance of Working People of Moldova (AWPM), G.
POLOGOV, president; Christian Alliance for Greater Romania; Stefan
the Great Movement; Liberal Convention of Moldova; Association of
Victims of Repression; Christian Democratic Youth League
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE, CIS,
EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, OSCE,
PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nicolae TAU
chancery: Suites 329, 333, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 783-3012
FAX: [1] (202) 783-3342
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John Todd STEWART
embassy: Strada Alexei Mateevich #103, Chisinau 277014
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72
FAX: [373] (2) 23-30-44
Flag: same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of
blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a
Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons
carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its
right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast
is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox
head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and good
farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy
depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine,
and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal,
and natural gas. Energy shortages have contributed to sharp
production declines since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Moldovan Government has been making steady progress on an
ambitious economic reform agenda, and the IMF has called Moldova a
model for the region. As part of its reform efforts, Chisinau has
introduced a stable convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped
issuing preferential credits to state enterprises and backed their
steady privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest
rates. Chisinau appears strongly committed to continuing these
reforms in 1996. Published estimates probably overstated the decline
in output in 1991-94; the $2,310 per capita figure for GDP thus is a
minimum estimate.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.4 billion (1995 estimate
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,310 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 33%
industry: 36%
services: 31% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 24% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.03 million (January 1994)
by occupation: agriculture 34.4%, industry 20.1%, other 45.5% (1985
figures)
Unemployment rate: 1.2% (includes only officially registered
unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers) (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
note: budget deficit for 1995 approximately 5% of GDP
Industries: food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry
equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery,
sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: -6% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 3,000,000 kW
production: 8.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,830 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets,
sunflower seed, tobacco; meat, milk
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis;
mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs to
Western Europe
Exports: $720 million (1995)
commodities: foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles and footwear,
machinery, chemicals
partners: Russia, Kazakstan, Ukraine, Romania, Germany
Imports: $822 million (1995)
commodities: oil, gas, coal, steel, machinery, foodstuffs,
automobiles, and other consumer durables
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Romania, Germany
External debt: $550 million (of which $250 million to Russia)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $46 million (1993)
note: commitments, $1,335 million ($500 million disbursements),
1992-95
Currency: the leu (plural lei) was introduced in late 1993
Exchange rates: lei per US$1 - 4.5460 (January 1996), 4.4990
(1995), 4.2700 (1994), 3.6400 (1993), 0.4145 (1992), 0.0017 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,328 km
broad gauge: 1,328 km 1.520-m gauge (1992)
Highways:
total: 14,508 km
paved: 12,346 km
unpaved: 2,162 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 424 km (1994)
Pipelines: natural gas 310 km (1992)
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 26
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 3
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 8 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 577,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: telecommunication system not well developed;
215,000 unsatisfied requests for telephone service (1991 est.)
domestic: NA
international: international connections to other former Soviet
republics by landline and microwave radio relay through Ukraine and
to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international
gateway switch; satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 5, shortwave NA (1994)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2 (one national and one private)
(1995)
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Republic
Security Forces (internal and border troops)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,125,538
males fit for military service: 888,757
males reach military age (18) annually: 37,183 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 203 million lei, 2.5% of GDP (1995); note -
conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current
exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Monaco
------
Map
---
Location: 43 44 N, 7 24 E -- Western Europe, bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, on the southern coast of France, near the border
with Italy
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white;
similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of
Poland which is white (top) and red
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, on the
southern coast of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 1.9 sq km
land area: 1.9 sq km
comparative area: about three times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 4.4 km
border country: France 4.4 km
Coastline: 4.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mont Agel 140 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Law
of the Sea
Geographic note: second smallest independent state in world (after
Holy See); almost entirely urban
People
------
Population: 31,719 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 2,737; female 2,685)
15-64 years: 63% (male 9,746; female 10,318)
65 years and over: 20% (male 2,288; female 3,945) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.59% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.66 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.11 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 7.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.87 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.07 years
male: 74.38 years
female: 81.93 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Monacan(s) or Monegasque(s)
adjective: Monacan or Monegasque
Ethnic divisions: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other
21%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Principality of Monaco
conventional short form: Monaco
local long form: Principaute de Monaco
local short form: Monaco
Data code: MN
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Monaco
Administrative divisions: 4 quarters (quartiers, singular -
quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo
Independence: 1419 (rule by the House of Grimaldi)
National holiday: National Day, 19 November
Constitution: 17 December 1962
Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Prince RAINIER III (since NA November 1949) is a
hereditary monarch; Heir Apparent Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis
Pierre (born 14 March 1958)
head of government: Minister of State Jaques DUPONT (since NA 1995)
was appointed by the prince from a list of three candidates
presented by the French Government
cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the prince
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Council (Conseil National): elections last held 24 and 31
January 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (18 total) Campora List 15, Medecin List 2,
independent 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal (Tribunal Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: National and Democratic Union
(UND); Campora List, Anne-Marie CAMPORA; Medecin List, Jean-Louis
MEDECIN
International organization participation: ACCT, ECE, IAEA, ICAO,
ICRM, IFRCS, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US: Monaco does not have an embassy
in the US
consulate(s): New York
honorary consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New
Orleans, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
honorary consulate(s): Dallas, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, and
Washington, DC
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France) is accredited to
======================================================================
@Mongolia
--------
Map
---
Location: 46 00 N, 105 00 E -- Northern Asia, between China and
Russia
Flag
----
Description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side),
blue, and red, centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the
national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and
geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the
yin-yang symbol)
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 1.565 million sq km
land area: 1.565 million sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 8,114 km
border countries: China 4,673 km, Russia 3,441 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature
ranges)
Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains; mountains in west and
southwest; Gobi Desert in southeast
lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m
highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil 4,374 m
Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten,
phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 79%
forest and woodland: 10%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: 770 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; policies of
the former communist regime promoting rapid urbanization and
industrial growth have raised concerns about their negative effects
on the environment; the burning of soft coal and the concentration
of factories in Ulaanbaatar have severely polluted the air;
deforestation, overgrazing, the converting of virgin land to
agricultural production have increased soil erosion from wind and
rain; desertification
natural hazards: dust storms can occur in the spring
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not
ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; strategic location between China and
Russia
People
------
Population: 2,496,617 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 486,321; female 471,931)
15-64 years: 58% (male 722,485; female 723,065)
65 years and over: 4% (male 39,704; female 53,111) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.69% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 25.55 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.65 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 69.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.75 years
male: 58.8 years
female: 62.8 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.04 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Mongolian(s)
adjective: Mongolian
Ethnic divisions: Mongol 90%, Kazak 4%, Chinese 2%, Russian 2%,
other 2%
Religions: predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, Muslim 4%
note: previously limited religious activity because of communist
regime
Languages: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian, Chinese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1988 est.)
total population: 82.9%
male: 88.6%
female: 77.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Mongolia
local long form: none
local short form: Mongol Uls
former: Outer Mongolia
Data code: MG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag)
and 3 municipalities* (hotuud, singular - hot); Arhangay,
Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan*, Dornod, Dornogovi,
Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Erdenet*, Govi-Altay, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol,
Omnogovi, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs
Independence: 13 March 1921 (from China)
National holiday: National Day, 11 July (1921)
Constitution: adopted 13 January 1992
Legal system: blend of Russian, Chinese, and Turkish systems of
law; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative
acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (since 3 September
1990) was nominated by parties in the State Great Hural and elected
in general presidential elections for a four-year term; election
last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held NA 1997); results -
Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (MNDP and MSDP) elected directly with 57.8%
of the vote, other candidate Lodongiyn TUDEV (MPRP)
head of government: Prime Minister Putsagiyn JASRAY (since 3 August
1992) and Deputy Prime Ministers Lhamsuren ENEBISH (since NA October
1992) and Choijilsurengiyn PUREVDORJ (since NA September 1990) were
appointed by the State Great Hural
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the State Great Hural
Legislative branch: unicameral
State Great Hural: elections held for the first time 28 June 1992
(next to be held NA June 1996); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (76 total) MPRP 71, United Party of Mongolia 4, MSDP 1
note: the People's Small Hural no longer exists
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, serves as appeals court for
people's and provincial courts, but to date rarely overturns
verdicts of lower courts, judges are nominated by the General
Council of Courts for approval of the Great Hural
Political parties and leaders: Mongolian People's Revolutionary
Party (MPRP), Budragchagiin DASH-YONDON, secretary general;
Mongolian National Democratic Party (MNDP), D. GANBOLD, chairman;
Mongolian Social Democratic Party (MSDP), B. BATBAYAR, chairman;
United Party of Mongolia, leader NA
note: opposition parties were legalized in May 1990
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO,
G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM
(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jalbuugiyn CHOINHOR
chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117
FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald C. JOHNSON
embassy: inner north side of the Big Ring, just west of the Selbe
Gol, Ulaanbaatar
mailing address: c/o American Embassy Beijing, Micro Region 11, Big
Ring Road; PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone: [976] (1) 329095, 329606
FAX: [976] (1) 320776
Flag: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and
red, centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national
emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric
representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang
symbol)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Mongolia's severe climate, scattered
population, and wide expanses of unproductive land have constrained
economic development. Economic activity traditionally has been based
on agriculture and the breeding of livestock. In past years
extensive mineral resources had been developed with Soviet support;
total Soviet assistance at its height amounted to 30% of GDP. The
mining and processing of coal, copper, molybdenum, tin, tungsten,
and gold account for a large part of industrial production. Timber
and fishing are also important sectors. The Mongolian leadership has
been gradually making the transition from Soviet-style central
planning to a market economy through privatization and price reform
and has been soliciting support from international financial
agencies and foreign investors. The economy, however, has still not
recovered from the loss of Soviet aid. The country continues to
suffer substantial economic hardships, with one-fourth of the
population below the poverty line.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,970 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 35%
services: 37% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 53% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.115 million (mid-1993 est.)
by occupation: primarily herding/agricultural
note: over half the adult population is in the labor force,
including a large percentage of women; shortage of skilled labor
Unemployment rate: 15% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.5 billion
expenditures: $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: copper, construction materials, mining (particularly
coal); food and beverage, processing of animal products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 900,000 kW
production: 3.1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,267 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep, goats,
cattle, camels, horses
Exports: $400 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool,
hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals
partners: former CMEA countries 62%, China 17%, EC 8% (1992)
Imports: $223 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, food products,
industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea
partners: USSR 75%, Austria 5%, China 5% (1991)
External debt: $473.7 million (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos
Exchange rates: tughriks (Tug) per US$1 - 4465.39 (October 1995),
412.72 (1994), 42.56 (1992), 9.52 (1991), 5.63 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,928 km
broad gauge: 1,928 km 1.524-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 46,700 km
paved: 1,000 km
unpaved: 45,700 km (1988 est.)
Waterways: 397 km of principal routes (1988)
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 34
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 89,000 (1995 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian
Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 220,000
Television broadcast stations: 1 (provincial repeaters 18)
Televisions: 120,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Mongolian People's Army (includes Internal Security
Forces and Frontier Guards), Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 638,560
males fit for military service: 417,620
males reach military age (18) annually: 27,386 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22.8 million, 1%
of GDP (1992)
======================================================================
@Montserrat
----------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 16 45 N, 62 12 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean
Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer
half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside
a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of
Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 16 45 N, 62 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 100 sq km
land area: 100 sq km
comparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal
lowland
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Chances Peak 914 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 10%
forest and woodland: 40%
other: 30%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared
for cultivation
natural hazards: severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic
eruptions (there are seven active volcanoes on the island)
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 12,771 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.28% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.08 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 11.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.65 years
male: 73.89 years
female: 77.46 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.93 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Montserratian(s)
adjective: Montserratian
Ethnic divisions: black, Europeans
Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal,
Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Montserrat
Data code: MH
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Plymouth
Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint
Georges, Saint Peter's
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second
Saturday of June)
Constitution: present constitution came into force 19 December 1989
Legal system: English common law and statute law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952), represented by Governor Frank SAVAGE (since NA
February 1993) was appointed by the queen
head of government: Chief Minister Reuben T. MEADE (since NA October
1991)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief
minister, three other ministries, the attorney general, and the
finance secretary
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: elections last held 8 October 1991 (next to be
held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total,
7 elected) NPP 4, NDP 1, PLM 1, independent 1
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint
Lucia)
Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party (NPP),
Reuben T. MEADE; People's Liberation Movement (PLM), Noel TUITT;
National Development Party (NDP), Bertrand OSBORNE
International organization participation: Caricom, CDB, ECLAC
(associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer
half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside
a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is small and open, with economic
activity centered on tourism and related services. Tourism accounts
for roughly one-quarter of Montserrat's national income. The
island's main export is electronic components which are mainly
shipped to the US. The agriculture sector is small; cabbages,
carrots, cucumbers, and onions are grown for the domestic market;
additionally, some hot peppers and live plants are exported to the
US and Europe. The threat of a volcanic eruption in late 1995 led to
the repeated evacuation of Montserrat's capital, Plymouth, and deep
ash from the volcano destroyed much of the yearend crops. As a
result, production in 1995 dropped precipitously. The likely slow
recovery of tourism and the continued danger of an eruption dim the
prospects for rapid recovery in 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $55.6 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,500 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 18.4%
services: 76.8% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.6% (1994)
Labor force: 5,100
by occupation: community, social, and personal services 40.5%,
construction 13.5%, trade, restaurants, and hotels 12.3%,
manufacturing 10.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 8.8%, other
14.4% (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $15.7 million
expenditures: $15.6 million including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)
Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 5,271 kW
production: 17 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,106 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
Exports: $2.3 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot
peppers, live plants, cattle
partners: US, Ireland
Imports: $80.6 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs,
manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
partners: NA
External debt: $10.2 million (December 1994)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70
(fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 280 km
paved: 200 km
unpaved: 80 km
Ports: Plymouth
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3,000
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 6,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Police Force
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Morocco
-------
Map
---
Location: 32 00 N, 5 00 W -- Northern Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and
Western Sahara
Flag
----
Description: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star)
known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the
traditional color of Islam
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and
the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 446,550 sq km
land area: 446,300 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 2,002 km
border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km
note: excludes the length of the boundary between the places of
sovereignty and Morocco
Coastline: 1,835 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims and administers Western Sahara, but
sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a
referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in
effect since September 1991; Spain controls five places of
sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco -
the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which Morocco contests as
well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la
Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas
Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Terrain: northern coast and interior are mountainous with large
areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal
plains
lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m
highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m
Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc,
fish, salt
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 28%
forest and woodland: 12%
other: 41%
Irrigated land: 12,650 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: land degradation/desertification (soil erosion
resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction
of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation
of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters
natural hazards: northern mountains geologically unstable and
subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Environmental
Modification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
People
------
Population: 29,779,156 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 5,696,731; female 5,522,077)
15-64 years: 58% (male 8,577,918; female 8,700,521)
65 years and over: 4% (male 613,712; female 668,197) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.05% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 27.39 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.77 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 43.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.52 years
male: 67.53 years
female: 71.61 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.58 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Moroccan(s)
adjective: Moroccan
Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%
Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the
language of business, government, and diplomacy
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 43.7%
male: 56.6%
female: 31%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form: Morocco
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form: Al Maghrib
Data code: MO
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Rabat
Administrative divisions: 36 provinces and 5 wilayas*; Agadir, Al
Hoceima, Assa-Zag, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane,
Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia,
Essaouira, Es Smara, Fes*, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra,
Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech*,
Meknes*, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi
Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan,
Tiznit
Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 3 March (1961) (anniversary of
King HASSAN II's accession to the throne)
Constitution: 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992
Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil
law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional
Chamber of Supreme Court
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961) is a hereditary
monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Abdellatif FILALI (since 29 May
1994) was appointed by the king
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the king
Legislative branch: unicameral
Chamber of Representatives (Majlis Nawab): two-thirds elected by
direct, universal suffrage and one-third by an electoral college of
government, professional, and labor representatives; direct, popular
elections last held 15 June 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (333 total, 222 directly
elected) USFP 48, IP 43, MP 33, RNI 28, UC 27, PND 14, MNP 14, PPS
6, PDI 3, SAP 2, PA 2, OADP 2; indirect, special interest elections
last held 17 September 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (333 total, 111 indirectly
elected) UC 27, MP 18, RNI 13, MNP 11, PND 10, IP 7, Party of Shura
and Istiqlal 6, USFP 4, PPS 4, CDT 4, UTM 3, UGTM 2, SAP 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed on the
recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided
over by the king
Political parties and leaders:
opposition: Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Mohammad
al-YAZGHI; Istiqlal Party (IP), M'Hamed BOUCETTA; Party of Progress
and Socialism (PPS), Ali YATA; Organization of Democratic and
Popular Action (OADP), Mohamed Ben SAID
pro-government: Constitutional Union (UC), Maati BOUABID; Popular
Movement (MP), Mohamed LAENSER; National Democratic Party (PND),
Mohamed Arsalane EL-JADIDI; National Popular Movement (MNP),
Mahjoubi AHARDANE
independents: National Rally of Independents (RNI), Ahmed OSMAN;
Democracy and Istiqlal Party (PDI), leader NA; Action Party (PA),
Abdullah SENHAJI; Non-Obedience Candidates (SAP), leader NA
labor unions and community organizations (indirect elections:
Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT), Nabir AMAOUI; General Union
of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), Abderrazzak AFILAL; Moroccan Union of
Workers (UTM), leader NA; Party of Shura and Istiqlal, leader NA
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate),
AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS
(observer), OIC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed BENAISSA
chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982
FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marc C. GINSBERG
embassy: 2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat
mailing address: PSC 74, Box 003, APO AE 09718
telephone: [212] (7) 76 22 65
FAX: [212] (7) 76 56 61
consulate(s) general: Casablanca
Flag: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known
as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the
traditional color of Islam
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Morocco faces the typical problems of
developing countries - restraining government spending, reducing
constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and keeping
inflation within bounds. Since the early 1980s the government has
pursued an economic program toward these objectives with the support
of the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club of creditors. The
economy has substantial assets to draw on: the world's largest
phosphate reserves, diverse agricultural and fishing resources, a
sizable tourist industry, a growing manufacturing sector, and
remittances from Moroccans working abroad. A severe drought in
1992-93 depressed economic activity and held down exports. Real GDP
contracted by 4.4% in 1992 and 1.1% in 1993. Despite these setbacks,
initiatives to relax capital controls, strengthen the banking
sector, and privatize state enterprises went forward in 1993-94.
Favorable rainfall in 1994 boosted agricultural production by 40%.
In 1995, Morocco suffered from a drought said to be the worst in 30
years. Servicing the large debt, high unemployment, and
vulnerability to external economic forces remain long-term problems
for Morocco.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $87.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -6.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 14.3%
industry: 32.2%
services: 53.5% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1994)
Labor force: 7.4 million
by occupation: agriculture 50%, services 26%, industry 15%, other 9%
(1985)
Unemployment rate: 16% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $8.1 billion
expenditures: $8.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing,
leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 0.1%
Electricity:
capacity: 2,620,000 kW
production: 9.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 361 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives;
livestock
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the
increase for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments
of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for
cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe
Exports: $4 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%,
consumer goods 21%, phosphates 17%
partners: EC 70%, Japan 5%, US 4%, Libya 3%, India 2% (1993)
Imports: $7.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: capital goods 24%, semiprocessed goods 22%, raw
materials 16%, fuel and lubricants 16%, food and beverages 13%,
consumer goods 9%
partners: EC 59%, US 8%, Saudi Arabia 5%, UAE 3%, Russia 2% (1993)
External debt: $20.5 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $297 million (1993)
note: $2.8 billion debt canceled by Saudi Arabia (1991)
Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 8.607 (January
1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,907 km
standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1003 km electrified; 246 km
double track) (1994)
Highways:
total: 59,474 km
paved: 29,440 km (including 73 km of expressways)
unpaved: 30,034 km (1991 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 362 km; petroleum products 491 km
(abandoned); natural gas 241 km
Ports: Agadir, Al Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra,
Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi, Tangier; also Spanish-controlled
Ceuta and Melilla
Merchant marine:
total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 175,962 GRT/257,449 DWT
ships by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 7, container 2, oil tanker
4, refrigerated cargo 9, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea
passenger 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 63
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 11
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 12
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 11
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 15 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 270,100 (1987 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and
microwave radio relay links; principal centers are Casablanca and
Rabat; secondary centers are Fes, Marrakech, Oujda, Tangier, and
Tetouan
international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to
Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave
radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 0
Radios: 5.527 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 26 (repeaters 26)
Televisions: 1.21 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Moroccan Army, Royal Moroccan Navy, Royal Moroccan
Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 7,541,745
males fit for military service: 4,782,028
males reach military age (18) annually: 330,344 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.38 billion,
4.1% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Mozambique
----------
Map
---
Location: 18 15 S, 35 00 E -- Southern Africa, bordering the
Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black,
and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side;
the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a
yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black
superimposed on an open white book
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel,
between South Africa and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 S, 35 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 801,590 sq km
land area: 784,090 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,571 km
border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland
105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Coastline: 2,470 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical to subtropical
Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus
in northwest, mountains in west
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m
Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 56%
forest and woodland: 20%
other: 20%
Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: civil strife and recurrent drought in the
hinterlands have resulted in increased migration to urban and
coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences;
desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters
natural hazards: severe droughts and floods occur in central and
southern provinces; devastating cyclones
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified
- Desertification, Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 17,877,927 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 4,141,915; female 4,115,191)
15-64 years: 51% (male 4,324,102; female 4,868,518)
65 years and over: 3% (male 184,606; female 243,595) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.65% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 45.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 18.97 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: by the end of 1994, an estimated 1.6 million Mozambican
refugees, who fled to Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa in earlier
years from the civil war, had returned; an estimated 100,000
refugees remain to be repatriated from those countries
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 125.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 44.34 years
male: 43.21 years
female: 45.5 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.23 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Mozambican(s)
adjective: Mozambican
Ethnic divisions: indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan,
Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%,
Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Languages: Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 40.1%
male: 57.7%
female: 23.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form: Mozambique
local long form: Republica Popular de Mocambique
local short form: Mocambique
Data code: MZ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Maputo
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula,
Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Constitution: 30 November 1990
Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary
law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November
1986) was elected for a five-year term by popular vote
head of government: Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since December
1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral
Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica): the members are
elected by direct, universal, adult suffrage on a secret ballot for
a term of five years; election last held 27-29 October 1994 (next to
be held NA October 1999); results - percent vote by party NA, seats
(250 total) FRELIMO won a slim majority
note: the presidential and legislative elections took place as
called for in the 1992 peace accords; RENAMO participated in the
elections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president
and judges elected by the Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of
Mozambique (FRELIMO), Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO, chairman; Mozambique
National Resistance (RENAMO), Afonso DHLAKAMA, president; Democratic
Union (DU), Antonio PALANGE, General Secretary
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM,
OAU, OIC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hipolito Pereira Zozimo PATRICIO
chancery: Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146
FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis Coleman JETT
embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo
mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo
telephone: [258] (1) 492797
FAX: [258] (1) 490114
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and
yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the
black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow
five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black
superimposed on an open white book
Economy
-------
Economic overview: One of Africa's poorest countries, Mozambique
has failed to exploit the economic potential of its sizable
agricultural, hydropower, and transportation resources. Indeed,
national output, consumption, and investment declined throughout the
first half of the 1980s because of internal disorders, lack of
government administrative control, and a growing foreign debt. A
sharp increase in foreign aid, attracted by an economic reform
policy, resulted in successive years of economic growth in the late
1980s, but aid has declined steadily since 1989. Agricultural output
is at only 75% of its 1981 level, and grain has to be imported.
Industry operates at only 20%-40% of capacity. The economy depends
heavily on foreign assistance to keep afloat. Peace accords between
civil warring factions, signed in October 1992, improved chances of
foreign investment, aided IMF-supported economic reforms, and
supported continued economic recovery. Elections held in 1994
diverted government attention from the economy, resulting in
slippage and delays in the economic reform program. Nonetheless,
growth continued in 1994-95, and the economy should move forward in
the late 1990s, given continued foreign help in meeting debt
obligations. One key event in 1995 was the conclusion of
negotiations with Enron of Houston, Texas, for a $700 million
project to exploit the Pande natural gas fields.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -2.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 33%
industry: 12%
services: 55% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% (1994 est.)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: 90% engaged in agriculture
Unemployment rate: 50% (1989 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $252 million
expenditures: $607 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)
Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints),
petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: 5.8% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,360,000 kW
production: 1.7 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 58 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava
(tapioca), corn, rice, tropical fruits; beef, poultry
Exports: $170 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: shrimp 40%, cashews, cotton, sugar, copra, citrus
partners: Spain, South Africa, US, Portugal, Japan
Imports: $1.14 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum
partners: South Africa, UK, France, Japan, Portugal
External debt: $5 billion (1992 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: meticais (Mt) per US$1 - 10,908.0 (December 1995),
9,024.3 (1995), 6,038.6 (1994), 3,874.2 (1993), 2,516.5 (1992),
1,434.5 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,131 km
narrow gauge: 2,988 km 1.067-m gauge; 143 km 0.762-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 27,287 km
paved: 4,693 km
unpaved: 22,594 km (1991 est.)
note: highway traffic impeded by land mines not removed at end of
civil war
Waterways: about 3,750 km of navigable routes
Pipelines: crude oil (not operating) 306 km; petroleum products
289 km
Ports: Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba
Merchant marine:
total: 4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,694 GRT/9,724
DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 131
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with paved runways under 914 m: 67
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 32 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 59,000 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: fair system of tropospheric scatter, open-wire
lines, and microwave radio relay
domestic: microwave radio relay and tropospheric scatter
international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic
Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 29, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 700,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 44,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Militia
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,767,855
males fit for military service: 2,162,388 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $84 million, 5.3%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Namibia
-------
Map
---
Location: 22 00 S, 17 00 E -- Southern Africa, bordering the South
Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Flag
----
Description: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills
the upper left section, and an equal green triangle (solid) fills
the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe
that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean,
between Angola and South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 825,418 sq km
land area: 825,418 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 3,824 km
border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa
855 km, Zambia 233 km
Coastline: 1,572 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: short section of boundary with Botswana is
indefinite; quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in
disagreement; dispute with Botswana over uninhabited Kasikili
(Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River remained unresolved in
December 1995, and the parties agreed to refer the matter to the ICJ
Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari
Desert in east
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin,
lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected
deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 64%
forest and woodland: 22%
other: 13%
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources;
desertification
natural hazards: prolonged periods of drought
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes
People
------
Population: 1,677,243 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 370,090; female 362,185)
15-64 years: 52% (male 428,488; female 449,726)
65 years and over: 4% (male 28,599; female 38,155) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.93% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 37.29 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.98 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 47.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.48 years
male: 62.85 years
female: 66.16 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.1 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Namibian(s)
adjective: Namibian
Ethnic divisions: black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4%
note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9%
to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara
7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Religions: Christian 80% to 90%, Lutheran 50% at least, other
Christian denominations 30%, native religions 10% to 20%
Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of
most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German
32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1960 est.)
total population: 38%
male: 45%
female: 31%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Namibia
conventional short form: Namibia
Data code: WA
Type of government: republic
Capital: Windhoek
Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Erongo, Hardap, Karas,
Khomas, Kunene, Caprivi (Liambezi), Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke,
Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Sam NUJOMA (since
21 March 1990) was elected for a five-year term by universal
suffrage; election last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA
December 1999); results - Sam NUJOMA elected president; percent of
vote NA
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from the members of
National Assembly
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature
National Council: elections last held 30 November-3 December 1992
(next to be held by December 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (26 total) SWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1
National Assembly: elections last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be
held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (72 total) SWAPO 53, DTA 15, UDF 2, MAG 1, DCN 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: South West Africa People's
Organization (SWAPO), Sam NUJOMA; SWAPO for Justice, Zacharia
NJOMBA; DTA of Namibia (formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance)
(DTA), Mishake MUYONGO; United Democratic Front (UDF), Justus
GAROEB; Federal Convention of Namibia (FCN), Keiphas CONRADIE;
Monitor Action Group (MAG), Kosie PRETORIUS; Workers Revolutionary
Party (WRP); Southwest African National Union (SWANU), Hitjevi VEII;
Democratic Coalition of Namibia (DCN), Moses K. KATJIUONGUA;
National Patriotic Front (NPF), Moses K. KATJIUONGUA
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tuliameni KALOMOH
chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540
FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marshall F. McCALLIE
embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek
mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek
telephone: [264] (61) 221601
FAX: [264] (61) 229792
Flag: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper
left section, and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower
right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is
contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the
extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts
for almost 25% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of
nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of
uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary
source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large
quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. More than half
the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence
agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its
food.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.8 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.6% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,600 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11% (1994)
Labor force: 500,000
by occupation: agriculture 60%, industry and commerce 19%, services
8%, government 7%, mining 6% (1981 est.)
Unemployment rate: 35% in urban areas (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $941 million
expenditures: $1.05 billion, including capital expenditures of $157
million (FY93/94)
Industries: meat packing, fish processing, dairy products; mining
(diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1994)
Electricity:
capacity: 406,000 kW
production: 1.29 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 658 kWh (1991)
Agriculture: millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish catch
potential of over 1 million metric tons not being fulfilled
Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle,
processed fish, karakul skins
partners: Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, UK
Imports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and
equipment
partners: South Africa, Germany, US, Japan
External debt: about $385 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: South African rand (R) per US$1 - 3.6417 (January
1996), 3.6266 (1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497 (1992),
2.7653 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,382 km (1995)
narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track
Highways:
total: 54,186 km
paved: 4,056 km
unpaved: 50,130 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 108
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 14
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 10
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 17
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 58 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 89,722 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio
relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are
by open wire
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 40, shortwave 0
Radios: 195,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 27,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: National Defense Force (Army), Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 377,687
males fit for military service: 224,682 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $64 million, 2.1%
of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Nauru
-----
Map
---
Location: 0 32 S, 166 55 E -- Oceania, island in the South Pacific
Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands
Flag
----
Description: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across
the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the
hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to
the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12
original tribes of Nauru
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the
Marshall Islands
Geographic coordinates: 0 32 S, 166 55 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 21 sq km
land area: 21 sq km
comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 30 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February)
Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral
reefs with phosphate plateau in center
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m
Natural resources: phosphates
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage
tanks collect rainwater; phosphate mining threatens limited
remaining land resources
natural hazards: periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Marine Dumping; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Geographic note: Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock
islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island)
in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of
Equator
People
------
Population: 10,273 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.33% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 18.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 40.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.68 years
male: 64.3 years
female: 69.18 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.08 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Nauruan(s)
adjective: Nauruan
Ethnic divisions: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese
8%, European 8%
Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman
Catholic)
Languages: Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language),
English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and
commercial purposes
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Nauru
conventional short form: Nauru
former: Pleasant Island
Data code: NR
Type of government: republic
Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren District
Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan,
Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok,
Uaboe, Yaren
Independence: 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, New Zealand-,
and UK-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Constitution: 29 January 1968
Legal system: acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Lagumot HARRIS
(since 22 November 1995) was elected by Parliament; election last
held 18 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 1998)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president from among members
of Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: election last held 18 November 1995 (next to be held NA
November 1998); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (18 total)
independents 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: AsDB, C (special),
ESCAP, ICAO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, ITU, Sparteca,
SPC, SPF, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: Nauru does not have an embassy in
the US
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru
Flag: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the
center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the
hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to
the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12
original tribes of Nauru
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Revenues come from the export of phosphates,
the reserves of which are expected to be exhausted by the year 2000.
Phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes
in the Third World. Few other resources exist, so most necessities
must be imported, including fresh water from Australia. The
rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from
phosphates are serious long-term problems. Substantial amounts of
phosphate income are invested in trust funds to help cushion the
transition. However, dividends from the trusts have declined sharply
since 1990 and the government has been borrowing from the trusts to
finance fiscal deficits.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $100 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -3.6% (1993)
Labor force:
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 0%
Budget:
revenues: $23.8 million
expenditures: $69.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY92/93)
Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconut products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 14,000 kW
production: 30 million kWh
consumption per capita: 3,036 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts predominate
Exports: $25.3 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities: phosphates
partners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $21.1 million (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities: food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery
partners: Australia, UK, NZ, Japan
External debt: $33.3 million
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January
1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992),
1.2834 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3.9 km; note - used to haul phosphates from the center of the
island to processing facilities on the southwest coast
Highways:
total: 27 km
paved: 21 km
unpaved: 6 km (1986 est.)
Ports: Nauru
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2,000 (1989 est.)
Telephone system: adequate local and international radiotelephone
communications provided via Australian facilities
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 4,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1986 est.)
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: no regular armed forces; Directorate of the Nauru Police
Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Navassa Island
--------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 18 25 N, 75 02 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean
Sea, about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, about one-fourth
of the way from Haiti to Jamaica
Geographic coordinates: 18 25 N, 75 02 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 5.2 sq km
land area: 5.2 sq km
comparative area: about nine times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 8 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Haiti
Climate: marine, tropical
Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating;
ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high)
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m
Natural resources: guano
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 10%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 90%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval
Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enough
grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees,
scattered cactus
People
------
Population: uninhabited; note - transient Haitian fishermen and
others camp on the island
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Navassa Island
Data code: BQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US
administered by the US Coast Guard
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Nepal
-----
Map
---
Location: 28 00 N, 84 00 E -- Southern Asia, between China and
India
Flag
----
Description: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two
overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a
white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white
12-pointed sun
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 140,800 sq km
land area: 136,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Arkansas
Land boundaries:
total: 2,926 km
border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to
subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Terrain: Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central
hill region, rugged Himalayas in north
lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m
Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydropower potential,
scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 33%
other: 37%
Irrigated land: 9,430 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: the almost total dependence on wood for fuel and
cutting down trees to expand agricultural land without replanting
has resulted in widespread deforestation; soil erosion; water
pollution (use of contaminated water presents human health risks)
natural hazards: severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides,
drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration
of the summer monsoons
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation
Geographic note: landlocked; strategic location between China and
India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks
People
------
Population: 22,094,033 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 4,776,245; female 4,563,000)
15-64 years: 55% (male 6,172,821; female 5,945,626)
65 years and over: 3% (male 320,350; female 315,991) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.45% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.04 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 79 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 53.63 years
male: 53.35 years
female: 53.93 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Nepalese (singular and plural)
adjective: Nepalese
Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars,
Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas
Religions: Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3%, other 2% (1981)
note: only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp
distinction between many Hindu and Buddhist groups
Languages: Nepali (official), 20 other languages divided into
numerous dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 27.5%
male: 40.9%
female: 14%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Nepal
conventional short form: Nepal
Data code: NP
Type of government: parliamentary democracy as of 12 May 1991
Capital: Kathmandu
Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural);
Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi,
Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti
Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah)
National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 28 December
(1945)
Constitution: 9 November 1990
Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common
law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev (succeeded to the
throne 31 January 1972 following the death of his father King
MAHENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev, crowned king 24 February 1975) is a
constitutional monarch; Heir Apparent Crown Prince DIPENDRA Bir
Bikram
head of government: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur DEUBA (since 12
September 1995); note - in 1994, the king appointed Man Mohan
ADHIKARI to be prime minister using the standard criterion - he was
the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives
following the last election; however, in September 1995, a
parliamentary coalition of the Nepali Congress Party, the Rastriya
Prajantra Party, the Nepal Sadbhavana Party, and independents voted
against Prime Minister ADHIKARI; Sher Bahadur DEUBA, the leader of
the Nepali Congress Party, then formed the new government and was
appointed the new prime minister by the king
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the king on recommendation of the
prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
National Council: consists of 60 members (50 appointed by House of
Representatives and 10 by the king)
House of Representatives: elections last held 15 November 1994 (next
to be held NA); results - NCP 33%, CPN/UML 31%, NDP 18%, Terai
Rights Sadbhavana Party 3%, NWPP 1%; seats - (205 total) CPN/UML 88,
NCP 83, NDP 20, NWPP 4, Terai Rights Sadbhavana Party 3,
independents 7
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat), chief justice
is appointed by the king on recommendation of the Constitutional
Council, the other judges are appointed by the king on the
recommendation of the Judicial Council
Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Nepal/United
Marxist and Leninist (CPN/UML), Man Mohan ADHIKARI, president;
Nepali Congress Party (NCP), Krishna Prasad BHATTARAI (president),
Girija Prasad KOIRALA, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur DEUBA; National
Democratic Party (NDP), leader NA; Terai Rights Sadbhavana
(Goodwill) Party, Gajendra Narayan SINGH; Nepal Workers and Peasants
Party (NWPP), leader NA; Nepal Sadbhavana Party, leader NA; Rastriya
Prajantra Party, leader NA
Other political or pressure groups: numerous small, left-leaning
student groups in the capital; several small, radical Nepalese
antimonarchist groups
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN,
UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIH, UNPROFOR, UPU, WFTU,
WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Basudev Prasad DHUNGANA
chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sandra L. VOGELGESANG
embassy: Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [977] (1) 411179
FAX: [977] (1) 419963
Flag: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two
overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a
white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white
12-pointed sun
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed
countries in the world. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy,
providing a livelihood for over 80% of the population and accounting
for about one-half of GDP. Industrial activity is limited, mainly
involving the processing of agricultural produce (jute, sugarcane,
tobacco, and grain). Production of textiles and carpets has expanded
recently and accounted for 85% of foreign exchange earnings in
FY93/94. Apart from agricultural land and forests, exploitable
natural resources are mica, hydropower, and tourism. Agricultural
production in the late 1980s grew by about 5%, as compared with
annual population growth of 2.6%. More than 40% of the population is
undernourished. Since May 1991, the government has been moving
forward with economic reforms particularly those that encourage
trade and foreign investment, e.g., by eliminating business licenses
and registration requirements in order to simplify investment
procedures. The government has also been cutting public expenditures
by reducing subsidies, privatizing state industries, and laying off
civil servants. (In 1995 little progress was made in these areas
because the communist government had trouble formulating and
implementing policies.) The new coalition government is planning to
pick up the pace of reforms in 1996, focusing primarily on raising
revenues to develop the rural sector by increasing taxation and
privatization. Prospects for foreign trade and investment,
particularly in areas other than power development and tourism, will
continue to remain poor because of the small size of the economy,
its technological backwardness, its remoteness, and its
susceptibility to natural disaster. The international community
provides funding for 62% of Nepal's developmental budget and for 34%
of total budgetary expenditures.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $25.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 49.3%
industry: 18.4%
services: 32.3% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.7% (FY94/95)
Labor force: 8.5 million (1991 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry 2%
note: severe lack of skilled labor
Unemployment rate: NA%; substantial underemployment (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $645 million
expenditures: $1.05 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95 est.)
Industries: tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and
oilseed mills; cigarette; cement and brick production
Industrial production growth rate: 14.7% (FY94/95 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 280,000 kW
production: 920 million kWh
consumption per capita: 41 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water
buffalo meat
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and
international drug markets; transit point for heroin from Southeast
Asia to the West
Exports: $430 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) but does not include
unrecorded border trade with India
commodities: carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain
partners: India, US, Germany, UK
Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum products 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10%
partners: India, Singapore, Japan, Germany
External debt: $2.3 billion (FY94/95 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $310 million (1993)
note: western and Japanese bilateral aid $215 million; multilateral
aid $43 million (1994-95)
Currency: 1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1 - 56.636 (January
1996), 51.890 (1995), 49.398 (1994), 48.607 (1993), 42.718 (1992),
37.255 (1991)
Fiscal year: 16 July - 15 July
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 101 km; note - all in Terai close to Indian border
narrow gauge: 101 km 0.762-m gauge
Highways:
total: 9,933 km
paved: 3,421 km
unpaved: 6,512 km (1995 est.)
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 43
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 27
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 82,774 (1995 est.)
Telephone system: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair
radiotelephone communication service
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone communications; satellite earth
station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 88, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 690,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service,
Nepalese Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 5,329,345
males fit for military service: 2,768,887
males reach military age (17) annually: 254,590 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $36 million, 1.2%
of GDP (FY92/93)
======================================================================
@Netherlands
-----------
Map
---
Location: 52 30 N, 5 45 E -- Western Europe, bordering the North
Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue
and is longer
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium
and Germany
Geographic coordinates: 52 30 N, 5 45 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 37,330 sq km
land area: 33,920 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,027 km
border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
Coastline: 451 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some
hills in southeast
lowest point: Prins Alexanderpolder -7 m
highest point: Vaalserberg 321 m
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil
Land use:
arable land: 26%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 32%
forest and woodland: 9%
other: 32%
Irrigated land: 5,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic
compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air
pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain
natural hazards: the extensive system of dikes and dams, protects
nearly one-half of the total area from being flooded
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity,
Desertification, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: located at mouths of three major European rivers
(Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)
People
------
Population: 15,568,034 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 1,457,694; female 1,393,402)
15-64 years: 68% (male 5,412,402; female 5,228,579)
65 years and over: 14% (male 836,934; female 1,239,023) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.56% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.08 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.73 years
male: 74.91 years
female: 80.68 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)
adjective: Dutch
Ethnic divisions: Dutch 96%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 4% (1988)
Religions: Roman Catholic 34%, Protestant 25%, Muslim 3%, other
2%, unaffiliated 36% (1991)
Languages: Dutch
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands
conventional short form: Netherlands
local long form: Koninkrijk de Nederlanden
local short form: Nederland
Data code: NL
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government
Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (provincien, singular -
provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen,
Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland,
Zuid-Holland
Dependent areas: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
Independence: 1579 (from Spain)
National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)
Constitution: 17 February 1983
Legal system: civil law system incorporating French penal theory;
judicial review in the Supreme Court of legislation of lower order
rather than Acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April
1980) is a constitutional monarch; Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER
(born 27 April 1967), Prince of Orange, son of Queen BEATRIX
head of government: Prime Minister Willem (Wim) KOK (since 22 August
1994) and Vice Prime Ministers Hans DIJKSTAL (since 22 August 1994)
and Hans VAN MIERLO (since 22 August 1994) were appointed by the
queen
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature (Staten Generaal)
First Chamber (Eerste Kamer): members indirectly elected by the
country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms; election last
held 9 June 1995 (next to be held 9 June 1999); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (75 total) number of seats by party NA
Second Chamber (Tweede Kamer): members directly elected for
four-year terms; elections last held 3 May 1994 (next to be held in
1998); results - PvdA 24.3%, CDA 22.3%, VVD 20.4%, D'66 16.5%, other
16.5%; seats - (150 total) PvdA 37, CDA 34, VVD 31, D'66 24, other 24
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad), justices are
nominated for life by the crown from a list compiled by the Second
Chamber of the Staten Generaal
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA),
Hans HELGERS; Labor (PvdA), Felix ROTTENBERG; Liberal (VVD), Frits
BOLKESTEIN; Democrats '66 (D66), Hans VAN MIERLO; a host of minor
parties
Other political or pressure groups: large multinational firms;
Federation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement (comprising Socialist
and Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant trade union; Federation
of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; the
nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises; and
Interchurch Peace Council (IKV)
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE,
ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest),
NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAVEM III,
UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNPREDEP,
UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Adriaan JACOBOVITS DE SZEGED
chancery: (temporary) 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300
FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kirk Terry DORNBUSH
embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ The Hague
mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715
telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209
FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688
consulate(s) general: Amsterdam
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue;
similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is
longer
Economy
-------
Economic overview: This highly developed and affluent economy is
based on private enterprise. The government makes its presence felt,
however, through many regulations, permit requirements, and welfare
programs affecting most aspects of economic activity. The trade and
financial services sector contributes over 50% of GDP. Industrial
activity provides about 25% of GDP and is led by the
food-processing, oil-refining, and metalworking industries. The
highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 4% of the labor
force, but provides large surpluses for export and the domestic
food-processing industry. Indeed, the Netherlands ranks third
worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind the US and
France. High unemployment and a sizable budget deficit are currently
the most serious economic problems. Many of the economic issues of
the 1990s will reflect the course of European economic integration.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $301.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $19,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.4%
industry: 26.9%
services: 69.7% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.25% (1995)
Labor force: 6.4 million (1993)
by occupation: services 73%, manufacturing and construction 23%,
agriculture 4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (fourth quarter 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $109.9 billion
expenditures: $122.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)
Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products,
electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing,
construction, microelectronics
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 17,520,000 kW
production: 72.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 5,100 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables;
livestock
Illicit drugs: important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish
entering Europe; European producer of illicit amphetamines and other
synthetic drugs
Exports: $146 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: metal products, chemicals, processed food and tobacco,
agricultural products
partners: EU 73% (Germany 28%, Belgium-Luxembourg 13%, UK 9%),
Central and Eastern Europe 2%, US 5% (1994)
Imports: $133 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: raw materials and semifinished products, consumer
goods, transportation equipment, crude oil, food products
partners: EU 56% (Germany 21%, Belgium-Luxembourg 11%, UK 8.5%), US
8.6% (1994)
External debt: 0
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $2.525 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per
US$1 - 1.6365 (January 1996), 1.6057 (1995), 1.8200 (1994), 1.8573
(1993), 1.7585 (1992), 1.8697 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,891 km
standard gauge: 2,891 km 1.435-m gauge; 2857 km are in common
carrier service (1,991 km electrified) and 34 km serve tourists
Highways:
total: 104,831 km
paved: 92,251 km (including 2,118 km of expressways)
unpaved: 12,580 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 6,340 km, of which 35% is usable by craft of 1,000
metric ton capacity or larger
Pipelines: crude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; natural
gas 10,230 km
Ports: Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen,
Haarlem, Ijmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Utrecht
Merchant marine:
total: 352 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,681,133
GRT/3,379,762 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 206, chemical tanker 21, combination
bulk 3, container 34, liquefied gas tanker 13, livestock carrier 1,
multifunction large-load carrier 2, oil tanker 38, railcar carrier
1, refrigerated cargo 16, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11, short-sea
passenger 3, specialized tanker 2
note: many Dutch-owned ships are operating under the registry of
Netherlands Antilles (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 28
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 8.272 million (1983 est.)
Telephone system: highly developed and well maintained; extensive
redundant system of multiconductor cables, supplemented by microwave
radio relay
domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; microwave radio relay
international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1
Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3 (relays 3), FM 12 (repeaters 39),
shortwave 0
Radios: 13.755 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 8 (repeaters 7)
Televisions: 7.4 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes
Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force,
Royal Constabulary
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 4,191,998
males fit for military service: 3,670,253
males reach military age (20) annually: 94,013 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $8.2 billion,
2.1% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Netherlands Antilles
--------------------
(part of the Dutch realm)
Map
---
Location: 12 15 N, 68 45 W -- Caribbean, two island groups in the
Caribbean Sea - one includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela
and the other is east of the Virgin Islands
Flag
----
Description: white with a horizontal blue stripe in the center
superimposed on a vertical red band also centered; five white
five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of
the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of
Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - one
includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela and the other is
east of the Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates: 12 15 N, 68 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 960 sq km
land area: 960 sq km
comparative area: more than five times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint
Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 364 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds
Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m
Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 92%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean
hurricane belt, so are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and
Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October
international agreements: party to - Whaling (extended from
Netherlands)
People
------
Population: 208,968 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.03% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.98 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.29 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.06 years
male: 74.78 years
female: 79.46 years (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Netherlands Antillean(s)
adjective: Netherlands Antillean
Ethnic divisions: mixed African 85%, Carib Indian, European,
Latin, Oriental
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day
Adventist
Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento a
Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect predominates, English
widely spoken, Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 99%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles
local long form: none
local short form: Nederlandse Antillen
Data code: NT
Type of government: part of the Dutch realm; full autonomy in
internal affairs granted in 1954
Capital: Willemstad
Administrative divisions: none (part of the Dutch realm)
Independence: none (part of the Dutch realm)
National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)
Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the
Netherlands, as amended
Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English
common law influence
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (of the Netherlands
since 30 April 1980) is a constitutional monarch, represented by
Governor General Jaime SALEH (since NA October 1989), who was
appointed for a six-year term by the queen
head of government: Prime Minister Miguel POURIER (since 25 February
1994) was appointed by the Staten
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the Staten
Legislative branch: unicameral
Staten: elections last held 25 February 1994 (next to be held NA
March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23
total) PAR 8, PNP 3, SPA 2, PDB 2, UPB 1, MAN 2, DP 1, WIPM 1,
DP-St.E 1, DP-St.M 1, Nos Patria 1
note: the government of Prime Minister Miguel POURIER is a coalition
of several parties
Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice
Political parties and leaders: political parties are indigenous to
each island
Bonaire: Patriotic Union of Bonaire (UPB), Rudy ELLIS; Democratic
Party of Bonaire (PDB), Broertje JANJA
Curacao: Antillean Restructuring Party (PAR), Miguel POURIER;
National People's Party (PNP), Maria LIBERIA-PETERS; New Antilles
Movement (MAN), Domenico Felip Don MARTINA; Workers' Liberation
Front (FOL), Wilson (Papa) GODETT; Socialist Independent (SI),
George HUECK and Nelson MONTE; Democratic Party of Curacao (DP),
Augustin DIAZ; Nos Patria, Chin BEHILIA
Saba: Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM Saba), Ray HASSELL;
Saba Democratic Labor Movement, Steve HASSELL; Saba Unity Party,
Carmen SIMMONDS
Sint Eustatius: Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius (DP-St.E), Julian
WOODLEY; Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM); St. Eustatius
Alliance (SEA), Ingrid WHITFIELD
Sint Maarten: Democratic Party of Sint Maarten (DP-St.M), Sarah
WESTCOTT-WILLIAMS; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten (SPA), Vance
JAMES; Serious Alternative People's Party (SAPP) Julian ROLLOCKS
International organization participation: Caricom (observer),
ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO, WToO
(associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing part of the
Netherlands)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Consul General James L. WILLIAMS
consulate general(s): J.B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao
mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao
telephone: [599] (9) 61-3066
FAX: [599] (9) 61-6489
Flag: white with a horizontal blue stripe in the center
superimposed on a vertical red band also centered; five white
five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of
the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of
Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Tourism and offshore finance are the mainstays
of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world.
The islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed
infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region.
Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with Venezuela
and the US being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate
water supplies hamper the development of agriculture.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.92 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.8% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $10,400 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 89,000
by occupation: government 65%, industry and commerce 28% (1983)
Unemployment rate: 13.4% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $209 million
expenditures: $232 million, including capital expenditures of $8
million (1992 est.)
Industries: tourism (Curacao and Sint Maarten), petroleum refining
(Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire),
light manufacturing (Curacao)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 200,000 kW
production: 810 million kWh
consumption per capita: 4,054 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit
Illicit drugs: money-laundering center; transshipment point for
South American cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe
Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: petroleum products 98%
partners: US 39%, Brazil 9%, Colombia 6%
Imports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: crude petroleum 64%, food, manufactures
partners: Venezuela 26%, US 18%, Colombia 6%, Netherlands 6%, Japan
5%
External debt: $1.95 billion (December 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin
(NAf.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins
(NAf.) per US$1 - 1.790 (fixed rate since 1989)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 944 km
paved: 299 km
unpaved: 645 km (1985 est.)
Ports: Kralendijk, Philipsburg, Willemstad
Merchant marine:
total: 119 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,141,003
GRT/1,490,958 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 38, chemical tanker 7, combination bulk
1, container 2, liquefied gas tanker 4, multifunction large-load
carrier 18, oil tanker 9, passenger 4, refrigerated cargo 27,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 8 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 4
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: generally adequate facilities
domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 205,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 64,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands
Air Force, National Guard, Police Force
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands
======================================================================
@New Caledonia
-------------
(overseas territory of France)
Map
---
Location: 21 30 S, 165 30 E -- Oceania, islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands, blue (top), red, and green,
with a yellow disk enclosing a black symbol centered to the hoist
side; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of
Australia
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 165 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 19,060 sq km
land area: 18,575 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2,254 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Matthew and Hunter Islands claimed by
France and Vanuatu
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m
Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese,
silver, gold, lead, copper
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 14%
forest and woodland: 51%
other: 35%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons most frequent from November to March
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 187,784 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30% (male 28,941; female 27,929)
15-64 years: 64% (male 61,263; female 59,673)
65 years and over: 6% (male 4,750; female 5,228) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.72% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.75 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.88 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.35 years
male: 71.06 years
female: 77.8 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: New Caledonian(s)
adjective: New Caledonian
Ethnic divisions: Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian
8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%
Languages: French, 28 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)
total population: 91%
male: 92%
female: 90%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies
conventional short form: New Caledonia
local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances
local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie
Data code: NC
Type of government: overseas territory of France since 1956
Capital: Noumea
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France);
there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the
US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord,
and Sud
Independence: none (overseas territory of France; a referendum on
independence will be held in 1998)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy
to the islands; formerly under French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995) represented by High Commissioner and President of the Council
of Government Dominque BUR (since NA), who was appointed by the
French Ministry of the Interior
head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Pierre
FROGIER (since NA) was elected by the members of the Assembly
cabinet: Consultative Committee
Legislative branch: unicameral
Territorial Assembly: elections last held 9 July 1995 (next to be
held NA July 2001); results - percent by party NA; seats - (54
total) RPCR 22, NCPT 7, other anti-independence parties 6, FLNKS 12,
other pro-independence parties 7
French Senate: elections last held 27 September 1992 (next to be
held NA September 2001); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (1 total) RPCR 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 March 1993 (next to
be held 21 and 28 March 1998); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (2 total) RPCR 2
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: white-dominated Rassemblement pour
la Caledonie dans la Republique (RPCR), conservative, Jacques
LAFLEUR, president - affiliated to France's Rassemblement pour la
Republique (RPR; also called South Province Party); Melanesian
proindependence Kanaka Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS),
Rock WAMYTAN; Melanesian moderate Kanak Socialist Liberation (LKS),
Nidoish NAISSELINE; National Front (FN), extreme right, Guy GEORGE;
Caledonie Demain (CD), right-wing, Bernard MARANT; Union Oceanienne
(UO), conservative, Michel HEMA; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak
(FULK), proindependence, Clarence UREGEI; Union Caledonian (UC),
Francois BURCK, president; "1999" (new party calling for an
autonomous state), Philippe PENTECOST; Nouvelle-Caledonie Pour Toute
(NCPT)
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), FZ,
ICFTU, SPC, WFTU, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory of
France)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France)
Flag: three horizontal bands, blue (top), red, and green, with a
yellow disk enclosing a black symbol centered to the hoist side; the
flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy
-------
Economic overview: New Caledonia has more than 20% of the world's
known nickel resources. In recent years, the economy has suffered
because of depressed international demand for nickel, the principal
source of export earnings. Only a negligible amount of the land is
suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 25% of imports.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $8,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 35%
services: 60% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (1990)
Labor force: 70,044 (1988)
by occupation: agriculture 32%, industry 20%, services 40%, mines 8%
(1992)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1994)
Budget:
revenues: $540 million
expenditures: $540 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1991 est.)
Industries: nickel mining and smelting
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 250,000 kW
production: 1.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 6,178 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: vegetables; beef, other livestock products
Exports: $477 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: nickel metal 22%, nickel ore
partners: France 32.2%, Japan 23.5%, Germany 6.7%, US 3.6%, India
1.2%
Imports: $926 million (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities: foods, fuels, minerals, machines, electrical equipment
partners: France 46.3%, ECE 14.9%, Australia 10.2%, Japan 6.3%, New
Zealand 4.4%
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per
US$1 - 91.00 (January 1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.93 (1994), 102.96
(1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991); note - linked at the rate of
18.18 to the French franc
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 6,340 km
paved: 634 km
unpaved: 5,706 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Mueo, Noumea, Thio
Merchant marine:
total: 1 roll-on/roll-off ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,079
GRT/724 DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 28
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 12
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 7 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 38,748 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 97,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 7
Televisions: 47,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: French Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force,
Gendarmerie); Police Force
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@New Zealand
-----------
Map
---
Location: 41 00 S, 174 00 E -- Oceania, islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in
the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross
constellation
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast
of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 268,680 sq km
land area: 268,670 sq km
comparative area: about the size of Colorado
note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands,
Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 15,134 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross
Dependency)
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Cook 3,764 m
Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber,
hydropower, gold, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 53%
forest and woodland: 38%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: 2,800 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna
hard-hit by species introduced from outside
natural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe;
volcanic activity
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber
83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea,
Marine Life Conservation, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: about 80% of the population lives in cities
People
------
Population: 3,547,983 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 420,900; female 400,159)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,161,522; female 1,154,536)
65 years and over: 12% (male 177,182; female 233,684) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.12% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.72 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.01 years
male: 73.96 years
female: 80.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: New Zealander(s)
adjective: New Zealand
Ethnic divisions: European 88%, Maori 8.9%, Pacific Islander 2.9%,
other 0.2%
Religions: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%,
Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none
33% (1986)
Languages: English (official), Maori
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 99%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: New Zealand
abbreviation: NZ
Data code: NZ
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Wellington
Administrative divisions: 93 counties, 9 districts*, and 3 town
districts**; Akaroa, Amuri, Ashburton, Bay of Islands, Bruce,
Buller, Chatham Islands, Cheviot, Clifton, Clutha, Cook, Dannevirke,
Egmont, Eketahuna, Ellesmere, Eltham, Eyre, Featherston, Franklin,
Golden Bay, Great Barrier Island, Grey, Hauraki Plains, Hawera*,
Hawke's Bay, Heathcote, Hikurangi**, Hobson, Hokianga, Horowhenua,
Hurunui, Hutt, Inangahua, Inglewood, Kaikoura, Kairanga, Kiwitea,
Lake, Mackenzie, Malvern, Manaia**, Manawatu, Mangonui, Maniototo,
Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata, Mount Herbert, Ohinemuri, Opotiki,
Oroua, Otamatea, Otorohanga*, Oxford, Pahiatua, Paparua, Patea,
Piako, Pohangina, Raglan, Rangiora*, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua*,
Runanga, Saint Kilda, Silverpeaks, Southland, Stewart Island,
Stratford, Strathallan, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga,
Thames-Coromandel*, Tuapeka, Vincent, Waiapu, Waiheke, Waihemo,
Waikato, Waikohu, Waimairi, Waimarino, Waimate, Waimate West,
Waimea, Waipa, Waipawa*, Waipukurau*, Wairarapa South, Wairewa,
Wairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*, Waitotara, Wallace, Wanganui, Waverley**,
Westland, Whakatane*, Whangarei, Whangaroa, Woodville
note: there may be a new administrative structure of 16 regions
(Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay,
Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman,
Waikato, Wanganui-Manawatu, Wellington, West Coast) that are
subdivided into 57 districts and 16 cities* (Ashburton, Auckland*,
Banks Peninsula, Buller, Carterton, Central Hawke's Bay, Central
Otago, Christchurch*, Clutha, Dunedin*, Far North, Franklin,
Gisborne, Gore, Grey, Hamilton*, Hastings, Hauraki, Horowhenua,
Hurunui, Hutt*, Invercargill*, Kaikoura, Kaipara, Kapiti Coast,
Kawerau, Mackenzie, Manawatu, Manukau*, Marlborough, Masterton,
Matamata Piako, Napier*, Nelson*, New Plymouth, North Shore*,
Opotiki, Otorohanga, Palmerston North*, Papakura*, Porirua*,
Queenstown Lakes, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua, Ruapehu, Selwyn,
Southland, South Taranaki, South Waikato, South Wairarapa,
Stratford, Tararua, Tasman, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames Coromandel,
Timaru, Upper Hutt*, Waikato, Waimakariri, Waimate, Waipa, Wairoa,
Waitakere*, Waitaki, Waitomo, Wanganui, Wellington*, Western Bay of
Plenty, Westland, Whakatane, Whangarei)
Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK)
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of
Waitangi established British sovereignty)
Constitution: no formal, written constitution; consists of various
documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand
Parliaments; Constitution Act 1986 was to have come into force 1
January 1987, but has not been enacted
Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation
and land courts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Sir Michael
HARDIE BOYS (since 21 March 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister James BOLGER (since 29 October
1990) and Deputy Prime Minister Donald McKINNON (since 2 November
1990) were appointed by the governor general
cabinet: Executive Council was appointed by the governor general on
the recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Representatives (commonly called Parliament): elections
last held 6 November 1993 (next must be called by November 1996);
results - NP 35.2%, NZLP 34.7%, Alliance 18.3%, New Zealand First
8.3%; seats - (99 total) NP 50, NZLP 45, Alliance 2, New Zealand
First Party 2
Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: National Party (NP, government),
James BOLGER; New Zealand Labor Party (NZLP, opposition), Helen
CLARK; Alliance, Jim ANDERTON; Democratic Party, Dick RYAN; New
Zealand Liberal Party, Hanmish MACINTYRE and Gilbert MYLES; Green
Party, no official leader; Mana Motuhake, Sandra LEE; Socialist
Unity Party (SUP, pro-Soviet), leader NA; New Zealand First, Winston
PETERS; United New Zealand (UNZ), Clive MATTHEWSON; Conservative
Party (formerly Right of Centre Party), Trevor ROGERS; Association
of Consumers and Taxpayers, New Zealand (ACT), Richard PREBBLE;
Christian Democrats, Graeme LEE; Christian Heritage Party (CH), Rev.
Graham CAPILL
note: the New Zealand Liberal, New Labor, Democratic, and Mana
Motuhake parties formed a coalition called the Alliance Party in
September 1991; the Green Party joined the coalition in May 1992;
the National Party government formed a coalition with the United New
Zealand Party in February 1996; the coalition will be valid through
the 1996 elections
International organization participation: ANZUS (US suspended
security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, Australia
Group, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM (guest), OECD,
PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lionel John WOOD
chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800
consulate(s) general: Apia (Western Samoa), Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMAN
embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington
mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP
96531-1001
telephone: [64] (4) 472-2068
FAX: [64] (4) 472-3537
consulate(s) general: Auckland
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in
the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross
constellation
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Since 1984 the government has been reorienting
an agrarian economy dependent on a guaranteed British market toward
a more industrialized, open, free market economy that can compete on
the global scene. The government has hoped that dynamic growth would
boost real incomes, broaden and deepen the technological
capabilities of the industrial sector, reduce inflationary
pressures, and permit the expansion of welfare benefits. The initial
results were mixed: inflation is down from double-digit levels, but
growth was sluggish in 1988-91. In 1992-93, growth picked up to 3%
annually, a sign that the new economic approach was beginning to pay
off. Business confidence strengthened in 1994, and export demand
picked up in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in 6.2% growth.
Growth continued strong in 1995, and inflation remains among the
lowest in the industrial world. The government announced its first
budget surplus in 16 years in FY94/95 and forecasts a surplus of
$5.0 billion in FY97/98. The government intends to use the surplus
to reduce the debt, increase social spending, and cut taxes - by
$1.35 billion over two years beginning in 1996. Per capita GDP now
is up to the levels of the big West European economies.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $62.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $18,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.3%
industry: 25.9%
services: 66.8% (1990)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (FY95/96)
Labor force: 1,634,500 (September 1995)
by occupation: services 64.6%, industry 25.0%, agriculture 10.4%
(1994)
Unemployment rate: 6.1% (October 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $22.18 billion
expenditures: $20.28 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96 est.)
Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles,
machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism,
mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 7,520,000 kW
production: 30.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 8,401 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables;
wool, meat, dairy products; fish catch reached a record 503,000
metric tons in 1988
Exports: $13.41 billion (1995)
commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals,
forestry products, fruits and vegetables, manufactures
partners: Australia 20%, Japan 15%, US 12%, UK 6%
Imports: $13.62 billion (1995)
commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft,
petroleum, consumer goods
partners: Australia 21%, US 18%, Japan 16%, UK 6%
External debt: $38.5 billion (September 1994)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $98 million (1993)
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138
(January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584
(1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,973 km
narrow gauge: 3,973 km 1.067-m gauge (504 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 93,348 km
paved: 54,142 km (including 141 km of expressways)
unpaved: 39,206 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation
Pipelines: petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km;
condensate (liquefied petroleum gas - LPG) 150 km
Ports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington
Merchant marine:
total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 162,220 GRT/213,749 DWT
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker
3, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 113
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 31
with paved runways under 914 m: 50
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.7 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent international and domestic systems
domestic: NA
international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite
earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 64, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.215 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 14 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 1.53 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New
Zealand Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 927,212
males fit for military service: 780,976
males reach military age (20) annually: 27,433 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $556 million, 1%
of GDP (FY93/94)
======================================================================
@Nicaragua
---------
Map
---
Location: 13 00 N, 85 00 W -- Middle America, bordering both the
Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and
Honduras
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band;
the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom;
similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem
encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA
CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of
Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern
centered in the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the
North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 85 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 129,494 sq km
land area: 120,254 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New York State
Land boundaries:
total: 1,231 km
border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km
Coastline: 910 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 25-nm security zone
continental shelf: natural prolongation
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: territorial disputes with Colombia over
the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank;
with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de
Fonseca, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) referred the
disputants to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that
some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and
Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute with
Honduras
Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central
interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by
volcanoes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m
Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc,
timber, fish
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 43%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 12%
Irrigated land: 850 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
natural hazards: destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and
occasionally severe hurricanes
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Environmental
Modification, Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 4,272,352 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 951,254; female 938,599)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,105,069; female 1,164,144)
65 years and over: 3% (male 49,027; female 64,259) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.83 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.01 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 45.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.72 years
male: 63.41 years
female: 68.13 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.03 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Nicaraguan(s)
adjective: Nicaraguan
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white
17%, black 9%, Indian 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%
Languages: Spanish (official)
note: English- and Indian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 65.7%
male: 64.6%
female: 66.6%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua
conventional short form: Nicaragua
local long form: Republica de Nicaragua
local short form: Nicaragua
Data code: NU
Type of government: republic
Capital: Managua
Administrative divisions: 15 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento), 2 autonomous regions* (regions autonomista,
singular - region autonomista); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega,
Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya,
Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Atlantica Norte*, Atlantica Sur*, Rio San
Juan, Rivas
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 9 January 1987
Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review
administrative acts
Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Violeta Barrios de
CHAMORRO (since 25 April 1990) was elected for a six-year term
(amended to a five-year term in July 1995) by universal suffrage;
Vice President Julia MENA Rivera (since 22 October 1995) replaced
Virgilio GODOY, who resigned to run for the presidency in 1996 as
required by law; election last held 25 February 1990 (next to be
held 20 October 1996); results - Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (UNO)
54.7%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 40.8%, other 4.5%
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional): elections last held 25
February 1990 (next to be held NA October 1996); results - UNO
coalition 53.9%, Sandinista bloc 40.8%, PSC 1.6%, MUR 1.0%; seats -
(92 total) UNO coalition 53 (Center Group 9, UDC 6, PSD 5, APC 5,
PLC 5, PLI 4, PND 3, PAN 3, PNC 3, MDN 2, PCdeN 2, independents 6)
and Sandinista bloc 39 (MRS 16, BUS-Sandinista 9, FSLN 8, Sandinista
Group of Reflection 4, FSLN-independents 2)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges elected for
a six-year term (amended to a seven-year term in July 1995) by the
National Assembly
Political parties and leaders:
right: Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Arnold ALEMAN;
Conservative Popular Alliance Party (APC), Myriam ARGUELLO;
Independent Liberal Party for National Unity (PLIUN), Carlos GUERRA
Gallardo; Conservative Action Movement (MAC); Conservative Party of
Nicaragua (PCN - formed in 1992 by the merger of the Conservative
Social Party or PSC with the Democratic Conservative Party or PCD
and the Conservative party of Labor or PCL), Fernando AGUERO;
National Conservative Party (PNC), Adolfo CALERO, Noel VIDUARRE
center right: Neoliberal Party (PALI), Ricardo VEGA Garcia;
Nicaraguan Resistance Party (PRN), Fabio GADEA, Enrique QUINONEZ;
Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO; National Project
(PRONAL), Antonio LACAYO Oyanguren; Nicaraguan Democratic Alliance
Party (PADENIC), Pedro MAYORGA Knilands; Nationalist Liberal Party
(PLN), Roberto CASTILLO Quant; Party for Liberal Unity (PUL),
Haroldo MONTEALEGRE; Fuerza '96, Francesco MAYORGA
center left: Christian Democratic Union (UDC), Luis Humberto GUZMAN;
Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN), Alfredo GUZMAN; Social
Democratic Party (PSD), Adolfo JARQUIN; National Justice Party
(PJN), Jorge DIAZ Cruz; National Action Party (PAN), Delvis MONTIEL;
Renovating Action Movement (MAR), Pablo HERNANDEZ; Sandinista
Renovation Movement (MRS), Sergio RAMIREZ; Social Christian Party
(PCS), Erick RAMIREZ; Democratic Action Party (PAD), Eden PASTORA;
"Up with Nicaragua" (Arriba Nicaragua), Alvaro ROBELO; National
Democratic Party (PND), Alfredo CESAR Aquirre; Communist Party of
Nicaragua (PCdeN), Eli ALTIMIRANO Perez
left: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGA;
Revolutionary Workers' Party (PRT), Bonifacio MIRANDA; Popular
Action Movement-Marxist-Leninist (MAP-ML), Isidro TELLEZ; Nicaraguan
Socialist Party (PSN), Gustavo TABLADA; Unidad Nicaraguense de
Obreros, Campesinos, y Profesionales (UNOCP), Rosalio GONZALEZ
Urbina; Central American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJAS
Echaverry
note: the UNO coalition that won the 1990 elections no longer
exists; the different blocs that formerly were united under the UNO
umbrella and their opposition to the Sandinistas now act and vote
independently
Other political or pressure groups: National Workers Front (FNT)
is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions: Sandinista
Workers' Central (CST); Farm Workers Association (ATC); Health
Workers Federation (FETASALUD); National Union of Employees (UNE);
National Association of Educators of Nicaragua (ANDEN); Union of
Journalists of Nicaragua (UPN); Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of
Professional Associations (CONAPRO); and the National Union of
Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG); Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT) is
an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions: Confederation
of Labor Unification (CUS); Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers' Central
(CTN-A); Independent General Confederation of Labor (CGT-I); and
Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS); Nicaraguan Workers' Central
(CTN) is an independent labor union; Superior Council of Private
Enterprise (COSEP) is a confederation of business groups
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO,
G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA
(observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto Genaro MAYORGA Cortes
chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John F. MAISTO
embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managua
mailing address: APO AA 34021
telephone: [505] (2) 666010 through 666013, 666015 through 18,
666026, 666027, 666032 through 33
FAX: [505] (2) 669074
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue
with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat
of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE
NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to
the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by
the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in
the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five
blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Nicaraguan economy, devastated during the
1980s by economic mismanagement and civil war, is beginning to
rebound. Since March 1991, when President CHAMORRO launched an
ambitious economic stabilization program, Nicaragua has had
considerable success in reducing inflation and obtaining substantial
economic aid from abroad. Annual inflation fell from more than 750%
in 1991 to less than 5% in 1992. After rising again to an estimated
20% in 1993, the annual inflation rate was 11.7% in 1994 and 11.4%
in 1995. While economic growth was flat in 1992 and negative in
1993, the 1995 growth rate is about 4%, thanks to surges in most
export categories. Recent legislation (November 1995) authorizing
the privatization of the TELCOR telecommunications company and
resolving the issue of property confiscated by the previous
Sandinista government may reassure potential investors. The
government's efforts to liberalize trade include a December 1995
decision to stop requiring exporters to bring their foreign exchange
earnings into Nicaragua. On the debt front, the Nicaraguan
Government launched a successful debt buyback program in 1995,
purchasing 73% of its $1.373 billion commercial debt inherited from
previous governments. Progress also occurred on reducing bilateral
debt in November 1995 as Nicaragua reached an agreement with
Germany, reducing Nicaragua's $616 million debt to the former GDR by
80%. Debt reduction agreements with Paris Club creditors and
rescheduling with the US also took place. Unemployment remains a
pressing problem, however, with roughly half the country's
population unemployed or underemployed.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.086 million
by occupation: services 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986)
Unemployment rate: 20% substantial underemployment (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $389 million
expenditures: $551 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles,
clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear
Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 460,000 kW
production: 1.64 billion kWh (1994)
consumption per capita: 376 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn,
cassava (tapioca), citrus, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy
products
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US
Exports: $525.5 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: meat, coffee, cotton, sugar, seafood, gold, bananas
partners: US, Central America, Canada, Germany
Imports: $870 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, petroleum
products
partners: Central America, US, Venezuela, Japan
External debt: $11.7 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: gold cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 7.98 (December
1995), 6.72 (1994), 5.62 (1993), 5.00 (1992), 4.27 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 0 km
narrow gauge: 0 km 1.067-m gauge; note - part of the previous 376 km
system was closed and dismantled in 1993 and, in 1994, the remainder
was closed, the track and rolling stock being sold for scrap
Highways:
total: 26,000 km
paved: 4,000 km
unpaved: 22,000 km (1993 est.)
note: there is a 368.5 km portion of the Pan-American Highway which
is not included in the total
Waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes
Pipelines: crude oil 56 km
Ports: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto
Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 148
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 107
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 32 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 66,810 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire
system being expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System
domestic: wire and microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic
Ocean Region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 45, FM 0, shortwave 3
Radios: 1.037 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 7 (1994 est.)
Televisions: 260,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 988,883
males fit for military service: 608,753
males reach military age (18) annually: 47,786 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $28.1 million,
NA% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Niger
-----
Map
---
Location: 16 00 N, 8 00 E -- Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white,
and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered
in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue
spoked wheel centered in the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1.267 million sq km
land area: 1,266,700 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,697 km
border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km,
Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in
northern Niger; demarcation of international boundaries in Lake
Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is
completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and
Nigeria; Burkina Faso and Mali are proceeding with boundary
demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger
Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to
rolling plains in south; hills in north
lowest point: Niger River 200 m
highest point: Mont Greboun 1,944 m
Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 2%
other: 88%
Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation;
desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant,
hippopotamus, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat
destruction
natural hazards: recurring droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 9,113,001 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 2,233,157; female 2,138,096)
15-64 years: 50% (male 2,202,413; female 2,317,188)
65 years and over: 2% (male 117,337; female 104,810) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.99% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 54.46 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 24.57 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 117.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 40.66 years
male: 41.05 years
female: 40.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.44 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Nigerien(s)
adjective: Nigerien
Ethnic divisions: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%,
Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about
4,000 French expatriates
Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians
Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 13.6%
male: 20.9%
female: 6.6%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Niger
conventional short form: Niger
local long form: Republique du Niger
local short form: Niger
Data code: NG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Niamey
Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular -
departement), and 1 capital district* (capitale district); Agadez,
Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
Constitution: the constitution of January 1993 was revised by
national referendum on 12 May 1996
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Colonel Ibrahim BARE Mainassara (since 28
January 1996 when he ousted President Mahamane OUSMANE in a coup);
Mahamane OUSMANE had been elected for a five-year term by universal
suffrage; election last held 17 March 1993 (next to be held 7 July
1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Boukary ADJI (since NA January
1996) appointed by President BARE
cabinet: National Salvation Council was appointed by President BARE
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elected by proportional representation for a
five-year term; election last held 12 January 1995 (next to be held
NA September 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(83 total) MNSD-NASSARA 29, CDS 24, PNDS 12, ANDP-Z 9, UDFP 3, UDPS
2, PADN 2, PPN-RDA 1, UPDP 1; note - this National Assembly
dissolved by President BARE after the coup on 28 January 1996
Judicial branch: State Court (Cour d'Etat); Court of Appeal (Cour
d'Apel)
Political parties and leaders: National Movement of the
Development Society (MNSD-NASSARA), Mamadou TANDJA, chairman;
Democratic and Social Convention (CDS), Jacoub SANOUSSI; Nigerien
Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), Mahamadou ISSOUFOU;
Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zamanlahia (ANDP-Z),
Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE; Union of Popular Forces for Democracy
and Progress-Sawaba (UDFP), Djibo BAKARY, chairman; Union for
Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), Akoli DAOUEL; Niger Social
Democrat Party (PADN), Malam Adji WAZIRI; Niger Progressive
Party-African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA), Dori ABDOULAI, chairman;
Union of Patriots, Democrats, and Progressives (UPDP), Professor
Andre SALIFOU, chairman
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM,
OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Adamou SEYDOU
chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John S. DAVISON
embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey
mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey
telephone: [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64
FAX: [227] 73 31 67
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and
green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in
the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue
spoked wheel centered in the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Niger is one of the world's poorest countries,
with recent GDP growth barely matching the rapid growth of
population. The economy is centered on subsistence agriculture,
animal husbandry, and reexport trade, and increasingly less on
uranium, its major export throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Uranium
revenues dropped by almost 50% between 1983 and 1990 with the end of
the uranium boom. Terms of trade with Nigeria, Niger's largest
regional trade partner, have improved dramatically since the 50%
devaluation of the African franc in January 1994; this devaluation
boosted exports of livestock, peas, onions, and the products of
Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies on bilateral
and multilateral aid for operating expenses and public investment
and is strongly induced to adhere to structural adjustment programs
designed by the IMF and the World Bank.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 38.5%
industry: 17.9%
services: 43.6% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35.6% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 2.5 million wage earners (1982)
by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government
4%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $188 million
expenditures: $400 million, including capital expenditures of $125
million (1993 est.)
Industries: cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals,
slaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium
mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 60,000 kW
production: 200 million kWh
consumption per capita: 42 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava
(tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats
Exports: $232 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: uranium ore 67%, livestock products 20%, cowpeas, onions
partners: France 77%, Nigeria 8%, Cote d'Ivoire, Italy
Imports: $234 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: consumer goods, primary materials, machinery, vehicles
and parts, petroleum, cereals
partners: France 23%, Cote d'Ivoire, Germany, Italy, Japan
External debt: $1.41 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 11,258 km
paved: 3,265 km
unpaved: 7,993 km (1990 est.)
Waterways: Niger river is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on
the Benin frontier from mid-December through March
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 23
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 14,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: small system of wire, radiotelephone
communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in
southwestern area
domestic: wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio
relay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 15, FM 5, shortwave 0
Radios: 500,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 38,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Republican Guard,
National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,920,244
males fit for military service: 1,035,218
males reach military age (18) annually: 92,132 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $32 million, 1.3%
of GDP (FY92/93)
======================================================================
@Nigeria
-------
Map
---
Location: 10 00 N, 8 00 E -- Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of
Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side),
white, and green
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between
Benin and Cameroon
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 923,770 sq km
land area: 910,770 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,047 km
border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger
1,497 km
Coastline: 853 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 30 nm
International disputes: demarcation of international boundaries in
vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in
the past, is completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad,
Niger, and Nigeria; dispute with Cameroon over land and maritime
boundaries in the vicinity of the Bakasi Peninsula has been referred
to the ICJ
Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in
north
Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus;
mountains in southeast, plains in north
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m
Natural resources: petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal,
limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 31%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 23%
forest and woodland: 15%
other: 28%
Irrigated land: 8,650 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil degradation; rapid deforestation;
desertification; recent droughts in north severely affecting
marginal agricultural activities
natural hazards: periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People
------
Population: 103,912,489 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 23,455,266; female 23,245,099)
15-64 years: 52% (male 27,645,106; female 26,553,135)
65 years and over: 3% (male 1,522,862; female 1,491,021) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 3.05% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.89 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.71 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 72.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 54.34 years
male: 53.06 years
female: 55.65 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.24 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Nigerian(s)
adjective: Nigerian
Ethnic divisions: non-Africans 27,000
north: Hausa and Fulani
note: Hausa and Fulani, Yoruba, and Ibos together make up 65% of
population
southwest: Yoruba
southeast: Ibos
Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 57.1%
male: 67.3%
female: 47.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria
conventional short form: Nigeria
Data code: NI
Type of government: military government; Nigeria has been ruled by
one military regime after another since 31 December 1983; on 1
October 1995, the present military government announced it will turn
power over to democratically elected civilian authorities in October
1998
Capital: Abuja
note: on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially moved from
Lagos to Abuja; many government offices remain in Lagos pending
completion of facilities in Abuja
Administrative divisions: 30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja
Capital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue,
Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano,
Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo,
Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe; note - some new
administrative units may have been created
Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960)
Constitution: 1979 constitution still in force; plan for 1989
constitution to take effect in 1993 was not implemented
Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and tribal
law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Provisional
Ruling Council and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces and Defense
Minister Gen. Sani ABACHA (since 17 November 1993); Vice Chairman of
the Provisional Ruling Council Oladipo DIYA (since 17 November 1993)
cabinet: Federal Executive Council
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly
Senate: suspended after military takeover of 17 November 1993
House of Representatives: suspended after military takeover of 17
November 1993
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Armed
Forces Ruling Council; Federal Court of Appeal, judges are appointed
by the federal government on the advice of the Advisory Judicial
Committee
Political parties and leaders:
note: political party system suspended after the military takeover
of 17 November 1993; the military regime has made successive
promises to allow political parties to register at various times in
1996
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C
(suspended), CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OPEC,
PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCRO,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Zubair Mahmud KAZAURE
chancery: 1333 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Walter C. CARRINGTON
embassy: 2 Eleke Crescent, Lagos
mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos
telephone: [234] (1) 261-0097
FAX: [234] (1) 261-0257
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
green
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The oil-rich Nigerian economy continues to be
hobbled by political instability, corruption, and poor macroeconomic
management. Nigeria's unpopular military rulers failed to make
significant progress in diversifying the economy away from
overdependence on the capital intensive oil sector which provides
almost all foreign exchange earnings and about 80% of budgetary
revenues. Regime officials also appear divided on how to redress
fundamental economic imbalances that result in troublesome
inflation, the steady depreciation of the naira, and the
discouragement of investors. The government's domestic and
international arrears continue to limit economic growth and prevent
an agreement with the IMF and bilateral creditors on debt relief.
The largely subsistence agricultural sector has failed to keep up
with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter
of food, now must import food.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $135.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 38%
industry: 22%
services: 40% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 57% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 42.844 million
by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry, commerce, and services
19%, government 15%
Unemployment rate: 28% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $2.7 billion
expenditures: $6.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8
billion (1994 est.)
Industries: crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts,
cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other
construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals,
fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 4,570,000 kW
production: 11.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 109 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, rubber, corn, rice,
sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams; cattle, sheep, goats,
pigs; fishing and forest resources extensively exploited
Illicit drugs: passenger and cargo air hub for West Africa;
facilitates movement of heroin en route from Southeast and Southwest
Asia to Western Europe and North America; increasingly a transit
route for cocaine from South America intended for West European,
East Asian, and North American markets
Exports: $9.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: oil 98%, cocoa, rubber
partners: US 52%, EC 34%
Imports: $7.5 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured
goods, chemicals, food and animals
partners: EC 50%, US 13%, Japan 7%
External debt: $32.5 billion (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 naira (N) = 100 kobo
Exchange rates: naira (N) per US$1 - 21.886 (January 1996), 21.895
(1995), 21.996 (1994), 22.065 (1993), 17.298 (1992), 9.909 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,557 km (1995)
narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge
standard gauge: 52 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:
total: 112,140 km
paved: 31,500 km
unpaved: 80,640 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 8,575 km consisting of the Niger and Benue rivers and
smaller rivers and creeks
Pipelines: crude oil 2,042 km; petroleum products 3,000 km;
natural gas 500 km
Ports: Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri
Merchant marine:
total: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 387,552 GRT/636,578 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 16, chemical tanker 3, oil tanker 12,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 66
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 10
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8
with paved runways under 914 m: 18
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 492,204 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: average system limited by poor maintenance;
major expansion in progress
domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and 20 domestic
satellite earth stations carry intercity traffic
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 1 coaxial submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations: AM 35, FM 17, shortwave 0
Radios: 20 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 28
Televisions: 3.8 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 23,739,192
males fit for military service: 13,587,780
males reach military age (18) annually: 1,065,410 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $172 million,
about 1% of GDP (1992)
======================================================================
@Niue
----
(free association with New Zealand)
Map
---
Location: 19 02 S, 169 52 W -- Oceania, island in the South
Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
Flag
----
Description: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow
five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the center and a
smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
Geographic coordinates: 19 02 S, 169 52 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 260 sq km
land area: 260 sq km
comparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 64 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m
Natural resources: fish, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 61%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 19%
other: 12%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: traditional methods of burning brush and trees to
clear land for agriculture have threatened soil supplies which are
not naturally very abundant
natural hazards: typhoons
international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Geographic note: one of world's largest coral islands
People
------
Population: 2,174 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -0.62% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Niuean(s)
adjective: Niuean
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans,
and Tongans)
Religions: Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church) 75% - a Protestant
church closely related to the London Missionary Society, Morman 10%,
other 15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day
Adventist)
Languages: Polynesian closely related to Tongan and Samoan, English
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Niue
Data code: NE
Type of government: self-governing territory in free association
with New Zealand; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New
Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs
Capital: Alofi
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 19 October 1974 (became a self-governing territory
in free association with New Zealand on 19 October 1974)
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of
Waitangi established British sovereignty)
Constitution: 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)
Legal system: English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the UK since 6 February 1952)
is a hereditary monarch; the queen and New Zealand are represented
by New Zealand High Commissioner Warren SEARELL (since NA August
1993)
head of government: Premier Frank Fakaotimanava LUI (acting premier
since NA December 1992, premier since 12 March 1993) was reelected
by the Legislative Assembly; election last held 23 February 1996
(next to be held NA March 1999)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly: elections last held 23 February 1996 (next to
be held NA March 1999); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (20
total, 6 elected) NPP 9, independents 11
Judicial branch: Appeal Court of New Zealand; High Court
Political parties and leaders: Niue Peoples Party (NPP), Young
VIVIAN
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate),
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing territory in
free association with New Zealand)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing territory in
free association with New Zealand)
Flag: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars -
a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each
arm of the bold red cross
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is heavily dependent on aid from
New Zealand. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, with
the shortfall made up by grants from New Zealand - the grants are
used to pay wages to public employees. The agricultural sector
consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops
are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories
to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The
sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source
of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss
of population because of migration of Niueans to New Zealand.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.4 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $1,200 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1992)
Labor force: 1,000 (1981 est.)
by occupation: most work on family plantations; paid work exists
only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development
Board
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $5.5 million
expenditures: $6.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1985 est.)
Industries: tourism, handicrafts, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 1,500 kW
production: 2.7 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,490 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams,
cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Exports: $117,500 (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities: canned coconut cream, copra, honey, passion fruit
products, pawpaw, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts
partners: NZ 89%, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia
Imports: $4.1 million (c.i.f., 1989)
commodities: food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery,
fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs
partners: NZ 59%, Fiji 20%, Japan 13%, Western Samoa, Australia, US
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138
(January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584
(1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 229 km
unpaved: 229 km
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 276 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on
island
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1987 est.)
Radios: 1,000
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 312 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Police Force
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
======================================================================
@Norfolk Island
--------------
(territory of Australia)
Map
---
Location: 29 02 S, 167 57 E -- Oceania, island in the South
Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Flag
----
Description: three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white,
and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in
the slightly wider white band
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of
Australia
Geographic coordinates: 29 02 S, 167 57 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 34.6 sq km
land area: 34.6 sq km
comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 32 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Bates 319 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 25%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 75%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons (especially May to July)
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 2,209 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -0.68% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Norfolk Islander(s)
adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian,
New Zealander
Religions: Anglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in
Australia 16.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%, none 9.2%, unknown
16.9%, other 2.4% (1986)
Languages: English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century
English and ancient Tahitian
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form: Norfolk Island
Data code: NF
Type of government: territory of Australia
Capital: Kingston (administrative center); Burnt Pine (commercial
center)
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June
(1856)
Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1979
Legal system: based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and
acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either
Australian or Norfolk Island law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch; the queen and Australia are
represented by Administrator Alan Gardner KERR (since NA April 1992)
who was appointed by the governor general of Australia
head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister John
Terrence BROWN (since NA) was elected for not more than three years
by the Legislative Assembly
cabinet: Executive Council is made up of executive members of the
Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly: elections last held 20 May 1992 (next to be
held NA May 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9
total) independents 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green
with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly
wider white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The primary economic activity is tourism, which
has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the
Pacific islands. The number of visitors has increased steadily over
the years and reached 29,000 in FY88/89. Revenues from tourism have
given the island a favorable balance of trade and helped the
agricultural sector to become self-sufficient in the production of
beef, poultry, and eggs.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 1,395 (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $4.6 million
expenditures: $4.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY92/93)
Industries: tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 7,000 kW
production: 8 million kWh
consumption per capita: 3,160 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals,
vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
Exports: $1.5 million (f.o.b., FY91/92)
commodities: postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and
Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados
partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe
Imports: $17.9 million (c.i.f., FY91/92)
commodities: NA
partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January
1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992),
1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 80 km
paved: 53 km
unpaved: 27 km
Ports: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,087 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone service with Sydney (Australia)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 2,000 (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 900 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
======================================================================
@Northern Mariana Islands
------------------------
(commonwealth in political union with the US)
Map
---
Location: 15 12 N, 145 45 E -- Oceania, islands in the North
Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the
Philippines
Flag
----
Description: blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on
the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone
used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 477 sq km
land area: 477 sq km
comparative area: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,482 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds,
little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June,
rainy season July to October
Terrain: southern islands are limestone with level terraces and
fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
Natural resources: arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land: 5% on Saipan
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: 19%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan by raw sewage
contributes to disease
natural hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons
(especially August to November)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
People
------
Population: 52,284 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 3.04% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.05 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.61 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 37.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.43 years
male: 65.53 years
female: 69.48 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: NA
adjective: NA
Ethnic divisions: Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians,
Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean
Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although
traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)
Languages: English, Chamorro, Carolinian
note: 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 96%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands
Data code: CQ
Type of government: commonwealth in political union with the US;
self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor,
and legislature; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by
the US Department of the Interior, Office of Territorial and
International Affairs
Capital: Saipan
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 and the
Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Legal system: based on US system except for customs, wages,
immigration laws, and taxation
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are
US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of the United States) William Jefferson
CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr.
(since 20 January 1993)
head of government: Governor Froilan C. TENORIO (since NA January
1994) and Lieutenant Governor Jesus C. BORJA (since NA January 1994)
were elected for four-year terms by universal suffrage; election
last held in NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1997);
results - Froilan C. TENORIO (Democrat) was elected governor with
56% of the vote
Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature
Senate: elections last held NA November 1993 (next to be held NA
November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9
total) Republicans retained a majority of the seats
House of Representatives: elections last held NA November 1993 (next
to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (18 total) Republicans retained a majority of the seats
US House of Representatives: the Commonwealth does not have a
nonvoting delegate in Congress; instead, it has an elected official
"resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats - (1
total) Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican)
Judicial branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court;
Federal District Court
Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Benigno R.
FITIAL, leader; Democratic Party, Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO, chairman
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), SPC
Flag: blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on the gray
silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in
building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy benefits substantially from
financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined
as locally generated government revenues have grown. An agreement
for the years 1986 to 1992 entitled the islands to $228 million for
capital development, government operations, and special programs. A
rapidly growing major source of income is the tourist industry,
which now employs about 50% of the work force. Japanese tourists
predominate. The agricultural sector is of minor importance and is
made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts,
breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry is small scale, mostly
handicrafts, light manufacturing, and garment production.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $524 million (1994 est.)
note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $10,500 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 7,476 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed;
21,188 foreign workers (1990)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $190.4 million
expenditures: $190.4 million, including capital expenditures of
$19.1 million (FY94/95)
Industries: tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 105,000 kW
production: NA kWh
consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture: coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle
Exports: $263.4 million (f.o.b. 1991 est.)
commodities: garments
partners: NA
Imports: $392.4 million (c.i.f. 1991 est.)
commodities: food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum
products
partners: US, Japan
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 381.5 km (1991 est.)
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Waterways: none
Ports: Saipan, Tinian
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 13,618 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1984)
Radios: 15,350 (1987 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
note: there are 2 cable TV stations
Televisions: 10,650 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Norway
------
Map
---
Location: 62 00 N, 10 00 E -- Northern Europe, bordering the North
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Flag
----
Description: red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends
to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted
to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 324,220 sq km
land area: 307,860 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,515 km
border countries: Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 167 km
Coastline: 21,925 km (includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands
2,413 km, long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor
indentations 16,093 km)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 10 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 4 nm
International disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen
Maud Land); maritime boundary dispute with Russia over portion of
Barents Sea
Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic
Current; colder interior; rainy year-round on west coast
Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains
broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply
indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Glittertinden 2,472 m
Natural resources: petroleum, copper, natural gas, pyrites,
nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 27%
other: 70%
Irrigated land: 950 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and
adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution
from vehicle emissions
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law
of the Sea
Geographic note: about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands
off its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea
lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and
longest coastlines in world; Norway and Turkey only NATO members
having a land boundary with Russia
People
------
Population: 4,383,807 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 434,848; female 411,668)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,446,746; female 1,396,150)
65 years and over: 16% (male 288,789; female 405,606) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.48% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.96 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.68 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.53 years
male: 74.63 years
female: 80.61 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.63 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic divisions: Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic), Lapps (Sami)
20,000
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 87.8% (state church), other
Protestant and Roman Catholic 3.8%, none 3.2%, unknown 5.2% (1980)
Languages: Norwegian (official)
note: small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form: Norway
local long form: Kongeriket Norge
local short form: Norge
Data code: NO
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Oslo
Administrative divisions: 19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke);
Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More
og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold,
Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms,
Vest-Agder, Vestfold
Dependent areas: Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
Independence: 26 October 1905 (from Sweden)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
Constitution: 17 May 1814, modified in 1884
Legal system: mixture of customary law, civil law system, and
common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to
legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991) is a
hereditary monarch; Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS (born
20 July 1973)
head of government: Prime Minister Gro Harlem BRUNDTLAND (since 3
November 1990) was appointed by the king with the approval of the
Storting
cabinet: State Council was appointed by the king with the approval
of the Storting
Legislative branch: modified unicameral Parliament (Storting)
which, for certain purposes, divides itself into two chambers
Storting: elections last held 13 September 1993 (next to be held NA
September 1997); results - Labor 37.1%, Center Party 18.5%,
Conservatives 15.6%, Christian People's 8.4%, Socialist Left 7.9%,
Progress 6%, Left Party 3.6%, Red Electoral Alliance 1.2%; seats -
(165 total) Labor 67, Center Party 32, Conservatives 18, Christian
People's 13, Socialist Left 13, Progress 10, Left Party 1, Red
Electoral Alliance 1, unawarded 10
note: for certain purposes, the Storting divides itself into two
chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house
or Lagting
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hoyesterett), justices appointed
by the king
Political parties and leaders: Labor Party, Thorbjorn JAGLAND;
Conservative Party, Jan PETERSEN; Center Party, Anne ENGER
LAHNSTEIN; Christian People's Party, Valgerd HAUGLAND; Socialist
Left, Erik SOLHEIM; Norwegian Communist, Kare Andre NILSEN; Progress
Party, Carl I. HAGEN; Liberal, Odd Einar DORUM; Left Party; Red
Electoral Alliance, Erling FOLKVORD
International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia
Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO,
MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA,
UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR,
UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kjeld VIBE
chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000
FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York,
and San Francisco
consulate(s): Miami
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas A. LOFTUS
embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo
mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707
telephone: [47] 22 44 85 50
FAX: [47] 22 44 33 63
Flag: red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the
edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the
hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Norway has a mixed economy involving a
combination of free market activity and government intervention. The
government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector
(through large-scale state enterprises), and extensively subsidizes
agriculture, fishing, and areas with sparse resources. Norway also
maintains an extensive welfare system that helps propel public
sector expenditures to more than 50% of GDP and results in one of
the highest average tax burdens in the world (46%). A small country
with a high dependence on international trade, Norway is basically
an exporter of raw materials and semiprocessed goods, with an
abundance of small- and medium-sized firms, and is ranked among the
major shipping nations. The country is richly endowed with natural
resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and
is highly dependent on its oil sector. Norway imports more than half
its food needs. Economic growth, only 1.6% in 1993, moved up to 5.5%
in 1994 and remained strong in 1995. Oslo opted to stay out of the
EU during a referendum in November 1994.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $106.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $24,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 34.7%
services: 62.4% (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.13 million
by occupation: services 71%, industry 23%, agriculture, forestry,
and fishing 6% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 8% (including people in job-training programs;
November 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $48.6 billion
expenditures: $53 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp
and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles,
fishing
Industrial production growth rate: 7.4% (1994)
Electricity:
capacity: 27,280,000 kW
production: 118 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 23,735 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: oats, other grains; beef, milk; livestock output
exceeds value of crops; among world's top 10 fishing nations; fish
catch of 1.76 million metric tons in 1989
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for drugs shipped via the CIS
and Baltic states for the European market
Exports: $34.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 43%, metals and
products 11%, foodstuffs (mostly fish) 9%, chemicals and raw
materials 25%, natural gas 6.0%, ships 5.4%
partners: EU 77.8% (UK 20.8%, Germany 12.4%, France 8.12%), Sweden
9.4%, US 6.7%, Japan 1.9% (1994)
Imports: $27.3 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: machinery and equipment and manufactured consumer goods
54%, chemicals and other industrial inputs 39%, foodstuffs 6%
partners: EU 68.9% (Germany 13.9%, UK 10.4%, Denmark 7.4%), Sweden
15%, US 7.4%, Japan 6.0% (1994)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $1.014 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.4160 (January
1996), 6.3352 (1995), 7.0576 (1994), 7.0941 (1993), 6.2145 (1992),
6.4829 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 4,027 km
standard gauge: 4,027 km 1.435-m gauge (2422 km electrified; 96 km
double track) (1995)
Highways:
total: 88,922 km
paved: 61,356 km (including 75 km of expressways)
unpaved: 27,566 km (1990 est.)
Waterways: 1,577 km along west coast; 2.4 m draft vessels maximum
Pipelines: refined products 53 km
Ports: Bergen, Drammen, Flora, Hammerfest, Harstad, Haugesund,
Kristiansand, Larvik, Narvik, Oslo, Porsgrunn, Stavanger, Tromso,
Trondheim
Merchant marine:
total: 712 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,278,205
GRT/32,209,679 DWT
ships by type: bulk 114, cargo 98, chemical tanker 83, combination
bulk 10, combination ore/oil 31, container 15, liquefied gas tanker
87, oil tanker 148, passenger 10, passenger-cargo 2, railcar carrier
1, refrigerated cargo 13, roll-on/roll-off cargo 49, short-sea
passenger 21, vehicle carrier 30
note: the government has created an internal register, the Norwegian
International Ship Register (NIS), as a subset of the Norwegian
register; ships on the NIS enjoy many benefits of flags of
convenience and do not have to be crewed by Norwegians (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 102
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 12
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11
with paved runways under 914 m: 60
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2.39 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: high-quality domestic and international
telephone, telegraph, and telex services
domestic: NA domestic satellite earth stations
international: 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4 coaxial submarine
cables; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean
Regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the
other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 46, FM 493 (350 private and 143
government), shortwave 0
Radios: 3.3 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 54 (repeaters 2,100)
Televisions: 1.5 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (includes Coast
Artillery and Coast Guard), Royal Norwegian Air Force, Home Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,125,302
males fit for military service: 937,309
males reach military age (20) annually: 28,328 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.7 billion,
2.9% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Oman
----
Map
---
Location: 21 00 N, 57 00 E -- Middle East, bordering the Arabian
Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of white (top, double width),
red, and green (double width) with a broad, vertical, red band on
the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath
superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is
centered at the top of the vertical band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman,
and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates: 21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 212,460 sq km
land area: 212,460 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries:
total: 1,374 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline: 2,092 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: no defined boundary with most of UAE, but
Administrative Line in far north
Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior;
strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain: vast central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and
south
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal ash Sham 2,980 m
Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble,
limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 93%
Irrigated land: 410 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil
spills; very limited natural fresh water resources
natural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust
storms in interior; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ship Pollution; signed, but not
ratified - Hazardous Wastes
Geographic note: strategic location with small foothold on
Musandam Peninsula controlling Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit
point for world crude oil
People
------
Population: 2,186,548 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 511,664; female 493,369)
15-64 years: 51% (male 609,423; female 513,042)
65 years and over: 3% (male 26,623; female 32,427) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.53% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 37.86 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.44 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 27.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.53 years
male: 68.59 years
female: 72.57 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.09 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Omani(s)
adjective: Omani
Ethnic divisions: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani,
Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian
dialects
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form: Oman
local long form: Saltanat Uman
local short form: Uman
Data code: MU
Type of government: monarchy
Capital: Muscat
Administrative divisions: 6 regions (mintaqah, singular -
mintaqat) and 2 governorates* (muhafazah, singular - muhafazat) Ad
Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat,
Musandam*, Zufar*
Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday: National Day, 18 November (1940)
Constitution: none
Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law;
ultimate appeal to the sultan; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister
QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970) is a hereditary monarch;
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the sultan
Legislative branch: unicameral
Consultative Council (Majlis ash Shura): a 60-member body with
advisory powers only
Judicial branch: none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent
civil court system, administered by region
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,
ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU,
NAM, OIC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Aqil al-DHAHAB
chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1982
FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Frances D. COOK
embassy: address NA, Muscat
mailing address: P. O. Box 202, Code No. 115, Medinat Qaboos, Muscat
telephone: [968] 698989
FAX: [968] 699779
Flag: three horizontal bands of white (top, double width), red,
and green (double width) with a broad, vertical, red band on the
hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath
superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is
centered at the top of the vertical band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic performance is closely tied to the
fortunes of the oil industry. Petroleum accounts for nearly 90% of
export earnings, about 75% of government revenues, and roughly 40%
of GDP. Oman has proved oil reserves of 4 billion barrels,
equivalent to about 20 years' supply at the current rate of
extraction. Agriculture is carried on at a subsistence level and the
general population depends on imported food. The government is
encouraging private investment, both domestic and foreign, as a
prime force for further economic development.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $19.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $10,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 60%
services: 37%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.7% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 454,000
by occupation: agriculture 37% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $4.7 billion
expenditures: $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gas
production, construction, cement, copper
Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,540,000 kW
production: 6 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,407 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels,
cattle; annual fish catch averages 100,000 metric tons
Exports: $4.8 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum 87%, reexports, fish, processed copper,
textiles
partners: Japan 35%, South Korea 15.8%, US 9%, China 8%, Thailand 5%
(1994)
Imports: $4 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured
goods, food, livestock, lubricants
partners: UAE 27% (largely reexports), Japan 20%, UK 15%, US 5%,
Germany 4% (1993)
External debt: $3 billion (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $82 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Omani rial (RO) = 1,000 baiza
Exchange rates: Omani rials (RO) per US$1 - 0.3845 (fixed rate
since 1986)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 25,948 km
paved: 4,930 km (including 413 km of expressways)
unpaved: 21,018 km (1992 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km
Ports: Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,306 GRT/8,210 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 129
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 34
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 57
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 26 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 150,000 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: modern system consisting of open wire,
microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited
coaxial cable
domestic: open wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a
domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1
Radios: 1.043 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 1.195 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Royal Oman
Police)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 532,113
males fit for military service: 301,747 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.82 billion,
13.7% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Pacific Ocean
-------------
Map
---
Location: 0 00 N, 160 00 W -- body of water between Antarctica,
Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere
Geography
---------
Location: body of water between Antarctica, Asia, Australia, and
the Western Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 160 00 W
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 165.384 million sq km
comparative area: about 18 times the size of the US; the largest
ocean (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the
Arctic Ocean); covers about one-third of the global surface; larger
than the total land area of the world
note: includes Bali Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, Bering Sea, Bering
Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Flores Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf
of Tonkin, Java Sea, Philippine Sea, Ross Sea, Savu Sea, Sea of
Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, Timor Sea, and
other tributary water bodies
Coastline: 135,663 km
International disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral
states)
Climate: planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind
patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade
winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by
seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south
of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central
America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much
less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same
latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is
monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when
moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry
season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian
land mass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike
southeast and East Asia from May to December
Terrain: surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by
a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and
in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in
the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of
Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica
reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the
eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the
western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the
Marianas Trench, which is the world's deepest
lowest point: Marianas Trench -10,924 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand
and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish
Environment:
current issues: endangered marine species include the dugong, sea
lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in
Philippine Sea and South China Sea
natural hazards: surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and
earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of
Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east
Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October);
tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike
Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in
August and September); southern shipping lanes subject to icebergs
from Antarctica; occasional El Nino phenomenon occurs off the coast
of Peru, when the trade winds slacken and the warm Equatorial
Countercurrent moves south, killing the plankton that is the primary
food source for anchovies; consequently, the anchovies move to
better feeding grounds, causing resident marine birds to starve by
the thousands because of the loss of their food source; ships
subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May
and in extreme south from May to October; persistent fog in the
northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: the major choke points are the Bering Strait,
Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator
divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South
Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic
islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean
Government
----------
Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard for
hydrographic codes - see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic
Codes appendix
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the
world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly
touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and
West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields,
minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1985
over half (54%) of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific
Ocean, which is the only ocean where the fish catch has increased
every year since 1978. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves
is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of
Australia, NZ, China, US, and Peru. The high cost of recovering
offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices
for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings.
Transportation
--------------
Ports: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los
Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San
Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney
(Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan)
Communications
--------------
Telephone system:
international: several submarine cables with network nodal points on
Guam and Hawaii
======================================================================
@Pakistan
--------
Map
---
Location: 30 00 N, 70 00 E -- Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian
Sea, between India and Iran
Flag
----
Description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the
role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white
crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent,
star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India
and Iran
Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 803,940 sq km
land area: 778,720 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 6,774 km
border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912
km, Iran 909 km
Coastline: 1,046 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: status of Kashmir with India; border
dispute with Afghanistan (Durand Line); water-sharing problems over
the Indus (Wular Barrage) with upstream riparian India
Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in
north
Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and
northwest; Balochistan plateau in west
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited
petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 23%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 67% (1993)
Irrigated land: 170,000 sq km (1992)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes,
and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a
majority of the population does not have access to potable water;
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe
especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy
rains (July and August)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine
Life Conservation
Geographic note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional
invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
People
------
Population: 129,275,660 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 28,286,823; female 26,640,019)
15-64 years: 53% (male 35,396,281; female 33,733,798)
65 years and over: 5% (male 2,621,721; female 2,597,018) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 2.24% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 36.16 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.22 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 96.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 58.46 years
male: 57.7 years
female: 59.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Pakistani(s)
adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic divisions: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch,
Muhajir (immigrants from India and their descendants)
Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu,
and other 3%
Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant)
10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui
1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most
government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 37.8%
male: 50%
female: 24.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form: Pakistan
former: West Pakistan
Data code: PK
Type of government: republic
Capital: Islamabad
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital
territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*,
Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab, Sindh
note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and
Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas
Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of
the republic)
Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with
amendments 30 December 1985
Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to
accommodate Pakistan's stature as an Islamic state; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; separate electorates and
reserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslims
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Sardar Farooq LEGHARI (since 13 November
1993) was elected for a five-year term by Parliament; election last
held 13 November 1993 (next to be held no later than 14 October
1998); results - LEGHARI was elected by Parliament and the four
provincial assemblies
head of government: Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO (since 19 October
1993) was elected by the National Assembly
cabinet: Cabinet was elected by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora)
Senate: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be held NA March
1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (87 total) PPP
22, PML/N 17; Tribal Area Representatives (nonparty) 8, ANP 6, PML/J
5, JWP 5, MQM/A 5, JUI/F 2, PKMAP 2, JI 2, NPP 2, BNM/H 1, BNM/M 1,
JUP/NI 1, JUP/NO 1, JAH 1, JUI/S 1, PML/F 1, PNP 1, independents 2,
vacant 1
National Assembly: elections last held 6 October 1993 (next to be
held by October 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (217 total) PPP 92, PML/N 75, PML/J 6, IJM-Islamic Democratic
Front 4, ANP 3, PKMAP 4, PIF 3, JWP 2, MDM 2, BNM/H 1, BNM/M 1, NDA
1, NPP 1, PKQP 1, religious minorities 10 reserved seats,
independents 9, results pending 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed by
the president; Federal Islamic (Shari'at) Court
Political parties and leaders:
government: Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO; Pakistan
Muslim League, Junejo faction (PML/J), Hamid Nasir CHATTHA; National
People's Party (NPP), Ghulam Mustapha JATOI; Pakhtun Khwa Milli
Awami Party (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI; Balochistan National
Movement, Hayee Group (BNM/H), Dr. HAYEE Baluch; National Democratic
Alliance (NDA); Pakhtun Quami Party (PKQP), Mohammed AFZAL Khan
opposition: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction (PML/N),
Nawaz SHARIF; Awami National Party (ANP), Ajmal Khan KHATTAK;
Pakistan Islamic Front (PIF); Balochistan National Movement, Mengal
Group (BNM/M), Sardar Akhtar MENGAL; Mohajir Quami Movement, Altaf
faction (MQM/A), Altaf HUSSAIN; Jamiat-al-Hadith (JAH); Jamhoori
Watan Party (JWP), Akbar Khan BUGTI
frequently shifting: Mutaheda Deeni Mahaz (MDM), Maulana
Sami-ul-HAQ, the MDM includes Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction
(JUP/NI) and Anjuman Sepah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (ASSP);
Islami-Jamhoori-Mahaz (IJM-Islamic Democratic Front) includes Jamiat
Ulema-i-Islami, Fazlur Rehman group (JUI/F); Pakistan Muslim League,
Functional Group (PML/F), Pir PAGARO; Pakistan National Party (PNP);
Milli Yakjheti Council (MYC) is an umbrella organization which
includes Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Qazi Hussain AHMED, Jamiat
Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-Haq faction (JUI/S), Tehrik-I-Jafria Pakistan
(TJP), Allama Sajid NAQVI, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Noorani
faction (JUP/NO)
note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently
Other political or pressure groups: military remains important
political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and
small merchants also influential
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO,
ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC,
PCA, SAARC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Maleeha LODHI
chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6200
FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas SIMONS, Jr.
embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad
mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 6220, APO AE 09812-2200
telephone: [92] (51) 826161 through 826179
FAX: [92] (51) 214222
consulate(s) general: Karachi, Lahore
consulate(s): Peshawar
Flag: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of
religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and
star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color
green are traditional symbols of Islam
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Pakistan is a poor, highly populated Third
World country struggling to make the difficult transition to the
modern world of high technology and internationalized markets. Prime
Minister Benazir BHUTTO has been under pressure from the IMF and
other donors to continue the economic reforms and austerity measures
begun by her predecessor, caretaker Prime Minister Moeen QURESHI
(July-October 1993). The IMF suspended a $1.5 billion Enhanced
Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) in mid-1995 because Pakistan
slowed the pace of economic reform. Islamabad's most recent budget -
announced in June 1995 - reversed some reforms agreed to by the IMF
earlier that year, including a slowing of tariff reform. In
mid-December 1995, however, the IMF approved a $600 million standby
arrangement and urged Pakistan to move forward with economic
liberalization. Islamabad has agreed to new economic targets with
the IMF, which could lay the basis for a return to an ESAF in 1996.
Little progress was made in the privatization of large state-owned
units in 1995. The sale of the power plant Kot Addu - scheduled for
April 1995 - was stalled by opposition from labor unions. The sale
of a 26% share of United Bank Limited and the Pakistan
Telecommunications Corporation to strategic investors was due to
take place in 1995 but has been pushed back to 1996. On the plus
side real GDP grew 4.7% in 1995, up from 3.9% in 1994: GDP should
grow even faster in 1996 as a result of an above average cotton
crop. Secondly, Islamabad reduced the budget deficit to 5.6% of GDP
at the end of FY94/95, down from 8% two years earlier. Thirdly,
Pakistan attracted $1.6 billion in foreign direct and portfolio
investment in FY94/95, more than double inflows of $650 million in
the previous fiscal year; financial agreements were reached on five
power projects in 1995, including the 1,300-MW $1.8 billion Hab
River project. Despite these improvements, the economy remains
vulnerable to crisis. Foreign exchange reserves fell dramatically in
1995, reaching a low of about $1 billion in early December 1995 -
only five weeks of import cover - before rising to $1.5 billion by
yearend. The trade deficit rose to $2 billion for the first six
months of FY94/95, triple the deficit of $600 million during the
same period in FY93/94. The government responded to this situation
with a package of stabilization reforms on 28 October 1995 which
included a 7% devaluation of the rupee, supplementary duties of 10%
on many imports, and higher petroleum prices. Islamabad hopes these
moves will help make its exports more competitive. For the long run,
Pakistan must deal with serious problems of deteriorating
infrastructure, low literacy levels, and persistent law and order
problems in Karachi.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $274.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 27%
services: 49% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 36 million
by occupation: agriculture 46%, mining and manufacturing 18%,
services 17%, other 19%
note: extensive export of labor
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $11.9 billion
expenditures: $12.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95)
Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, construction
materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 12,530,000 kW (1995)
production: 43.3 billion kWh (1995)
consumption per capita: 389 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables;
milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Illicit drugs: major illicit producer of opium and hashish for the
international drug trade; remains world's fourth largest opium
producer (155 metric tons in 1995); major center for processing
Afghan heroin and key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving
to Western market
Exports: $8.7 billion (1995 est.)
commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets
partners: US, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, UAE, France
Imports: $10.7 billion (1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery,
transportation equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals
partners: Japan, US, Germany, UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Korea
External debt: $26 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $697 million (1993)
note: $2.5 billion (includes bilateral and multilateral aid but no
US commitments) (FY93/94); $3 billion (includes bilateral and
multilateral aid but no US commitments) (FY94/95)
Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1 - 34.339 (January
1996), 31.643 (1995), 30.567 (1994), 28.107 (1993), 25.083 (1992),
23.801 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 8,163 km
broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified; 1,037 km
double track)
narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge; 661 km less than 1.000-m gauge
(1995 est.)
Highways:
total: 205,304 km
paved: 104,735 km
unpaved: 100,569 km (1995 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural
gas 4,044 km (1987)
Ports: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim
Merchant marine:
total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 345,606 GRT/560,641 DWT
ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 19, oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 1
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 100
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 12
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 19
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 25
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11
with paved runways under 914 m: 18
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.572 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: the domestic system is mediocre, but adequate
for government and business use, in part because major businesses
have established their own private systems; since 1988, the
government has promoted investment in the national
telecommunications system on a priority basis; despite major
improvements in trunk and urban systems, telecommunication services
are still not readily available to the major portion of the
population
domestic: microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); microwave radio relay to neighboring
countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 8, shortwave 11
Radios: 11.3 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 29
Televisions: 2.08 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 30,519,339
males fit for military service: 18,720,175
males reach military age (17) annually: 1,437,208 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion,
5.3% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Palau
-----
Map
---
Location: 7 30 N, 134 30 E -- Oceania, group of islands in the
North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Flag
----
Description: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the
moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean,
southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 458 sq km
land area: 458 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,519 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
extended fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid
Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main
island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large
barrier reefs
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchauus 242 m
Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine
products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste;
threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging and
illegal fishing practices that involve the use of dynamite
natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou
(Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island
groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
People
------
Population: 16,952 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.71% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.61 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.61 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 25.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.01 years
male: 69.14 years
female: 73.02 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.79 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic divisions: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan,
and Melanesian races
Religions: Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's
Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and
Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population
observes this religion which is indigenous to Palau)
Languages: English (official in all of Palau's 16 states),
Sonsorolese (official in the state of Sonsoral), Angaur and Japanese
(in the state of Anguar), Tobi (in the state of Tobi), Palauan (in
the other 13 states)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau
local long form: Beluu er a Belau
local short form: Belau
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Data code: PS
Type of government: constitutional government in free association
with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1
October 1994
Capital: Koror
note: a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern
Babelthuap
Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative
divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 16 states:
Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard,
Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal,
Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi
Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN
Trusteeship)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution: 1 January 1981
Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the
legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA
(since 1 January 1993) and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr.
(since 1 January 1993) were elected for four-year terms by popular
vote; election last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA
November 1996); results - Kuniwo NAKAMURA 50.7%, Johnson TORIBIONG
49.3%
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or
OEK)
Senate: elections last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA
November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (14
total) number of seats by party NA
House of Delegates: elections last held 4 November 1992 (next to be
held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (16 total) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common
Pleas
Political parties and leaders: Palau Nationalist Party, Polycarp
BASILIUS
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), SPC,
SPF, UN, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim
Isaac Ngewakl SOALADAOB
chancery: 2000 L Street NW, Suite 407, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard G.
WATKINS
embassy: address NA, Koror
mailing address: P.O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990
FAX: [680] 488-2911
Flag: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon)
shifted slightly to the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence
agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the
work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The
population, in effect, enjoys a per capita income of $5,000, twice
that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects
for the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion
of air travel in the Pacific and the rapidly rising prosperity of
leading East Asian countries. Reducing budgeted operating
expenditures - which have increased 56% from 1989 to 1993 - will be
the biggest challenge for the government over the next several years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $81.8 million (1994 est.)
note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $5,000 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 20% (1986)
Budget:
revenues: $17 million
expenditures: $57 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), some
commercial fishing and agriculture
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 16,000 kW
production: 22 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,540 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes
Exports: $600,000 (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities: trochus (type of shellfish), tuna, copra, handicrafts
partners: US, Japan
Imports: $24.6 million (c.i.f., 1989)
commodities: NA
partners: US
External debt: about $100 million (1989)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: the compact of "free association" with the US, entered into
after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides
Palau with $500 million in US aid over 15 years in return for
furnishing military facilities
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 61 km
paved: 36 km
unpaved: 25 km
Ports: Koror
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,500 (1988 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 9,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 1,600 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Palmyra Atoll
-------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 5 52 N, 162 06 W -- Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific
Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Geographic coordinates: 5 52 N, 162 06 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 11.9 sq km
land area: 11.9 sq km
comparative area: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 14.5 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: equatorial, hot, and very rainy
Terrain: very low
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 2 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 100%
other: 0%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation,
coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll
Data code: LQ
Type of government: incorporated territory of the US; privately
owned, but administered by the Office of Territorial and
International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Highways: much of the road and many causeways built during World
War II are unserviceable and overgrown
Ports: West Lagoon
Airports: airstrip has been overgrown by vegetation and is no
longer serviceable
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Panama
------
Map
---
Location: 9 00 N, 80 00 W -- Middle America, bordering both the
Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and
Costa Rica
Flag
----
Description: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top
quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in
the center and plain red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist
side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the
North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 78,200 sq km
land area: 75,990 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 555 km
border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline: 2,490 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May
to January), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected,
upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 15%
forest and woodland: 54%
other: 23%
Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens
fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land
degradation
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the
Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus
forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls
Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with
North Pacific Ocean
People
------
Population: 2,655,094 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 445,382; female 426,111)
15-64 years: 62% (male 828,384; female 806,205)
65 years and over: 5% (male 71,823; female 77,189) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.64% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.2 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.42 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 29.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.92 years
male: 71.19 years
female: 76.75 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.71 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Panamanian(s)
adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European ancestry)
70%, West Indian 14%, white 10%, Indian 6%
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages: Spanish (official), English 14%
note: many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 90.8%
male: 91.4%
female: 90.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Panama
conventional short form: Panama
local long form: Republica de Panama
local short form: Panama
Data code: PM
Type of government: constitutional republic
Capital: Panama
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui,
Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*,
Veraguas
Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent
from Spain 28 November 1821)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution: 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto PEREZ
BALLADARES Gonzalez Revilla (since 1 September 1994), First Vice
President Tomas Gabriel ALTAMIRANO DUQUE (since 1 September 1994),
Second Vice President Felipe Alejandro VIRZI Lopez (since 1
September 1994) were elected for five-year terms by popular vote;
election last held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 9 May 1999); results
- Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (PRD) 33%, Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER (PA)
29%, Ruben BLADES (MPE) 17%, Ruben Dario CARLES (MOLIRENA) 16%
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa): legislators from
outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while
districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple
legislators by means of a proportion-based formula; elections last
held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 9 May 1999); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) PRD 32, PS 4, PALA 1, PA 14,
MPE 6, MOLIRENA 4, PLA 3, PRC 3, PL 2, PDC 1, UDI 1, MORENA 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justicia), nine judges appointed for 10-year terms; five superior
courts; three courts of appeal
Political parties and leaders:
governing coalition: Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Gerardo
GONZALEZ; Liberal Republican Party (PLR), Rodolfo CHIARI; Labor
Party (PALA), Carlos Lopez GUEVARA
other parties: Solidarity Party (PS), Samuel LEWIS GALINDO;
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA), Delia CARDENAS;
Authentic Liberal Party (PLA), Arnulfo ESCALONA; Arnulfista Party
(PA), Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER; Christian Democratic Party (PDC),
Ruben AROSEMENA; Liberal Party (PL), Roberto ALEMAN Zubieta; Papa
Egoro Movement (MPE), Gloria YOUNG; Civic Renewal Party (PRC), Tomas
HERRERA; National Unity Mission Party (MUN), Jose Manuel PAREDES;
Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Jacinto CARDENAS; National
Renovation Movement (MORENA), Pedro VALLERINO
Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Organized
Workers (CONATO); National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP);
Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE); National
Civic Crusade; Chamber of Commerce; Panamanian Industrialists
Society (SIP); Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama (CTRP)
International organization participation: AG (associate), ECLAC,
FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA
(observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ricardo Alberto ARIAS
chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William John HUGHES
embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5
mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002
telephone: [507] 227-1377
FAX: [507] 227-1964
Flag: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are
white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and
plain red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and
white with a red five-pointed star in the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Because of its key geographic location,
Panama's economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking,
commerce, and tourism. The manufacturing and agriculture sectors
have become inefficient under protectionist policies. After fast
growth during the early 1990s, the economy has slowed down in the
last two years, with GDP growth at 2.8% in 1994 and in 1995. The
slowdown has been due mostly to a reduction in construction
activities and stagnation in the Colon Free Zone and financial
services, the three fastest growing sectors early in the decade. To
counter the slowdown, the PEREZ BALLADARES administration has
launched an economic reform program designed to reverse
unemployment, attract foreign investment, cut back the size of
government, and modernize the economy. In 1995, Panama reached an
agreement in principle to reschedule its commercial debt - one of
the highest in the world in per capita terms - which will allow the
country to reenter international financial markets. Panama should
complete all requirements to join the World Trade Organization
(WTrO) in 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $13.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 16%
services: 74% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (1995)
Labor force: 979,000 (1994 est.)
by occupation: government and community services 31.8%, agriculture,
hunting, and fishing 26.8%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 16.4%,
manufacturing and mining 9.4%, construction 3.2%, transportation and
communications 6.2%, finance, insurance, and real estate 4.3%
note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
Unemployment rate: 13.8% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $1.86 billion
expenditures: $1.86 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and
other construction materials, sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate: 0.4% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 960,000 kW
production: 2.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,047 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables;
livestock; fishing (shrimp)
Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and major drug
money laundering center; minor producer of coca leaf; active
eradication program
Exports: $548 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: bananas 43%, shrimp 11%, sugar 4%, clothing 5%, coffee
2%
partners: US 39%, EU, Central America and Caribbean
Imports: $2.45 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: capital goods 21%, crude oil 11%, foodstuffs 9%,
consumer goods, chemicals
partners: US 40%, EU, Central America and Caribbean, Japan
External debt: $6.7 billion (yearend 1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $58 million (1993)
Currency: 1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos
Exchange rates: balboas (B) per US$1 - 1.000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 355 km
broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge
narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge
Highways:
total: 10,103 km
paved: 3,233 km
unpaved: 6,870 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama
Canal
Pipelines: crude oil 130 km
Ports: Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo North, Vacamonte
Merchant marine:
total: 3,758 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 69,960,500
GRT/107,632,713 DWT
ships by type: bulk 902, cargo 1,050, chemical tanker 168,
combination bulk 40, combination ore/oil 19, container 307,
liquefied gas tanker 155, livestock carrier 7, multifunction
large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 488, passenger 31, passenger-cargo
5, refrigerated cargo 295, roll-on/roll-off cargo 93, short-sea
passenger 34, specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier 150
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 83
countries among which are Japan 1,212, Greece 360, Hong Kong 263,
Taiwan 203, South Korea 198, US 160, China 152, Singapore 118, UK
79, Switzerland 67, and Norway 58 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 99
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14
with paved runways under 914 m: 60
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 18 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 273,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: domestic and international facilities well
developed
domestic: NA
international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations -
2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American
Microwave System
Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 564,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 23
Televisions: 420,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Panamanian Public Forces (PPF; includes the National
Police, National Maritime Service, National Air Service, and
Institutional Protective Service); Judicial Technical Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 705,427
males fit for military service: 484,571 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $78 million, NA%
of GDP (1995); note - for police and security forces
======================================================================
@Papua New Guinea
----------------
Map
---
Location: 6 00 S, 147 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, group of islands
including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the
Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Flag
----
Description: divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the
upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise
centered; the lower triangle is black with five white five-pointed
stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands including the
eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and
the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 461,690 sq km
land area: 451,710 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 820 km
border country: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline: 5,152 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March),
southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature
variation
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling
foothills
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil
potential
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 71%
other: 28%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of
growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining
projects
natural hazards: active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Rim
of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe
earthquakes; mud slides
international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one
of world's largest swamps along southwest coast
People
------
Population: 4,394,537 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 906,709; female 860,534)
15-64 years: 57% (male 1,303,084; female 1,195,245)
65 years and over: 3% (male 59,513; female 69,452) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.29% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 32.93 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.01 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.07 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 60.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 57.25 years
male: 56.4 years
female: 58.15 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.45 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Papua New Guinean(s)
adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic divisions: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian,
Polynesian
Religions: Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%,
Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%,
Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant
sects 10%, indigenous beliefs 34%
Languages: English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread,
Motu spoken in Papua region
note: 715 indigenous languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 72.2%
male: 81%
female: 62.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form: Papua New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG
Data code: PP
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Port Moresby
Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Central, Chimbu, Eastern
Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus,
Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, North
Solomons, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands,
West New Britain
Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered
UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution: 16 September 1975
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 19 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Wiwa KOROWI
(since 11 November 1991), who was appointed by the National
Executive Council
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Julius CHAN (since 30 August
1994) and Deputy Prime Minister Chris HAIVETA (since 7 September
1994) were appointed by the governor general
cabinet: National Executive Council was appointed by the governor
general on recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Parliament (sometimes referred to as the House of A:
elections last held 13-26 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (109 total) Pangu
Party 24, PDM 17, PPP 10, PAP 10, independents 30, others 18; note -
association with political parties is fluid
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by
the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive
Council after consultation with the minister responsible for
justice, other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal
Services Commission
Political parties and leaders: Papua New Guinea United Party
(Pangu Party), Chris HAIVETA; People's Democratic Movement (PDM),
Paias WINGTI; People's Action Party (PAP), Akoka DOI; People's
Progress Party (PPP), Sir Julius CHAN; United Party (UP), Paul
TORATO; Papua Party (PP), Galeva KWARARA; National Party (NP), Paul
PORA; Melanesian Alliance (MA), Fr. John MOMIS
International organization participation: ACP, APEC, AsDB, C, CP,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU,
NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kepas Isimel WATANGIA
chancery: 3rd floor, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20009
telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680
FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. TEARE
embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby
mailing address: P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby
telephone: [675] 321-1455
FAX: [675] 321-3423
Flag: divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper
triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the
lower triangle is black with five white five-pointed stars of the
Southern Cross constellation centered
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural
resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain
and the high cost of developing an infrastructure. Agriculture
provides a subsistence livelihood for the bulk of the population.
Mining of numerous deposits, including copper and gold, accounts for
about 60% of export earnings. Budgetary support from Australia and
development aid under World Bank auspices have helped sustain the
economy. In 1995, Port Moresby reached agreement with the IMF and
World Bank on a structural adjustment program. PNG will receive
loans totaling $350 million over the next two years from a variety
of lenders including the Fund, the Bank, the Australian Government,
and the Japanese Export-Import Bank. The loans will be provided only
if Port Moresby implements significant reforms to liberalize trade
and investment policies, reduce the public sector, and promote
sustainable development of the forestry sector. At the start of
1996, Port Moresby is looking primarily to the exploitation of
mineral and petroleum resources to drive economic development but
new prospecting in Papua New Guinea has slumped as other
mineral-rich countries have stepped up their competition for
international investment. Output from current projects will probably
begin to taper off in 1996, but no new large ventures are being
developed to succeed them.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1995)
Labor force: 1.941 million
by occupation: agriculture 64% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.86 billion
expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood
production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and
copper; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 490,000 kW
production: 1.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 390 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber,
sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork
Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: gold, copper ore, oil, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa,
lobster
partners: Australia, Japan, US, Singapore, New Zealand
Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,
food, fuels, chemicals
partners: Australia, Japan, UK, New Zealand, Netherlands
External debt: $3.2 billion (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $291 million (1993)
Currency: 1 kina (K) = 100 toea
Exchange rates: kina (K) per US$1 - 0.7552 (October 1995), 0.9950
(1994), 1.0221 (1993), 1.0367 (1992), 1.0504 (1991); note - the
government floated the kina on 10 October 1994
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 19,088 km
paved: 640 km
unpaved: 18,448 km (1988 est.)
Waterways: 10,940 km
Ports: Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul
Merchant marine:
total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,565 GRT/27,114 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 3, combination ore/oil 5, container 1,
roll-on/roll-off 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 451
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with paved runways under 914 m: 371
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 11
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 51 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 63,212 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: services are adequate and being improved;
facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio,
aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services
domestic: mostly radiotelephone
international: submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite
earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio
communication service
Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 298,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 10,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Army, Navy, Air
Force, and Special Operations Unit)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,143,015
males fit for military service: 635,923 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $40 million, 0.9%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Paracel Islands
---------------
Map
---
Location: 16 30 N, 112 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, group of small
islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way
from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in
the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam
to the northern Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: NA sq km
land area: NA sq km
comparative area: NA
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 518 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan
and Vietnam
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are scattered
Chinese garrisons
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Data code: PF
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan
Island being expanded
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (on Woody Island) (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: occupied by China
======================================================================
@Paraguay
--------
Map
---
Location: 23 00 S, 58 00 W -- Central South America, northeast of
Argentina
Flag
----
Description: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white,
and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in
that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side
at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed
star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL
PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the
right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap
of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped
by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Geography
---------
Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates: 23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 406,750 sq km
land area: 397,300 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
total: 3,920 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: short section of the boundary with Brazil,
just west of Salto del Guaira (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has
not been determined
Climate: subtropical; substantial rainfall in the eastern
portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Terrain: grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran
Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the
river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro San Rafael 850 m
Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese,
limestone
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 39%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 5%
Irrigated land: 670 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation (an estimated 2 million hectares of
forest land have been lost from 1958-85); water pollution;
inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many
urban residents
natural hazards: local flooding in southeast (early September to
June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed,
but not ratified - Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Wetlands
Geographic note: landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and
Brazil
People
------
Population: 5,504,146 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 41% (male 1,144,644; female 1,096,430)
15-64 years: 55% (male 1,518,661; female 1,513,577)
65 years and over: 4% (male 106,121; female 124,713) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 30.97 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.84 years
male: 72.33 years
female: 75.43 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.15 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indian) 95%, whites
plus Amerindians 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant
denominations
Languages: Spanish (official), Guarani
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 92.1%
male: 93.5%
female: 90.6%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
Data code: PA
Type of government: republic
Capital: Asuncion
Administrative divisions: 17 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento); Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Boqueron,
Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera,
Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San
Pedro
Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)
Constitution: promulgated 20 June 1992
Legal system: based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French
codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of
Justice; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Juan Carlos WASMOSY
(since 15 August 1993) and Vice President Roberto Angel SEIFART
(since 15 August 1993) were elected for five-year terms by popular
vote; election last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held NA May 1998);
results - Juan Carlos WASMOSY 40.09%, Domingo LAINO 32.06%,
Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS 23.04%
cabinet: Council of Ministers was nominated by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso)
Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores): elections last held 9 May
1993 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (45 total) Colorado Party 20, PLRA 17, EN 8
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 9 May
1993 (next to be held by May 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (80 total) Colorado Party 38, PLRA 33, EN 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justicia), judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of
Magistrates (Consejo de la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders: Colorado Party, Luis Maria ARGANA,
president; Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), Domingo LAINO;
National Encounter (EN), Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS; Christian
Democratic Party (PDC), Miguel MONTANER; Febrerista Revolutionary
Party (PRF), Euclides ACEVEDO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo
RICHER
Other political or pressure groups: Confederation of Workers
(CUT); Roman Catholic Church
International organization participation: AG (observer), CCC,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,
LAIA, Mercosur, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jorge PRIETO CONTI
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert E. SERVICE
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
FAX: [595] (21) 213-728
Flag: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue
with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the
emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the
left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star
within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY,
all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears
the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty
and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words
REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large
informal sector. The formal economy is largely oriented toward
services, but 45% of the population derive their living from
agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The economy has
grown an average of 3% to 4% over the past five years. Population
has increased at 3% a year over the same period leaving per capita
income nearly stagnant. The informal sector is marked by both
reexport of imported consumer goods (electronics, whiskeys,
perfumes, cigarettes and office equipment) to neighboring countries
as well as by the activities of thousands of microenterprises and
urban street vendors. The Paraguayan Government has stated publicly
that it will continue its economic reform agenda in close
coordination with its Mercosur (Southern Cone Common Market)
partners. In 1995, the government also promised to undertake efforts
to formalize the financial sector, after a financial shock forced
the bail-out of the second and third largest banks. Paraguay's
continued integration into Mercosur also offers potential for
growth; it is closely linked with the success of foreign investment
promotion. Non-traditional exports, such as finished agricultural
products, light manufactures, and small consumer items, are growing
rapidly. Government reform efforts, including privatization, have
continued, but with little success in 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $17 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 25.7%
industry: 25.8%
services: 48.5% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.5% (1995)
Labor force: 1.692 million (1993 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 45%
Unemployment rate: 12% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $1.25 billion (1995 est.)
expenditures: $1.66 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing,
textiles, other light consumer goods, cement, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 1.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 6,530,000 kW
production: 26.5 billion kWh (1992)
consumption per capita: NA
note: much of the electricity produced in Paraguay is exported to
Brazil and domestic consumption cannot be determined
Agriculture: cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco,
cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international
drug trade; transshipment point for Bolivian cocaine headed for
Europe and the US
Exports: $819.5 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: cotton, soybeans, timber, vegetable oils, meat
products, coffee, tung oil
partners: EU 37%, Brazil 25%, Argentina 10%, Chile 6%, US 6%
Imports: $2.871 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, raw
materials, fuels
partners: Brazil 30%, EU 20%, US 18%, Argentina 8%, Japan 7%
External debt: $1.38 billion (yearend 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $38 million (1993)
Currency: 1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: guaranies (G) per US$ - 2,003.8 (January 1996),
1,970.4 (1995), 1,911.5 (1994), 1,744.3 (1993), 1,500.3 (1992),
1,325.2 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 971 km
standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 60 km 1.000-m gauge
other: 470 km various gauges (privately owned)
Highways:
total: 21,834 km
paved: 1,778 km
unpaved: 20,056 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 3,100 km
Ports: Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Merchant marine:
total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,323 GRT/23,907 DWT
ships by type: cargo 13, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 739
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 438
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 25
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 266 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 88,730 (1985 est.)
Telephone system: meager telephone service; principal switching
center is Asuncion
domestic: fair microwave radio relay network
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 40, FM 0, shortwave 7
Radios: 775,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5
Televisions: 370,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,334,638
males fit for military service: 968,297
males reach military age (17) annually: 58,398 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $94 million, 0.6%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Peru
----
Map
---
Location: 10 00 S, 76 00 W -- Western South America, bordering the
South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador
Flag
----
Description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side),
white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the
coat of arms features a shield bearing a llama, cinchona tree (the
source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins,
all framed by a green wreath
Geography
---------
Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific
Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 76 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 1,285,220 sq km
land area: 1.28 million sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 6,940 km
border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,
Colombia 2,900 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline: 2,414 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: three sections of the boundary with
Ecuador are in dispute
Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west
Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in
center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish,
iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 21%
forest and woodland: 55%
other: 21%
Irrigated land: 12,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; overgrazing of the slopes of the
costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air
pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from
municipal and mining wastes
natural hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild
volcanic activity
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
Geographic note: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest
navigable lake, with Bolivia
People
------
Population: 24,523,408 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 4,360,379; female 4,214,970)
15-64 years: 61% (male 7,480,747; female 7,375,825)
65 years and over: 4% (male 497,775; female 593,712) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.74% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.33 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.13 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 52.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.13 years
male: 66.97 years
female: 71.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.04 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Peruvian(s)
adjective: Peruvian
Ethnic divisions: Indian 45%, mestizo (mixed Indian and European
ancestry) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 88.7%
male: 94.5%
female: 83%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Peru
conventional short form: Peru
local long form: Republica del Peru
local short form: Peru
Data code: PE
Type of government: republic
Capital: Lima
Administrative divisions: 24 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento) and 1 constitutional province* (provincia
constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho,
Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La
Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco,
Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali
note: the 1979 constitution mandated the creation of regions
(regiones, singular - region) to function eventually as autonomous
economic and administrative entities; so far, 12 regions have been
constituted from 23 of the 24 departments - Amazonas (from Loreto),
Andres Avelino Caceres (from Huanuco, Pasco, Junin), Arequipa (from
Arequipa), Chavin (from Ancash), Grau (from Tumbes, Piura), Inca
(from Cusco, Madre de Dios, Apurimac), La Libertad (from La
Libertad), Los Libertadores-Huari (from Ica, Ayacucho,
Huancavelica), Mariategui (from Moquegua, Tacna, Puno), Nor Oriental
del Maranon (from Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Amazonas), San Martin (from
San Martin), Ucayali (from Ucayali); formation of another region has
been delayed by the reluctance of the constitutional province of
Callao to merge with the department of Lima; because of inadequate
funding from the central government and organizational and political
difficulties, the regions have yet to assume major responsibilities;
the 1993 constitution retains the regions but limits their
authority; the 1993 constitution also reaffirms the roles of
departmental and municipal governments
Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Constitution: 31 December 1993
Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Alberto Kenyo
FUJIMORI Fujimori (since 28 July 1990) was elected for a five-year
term by universal suffrage; election last held 9 April 1995 (next to
be held NA 2000); results - Alberto FUJIMORI 64.42%, Javier PEREZ de
CUELLAR 21.80%, Mercedes CABANILLAS 4.11%, other 9.67%
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
note: Prime Minister Alberto PANDOLFI Arbulu (since 3 April 1996)
does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the
president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Congress: elections last held 9 April 1995 (next to be held NA April
2000); results - C90/NM 52.1%, UPP 14%, 11 other parties 33.9%;
seats - (120 total, when installed on 28 July 1995) C90/NM 67, UPP
17, APRA 8, FIM 6, (CODE)-Pais Posible 5, AP 4, PPC 3, Renovacion 3,
IU 2, OBRAS 2, MIA 1, FRENATRACA 1, FREPAP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justicia), judges are appointed by the National Council of the
Judiciary
Political parties and leaders: Change 90-New Majority (C90/NM),
Alberto FUJIMORI; Union for Peru (UPP), Javier PEREZ de CUELLAR;
American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA), Agustin MANTILLA
Campos; Independent Moralizing Front (FIM), Fernando OLIVERA Vega;
Democratic Coordinator (CODE) - Pais Posible, Jose BARBA Caballero
and Alejandro TOLEDO; Popular Action Party (AP), Raul DIEZ CANSECO;
Popular Christian Party (PPC), Luis BEDOYA Reyes; Renovacion, Rafael
REY Rey; Civic Works Movement (OBRAS), Ricardo BELMONT; United Left
(IU), Agustin HAYA de la TORRE; Independent Agrarian Movement (MIA),
Rolando SALVATERRIE; Peru 2000-National Front of Workers and
Peasants (FRENATRACA), Roger CACARES; Popular Agricultural Front
(FREPAP), Ezequiel ATAUCUSI
Other political or pressure groups: leftist guerrilla groups
include Shining Path, Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso (imprisoned); Tupac
Amaru Revolutionary Movement, Nestor SERPA and Victor POLAY
(imprisoned)
International organization participation: AG, CCC, ECLAC, FAO,
G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ricardo V. LUNA MENDOZA
chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869
FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
York, Paterson (New Jersey), and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alvin P. ADAMS, Jr.
embassy: Avenida Encalada, Cuadra 17, Monterrico, Lima
mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),
APO AA 34031
telephone: [51] (12) 21-1202
FAX: [51] (12) 21-3543
Flag: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and
red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of
arms features a shield bearing a llama, cinchona tree (the source of
quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all
framed by a green wreath
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Peruvian economy has become increasingly
market-oriented, with major privatizations completed since 1990 in
the mining, electricity, and telecommunications industries. In the
1980s, the economy suffered from hyperinflation, declining per
capita output, and mounting external debt. Peru was shut off from
IMF and World Bank support in the mid-1980s because of its huge debt
arrears. An austerity program implemented shortly after the FUJIMORI
government took office in July 1990 contributed to a third
consecutive yearly contraction of economic activity, but the slide
came to a halt late that year, and in 1991 output rose 2.4%. After a
burst of inflation as the austerity program eliminated government
price subsidies, monthly price increases eased to the single-digit
level and by December 1991 dropped to the lowest increase since
mid-1987. Lima obtained a financial rescue package from multilateral
lenders in September 1991, although it faced $14 billion in arrears
on its external debt. By working with the IMF and World Bank on new
financial conditions and arrangements, the government succeeded in
ending its arrears by March 1993. In 1992, GDP fell by 2.8%, in part
because a warmer-than-usual El Nino current resulted in a 30% drop
in the fish catch, but the economy rebounded as strong foreign
investment helped push growth to 6% in 1993, about 13% in 1994, and
6.8% in 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $87 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.2% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 8 million (1992)
by occupation: agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing,
construction, transport, services
Unemployment rate: 15%; extensive underemployment (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $8.5 billion
expenditures: $9.3 billion including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles,
clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel,
shipbuilding, metal fabrication
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 4,190,000 kW
production: 11.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 448 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes,
plantains, coca; poultry, red meats, dairy products, wool; fish
catch of 6.9 million metric tons (1990)
Illicit drugs: world's largest coca leaf producer with about
115,300 hectares under cultivation in 1995; source of supply for
most of the world's coca paste and cocaine base; at least 85% of
coca cultivation is for illicit production; most of cocaine base is
shipped to Colombian drug dealers for processing into cocaine for
the international drug market, but exports of finished cocaine are
increasing
Exports: $5.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: copper, zinc, fishmeal, crude petroleum and byproducts,
lead, refined silver, coffee, cotton
partners: US 19%, Japan 9%, Italy, Germany
Imports: $7.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum,
iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
partners: US 21%, Colombia, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Brazil
External debt: $22.4 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $363 million (1993)
Currency: 1 nuevo sol (S/.) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: nuevo sol (S/.) per US$1 - 2.350 (January 1996),
2.253 (1995), 2.195 (1994), 1.988 (1993), 1.246 (1992), 0.773 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,041 km
standard gauge: 1,726 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 315 km 0.914-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 69,942 km
paved: 13,538 km
unpaved: 56,404 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and
208 km of Lago Titicaca
Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; natural gas and natural gas liquids
64 km
Ports: Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado,
Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas
note: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reaches
of the Amazon and its tributaries
Merchant marine:
total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 77,584 GRT/144,030 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 7 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 230
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6
with paved runways under 914 m: 96
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 22
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 71 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 779,306 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: adequate for most requirements
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic
satellite system with 12 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 273, FM 0, shortwave 144
Radios: 5.7 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 140
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del
Peru; includes Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force
(Fuerza Aerea del Peru), National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 6,441,513
males fit for military service: 4,347,460
males reach military age (20) annually: 255,067 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $998 million,
1.6% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Philippines
-----------
Map
---
Location: 13 00 N, 122 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, archipelago
between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with
a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center
of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each
containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle
is a small yellow five-pointed star
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine
Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 300,000 sq km
land area: 298,170 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 36,289 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from
coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also
claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in
breadth
International disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the
Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly
Brunei; claims Malaysian state of Sabah
Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April);
southwest monsoon (May to October)
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver,
gold, salt, copper
Land use:
arable land: 26%
permanent crops: 11%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 40%
other: 19%
Irrigated land: 16,200 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil
erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of
coastal mangrove swamps which are important fish breeding grounds
natural hazards: astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and
struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides, active
volcanoes, destructive earthquakes, tsunamis
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber
83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Tropical
Timber 94
People
------
Population: 74,480,848 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 14,486,214; female 14,026,873)
15-64 years: 58% (male 21,403,784; female 21,968,259)
65 years and over: 4% (male 1,165,810; female 1,429,908) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 2.18% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 29.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 35.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.91 years
male: 63.14 years
female: 68.83 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine
Ethnic divisions: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese
1.5%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist
and other 3%
Languages: Pilipino (official, based on Tagalog), English
(official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 94.6%
male: 95%
female: 94.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas
Data code: RP
Type of government: republic
Capital: Manila
Administrative divisions: 72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*;
Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*,
Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan
City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol,
Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de
Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,
Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu,
Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City*
Davao, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern
Samar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte,
Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao,
La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*,
Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao,
Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental,
Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain,
Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern
Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*,
Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*,
Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon,
Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in
Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon,
South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*,
Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*,
Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*,
Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur
Independence: 4 July 1946 (from US)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 June (1898) (from Spain)
Constitution: 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Fidel Valdes RAMOS
(since 30 June 1992) and Vice President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA
(since 30 June 1992) were elected for six-year terms by popular
vote; election last held 11 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1998);
results - Fidel Valdes RAMOS won 23.6% of the vote, a narrow
plurality
cabinet: Executive Secretary was appointed by the president with the
consent of the Commission of Appointments
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Kongreso)
Senate (Senado): elections last held 8 May 1995 (next to be held NA
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (24 total) LDP
14, Lakas/NUCD 5, NPC 2, LP 1, PRP 1, independent 1
House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan): elections
last held 8 May 1995 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (204 total) Lakas/NUCD 129, LDP 29, NPC
(opposition) 25, LP 6, PDP 3, KBL/NPC 1, results pending 11
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed for
four-year terms by the president on recommendation of the Judicial
and Bar Council
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Filipino Struggle (Laban
ng Demokratikong Pilipino, LDP), Edgardo ANGARA; People
Power-National Union of Christian Democrats (Lakas ng EDSA-NUCD or
Lakas-NUCD); Raul MANGLAPUS, president and Jose DE VENECIA,
secretary general; Liberal Party (LP), Raul DAZA; National People's
Coalition (NPC), Eduardo COJUANGCO; People's Reform Party (PRP),
Miriam DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO; New Society Movement (Kilusan Bagong
Lipunan, KBL), Imelda MARCOS; Nacionalista Party (NP), Salvador H.
LAUREL, president; Filipino Democratic Party (Partido Demokratikong
Philipinas or PDP), Jose COJUANGCO, is part of the ruling coalition
with the LDP
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC,
CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNMIH, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raul Chaves RABE
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300
FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614
consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles,
New York, San Francisco, and Seattle
consulate(s): San Diego and San Jose (Saipan)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Thomas C. HUBBARD
embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila 1000
mailing address: APO AP 96440
telephone: [63] (2) 521-71-16
FAX: [63] (2) 522-43-61
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a
white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of
the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each
containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle
is a small yellow five-pointed star
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Philippine economy, primarily a mixture of
agriculture and light industry, continued its third year of recovery
in 1995, led by growth in exports and investments. Officials have
targeted 5%-6% growth for 1996 after achieving 4.8% growth in 1995.
The government is continuing its economic reforms to enable the
Philippines to move closer to the development of the newly
industrialized countries of East Asia. The strategy includes
improving infrastructure and plans to overhaul the tax system to
bolster government revenues.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $179.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.8% (1995)
GDP per capita: $2,530 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 22%
industry: 30%
services: 48%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (1995)
Labor force: 24.12 million
by occupation: agriculture 46%, industry and commerce 16%, services
18.5%, government 10%, other 9.5% (1989)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $14.1 billion
expenditures: $13.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products,
food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity: 6,770,000 kW
production: 20.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 278 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples,
mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish catch of 2 million metric tons
annually
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international
drug trade; growers are producing more and better quality cannabis
despite government eradication efforts; transit point for Southwest
Asian and Golden Triangle heroin bound for the US
Exports: $17.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: electronics, textiles, coconut products, copper, fish
partners: US 39%, Japan 15%, Germany 5%, Hong Kong 5%, UK 5% (1994)
Imports: $26.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: raw materials 40%, capital goods 25%, petroleum
products 10%
partners: Japan 24%, US 18%, Singapore 7%, Taiwan 6%, South Korea 5%
(1994)
External debt: $41 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $934 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Philippine peso (P) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Philippine pesos (P) per US$1 - 26.206 (December
1995), 25.714 (1995), 26.417 (1994), 27.120 (1993), 25.512 (1992),
27.479 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 499 km
narrow gauge: 499 km 1.067-m gauge (1993)
Highways:
total: 160,633 km
paved: 22,489 km
unpaved: 138,144 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m)
vessels
Pipelines: petroleum products 357 km
Ports: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island,
Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San
Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga
Merchant marine:
total: 535 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,033,849
GRT/13,101,188 DWT
ships by type: bulk 230, cargo 126, chemical tanker 3, combination
bulk 11, container 12, liquefied gas tanker 9, livestock carrier 12,
oil tanker 44, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 12, refrigerated cargo
19, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 18, vehicle
carrier 25
note: a flag of convenience registry; Japan owns 22 ships, Hong Kong
4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Denmark 1, and UK 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 235
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 25
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 31
with paved runways under 914 m: 104
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 63 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 887,229 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: good international radiotelephone and submarine
cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations
international: submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore,
Taiwan, and Japan; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian
Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 261, FM 55, shortwave 0
Radios: 9.03 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 29
Televisions: 7 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air
Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 18,722,509
males fit for military service: 13,221,513
males reach military age (20) annually: 767,056 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 1.4%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Pitcairn Islands
----------------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 25 04 S, 130 06 W -- Oceania, islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the
outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light
blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 06 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 47 sq km
land area: 47 sq km
comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 51 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds;
rainy season (November to March)
Terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m
Natural resources: miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation (only a small portion of the original
forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement)
natural hazards: typhoons (especially November to March)
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 56 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Pitcairn Islander(s)
adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutineers
Religions: Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Languages: English (official), Tahitian/English dialect
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
Data code: PC
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Adamstown
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second
Saturday in June)
Constitution: Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Legal system: local island by-laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch, represented by UK High
Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (non-resident) of the
Pitcairn Islands Robert John ALSTON (since NA August 1994);
Commissioner (non-resident) G. D. HARRAWAY (since NA; is the liaison
person between the governor and the Island Council)
head of government: Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island
Council Jay WARREN (since NA); the island magistrate is elected
every three years
Legislative branch: unicameral
Island Council: elections take place each December; election last
held NA December 1995 (next to be held NA December 1996); results -
percent of vote NA; seats - (11 total, 5 elected) all independents
Judicial branch: Island Court, island magistrate presides over the
court and is elected every three years
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: SPC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the
outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light
blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The inhabitants exist on fishing and
subsistence farming. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide
variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane,
watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important
part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of
postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing
ships.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 14 able-bodied men (1993)
by occupation: no business community in the usual sense; some public
works; subsistence farming and fishing
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $588,000
expenditures: $583,000, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993/94 est.)
Industries: postage stamps, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 110 kW
production: 300,000 kWh
consumption per capita: 5,360 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: wide variety of fruits and vegetables
Exports: $NA
commodities: fruits, vegetables, curios
partners: NA
Imports: $NA
commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar,
other foodstuffs
partners: NA
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA bilateral commitments (1992-93), $84,000
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138
(January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584
(1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 6.4 km
paved: 0 km
unpaved: 6.4 km
Ports: Bounty Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports: none
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 24
Telephone system: party line telephone service on the island
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Poland
------
Map
---
Location: 52 00 N, 20 00 E -- Central Europe, east of Germany
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red;
similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and
white
Geography
---------
Location: Central Europe, east of Germany
Geographic coordinates: 52 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 312,683 sq km
land area: 304,510 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,888 km
border countries: Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456
km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia
444 km, Ukraine 428 km
Coastline: 491 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters
with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and
thundershowers
Terrain: mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border
lowest point: Raczki Elblaskie -2 m
highest point: Rysy 2,499 m
Natural resources: coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver,
lead, salt
Land use:
arable land: 48%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 29%
other: 10% (1992)
Irrigated land: 1,000 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in
heavy industry and increased environmental concern by postcommunist
governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of
sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the
resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from
industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal
of hazardous wastes
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity,
Law of the Sea
Geographic note: historically, an area of conflict because of flat
terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
People
------
Population: 38,642,565 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 4,399,649; female 4,188,824)
15-64 years: 66% (male 12,754,272; female 12,930,275)
65 years and over: 12% (male 1,654,526; female 2,715,019) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.14% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.92 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.08 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.1 years
male: 68.02 years
female: 76.41 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Pole(s)
adjective: Polish
Ethnic divisions: Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%,
Byelorussian 0.5% (1990 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern
Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5%
Languages: Polish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1978 est.)
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Poland
conventional short form: Poland
local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska
local short form: Polska
Data code: PL
Type of government: democratic state
Capital: Warsaw
Administrative divisions: 49 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular -
wojewodztwo); Biala Podlaska, Bialystok, Bielsko Biala, Bydgoszcz,
Chelm, Ciechanow, Czestochowa, Elblag, Gdansk, Gorzow, Jelenia Gora,
Kalisz, Katowice, Kielce, Konin, Koszalin, Krakow, Krosno, Legnica,
Leszno, Lodz, Lomza, Lublin, Nowy Sacz, Olsztyn, Opole, Ostroleka,
Pila, Piotrkow, Plock, Poznan, Przemysl, Radom, Rzeszow, Siedlce,
Sieradz, Skierniewice, Slupsk, Suwalki, Szczecin, Tarnobrzeg,
Tarnow, Torun, Walbrzych, Warszawa, Wloclawek, Wroclaw, Zamosc,
Zielona Gora
Independence: 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
Constitution: interim "small constitution" came into effect in
December 1992 replacing the communist-imposed constitution of 22
July 1952; new democratic constitution being drafted
Legal system: mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and
holdover communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced
as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review
of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December
1995) was elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election
first round held 5 November 1995, second round held 19 November 1995
(next to be held NA November 2000); results - second round
Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 51.7%, Lech WALESA 48.3%
head of government: Prime Minister Wlodimierz CIMOSZEWICZ (since 7
February 1996), Deputy Prime Ministers Roman JAGIELINSKI (since NA),
Grzegorz KOLODKO (since NA), and Miroslaw PIETRIEWICZ (since NA)
were appointed by the Sejm
cabinet: Council of Ministers is responsible to the president and
the Sejm; the prime minister appointed and the Sejm approved the
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Zgromadzenie
Narodowe) post-communist parties (PSL 34, SLD 37), post-Solidarity
parties (UW 6, NSZZ 12, BBWR 2), non-communist, non-Solidarity
(independents 7, unaffiliated 1, vacant 1) post-communist parties
(SLD 171, PSL 132), post-Solidarity parties (UW 74, UP 41, BBWR 16),
non-communist, non-Solidarity (KPN 22)
note: four seats are constitutionally assigned to ethnic German
parties
Sejm: elections last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held no
later than 19 September 1997); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (460 total)
Senate (Senat): elections last held 19 September 1993 (next to be
held no later than 19 September 1997); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (100 total)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
president on the recommendation of the National Council of Judiciary
Political parties and leaders:
post-Communist: Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) (Social Democracy of
Poland), Jozef OLEKSY; Polish Peasant Party (PSL), Waldemar PAWLAK
post-Solidarity parties: Freedom Union (UW; Democratic Union and
Liberal Democratic Congress merged to form Freedom Union), Leszek
BALCEROWICZ; Christian-National Union (ZCHN), Marian PILKA; Center
Alliance Party (PC), Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI; Peasant Alliance (PL),
Gabriel JANOWSKI; Solidarity Caucus (NSZZ), Marian KRZAKLEWSKI;
Union of Labor (UP), Ryszard BUGAJ; Christian-Democratic Party
(PCHD), Pawel LACZKOWSKI; Conservative Party, Aleksander HALL;
Nonparty Reform Bloc (BBWR)
non-Communist non-Solidarity: Confederation for an Independent
Poland (KPN), Leszek MOCZULSKI; German Minority (MN), Georg PORYLKA;
Union of Real Politics (UPR), Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE; Democratic Party
(SD), Antoni MACKIEWICZ
Other political or pressure groups: powerful Roman Catholic
Church; Solidarity (trade union); All Poland Trade Union Alliance
(OPZZ), trade union
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,
BSEC (observer), CBSS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU
(applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
MINURSO, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,
UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM,
UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate
partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jerzy KOZMINSKI
chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802
FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas Andrew REY
embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, Warsaw
mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, Unit 1340, APO AE
09213-1340
telephone: [48] (2) 628-30-41
FAX: [48] (2) 628-82-98
consulate(s) general: Krakow
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar
to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
Economy
-------
Economic overview: In 1995, Poland continued to make good progress
in the difficult transition to a market economy that began on 1
January 1990, when the new democratic government instituted "shock
therapy" by decontrolling prices, slashing subsidies, and
drastically reducing import barriers. Although real GDP fell sharply
in 1990 and 1991, in 1992 Poland became the first country in the
region to resume economic growth with a 2.6% increase. Growth
advanced to 3.8% in 1993, 5.2% in 1994, and 6.5% in 1995. Most of
the growth since 1991 had come from the booming private sector,
which now accounts for about 60% of GDP, due in large part to the
creation of new private firms. The slow pace of privatization picked
up somewhat in 1995, as 512 smaller state enterprises were
transferred to private National Investment Funds under the Mass
Privatization Program, but large-scale industry remains largely in
state hands. Industrial production increased 10.2% in 1995,
following a 13.2% rise in 1994, yet remains about 13% below the 1989
level. Inflation, which had approached 1,200% annually in early
1990, fell to 21.6% in December 1995, as the government held the
1995 budget deficit to less than 3% of GDP. After peaking at 16.9%
in July 1994, unemployment gradually fell to 14.9% in December 1995
- although the rate still approaches 30% in some regions. The trade
and current account balances officially are in deficit but in fact
both have comfortable surpluses because of large, unrecorded sales
to cross-border visitors. Prospects for 1996 are good, with the
government promising to push privatization and social welfare
reform. Economic growth should remain above 5%, with inflation
dropping below 20% by yearend 1996 and unemployment continuing its
slow decline. As for external debt, the burden was sharply reduced
by reschedulings and write-offs of both private and official debt
during 1991-94.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $226.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 38%
services: 55% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21.6% (December 1995)
Labor force: 17.743 million (1994 annual average)
by occupation: industry and construction 32.0%, agriculture 27.6%,
trade, transport, and communications 14.7%, government and other
25.7% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 14.9% (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $34.5 billion
expenditures: $37.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: machine building, iron and steel, coal mining,
chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 10.2% (1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 31,120,000 kW
production: 133.7 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,000 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: potatoes, milk, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry
and eggs; pork, beef
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium for domestic consumption
and amphetamines for the international market; transshipment point
for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western Europe;
producer of precursor chemicals
Exports: $22.2 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: intermediate goods 27.5%, machinery and transport
equipment 19.8%, miscellaneous manufactures 20.5%, foodstuffs 11.6%,
fuels 9.1% (1994)
partners: Germany 35.7%, Netherlands 5.9%, Russia 5.4%, Italy 4.9%
(1994)
Imports: $23.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 28.9%, intermediate
goods 20.2%, chemicals 14.7%, fuels 10.4%, miscellaneous
manufactures 9.9%
partners: Germany 27.5%, Italy 8.4%, Russia 6.8%, UK 5.3% (1994)
External debt: $42.1 billion (yearend 1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: Western governments and institutions pledged $22 billion
in grants and loans during 1990-94, but much of the money has not
been disbursed
Currency: 1 zloty (Zl) = 100 groszy
Exchange rates: zlotych (Zl) per US$1 - 2.55 (January 1996) 2.4250
(1995); note - a currency reform on 1 January 1995 replaced 10,000
old zlotys with 1 new zloty; 22,723 (1994), 18,115 (1993), 13,626
(1992), 10,576 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 25,166 km
broad gauge: 656 km 1.520-m gauge
standard gauge: 22,655 km 1.435-m gauge (11,496 km electrified;
8,978 km double track)
narrow gauge: 1,855 km various gauges including 1.000-m, 0.785-m,
0.750-m, and 0.600-m (1995)
Highways:
total: 367,000 km (excluding farm, factory, and forest roads)
paved: 235,247 km (including 257 km of expressways)
unpaved: 131,753 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 3,997 km navigable rivers and canals (1991)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,986 km; petroleum products 360 km; natural
gas 4,600 km (1992)
Ports: Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie,
Ustka, Warsaw, Wrocaw
Merchant marine:
total: 131 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,093,491
GRT/3,167,660 DWT
ships by type: bulk 73, cargo 36, chemical tanker 4, container 7,
oil tanker 1, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea
passenger 5
note: Poland owns an additional 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 179,913 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas,
Liberia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Vanuatu, and Cyprus (1995
est.)
Airports:
total: 134
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 30
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 27
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 32
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 18 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 5 million (1994)
Telephone system: underdeveloped and outmoded system; government
aims to have 10 million phones in service by the year 2000
domestic: cable, open wire, and microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - NA Intelsat, NA Eutelsat,
1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions), and 1 Intersputnik
(Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 27, shortwave 0
Radios: 10.9 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 40 (Russian repeaters 5)
Televisions: 9.6 million
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 10,267,551
males fit for military service: 7,994,460
males reach military age (19) annually: 324,960 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion,
2.4% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Portugal
--------
Map
---
Location: 39 30 N, 8 00 W -- Southwestern Europe, bordering the
North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Flag
----
Description: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths)
and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on
the dividing line
Geography
---------
Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
west of Spain
Geographic coordinates: 39 30 N, 8 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 92,080 sq km
land area: 91,640 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana
note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
Land boundaries:
total: 1,214 km
border country: Spain 1,214 km
Coastline: 1,793 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor
Province) disputed with Indonesia and not recognized by the UN
Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and
drier in south
Terrain: mountainous north of the Tagus, rolling plains in south
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Ponta do Pico in Azores 2,351 m
Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore,
uranium ore, marble
Land use:
arable land: 32%
permanent crops: 6%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 40%
other: 16%
Irrigated land: 6,340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and
vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas
natural hazards: Azores subject to severe earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Desertification,
Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic
locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
People
------
Population: 9,865,114 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 888,157; female 843,309)
15-64 years: 68% (male 3,249,973; female 3,414,793)
65 years and over: 14% (male 601,913; female 866,969) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.02% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.53 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.92 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.31 years
male: 71.52 years
female: 79.31 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.36 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Portuguese (singular and plural)
adjective: Portuguese
Ethnic divisions: homogeneous Mediterranean stock in mainland,
Azores, Madeira Islands; citizens of black African descent who
immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant denominations 1%, other
2%
Languages: Portuguese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 85%
male: 89%
female: 82%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Portuguese Republic
conventional short form: Portugal
local long form: Republica Portuguesa
local short form: Portugal
Data code: PO
Type of government: republic
Capital: Lisbon
Administrative divisions: 18 districts (distritos, singular -
distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular -
regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca,
Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa,
Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo,
Vila Real, Viseu
Dependent areas: Macau (scheduled to become a Special
Administrative Region of China on 20 December 1999)
Independence: 1140 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910)
National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
Constitution: 25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982 and 1 June
1989
Legal system: civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal
reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 14 January 1996 (next to be held NA January 2001); results -
Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 53.8%, Anibal CAVACO SILVA (Conservative)
46.2%
head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Manuel de Oliviera
GUTERRES (since 28 October 1995) was appointed by the president
following the October 1995 legislative elections
Council of State: acts as a consultative body to the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica): elections last
held 1 October 1995 (next to be held NA October 1999); results - PSD
34.0%, PS 43.8%, CDU 8.6%, CDS/PP 9.1%; seats - (230 total) PSD 88,
PS 112, CDU 15, CDS/PP 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal de Justica),
judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party (PSD),
Marcelo Rebelo DE SOUSA; Portuguese Socialist Party (PS), Antonio
GUTERRES; Party of Democratic Renewal (PRD), Pedro CANAVARRO;
Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Carlos CARVALHAS; Social
Democratic Center (CDS), Manuel MONTEIRO; National Solidarity Party
(PSN), Manuel SERGIO; Center Democratic Party (CDS); United
Democratic Coalition (CDU; communists)
International organization participation: AfDB, Australia Group,
BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA
(observer), MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO,
ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando Antonio de Lacerda ANDRESEN
GUIMARAES
chancery: 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610
FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726
consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and San
Francisco
consulate(s): Los Angeles, New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence
(Rhode Island)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley BAGLEY
embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600 Lisbon
mailing address: PSC 83, APO AE 09726
telephone: [351] (1) 7266600, 7266659, 7268670, 7268880
FAX: [351] (1) 7269109
consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)
Flag: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red
(three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the
dividing line
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Portugal's short-term economic fundamentals are
strong - the economy grew by 2.8% in 1995, with similar growth
expected in 1996 and 1997, and unemployment is among the lowest in
the EU. The Socialist government has pledged its dedication both to
meeting the Maastricht monetary convergence criteria and to
increasing social spending, including provision of a guaranteed
minimum income. The government's 1996 budget, passed in March 1996,
includes a budget deficit target of 4.2%, to be attained largely
through cuts in non-social-service government spending and income
from an ambitious privatization program. As for the long run,
Portugal hopes for a steady modernization of its capital plant, its
work force, and its infrastructure in order to catch up with the
productivity and income levels of the Big Four economies of Western
Europe.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $116.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $11,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 35.8%
services: 58.2% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 4.24 million (1994 est.)
by occupation: services 54.5%, manufacturing 24.4%, agriculture,
forestry, fisheries 11.2%, construction 8.3%, utilities 1.0%, mining
0.5% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $31 billion
expenditures: $41 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)
Industries: textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork;
metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 8,220,000 kW
production: 29.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,642 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle,
goats, poultry, meat, dairy products
Illicit drugs: important gateway country for Latin American
cocaine entering the European market; transshipment point for
hashish from North Africa to Europe
Exports: $18.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: clothing and footwear, machinery, cork and paper
products, hides
partners: EU 75.1%, other developed countries 12.4% (US 5.2%) (1995)
Imports: $24.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, agricultural
products, chemicals, petroleum, textiles
partners: EU 71%, other developed countries 10.9% (US 2.5%), less
developed countries 12.9% (1995)
External debt: $11.8 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $248 million (1993)
recipient: ODA, $70 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Portuguese escudo (Esc) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Portuguese escudos (Esc) per US$1 - 151.61
(January 1996), 149.97 (1995), 165.99 (1994), 160.80 (1993), 135.00
(1992), 144.48 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,068 km
broad gauge: 2,761 km 1.668-m gauge (464 km electrified; 426 km
double track)
narrow gauge: 307 km 1.000-m gauge
note: in 1992, Portugal had 3,588 km of track of which 464 km were
electrified
Highways:
total: 70,176 km (statistics for continental Portugal only)
paved: 60,351 km (including 519 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,825 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 820 km navigable; relatively unimportant to national
economy, used by shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton cargo
capacity
Pipelines: crude oil 22 km; petroleum products 58 km
Ports: Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes,
Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores),
Setubal, Viana do Castelo
Merchant marine:
total: 72 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 795,725 GRT/1,418,538
DWT
ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 35, chemical tanker 5, container 5,
liquefied gas tanker 4, oil tanker 12, passenger-cargo 1,
refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1
note: Portugal has created a captive register on Madeira for
Portuguese-owned ships; ships on the Madeira Register (MAR) will
have taxation and crewing benefits of a flag of convenience;
Portugal owns an additional 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
155,776 DWT operating under the registries of Panama and Malta (1995
est.)
Airports:
total: 67
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 18
with paved runways under 914 m: 30
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2,236,411 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: generally adequate integrated network of coaxial cables,
open wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth
stations
international: 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat;
tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station for Inmarsat
(Atlantic Ocean Region) is planned
Radio broadcast stations: AM 57, FM 66 (repeaters 22), shortwave 0
Radios: 2.2 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 66 (repeaters 23)
Televisions: 2,970,892 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National
Republican Guard, Fiscal Guard, Public Security Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,498,965
males fit for military service: 2,014,653
males reach military age (20) annually: 83,427 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.9 billion,
2.4% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Puerto Rico
-----------
(commonwealth associated with the US)
Map
---
Location: 18 15 N, 66 30 W -- Caribbean, island between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican
Republic
Flag
----
Description: five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist
side bears a large white five-pointed star in the center; design
based on the US flag
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 66 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 9,104 sq km
land area: 8,959 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Rhode
Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 501 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine, mild, little seasonal temperature
variation
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north;
mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most
coastal areas
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
Natural resources: some copper and nickel, potential for onshore
and offshore oil
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 9%
meadows and pastures: 41%
forest and woodland: 20%
other: 22%
Irrigated land: 390 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: the recent drought has caused water levels in
reservoirs to drop and prompted water rationing for more than
one-half of the population
natural hazards: periodic droughts
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: important location along the Mona Passage - a key
shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest
and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and
high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast
relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
People
------
Population: 3,819,023 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 484,038; female 461,175)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,201,841; female 1,279,707)
65 years and over: 10% (male 174,274; female 217,988) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.18% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.56 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.46 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.38 years
male: 71.13 years
female: 79.89 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.94 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Puerto Rican
Ethnic divisions: Hispanic
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant denominations and other
15%
Languages: Spanish, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 89%
male: 90%
female: 88%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
conventional short form: Puerto Rico
Data code: RQ
Type of government: commonwealth associated with the US
Capital: San Juan
Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth associated with the
US); note - there are 78 municipalities
Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US)
National holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3
July 1952; effective 25 July 1952
Legal system: based on Spanish civil code
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are
US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of the US) William Jefferson CLINTON
(since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20
January 1993)
head of government: Governor Pedro ROSSELLO (since 2 January 1993)
was elected for a four-year term by direct suffrage; election last
held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results -
Pedro ROSSELLO (PNP) 50%, Victoria MUNOZ (PPD) 46%, Fernando MARTIN
(PIP) 4%
Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly
Senate: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 5
November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (29
total) PNP 20, PPD 8, PIP 1
House of Representatives: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next
to be held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (53 total) PNP 36, PPD 16, PIP 1
US House of Representatives: elections last held 3 November 1992
(next to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (1 total) PNP 1 (Carlos Romero BARCELO); note -
Puerto Rico elects one representative to the US House of
Representatives
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices appointed by the governor
with the consent of the Senate; Superior Courts, justices appointed
by the governor with the consent of the Senate; Municipal Courts,
justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate
Political parties and leaders: National Republican Party of Puerto
Rico, Luis FERRE; Popular Democratic Party (PPD), Hector ACEVEDO;
New Progressive Party (PNP), Pedro ROSSELLO; Puerto Rican Socialist
Party (PSP) has been disbanded (1994); Puerto Rican Independence
Party (PIP), Ruben BERRIOS Martinez; Puerto Rican Communist Party
(PCP), leader(s) unknown
Other political or pressure groups: Armed Forces for National
Liberation (FALN); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution;
Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Armed Forces of
Popular Resistance
International organization participation: Caricom (observer),
ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau),
IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate), WToO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (commonwealth associated
with the US)
US diplomatic representation: none (commonwealth associated with
the US)
Flag: five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist
side bears a large white five-pointed star in the center; design
based on the US flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic
economies in the Caribbean region. Industry has surpassed
agriculture as the primary sector of economic activity and income.
Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US
firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US
minimum wage laws apply. Important industries include
pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, petrochemicals, and
processed foods. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production
and other livestock products as the main source of income in the
agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important
source of income for the island, with estimated arrivals of nearly
3.9 million tourists in 1993.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $29.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1994)
Labor force: 1.2 million (1993)
by occupation: government 22%, manufacturing 17%, trade 20%,
construction 6%, communications and transportation 5%, other 30%
(1993)
Unemployment rate: 16% (1994)
Budget:
revenues: $5.1 billion
expenditures: $5.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95)
Industries: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products,
instruments, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 4.230,000 kW
production: 15.6 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,819 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas;
cattle, chickens
Exports: $21.8 billion (1994)
commodities: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna,
rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment, instruments
partners: US 86.2% (1993)
Imports: $16.7 billion (1994)
commodities: chemicals, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products
partners: US 69.2% (1993)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 96 km
narrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge, rural, narrow-gauge system for
hauling sugarcane; no passenger service
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: 13,762 km (1982 est.)
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce, San Juan
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 23
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,166,231 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: modern system, integrated with that of the US by
high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data
capability
domestic: digital telephone system with about 1 million lines (1990
est.); cellular telephone service
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cable
to US
Radio broadcast stations: AM 50, FM 63, shortwave 0
Radios: 2.565 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9
note: cable television available with US programs (1990 est.)
Televisions: 952,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: paramilitary National Guard, Police Force
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Qatar
-----
Map
---
Location: 25 30 N, 51 15 E -- Middle East, peninsula bordering the
Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Flag
----
Description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white
points) on the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and
Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 11,000 sq km
land area: 11,000 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 60 km
border country: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline: 563 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: territorial dispute with Bahrain over the
Hawar Islands; maritime boundary with Bahrain; 1965 boundary with
Saudi Arabia, renegotiated and revised in 1992, but not official
depiction
Climate: desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer
Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and
gravel
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Qurayn Aba al Bawl 103 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 95%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources are increasing
dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near
major petroleum deposits
People
------
Population: 547,761 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30% (male 82,147; female 83,552)
15-64 years: 68% (male 263,107; female 109,177)
65 years and over: 2% (male 6,609; female 3,169) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.39% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 3.6 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.96 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.41 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.09 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.8 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 19.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.35 years
male: 70.75 years
female: 75.84 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.28 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari
Ethnic divisions: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian
10%, other 14%
Religions: Muslim 95%
Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second
language
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 79.4%
male: 79.2%
female: 79.9%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: State of Qatar
conventional short form: Qatar
local long form: Dawlat Qatar
local short form: Qatar
note: pronounced gutter
Data code: QA
Type of government: traditional monarchy
Capital: Doha
Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular -
baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al
Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batnah, Ash Shamal, Umm Salal
Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Constitution: provisional constitution enacted 2 April 1970
Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by the amir,
although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is
significant in personal matters
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Amir and Prime Minister HAMAD
bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he
ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless
coup) is an absolute monarch; Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin
Khalifa Al Thani (since NA July 1995); note - Amir HAMAD who also
holds the positions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief of
the armed forces, has not yet selected a new crown prince
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the amir
Legislative branch: unicameral
Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura): the constitution calls for
elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have
been held since 1970, when there were partial elections to the body;
Council members have had their terms extended every four years
since; seats - (30 total)
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,
CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFAD,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador ABD AL-RAHMAN bin Saud bin Fahd Al Thani
chancery: Suite 1180, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20037
telephone: [1] (202) 338-0111
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick N. THEROS
embassy: 149 Armed Bin Ali St., Fariq Bin Omran (opposite the
television station), Doha
mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone: [974] 864701 through 864703
FAX: [974] 861669
Flag: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points)
on the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts
for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 75% of export earnings, and 70% of
government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.3 billion barrels
should ensure continued output at current levels for about 25 years.
Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to the leading West
European industrial countries. Production and export of natural gas
are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the
development of off-shore petroleum and the diversification of the
economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.7 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -1% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $20,820 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 50%
services: 49% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 233,000 (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $2.5 billion
expenditures: $3.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96)
Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers,
petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 1,520,000 kW
production: 4.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 8,415 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef;
fish (all on small scale)
Exports: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum products 75%, steel, fertilizers
partners: Japan 61%, Australia 5%, UAE 4%, Singapore 4% (1994)
Imports: $2 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, food, chemicals
partners: Germany 14%, Japan 12%, UK 11%, US 9%, Italy 5% (1994)
External debt: $1.5 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Qatari riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams
Exchange rates: Qatari riyals (QR) per US$1 - 3.6400 riyals (fixed
rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,191 km
paved: 1,028 km
unpaved: 163 km (1988 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 km
Ports: Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 467,447 GRT/771,483 DWT
ships by type: combination ore/oil 2, container 3, cargo 11, oil
tanker 3 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 160,717 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: NA
international: tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio
relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE;
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian
Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 201,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 205,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 220,635
males fit for military service: 115,403
males reach military age (18) annually: 4,115 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Reunion
-------
(overseas department of France)
Map
---
Location: 21 06 S, 55 36 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 21 06 S, 55 36 E
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 2,510 sq km
land area: 2,500 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 201 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but moderates with elevation; cool and dry from
May to November, hot and rainy from November to April
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along
coast
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m
Natural resources: fish, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 16%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 41% (1993)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April);
Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 679,198 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 112,413; female 107,187)
15-64 years: 62% (male 207,386; female 214,308)
65 years and over: 6% (male 15,610; female 22,294) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.93% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.75 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.77 years
male: 71.71 years
female: 77.98 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Reunionese (singular and plural)
adjective: Reunionese
Ethnic divisions: French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani,
Indian
Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, Hindu, Islam, Buddhist
Languages: French (official), Creole widely used
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.)
total population: 79%
male: 76%
female: 80%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Department of Reunion
conventional short form: Reunion
local long form: none
local short form: Ile de la Reunion
Data code: RE
Type of government: overseas department of France
Capital: Saint-Denis
Administrative divisions: overseas department of France; there are
no first-order divisions as defined by the US Government but there
are four arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995) represented by Prefect Pierre STEINMETZ (since NA) who was
appointed by the French Ministry of the Interior
head of government: President of the General Council Christophe
PAYET (since NA)
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral
Regional Council
General Council: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) PCR
12, PS 12, UDF 11, RPR 5, others 7
Regional Council: elections last held 25 June 1993 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total) UPF
17, Free-Dom Movement 13, PCR 9, PS 6
French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1992 (next to be
held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (3 total)
RPR 1, FRA 1, independent 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993
(next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (5 total) PS 1, PCR 1, UPF 1, RPR 1, UDF-CDS 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (Cour d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Alain
DEFAUD; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Gilbert GERARD; Communist
Party of Reunion (PCR), Elie HOARAU; France-Reunion Future (FRA),
Andre THIEN AH KOON; Socialist Party (PS), Jean-Claude FRUTEAU;
Social Democrats (CDS), leader NA; Union for France (UPF - includes
RPR and UDF); Free-Dom Movement, Marguerite SUDRE
International organization participation: FZ, IOC, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of
France)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy has traditionally been based on
agriculture. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a
century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The
government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to
relieve high unemployment, which recently amounted to one-third of
the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the
poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social
tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better
off than other segments of the population, often approaching
European standards, whereas indigenous groups suffer the poverty and
unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent.
The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the
seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of
Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from
France.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 242,169 (1993)
by occupation: agriculture 30%, industry 21%, services 49% (1981)
Unemployment rate: 35% (February 1991)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Industries: sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 180,000 kW
production: 1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,454 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits,
vegetables, corn
Exports: $174 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%,
lobster 3%, (1993)
partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy, Madagascar
Imports: $2.08 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery
and transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products
partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy, Madagascar
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: substantial annual subsidies from France
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,784 km
paved: 2,187 km
unpaved: 597 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Le Port, Pointe des Galets
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 191,647 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: adequate system; principal center is Saint-Denis
domestic: modern open wire and microwave radio relay network
international: radiotelephone communication to Comoros, France,
Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius; satellite earth
station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 13, shortwave 0
Radios: 151,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 18)
Televisions: 116,181 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 176,609
males fit for military service: 90,784
males reach military age (18) annually: 5,728 (1996 est.)
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Romania
-------
Map
---
Location: 46 00 N, 25 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the
Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side),
yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered
in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flags of
Andorra and Chad
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between
Bulgaria and Ukraine
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 237,500 sq km
land area: 230,340 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 2,508 km
border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km,
Serbia and Montenegro 476 km (all with Serbia), Ukraine (north) 362
km, Ukraine (south) 169 km
Coastline: 225 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: certain territory of Moldova and Ukraine -
including Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina - are considered by
Bucharest as historically a part of Romania; this territory was
incorporated into the former Soviet Union following the
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1940
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and
fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Terrain: central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain
of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated
from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
Natural resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural
gas, coal, iron ore, salt
Land use:
arable land: 43%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 19%
forest and woodland: 28%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: 34,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air
pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of
Danube delta wetlands
natural hazards: earthquakes most severe in south and southwest;
geologic structure and climate promote landslides
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: controls most easily traversable land route
between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
People
------
Population: 21,657,162 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 2,180,023; female 2,088,496)
15-64 years: 68% (male 7,261,160; female 7,393,531)
65 years and over: 12% (male 1,138,583; female 1,595,369) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -1.21% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.77 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.27 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.42 years
male: 65.51 years
female: 73.57 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Romanian(s)
adjective: Romanian
Ethnic divisions: Romanian 89.1%, Hungarian 8.9%, German 0.4%,
Ukrainian, Serb, Croat, Russian, Turk, and Gypsy 1.6%
Religions: Romanian Orthodox 70%, Roman Catholic 6% (of which 3%
are Uniate), Protestant 6%, unaffiliated 18%
Languages: Romanian, Hungarian, German
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 95%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Romania
local long form: none
local short form: Romania
Data code: RO
Type of government: republic
Capital: Bucharest
Administrative divisions: 40 counties (judete, singular - judet)
and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor,
Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti*, Buzau,
Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj,
Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi,
Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare,
Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea
Independence: 1881 (from Turkey; republic proclaimed 30 December
1947)
National holiday: National Day of Romania, 1 December (1990)
Constitution: 8 December 1991
Legal system: former mixture of civil law system and communist
legal theory; is now based on the Constitution of France's Fifth
Republic
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ion ILIESCU (since 20 June 1990,
previously President of Provisional Council of National Unity since
23 December 1989) was elected for a four-year term by universal
suffrage; election last held 27 September 1992, with runoff between
top two candidates on 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA 1996);
results - Ion ILIESCU 61.4%, Emil CONSTANTINESCU 38.6%
head of government: Prime Minister Nicolae VACAROIU (since NA
November 1992) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate (Senat): elections last held 27 September 1992 (next to be
held NA 1996); results - PSDR 34.3%, CDR 18.2%, DP-FSN 12.6%, others
34.9%; seats - (143 total) PSDR 49, CDR 26, DP-FSN 18, PUNR 13, UDMR
12, PRM 6, PAC 6, PDAR 5, PSM 5, PL-93 2, other 1
House of Deputies (Adunarea Deputatilor): elections last held 27
September 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - PSDR 34.0%, CDR
16.4%, DP-FSN 12.3%, others 37.3%; seats - (341 total) PSDR 116, CDR
56, DP-FSN 42, PUNR 29, UDMR 27, PL-93 19, PRM 15, PSM 13, PAC 5,
other 19
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice, judges are appointed by
the president on recommendation of the Superior Council of
Magistrates
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (DP-FSN), Petre
ROMAN; Social Democratic Party of Romania (PSDR), Adrian NASTASE;
Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), Bela MARKO;
National Liberal Party (PNL), Mircea IONESCU-QUINTUS; National
Peasants' Christian and Democratic Party (PNTCD), Ion DIACONESCU;
Romanian National Unity Party (PUNR), Gheorghe FUNAR; Socialist
Labor Party (PSM), Ilie VERDET; Agrarian Democratic Party of Romania
(PDAR), Victor SURDU; The Democratic Convention (CDR), Emil
CONSTANTINESCU; Romania Mare Party (PRM), Corneliu Vadim TUDOR;
Civic Alliance Party (PAC), Nicolae MANOLESCU, chairman; Liberal
Party 1993 (PL-93)
note: numerous other small parties exist but almost all failed to
gain representation in the most recent election
Other political or pressure groups: various human rights and
professional associations
International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC,
CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS
(observer), OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNIKOM, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mircea Dan GEOANA
chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfred H. MOSES
embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest
mailing address: American Consulate General (Bucharest), Unit 1315,
APO AE 09213-1315
telephone: [40] (1) 210 01 49, 210 40 42
FAX: [40] (1) 210 03 95
branch office: Cluj-Napoca
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the
yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flags of Andorra
and Chad
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Romania, one of the poorer East European
countries moving away from the command economy, posted its third
straight year of growth in 1995. Bucharest also was successful in
reducing its inflation rate to 25% - less than half the 1994 rate -
because of tight monetary and fiscal policies, while unemployment
fell to 9% as the private sector hired more workers. Despite these
successes on the economic front, Romania has lagged much of Central
and Eastern Europe in the restructuring process. The private sector
accounted for only 40% of GDP in 1995 with over 90% of industry
remaining in state hands. Privatization is slated to pick up in
1996, but Bucharest faces other economic problems that could stall
recovery, including a growing budget deficit, limited reform of the
agricultural and energy sectors, and accumulated decay of the
infrastructure.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $105.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 19.6%
industry: 36.3%
services: 44.1% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1995)
Labor force: 11.3 million (1992)
by occupation: industry 38%, agriculture 28%, other 34% (1989)
Unemployment rate: 8.9% (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $5.35 billion
expenditures: $6.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy,
chemicals, machine building, food processing, petroleum production
and refining
Industrial production growth rate: 3.3% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 22,180,000 kW
production: 50.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,076 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes,
grapes; milk, eggs, meat
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and
Latin American cocaine transiting the Balkan route
Exports: $6.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: textiles and footwear 23.8%, metals and metal products
17.3%, fuels and mineral products 11.6%, machinery and transport
equipment 14.8%, chemicals 7.9%, food and agricultural goods 6.5%,
other 18.1% (1994)
partners: developing countries 30.3%, East and Central Europe 8.4%,
Russia 3.4%, OECD 57.9% (EU 50%, US 3.1%) (1994)
Imports: $7.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: fuels and minerals 26.8%, machinery and transport
equipment 25.1%, textiles and footwear 12.3%, food and agricultural
goods 9.3%, chemicals 7.9%, other 18.6% (1994)
partners: OECD 60% (EU 44.5%, US 6.5%), East and Central Europe
6.1%, developing countries 16.6%, Russia 13.8%, other 3.5% (1994)
External debt: $4.7 billion (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $81 million (1993)
Currency: 1 leu (L) = 100 bani
Exchange rates: lei (L) per US$1 - 2,599.24 (January 1996),
2,033.28 (1995), 1,655.09 (1994), 760.05 (1993), 307.95 (1992),
76.39 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 11,374 km
broad gauge: 60 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 10,887 km 1.435-m gauge (3,866 km electrified; 3,060
km double track)
narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 153,014 km
paved: 78,037 km (including 113 km of expressways)
unpaved: 74,977 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 1,724 km (1984)
Pipelines: crude oil 2,800 km; petroleum products 1,429 km;
natural gas 6,400 km (1992)
Ports: Braila, Constanta, Galatz, Mangalia, Sulina, Tulcea
Merchant marine:
total: 233 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,425,729
GRT/3,641,741 DWT
ships by type: bulk 39, cargo 166, container 2, oil tanker 13,
passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 9
note: Romania owns an additional 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 1,078,490 DWT operating under the registries of Liberia,
Malta, Cyprus, and The Bahamas (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 156
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 14
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 17
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 108 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2.3 million (1990 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: poor service; 89% of telephone network is automatic; trunk
network is microwave radio relay; roughly 3,300 villages with no
service (February 1990 est.)
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; new digital
international direct-dial exchanges are in Bucharest (1993 est.)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 5, shortwave 0
Radios: 4.64 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 13 (1990 est.)
Televisions: 4.58 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Paramilitary
Forces, Civil Defense
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 5,572,383
males fit for military service: 4,693,376
males reach military age (20) annually: 198,125 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $885 million,
3.0% of GDP (1995)
Original publicaton at
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/nsolo/wfb-all.htm (June 17,
1997).
======================================================================
@Russia
------
Map
---
Location: 60 00 N, 100 00 E -- Northern Asia (that part west of
the Urals is sometimes included with Europe), bordering the Arctic
Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue,
and red
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is sometimes
included with Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe
and the North Pacific Ocean
Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 100 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 17,075,200 sq km
land area: 16,995,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than 1.8 times the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 19,913 km
border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China
(southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 290 km, Finland
1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km,
Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,441
km, Norway 167 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Ukraine 1,576
km
Coastline: 37,653 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: inherited disputes from former USSR
including sections of the boundary with China; islands of Etorofu,
Kunashiri, and Shikotan and the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet
Union in 1945, administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; maritime
dispute with Norway over portion of the Barents Sea; Caspian Sea
boundaries are not yet determined; potential dispute with Ukraine
over Crimea; Estonia claims over 2,000 sq km of Russian territory in
the Narva and Pechora regions; the Abrene section of the border
ceded by the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic to Russia in 1944;
has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the
right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation
Climate: ranges from steppes in the south through humid
continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to
tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along
Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the
steppes to cool along Arctic coast
Terrain: broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous
forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern
border regions
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Mount El'brus 5,633 m
Natural resources: wide natural resource base including major
deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals,
timber
note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder
exploitation of natural resources
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: NEGL%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 45%
other: 42%
Irrigated land: 56,000 sq km (1992)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of
coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities;
industrial and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and sea
coasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from
improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of
sometimes intense radioactive contamination
natural hazards: permafrost over much of Siberia is a major
impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands;
volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the
Sea
Geographic note: largest country in the world in terms of area but
unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world;
despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and
climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture
People
------
Population: 148,178,487 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 15,792,573; female 15,213,854)
15-64 years: 67% (male 48,145,679; female 51,125,902)
65 years and over: 12% (male 5,403,066; female 12,497,413) (July
1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.07% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 16.34 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.43 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.88 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.24 years
male: 56.51 years
female: 70.31 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.42 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Russian(s)
adjective: Russian
Ethnic divisions: Russian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 3%, Chuvash
1.2%, Bashkir 0.9%, Byelorussian 0.8%, Moldavian 0.7%, other 8.1%
Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other
Languages: Russian, other
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 100%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Russian Federation
conventional short form: Russia
local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya
local short form: Rossiya
former: Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Data code: RS
Type of government: federation
Capital: Moscow
Administrative divisions: 21 autonomous republics (avtomnykh
respublik, singular - avtomnaya respublika); Adygea (Maykop),
Bashkortostan (Ufa), Buryatia (Ulan-Ude), Chechnya (Groznyy),
Chuvashia (Cheboksary), Dagestan (Makhachkala), Gorno-Altay
(Gorno-Altaysk), Ingushetia (Nazran'), Kabardino-Balkaria
(Nal'chik), Kalmykia (Elista), Karachay-Cherkessia (Cherkessk),
Karelia (Petrozavodsk), Khakassia (Abakan), Komi (Syktyvkar), Mari
El (Yoshkar-Ola), Mordovia (Saransk), North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz),
Tatarstan (Kazan'), Tuva (Kyzyl), Udmurtia (Izhevsk), Yakutia - also
known as Sakha (Yakutsk); 49 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast');
Amur (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', Belgorod, Bryansk,
Chelyabinsk, Chita, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad, Kaluga, Kamchatka
(Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma, Kurgan,
Kursk, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Lipetsk, Magadan, Moscow,
Murmansk, Nizhniy Novgorod, Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orel,
Orenburg, Penza, Perm', Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan', Sakhalin
(Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samara, Saratov, Smolensk, Sverdlovsk
(Yekaterinburg), Tambov, Tomsk, Tula, Tver', Tyumen', Ul'yanovsk,
Vladimir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Yaroslavl'; 6 krays (krayev,
singular - kray); Altay (Barnaul), Khabarovsk, Krasnodar,
Krasnoyarsk, Primorskiy (Vladivostok), Stavropol'; 10 autonomous
okrugs; Aga (Aginskoye), Chukotka (Anadyr'), Evenkia (Tura),
Khantia-Mansia (Khanty-Mansiysk), Koryakia (Palana), Nenetsia
(Nar'yan-Mar), Permyakia (Kudymkar), Taymyria (Dudinka), Ust'-Onda
(Ust'-Ordynskiy), Yamalia (Salekhard); 1 autonomous oblast
(avtomnykh oblast'); Birobijan
note: the autonomous republics of Chechnya and Ingushetia were
formerly the autonomous republic of Checheno-Ingushetia (the
boundary between Chechnya and Ingushetia has yet to be determined);
the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg are federal cities; an
administrative division has the same name as its administrative
center (exceptions have the administrative center name following in
parentheses)
Independence: 24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, June 12 (1990)
Constitution: adopted 12 December 1993
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Boris Nikolayevich YEL'TSIN (since 12 June
1991) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage under
the constitution of 12 December 1993, but subsequent presidents,
beginning with the 16 June 1996 election, will serve a four-year
term; election last held 12 June 1991 (next to be held 16 June
1996); results - percent of vote NA; note - no vice president; if
the president dies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of
ill health, is impeached, or resigns, the premier succeeds him; the
premier serves as acting president until a new presidential election
is held, which must be within three months
head of government: Premier and Chairman of the Russian Federation
Government Viktor Stepanovich CHERNOMYRDIN (since 14 December 1992),
First Deputy Premiers and First Deputy Chairmen of the Government
Oleg SOSKOVETS (since 30 April 1993) and Vladimir KADANNIKOV (since
25 January 1996) were appointed by the president on approval of the
Dumas
Security Council: originally established as a presidential advisory
body in June 1991, but restructured in March 1992, with
responsibility for managing individual and state security
Presidential Administration: drafts presidential edicts and provides
staff and policy support to the entire executive branch
cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" was appointed
by the president
Group of Assistants: schedules president's appointments, processes
presidential edicts and other official documents, and houses the
president's press service and primary speechwriters
Council of Heads of Republics: includes the leaders of the 21
ethnic-based Republics
Council of Heads of Administrations: includes the leaders of the 66
autonomous territories and regions, and the mayors of Moscow and St.
Petersburg
Presidential Council: prepares policy papers for the president
Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly
Federation Council: 178 seats, filled ex-officio by the top
executive and legislative officials in each of the 89 federal
administrative units (oblasts, krays, republics, autonomous okrugs
and oblasts, and the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg)
State Duma: elections last held 17 December 1995 (next to be held NA
December 1999); results - percent of vote received by parties
clearing the 5% threshold entitling them to a proportional share of
the 225 party list seats: Communist Party of the Russian Federation
22.3%, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia 11.2%, Our Home Is Russia
10.1%, Yabloko Bloc 6.9%; seats - (450 total - half elected in
single-member districts and half elected from national party lists)
Communist Party of the Russian Federation 157, Independents 78, Our
Home Is Russia 55, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia 51, Yabloko
Bloc 45, Agrarian Party of Russia 20, Russia's Democratic Choice 9,
Power To the People 9, Congress of Russian Communities 5, Forward,
Russia! 3, Women of Russia 3, other parties 15
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are appointed by the
Federation Council on recommendation of the president; Supreme Court
(highest court for criminal, civil, and administrative cases),
judges are appointed by the Federation Council on recommendation of
the president; Superior Court of Arbitration (highest court that
resolves economic disputes), judges are appointed by the Federation
Council on recommendation of the president
Political parties and leaders:
pro-market democrats: Our Home Is Russia, Viktor CHERNOMYRDIN;
Yabloko Bloc, Grigoriy YAVLINSKIY; Russia's Democratic Choice Party,
Yegor GAYDAR; Forward, Russia!, Boris FEDOROV
centrists/special interest parties: Congress of Russian Communities,
Yuriy SKOKOV; Women of Russia, Alevtina FEDULOVA and Yekaterina
LAKHOVA
anti-market and/or ultranationalist parties: Communist Party of the
Russian Federation, Gennadiy ZYUGANOV; Liberal Democratic Party of
Russia, Vladimir ZHIRINOVSKIY; Agrarian Party, Mikhail LAPSHIN;
Power To the People, Nikolay RYZHKOV and Sergey BABURIN; Russian
Communist Workers' Party, Viktor ANPILOV and Viktor TYULKIN
note: some 269 political parties, blocs, and associations tried to
gather enough signatures to run slates of candidates in the 17
December 1995 Duma elections; 43 succeeded
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: BSEC, CBSS, CCC, CE,
CERN (observer), CIS, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NSG, OAS (observer),
OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCRO,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNOMIG,
UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
(applicant), ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Yuliy Mikhaylovich VORONTSOV
chancery: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 298-5700 through 5704
FAX: [1] (202) 298-5735
consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco, and Seattle
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas R. PICKERING
embassy: Novinskiy Bul'var 19/23, Moscow
mailing address: APO AE 09721
telephone: [7] (095) 252-24-51 through 59
FAX: [7] (095) 956-42-61
consulate(s) general: St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Russia, a vast country with a wealth of natural
resources, a well-educated population, and a diverse industrial
base, continues to experience formidable difficulties in moving from
its old centrally planned economy to a modern-market economy. The
break-up of the USSR into 15 successor states in late 1991 destroyed
major economic links that have been only partially replaced. As a
result of these dislocations and the failure of the government to
implement a rigorous and consistent reform program, output in Russia
has dropped by one-third since 1990 (instead of the one-half
previously estimated). On the one hand, President YEL'TSIN's
government has made substantial strides in converting to a market
economy since launching its economic reform program in January 1992
by freeing nearly all prices, slashing defense spending, eliminating
the old centralized distribution system, completing an ambitious
voucher privatization program in 1994, establishing private
financial institutions, and decentralizing foreign trade. On the
other hand, Russia has made little progress in a number of key areas
that are needed to provide a solid foundation for the transition to
a market economy; and the strong showing of the communists and
nationalists in the Duma elections in December 1995 casts a shadow
over prospects for further reforms. In 1995, the new cash
privatization program went slower than planned. The state claims
that the nonstate sector produced approximately 70% of GDP in 1995,
up from 62% in 1994, although these figures apparently include many
enterprises that have only nominally moved out of state control.
Moscow has been slow to develop the legal framework necessary to
fully support a market economy and to encourage foreign investment.
Stockholder rights remain ill-defined and the Duma has yet to adopt
a land code that would allow development of land markets as sources
of needed capital. Russia's securities market remains largely
unregulated and suffers from the lack of a comprehensive securities
law. In addition, Moscow has yet to develop a social safety net that
would allow faster restructuring by relieving enterprises of the
burden of providing social benefits for their workers. Most
rank-and-file Russians perceive they are worse off because of
growing crime and health problems, the drop in real wages, the great
rise in wage arrears, and the widespread threat of unemployment. The
number of Russians living below the official poverty level rose by
10% to 36.6 million people, or 25% of the population. The decline in
output slowed during 1995, and some sectors showed signs of a
turnaround; analysts forecast the resumption of growth in 1996 - at
a low rate. Russian official data, which fail to capture a
considerable portion of private sector output and employment, show
that GDP declined by 4% in 1995, as compared with a 15% decline in
1994. Despite continued declines in agricultural and industrial
production, unemployment climbed only slowly to about 8% of the work
force by yearend because government policies aimed at softening the
impact of reforms have created incentives for enterprises to keep
workers on the rolls even as production slowed to a crawl. Moscow
renewed tightened financial policies in early 1995 and succeeded in
reducing monthly consumer price inflation from 18% in January to
about 3% in December, the lowest monthly rate since the beginning of
reform. According to official trade statistics, Russia ran a $19.9
billion trade surplus for 1995, up from $15.9 billion in 1994. It
continued to shift its trade away from the other former Soviet
republics toward the West, with the CIS countries' share of Russian
trade falling to 22% in 1995. Russia made good progress with
official and commercial creditors in 1995 in resolving the issue of
its $105 billion in Soviet-era debts. When completed, these Paris
Club and London Club rescheduling agreements will reduce Russia's
repayment liabilities from $20 billion to less than $5 billion
annually through the end of the decade. Capital flight reportedly
continued to be a problem in 1995, with billions of additional
dollars in assets being moved abroad, primarily to bank accounts in
Europe.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $796 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 41%
services: 53%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% monthly average (1995 est.)
Labor force: 85 million (1993)
by occupation: production and economic services 83.9%, government
16.1%
Unemployment rate: 8.2% (December 1995) with considerable
additional underemployment
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: complete range of mining and extractive industries
producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of
machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and
space vehicles; shipbuilding; road and rail transportation
equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery,
tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and
transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer
durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: -3% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 213,100,000 kW
production: 876 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 5,800 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, vegetables,
fruits (because of its northern location does not grow citrus,
cotton, tea, and other warm climate products); meat, milk
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy;
mostly for domestic consumption; government has active eradication
program; used as transshipment point for Asian and Latin American
illicit drugs to Western Europe and Latin America
Exports: $77.8 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and
wood products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and
military manufactures
partners: Europe, North America, Japan, Third World countries, Cuba
Imports: $57.9 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, medicines,
meat, grain, sugar, semifinished metal products
partners: Europe, North America, Japan, Third World countries, Cuba
External debt: $130 billion (yearend 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $2.8 billion (1993)
note: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1990-95), $14 billion
(1990-95); other countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1990-95), $125 billion
Currency: 1 ruble (R) = 100 kopeks
Exchange rates: rubles per US$1 - 4,640 (29 December 1995), 3,550
(29 December 1994), 1,247 (27 December 1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 154,000 km; note - 87,000 km in common carrier service
(38,000 km electrified); 67,000 km serve specific industries and are
not available for common carrier use
broad gauge: 154,000 km 1.520-m gauge (1 January 1994)
Highways:
total: 934,000 km (including 445,000 km which serve specific
industries or farms and are not available for common carrier use)
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km (1994 est.)
Waterways: total navigable routes in general use 101,000 km;
routes with navigation guides serving the Russian River Fleet 95,900
km; routes with night navigational aids 60,400 km; man-made
navigable routes 16,900 km (1 January 1994)
Pipelines: crude oil 48,000 km; petroleum products 15,000 km;
natural gas 140,000 km (30 June 1993)
Ports: Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', Kaliningrad, Kazan', Khabarovsk,
Kholmsk, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Murmansk, Nakhodka, Nevel'sk,
Novorossiysk, Petropavlovsk, St. Petersburg, Rostov, Sochi, Tuapse,
Vladivostok, Volgograd, Vostochnyy, Vyborg
Merchant marine:
total: 745 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,730,178
GRT/9,385,565 DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 25, cargo 406, chemical tanker
6, combination bulk 21, combination ore/oil 17, container 31,
multifunction large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 134, passenger 4,
passenger-cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 19, roll-on/roll-off cargo 54,
short-sea passenger 16, specialized tanker 2
note: Russia owns an additional 163 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 2,276,829 DWT operating under the registries of Malta,
Cyprus, Liberia, Panama, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Honduras,
The Bahamas, and Vanuatu (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 2,517
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 54
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 202
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 108
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 115
with paved runways under 914 m: 151
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 25
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 45
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 134
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 291
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 1,392 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 25.4 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: total pay phones for long distant calls 34,100;
enlisting foreign help, by means of joint ventures, to speed up the
modernization of its telecommunications system; in 1992, only
661,000 new telephones were installed compared with 855,000 in 1991,
and in 1992 the number of unsatisfied applications for telephones
reached 11,000,000; expanded access to international electronic mail
service available via Sprint network; the inadequacy of Russian
telecommunications is a severe handicap to the economy, especially
with respect to international connections
domestic: NMT-450 analog cellular telephone networks are operational
and growing in Moscow and St. Petersburg; intercity fiber-optic
cable installation remains limited
international: international traffic is inadequately handled by a
system of satellites, landlines, microwave radio relay, and outdated
submarine cables; much of this traffic passes through the
international gateway switch in Moscow which carries most of the
international traffic for the other countries of the Commonwealth of
Independent States; a new Russian Intersputnik satellite will link
Moscow and St. Petersburg with Rome from whence calls will be
relayed to destinations in Europe and overseas; satellite earth
stations - NA Intelsat, 4 Intersputnik (2 Atlantic Ocean Region and
2 Indian Ocean Region), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean
Region), and NA Orbita
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there
are about 1,050 (including AM, FM, and shortwave) radio broadcast
stations throughout the country
Radios: 50 million (1993 est.)(radio receivers with multiple
speaker systems for program diffusion 74,300,000)
Television broadcast stations: 7,183
Televisions: 54.85 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Forces, Air Defense Forces,
Strategic Rocket Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 38,673,991
males fit for military service: 30,224,738
males reach military age (18) annually: 1,105,004 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
note: the Intelligence Community estimates that defense spending in
Russia fell by about 20% in real terms in 1995, reducing Russian
defense outlays to about one-fifth of peak Soviet levels in the late
1980s
======================================================================
@Rwanda
------
Map
---
Location: 2 00 S, 30 00 E -- Central Africa, east of Zaire
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side),
yellow, and green with a large black letter R centered in the yellow
band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to
the flag of Guinea, which has a plain yellow band
Geography
---------
Location: Central Africa, east of Zaire
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 26,340 sq km
land area: 24,950 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 893 km
border countries: Burundi 290 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km,
Zaire 217 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November
to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible
Terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous
with altitude declining from west to east
lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m
highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m
Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite
(tungsten ore), natural gas, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 29%
permanent crops: 11%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 10%
other: 32%
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of
trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion
natural hazards: periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains
are in the northwest along the border with Zaire
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear
Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; predominantly rural population
People
------
Population: 6,853,359 (July 1996 est.)
note: genocide and civil war in 1994 killed more than 1 million
Rwandans and forced more than 2 million to flee to neighboring
countries
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 1,582,928; female 1,573,536)
15-64 years: 51% (male 1,734,716; female 1,772,722)
65 years and over: 3% (male 78,854; female 110,603) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 16.49% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 38.83 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 20.33 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 146.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: since April 1994, more than two million refugees have fled the
civil strife between the Hutu and Tutsi factions in Rwanda and
crossed into Zaire, Burundi, and Tanzania; close to 800,000 Rwandan
Tutsis who fled civil strife in earlier years have returned to
Rwanda, and 90,000 of the Hutu refugees are going home despite the
perceived danger of doing so; the ethnic violence continues and in
1996 could produce further refugee flows as well as discourage
returns
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 118.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 40.12 years
male: 39.72 years
female: 40.53 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.99 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Rwandan(s)
adjective: Rwandan
Ethnic divisions: Hutu 80%, Tutsi 19%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 65%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 1%,
indigenous beliefs and other 25%
Languages: Kinyarwanda (official), French (official), Kiswahili
(Swahili) used in commercial centers
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 60.5%
male: 69.8%
female: 51.6%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda
conventional short form: Rwanda
local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda
local short form: Rwanda
Data code: RW
Type of government: republic; presidential system
Capital: Kigali
Administrative divisions: 10 prefectures (prefectures, singular -
prefecture in French; plural - NA, singular - prefegitura in
Kinyarwanda); Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi,
Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali, Ruhengeri
Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN
trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Constitution: 18 June 1991
Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil law systems and
customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme
Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Pasteur BIZIMUNGU (since 19 July 1994);
installed by force by the Tutsi Rwandan Patriotic Front; no date set
for elections; president is normally elected for a five-year term by
universal suffrage; Vice President Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME (since NA)
head of government: Prime Minister Celestin RWIGEMA (since NA
September 1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): sworn in on 25 November
1994; seats - (70 total) RPF 19, MDR 13, PSD 13, PL 13, PDC 6, PSR
2, PDI 2, other 2
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, consists of the Court of
Cassation and the Council of State in joint session
Political parties and leaders: significant parties include:
Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), Alexis KANYARENGWE, chairman;
Democratic Republican Movement (MDR); Liberal Party (PL); Democratic
and Socialist Party (PSD); Christian Democratic Party (PDC); Islamic
Democratic Party (PDI); Rwandan Socialist Party (PSR); National
Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND), former ruling party
Other political or pressure groups: Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA),
the RPF military wing, Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME, commander; Rally for
the Democracy and Return (RDR)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU,
NAM, OAU, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Theogene RUDASINGWA
chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert GRIBBIN III
embassy: Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali
mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali
telephone: [250] 756 01 through 03, 721 26, 771 47
FAX: [250] 721 28
Flag: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and
green with a large black letter R centered in the yellow band; uses
the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of
Guinea, which has a plain yellow band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Rwanda is a poor African nation suffering
bitterly from ethnic-based civil war. The agricultural sector
dominates the economy; coffee and tea normally make up 80%-90% of
total exports. The amount of fertile land is limited, however, and
deforestation and soil erosion continue to create problems.
Manufacturing focuses mainly on the processing of agricultural
products. Weak international prices since 1986 have caused the
economy to contract and per capita GDP to decline. A structural
adjustment program with the World Bank began in October 1990.
Ethnic-based insurgency since 1990 has devastated wide areas,
especially in the north, and displaced hundreds of thousands of
people. A peace accord in mid-1993 temporarily ended most of the
fighting, but resumption of large-scale civil warfare in April 1994
in the capital city Kigali and elsewhere has been taking thousands
of lives and severely affecting short-term economic prospects. The
economy suffers massively from failure to maintain the
infrastructure, looting, neglect of important cash crops, and lack
of health care facilities. GDP in 1994 may have dropped by as much
as half. The further decline of GDP in 1995 was much smaller and was
more than offset by aid from the outside. Because of the severe
damage to real property and the decline in public discipline,
recovery of domestic production toward previous levels is proceeding
slowly.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 52%
industry: 13%
services: 35% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 64% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 3.6 million
by occupation: agriculture 93%, government and services 5%, industry
and commerce 2%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Industries: mining of cassiterite (tin ore) and wolframite
(tungsten ore), tin, cement, agricultural processing, small-scale
beverage production, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods,
textiles, cigarettes
Industrial production growth rate: -50% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 60,000 kW
production: 190 million kWh
consumption per capita: 23 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from
chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock
Exports: $52 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: coffee 63%, tea, cassiterite, wolframite, pyrethrum
partners: Germany, Belgium, Italy, Uganda, UK, France, US
Imports: $37 million (1994 est.)
commodities: textiles, foodstuffs, machines and equipment, capital
goods, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material
partners: US, Belgium, Germany, Kenya, Japan
External debt: $873 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: in October 1990 Rwanda launched a Structural Adjustment
Program with the IMF; since September 1991, the EC has given $46
million and the US $25 million in support of this program (1993)
Currency: 1 Rwandan franc (RF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Rwandan francs (RF) per US$1 - 401.27 (2nd quarter
1994), 168.20 (1993), 133.35 (1992), 125.14 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 13,173 km
paved: 1,186 km
unpaved: 11,987 km (1990 est.)
Waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native
craft
Ports: Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye
Airports:
total: 7
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 6,400 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: telephone system does not provide service to the
general public but is intended for business and government use
domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the
prefectures by microwave radio relay; the remainder of the network
depends on wire and HF radiotelephone
international: international connections employ microwave radio
relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more
distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian
Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 630,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,582,656
males fit for military service: 805,722 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $112.5 million,
7% of GDP (1992)
======================================================================
@Saint Helena
------------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 15 56 S, 5 42 W -- Southern Africa, island in the South
Atlantic Ocean, west of Angola, about two-thirds of the way from
South America to Africa
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of
the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted
sailing ship
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean,
west of Angola, about two-thirds of the way from South America to
Africa
Geographic coordinates: 15 56 S, 5 42 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 410 sq km
land area: 410 sq km
comparative area: nearly two times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes Ascension, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island,
Nightingale Island, and Tristan da Cunha
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 60 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds
Terrain: rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Queen Mary's Peak 2,060 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 3%
other: 83%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: Napoleon Bonaparte's place of exile and burial
(his remains were taken to Paris in 1840); harbors at least 40
species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a
breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns
People
------
Population: 6,782 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.31% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.39 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.33 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 35.14 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.34 years
male: 73.28 years
female: 77.16 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.12 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Saint Helenian(s)
adjective: Saint Helenian
Ethnic divisions: NA
Religions: Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist,
Roman Catholic
Languages: English
Literacy: age 20 and over can read and write (1987 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Helena
Data code: SH
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Jamestown
Administrative divisions: 1 administrative area and 2
dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha*
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen, 10
June 1989 (second Saturday in June)
Constitution: 1 January 1989
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: NA years of age
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the UK since 6 February 1952)
is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief David Leslie
SMALLMAN (since NA 1995)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, three
ex-officio officers, and five elected members of the Legislative
Council
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: elections last held NA July 1993 (next to be
held NA); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (15 total, 12
elected) independents 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of
the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted
sailing ship
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy depends primarily on financial
assistance from the UK. The local population earns some income from
fishing, the raising of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because
there are few jobs, a large proportion of the work force has left to
seek employment overseas.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 2,416 (1991 est.)
by occupation: professional, technical, and related workers 8.7%,
managerial, administrative, and clerical 12.8%, sales people 8.1%,
farmer, fishermen, etc. 5.4%, craftspersons, production process
workers 14.7%, others 50.3% (1987)
note: a large proportion of the work force has left to seek
employment overseas
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $11.2 million
expenditures: $11 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY92/93)
Industries: crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 9,800 kW
production: 10 million kWh
consumption per capita: NA kWh (1993)
Agriculture: maize, potatoes, vegetables; timber production being
developed; crawfishing on Tristan da Cunha
Exports: $27,400 (f.o.b., FY92/93)
commodities: fish (frozen and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), handicrafts
partners: South Africa, UK
Imports: $9.8 million (c.i.f., FY92/93)
commodities: food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed,
building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts
partners: UK, South Africa
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Saint Helenian pound (LS) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds (LS) per US$1 - 0.6535
(January 1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664
(1992), 0.5652 (1991); note - the Saint Helenian pound is at par
with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km (mainland 118 km, Ascension NA km, Tristan da Cunha NA
km)
paved: 180.7 km (mainland 98 km, Ascension 80 km, Tristan da Cunha
2.70 km)
unpaved: NA km (mainland 20 km, Ascension NA km, Tristan da Cunha NA
km)
Ports: Georgetown, Jamestown
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 550
Telephone system:
domestic: automatic network; HF radiotelephone to Ascension, then
into worldwide submarine cable and satellite networks
international: major coaxial submarine cable relay point between
South Africa, Portugal, and UK at Ascension; satellite earth
stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 2,500 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Saint Kitts and Nevis
---------------------
Map
---
Location: 17 20 N, 62 45 W -- Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean
Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and
Tobago
Flag
----
Description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a
broad black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black
band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower
triangle is red
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third
of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 17 20 N, 62 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 269 sq km
land area: 269 sq km
comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 135 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental
margin
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little
seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 22%
permanent crops: 17%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 17%
other: 41%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: hurricanes (July to October)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Whaling
People
------
Population: 41,369 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 7,371; female 7,026)
15-64 years: 58% (male 12,090; female 12,057)
65 years and over: 7% (male 1,162; female 1,663) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.98% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.86 years
male: 63.84 years
female: 70.06 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.52 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Kittsian(s), Nevisian(s)
adjective: Kittsian, Nevisian
Ethnic divisions: black African
Religions: Anglican, other Protestant sects, Roman Catholic
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1980 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis
former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
Data code: SC
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Basseterre
Administrative divisions: 14 parishs; Christ Church Nichola Town,
Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George
Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capisterre, Saint John
Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint Paul
Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint
Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point
Independence: 19 September 1983 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
Constitution: 19 September 1983
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Dr. Cuthbert
Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996), previously Governor
General of the West Indies Associated States (since NA November 1981)
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July
1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995) were
appointed by the governor general
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general in
consultation with the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 3 July 1995 (next to be held
by July 2000); results - SKLNP 58%, PAM 41%; seats - (14 total, 11
elected) SKNLP 7, PAM 1, NRP 1, CCM 2
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint
Lucia)
Political parties and leaders: People's Action Movement (PAM), Dr.
Kennedy SIMMONDS; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party (SKNLP), Dr.
Denzil DOUGLAS; Nevis Reformation Party (NRP), Joseph PARRY;
Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Vance AMORY
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, IMF,
Interpol, IOC, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WCL, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Erstein Mallet EDWARDS
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636
FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Saint Kitts and Nevis; US interests are monitored by the embassy in
Bridgetown, Barbados
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad
black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black band is
edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is
red
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy has traditionally depended on the
growing and processing of sugarcane; decreasing world prices have
hurt the industry in recent years. Tourism and export-oriented
manufacturing have begun to assume larger roles. Most food is
imported. The newly elected government has undertaken a program
designed to revitalize the faltering sugar sector. It is also
working to improve revenue collection in order to better fund social
programs.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $220 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,380 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.2%
industry: 35.7%
services: 58.1% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.9% (1995)
Labor force: 18,172 (June 1995); by occupation - services 69%,
manufacturing 31%
Unemployment rate: 4.3% (May 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $100.2 million
expenditures: $100.1 million, including capital expenditures of
$41.4 million (1996 est.)
Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra,
clothing, footwear, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: 5.9% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 15,800 kW
production: 45 million kWh
consumption per capita: 990 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fishing
potential not fully exploited
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US
Exports: $35.4 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery, food, electronics, beverages and tobacco
partners: US 46.6%, UK 26.4%, Caricom nations 9.8% (1994)
Imports: $112.4 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery, manufactures, food, fuels
partners: US 45%, Caricom nations 18.8%, UK 12.5%, Canada 4.2%,
Japan 4.2%, (1994)
External debt: $45.3 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000
(fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 58 km
narrow gauge: 58 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts to serve sugarcane
plantations (1995)
Highways:
total: 300 km
paved: 125 km
unpaved: 175 km
Ports: Basseterre, Charlestown
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3,800 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: good interisland VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone
connections and international link via Antigua and Barbuda and Saint
Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
domestic: interisland links are handled by VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone
international: international calls are carried by radiotelephone to
Antigua and Barbuda and from there switched to submarine cable or to
Intelsat, or carried to Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands
Antilles) by radiotelephone and switched to Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 25,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: 9,500 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force, Coast Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Saint Lucia
-----------
Map
---
Location: 13 53 N, 60 68 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean
Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Flag
----
Description: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black
arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of
Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 68 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 620 sq km
land area: 610 sq km
comparative area: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 158 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental
margin
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season
from January to April, rainy season from May to August
Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m
Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice),
mineral springs, geothermal potential
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 20%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 13%
other: 54%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the
northern region
natural hazards: hurricanes and volcanic activity
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
People
------
Population: 157,862 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 27,068; female 26,491)
15-64 years: 61% (male 47,470; female 48,612)
65 years and over: 5% (male 3,136; female 5,085) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.14% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 20 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.09 years
male: 66.52 years
female: 73.91 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.31 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Saint Lucian(s)
adjective: Saint Lucian
Ethnic divisions: African descent 90.3%, mixed 5.5%, East Indian
3.2%, white 0.8%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3%
Languages: English (official), French patois
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1980 est.)
total population: 67%
male: 65%
female: 69%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Lucia
Data code: ST
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Castries
Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse La Raye, Castries,
Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin,
Soufriere, Vieux Fort
Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
Constitution: 22 February 1979
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Sir
Stanislaus Anthony JAMES (since 10 October 1988)
head of government: Prime Minister John George Melvin COMPTON (since
3 May 1982) was appointed by the governor general
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on advice of
the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of an 11-member body, six appointed on the advice
of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the
opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and
social groups
House of Assembly: elections last held 27 April 1992 (next to be
held by April 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(17 total) UWP 11, SLP 6
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, jurisdiction
extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin
Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint
Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Political parties and leaders: United Workers' Party (UWP), Vaughn
LEWIS; Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP), Julian HUNTE; Progressive
Labor Party (PLP), Jon ODLUM; Citizen's Democratic Party (CDP)
Calixte GEORGE
International organization participation: ACCT (associate), ACP,
C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),
Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), NAM, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Joseph Edsel EDMUNDS
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795
FAX: [1] (202) 364-6728
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Saint Lucia; the Ambassador to Saint Lucia resides in Bridgetown
(Barbados)
Flag: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead;
the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Though foreign investment in manufacturing and
information processing in recent years has increased Saint Lucia's
industrial base, the economy remains vulnerable due to its heavy
dependence on banana production, which is subject to periodic
droughts and tropical storms. Indeed, the destructive effect of
Tropical Storm Iris in mid-1995 caused the loss of 20% of the year's
banana crop. Increased competition from Latin American bananas will
probably further reduce market prices, exacerbating Saint Lucia's
need to diversify its economy in coming years, e.g., by expanding
tourism, manufacturing, and construction.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $640 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,080 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 13.8%
industry: 17.4%
services: 68.8% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.8% (1993)
Labor force: 43,800
by occupation: agriculture 43.4%, services 38.9%, industry and
commerce 17.7% (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: 25% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $121 million
expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $104
million (1992 est.)
Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components,
beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing,
coconut processing
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1990 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 20,000 kW
production: 112 million kWh
consumption per capita: 693 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops,
cocoa
Illicit drugs: transit country for South American drugs destined
for the US and Europe
Exports: $122.8 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: bananas 60%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits,
coconut oil
partners: UK 56%, US 22%, Caricom countries19% (1991)
Imports: $276 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation
equipment 21%, food and live animals, chemicals, fuels
partners: US 34%, Caricom countries 17%, UK 14%, Japan 7%, Canada 4%
(1991)
External debt: $222.7 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000
(fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 760 km
paved: 500 km
unpaved: 260 km
Ports: Castries, Vieux Fort
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 26,000 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: system is automatically switched
international: direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados;
international calls beyond these countries are carried by Intelsat
from Martinique
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 104,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 cable
Televisions: 26,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Coast Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5.0 million,
2.0% of GDP (1991); note - for police forces
======================================================================
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon
-------------------------
(territorial collectivity of France)
Map
---
Location: 46 50 N, 56 20 E -- Northern North America, islands in
the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Flag
----
Description: a yellow sailing ship rides on a dark blue background
with a black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical
band is divided into three parts: the top part is red with a green
diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross
dividing the square into four sections; the middle part has a white
background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red
background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one on
top of the other; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Geography
---------
Location: Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic
Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Geographic coordinates: 46 50 N, 56 20 E
Map references: North America
Area:
total area: 242 sq km
land area: 242 sq km
comparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the
Miquelon groups
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 120 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute between
Canada and France; in 1992 an arbitration panel awarded the islands
an exclusive economic zone area of 12,348 sq km to settle the dispute
Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn
are windy
Terrain: mostly barren rock
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
arable land: 13%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 83%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: persistent fog throughout the year can be a
maritime hazard
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: vegetation scanty
People
------
Population: 6,809 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.77% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.82 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.34 years
male: 74.76 years
female: 78.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)
adjective: French
Ethnic divisions: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)
Religions: Roman Catholic 99%
Languages: French
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.)
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and
Miquelon
conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon
local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
Data code: SB
Type of government: territorial collectivity of France
Capital: Saint-Pierre
Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France)
Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France; has been
under French control since 1763)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995) represented by Prefect Rene MAURICE (since NA) who was
appointed by the French Ministry of the Interior
head of government: President of the General Council Gerard GRIGNON
(since NA)
Legislative branch: unicameral
General Council: elections last held NA April 1994 (next to be held
NA April 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19
total, 15 from Saint Pierre, 4 from Miquelon) Socialist Party (PS)
holds majority of seats
French Senate: elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be
held NA September 2004); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (1 total) RPR 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993
(next to be held NA June 1998); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (1 total) UDF 1
Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals (Tribunal Superieur
d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party (PS); Rassemblement
pour la Republique (RPR); Union pour la Democratie Francaise (UDF)
International organization participation: FZ, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territorial collectivity of
France)
US diplomatic representation: none (territorial collectivity of
France)
Flag: a yellow sailing ship rides on a dark blue background with a
black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band
is divided into three parts: the top part is red with a green
diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross
dividing the square into four sections; the middle part has a white
background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red
background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one on
top of the other; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their
livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off
the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however,
because the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre has dropped
steadily over the years. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the
islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a
longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents
only 25% of what France had sought. The islands are heavily
subsidized by France. Imports come primarily from Canada and France.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $68 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $10,000 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 2,980 (1994)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 9.6% (1994)
Budget:
revenues: $28 million
expenditures: $28 million, including capital expenditures of $7.8
million (1992 est.)
Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets;
tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 10,000 kW
production: 50 million kWh
consumption per capita: 6,013 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs; fish catch of 20,500
metric tons (1989)
Exports: $13.74 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: fish and fish products, fox and mink pelts
partners: US 58%, France 17%, UK 11%, Canada, Portugal (1990)
Imports: $42 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery,
building materials
partners: Canada, France, US, Netherlands, UK
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 120 km
paved: 60 km
unpaved: 60 km (1985 est.)
Ports: Saint Pierre
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
note: new airport to open June 1996 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3,300 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone communication with most countries in
the world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite system
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 6,300 (1990 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
--------------------------------
Map
---
Location: 13 15 N, 61 12 W -- Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean
Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Flag
----
Description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold
(double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds
arranged in a V pattern
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, north of
Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 340 sq km
land area: 340 sq km
comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 84 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy
season (May to November)
Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 38%
permanent crops: 12%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 41%
other: 3%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from
discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas
pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive
natural hazards: hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of
Saint Vincent is a constant threat
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Law of the
Sea, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification
Geographic note: the administration of the islands of the
Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
and Grenada
People
------
Population: 118,344 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 19,742; female 19,106)
15-64 years: 62% (male 36,576; female 36,381)
65 years and over: 5% (male 2,702; female 3,837) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.64% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 19.36 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.4 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.94 years
male: 71.43 years
female: 74.49 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.04 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s)
adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian
Ethnic divisions: African descent, white, East Indian, Carib Indian
Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Seventh-Day
Adventist
Languages: English, French patois
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)
total population: 96%
male: 96%
female: 96%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Data code: VC
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Kingstown
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint
Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick
Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979)
Constitution: 27 October 1979
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General David JACK
(since 29 September 1989)
head of government: Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July
1984); the governor general appoints the leader of the majority
party to the position of prime minister; Deputy Prime Minister
Carlyle DOUGAN (since 17 September 1995) was appointed by the
governor general on the advice of the prime minister
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the advice
of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 21 February 1994 (next to be
held NA July 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(21 total, 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators) NDP
12, ULP 3
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint
Lucia)
Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party (NDP), James
F. MITCHELL; United People's Movement (UPM), Adrian SAUNDERS;
National Reform Party (NRP), Joel MIGUEL; Unity Labor Party
(ULP),Vincent BEACHE - formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent
Labor Party (SVLP) and the Movement for National Unity (MNU)
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OAS,
OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kingsley C.A. LAYNE
chancery: 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 102, Washington, DC
20036
telephone: [1] (202) 462-7806, 7846
FAX: [1] (202) 462-7807
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the Ambassador to Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines resides in Bridgetown (Barbados)
Flag: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double
width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged
in a V pattern
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is
the most important sector of the economy. The services sector, based
mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The
government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new
industries, and high unemployment rates of 35%-40% continue. The
continuing dependence on a single crop represents the biggest
obstacle to the islands' development; tropical storms wiped out
substantial portions of crops in both 1994 and 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $240 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,060 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 33.1%
services: 42.9% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.2% (1995)
Labor force: 67,000 (1984 est.)
by occupation: agriculture, industry, services, other (1980 est.)
Unemployment rate: 35%-40% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $80 million
expenditures: $118 million, including capital expenditures of $39
million (1996 est.)
Industries: food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 16,600 kW
production: 50 million kWh
consumption per capita: 436 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small
numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; small fish catch used locally
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe
Exports: $57.1 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch,
tennis racquets
partners: UK 54%, Caricom countries 34%, US 10%
Imports: $134.6 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and
fertilizers, minerals and fuels
partners: US 36%, Caricom countries 21%, UK 18%, Trinidad and Tobago
13%
External debt: $74.9 million (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000
(fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,100 km
paved: 330 km
unpaved: 770 km
Ports: Kingstown
Merchant marine:
total: 611 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,690,104
GRT/9,367,014 DWT
ships by type: bulk 106, cargo 305, chemical tanker 20, combination
bulk 9, combination ore/oil 4, container 33, liquefied gas tanker 4,
livestock carrier 5, oil tanker 58, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1,
refrigerated cargo 35, roll-on/roll-off cargo 25, short-sea
passenger 2, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 2
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 24
countries among which are Croatia 42, Russia 14, Slovenia 9, China
9, Germany 2, Serbia 2, Hong Kong 2, Latvia 1, Ukraine 1, and Poland
1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 6
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 6,189 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF
radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the
Grenadines
international: VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to
Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to Saint Lucia;
access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 76,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 cable
Televisions: 20,600 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force,
Coast Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@San Marino
----------
Map
---
Location: 43 46 N, 12 25 E -- Southern Europe, an enclave in
central Italy
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light
blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the
coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks)
flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the
word LIBERTAS (Liberty)
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 46 N, 12 25 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 60 sq km
land area: 60 sq km
comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 39 km
border country: Italy 39 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Terrain: rugged mountains
lowest point: Fiume Ausa 55 m
highest point: Monte Titano 749 m
Natural resources: building stone
Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 83%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution
Geographic note: landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe
after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines
People
------
Population: 24,521 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16% (male 1,978; female 1,967)
15-64 years: 68% (male 8,401; female 8,249)
65 years and over: 16% (male 1,648; female 2,278) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.82% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.81 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.79 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 81.32 years
male: 77.34 years
female: 85.3 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.52 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural)
adjective: Sammarinese
Ethnic divisions: Sammarinese, Italian
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: Italian
Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1976 est.)
total population: 96%
male: 97%
female: 95%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of San Marino
conventional short form: San Marino
local long form: Repubblica di San Marino
local short form: San Marino
Data code: SM
Type of government: republic
Capital: San Marino
Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (castelli, singular -
castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano,
Faetano, Fiorentino, Monte Giardino, San Marino, Serravalle
Independence: 301 AD (by tradition)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic, 3
September
Constitution: 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of
the functions of a constitution
Legal system: based on civil law system with Italian law
influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
co-chiefs of state: Captain Regent Piero Paolo GASPERONI and Captain
Regent Pietro BUGLI (for the period 1 April-30 September 1996) were
elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term
head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political
Affairs Gabriele GATTI (since NA July 1986) was elected for a
five-year term by the Great and General Council; election last held
NA 1993 (next to be held NA 1998)
cabinet: Congress of State was elected for a five-year term by the
Great and General Council
note: the popularly elected parliament (Great and General Council)
selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent
(Co-Chiefs of State) for a six-month period; they preside over
meetings of the Great and General Council and its cabinet (Congress
of State) which has ten other members, all selected by the Great and
General Council; assisting the Captains Regent are three Secretaries
of State - Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Finance - and
several additional secretaries; the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs has assumed many of the prerogatives of a prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Great and General Council: (Consiglio Grande e Generale) elections
last held 30 May 1993 (next to be held by NA May 1998); results -
PDCS 41.4%, PSS 23.7%, PDP 18.6%, AP 7.7%, MD 5.3%, RC 3.3%; seats -
(60 total) PDCS 26, PSS 14, PDP 11, AP 4, MD 3, RC 2
Judicial branch: Council of Twelve (Consiglio dei XII)
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (PDCS),
Cesare GASPERONI, secretary general; Democratic Progressive Party
(PDP - formerly San Marino Communist Party (PSS)), Stefano MACINA,
secretary general; San Marino Socialist Party (PSS), Maurizio
RATTINI, secretary general; Democratic Movement (MD), Massimo TONTI;
Popular Alliance (AP), Tito MASI; Communist Refoundation (RC), Paolo
GIOVAGNOLI
International organization participation: CE, ECE, ICAO, ICFTU,
ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OSCE,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: San Marino does not have an
embassy in the US
honorary consulate(s) general: Washington and New York
honorary consulate(s): Detroit
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
San Marino; the US Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited
to San Marino
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue
with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat
of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked
by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word
LIBERTAS (Liberty)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP.
In 1993 more than 3 million tourists visited San Marino. The key
industries are banking, wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics.
Main agricultural products are wine and cheeses. The per capita
level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of
Italy, which supplies much of its food.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $380 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.4% (1993 est.)
GDP per capita: $15,800 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1993)
Labor force: 14,874 (1993 est.)
by occupation: industry 40%, agriculture 2%
Unemployment rate: 4.9% (December 1993)
Budget:
revenues: $320 million
expenditures: $320 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: supplied by Italy
Agriculture: wheat, grapes, maize, olives; cattle, pigs, horses,
meat, cheese, hides
Exports: trade data are included with the statistics for Italy;
commodities: building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine,
baked goods, hides, and ceramics
Imports: trade data are included with the statistics for Italy;
commodities: wide variety of consumer manufactures, food
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Italian lire (Lit) = 100 centesimi; note - also mints
its own coins
Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,583.8 (January
1996), 1,629.2 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4
(1992), 1,240.6 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km; note - there is a 1.5 km cable railway connecting
the city of San Marino to Borgo Maggiore
Highways:
total: 220 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: none
Airports: none
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 22,300 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated into
Italian system
international: microwave radio relay and cable connections to
Italian network; no satellite earth stations
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA (1 private
radio broadcast station)
Radios: 12,535 (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1991 est.)
note: receives broadcasts from Italy
Televisions: 7,500 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Voluntary Military Force, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $3.7 million (1% of GDP) (1992 est.)
======================================================================
@Sao Tome and Principe
---------------------
Map
---
Location: 1 00 N, 7 00 E -- Western Africa, island in the Atlantic
Ocean, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double
width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by
side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle
based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, island in the Atlantic Ocean, straddling
the Equator, west of Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 960 sq km
land area: 960 sq km
comparative area: more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 209 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 20%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 75%
other: 3%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification, Law
of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification
People
------
Population: 144,128 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 29,103; female 28,633)
15-64 years: 55% (male 39,749; female 39,960)
65 years and over: 5% (male 2,973; female 3,710) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.58% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 34.39 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.55 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 61.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.87 years
male: 61.95 years
female: 65.83 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.33 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Sao Tomean(s)
adjective: Sao Tomean
Ethnic divisions: mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan
slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract
laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children
of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Religions: Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day
Adventist
Languages: Portuguese (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.)
total population: 73%
male: 85%
female: 62%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe
local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe
local short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Data code: TP
Type of government: republic
Capital: Sao Tome
Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular -
concelho); Principe, Sao Tome
Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Constitution: approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990
Legal system: based on Portuguese law system and customary law;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 3 March 1991 (next to be held 30 June 1996); results - Miguel
TROVOADA was elected without opposition in Sao Tome's first
multiparty presidential election
head of government: Prime Minister Armindo UAZ de ALMEIDA (since 29
December 1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on the
proposal of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
National People's Assembly: (Assembleia Popular Nacional) parliament
dissolved by President TROVOADA in July 1994; early elections held 2
October 1994 (next to be held NA); results - MLSTP 27%, PCD-GR
25.5%, ADI 25.5%; seats - (55 total) MLSTP 27, PCD-GR 14, ADI 14
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
National Peoples Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Party for Democratic
Convergence-Reflection Group (PCD-GR), Daniel Lima Dos Santos DAIO,
secretary general; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and
Principe (MLSTP), Carlos da GRACA; Christian Democratic Front (FDC),
Alphonse Dos SANTOS; Democratic Opposition Coalition (CODO), leader
NA; Independent Democratic Action (ADI), Patrice TROVOADA; other
small parties
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU,
NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US: Sao Tome and Principe does not
have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the
UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos AUGUSTO Ferreira, located at
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604, New York, NY 10168, telephone [1]
(212) 697-4211
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao
Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits
to the islands
Flag: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double
width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by
side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle
based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic overview: This small poor island economy has remained
dependent on cocoa since independence 20 years ago. Since then,
however, cocoa production has gradually declined because of drought
and mismanagement, so that by 1987 annual output had fallen from
10,000 tons to 3,900 tons. As a result, a shortage of cocoa for
export has created a serious balance-of-payments problem. Production
of less important crops, such as coffee, copra, and palm kernels,
has also declined. The value of imports generally exceeds that of
exports by a ratio of 3 to 1 or more. The emphasis on cocoa
production at the expense of other food crops has meant that Sao
Tome has to import 90% of food needs. It also has to import all
fuels and most manufactured goods. Over the years, Sao Tome has been
unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on
concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Considerable potential
exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has
taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government
also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies and to
encourage market-based mechanisms, e.g., to facilitate the
distribution of imported food. Annual GDP growth has hovered around
1.5% since 1991.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $138 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,000 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 14%
services: 58% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 38% (1994 est.)
Labor force: most of population mainly engaged in subsistence
agriculture and fishing; shortages of plantation labor and of
skilled workers
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $58 million
expenditures: $114 million, including capital expenditures of $54
million (1993 est.)
Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish
processing; timber
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1991)
Electricity:
capacity: 5,000 kW
production: 17 million kWh
consumption per capita: 105 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon,
pepper, coffee, bananas, papaya, beans; poultry; fish
Exports: $7.1 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: cocoa 85%-90%, copra, coffee, palm oil
partners: Netherlands, Germany, China, Portugal
Imports: $23.8 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products,
petroleum
partners: France, Belgium, Japan, Angola, Italy, US
External debt: $250 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 dobra (Db) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: dobras (Db) per US$1 - 1,610 (May 1995), 129.59 (1
July 1993), 230 (1992), 260.0 (November 1991), 122.48 (December
1988), 72.827 (1987)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 298 km
paved: 198 km
unpaved: 100 km (1987 est.)
note: roads on Principe are mostly unpaved and in need of repair
Ports: Santo Antonio, Sao Tome
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,096 GRT/1,105 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2,200 (1986 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: minimal system
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 33,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1992 est.)
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Security Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 34,986
males fit for military service: 18,343 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Saudi Arabia
------------
Map
---
Location: 25 00 N, 45 00 E -- Middle East, bordering the Persian
Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
Flag
----
Description: green with large white Arabic script (that may be
translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of
God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist
side); green is the traditional color of Islam
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea,
north of Yemen
Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 1,960,582 sq km
land area: 1,960,582 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 4,415 km
border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman
676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline: 2,640 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: large section of boundary with Yemen not
defined; location and status of boundary with UAE is not final,
defacto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh
and Umm al Maradim islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia; 1965
boundary with Qatar, renegotiated and revised in 1992, but not
official depiction
Climate: harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature
Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 39%
forest and woodland: 1%
other: 59%
Irrigated land: 4,350 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: desertification; depletion of underground water
resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies
has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination
facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Law of
the Sea
Geographic note: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea
provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through
Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
People
------
Population: 19,409,058 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 4,228,660; female 4,103,622)
15-64 years: 55% (male 6,393,384; female 4,240,535)
65 years and over: 2% (male 227,789; female 215,068) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.45% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 38.32 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.36 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.51 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.27 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 46.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69 years
male: 67.25 years
female: 70.84 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.45 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Saudi(s)
adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
Ethnic divisions: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Religions: Muslim 100%
Languages: Arabic
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 62.8%
male: 71.5%
female: 50.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form: Saudi Arabia
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Data code: SA
Type of government: monarchy
Capital: Riyadh
Administrative divisions: 13 provinces (mintaqah, singular -
mintaqat); Al Bahah, Al Hudud Ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah,
Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Hail,
Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk
Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification)
National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
Constitution: none; governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law)
Legal system: based on Islamic law, several secular codes have
been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD
bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982) is an absolute monarch;
Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd
al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the king, heir to the throne since
13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers is dominated by royal family members
appointed by the king
Legislative branch: a consultative council composed of 60 members
and a chairman who are appointed by the king for a term of four years
Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice
Political parties and leaders: none allowed
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond E. MABUS, Jr.
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address: American Embassy-Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE
09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800
FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360
consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
Flag: green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated
as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above
a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green
is the traditional color of Islam
Economy
-------
Economic overview: This is a well-to-do oil-based economy with
strong government controls over major economic activities. About 40%
of GDP comes from the private sector. Economic (as well as
political) ties with the US are especially strong. The petroleum
sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 35% of GDP, and
90% of export earnings. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of
petroleum in the world (26% of the proved total), ranks as the
largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. For
the 1990s the government intends to bring its budget, which has been
in deficit since 1983, back into balance, and to encourage private
economic activity. Roughly four million foreign workers play an
important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and
banking sectors. For over a decade, Saudi Arabia's domestic and
international outlays have outstripped its income, and the
government has cut its foreign assistance and is beginning to rein
in domestic programs. For 1996, the country looks to its policies of
maintaining moderate fiscal reforms, restraining public spending,
and encouraging non-oil exports.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $189.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $10,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 50%
services: 41% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 6 million-7 million
by occupation: government 40%, industry, construction, and oil 25%,
services 30%, agriculture 5%
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $35.1 billion
expenditures: $40 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic
petrochemicals, cement, two small steel-rolling mills, construction,
fertilizer, plastics
Industrial production growth rate: 17% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 17,550,000 kW
production: 46 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,430 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus;
mutton, chickens, eggs, milk
Illicit drugs: death penalty for traffickers; increasing
consumption of heroin and cocaine
Exports: $41.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90%
partners: US 17%, Japan 17%, South Korea 8%, Singapore 7%, France 5%
(1994)
Imports: $21.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, motor
vehicles, textiles
partners: US 21%, Japan 12%, UK 8%, Germany 8%, Italy 5% (1994)
External debt: $18.9 billion (December 1989 est., includes
short-term trade credits)
Economic aid:
donor: pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon
Currency: 1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalah
Exchange rates: Saudi riyals (SR) per US$1 - 3.7450 (fixed rate
since late 1986)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,390 km
standard gauge: 1,390 km 1.435-m gauge (448 km double track) (1992)
Highways:
total: 151,532 km
paved: 60,613 km
unpaved: 90,919 km (1992 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural
gas 2,200 km (includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km)
Ports: Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al
Khafji, Al Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah
Merchant marine:
total: 76 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 944,946 GRT/1,322,167
DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 13, chemical tanker 5, container 3,
liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 4, oil tanker 22,
passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13,
short-sea passenger 9 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 175
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 30
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 11
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 22
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 13
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 66
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 24 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.46 million (1993)
Telephone system: modern system
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay and coaxial and
fiber-optic cable systems
international: microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait,
Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan;
submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth
stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1
Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 43, FM 13, shortwave 0
Radios: 5 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 80
Televisions: 4.5 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force,
National Guard, Coast Guard, Frontier Forces, Public Security Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 5,405,828
males fit for military service: 3,005,900
males reach military age (18) annually: 165,010 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $12.1 billion,
8.5% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Senegal
-------
Map
---
Location: 14 00 N, 14 00 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side),
yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the
yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
Geographic coordinates: 14 00 N, 14 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 196,190 sq km
land area: 192,000 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 2,640 km
border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau
338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km
Coastline: 531 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: short section of the boundary with The
Gambia is indefinite; boundary with Mauritania in dispute
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (December to April)
has strong southeast winds; dry season (May to November) dominated
by hot, dry, harmattan wind
Terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in
southeast
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location in the Futa Jaldon foothills 581 m
Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 27%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 30%
forest and woodland: 31%
other: 12%
Irrigated land: 1,800 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: wildlife populations threatened by poaching;
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification;
overfishing
natural hazards: lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Marine Dumping
Geographic note: The Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal
People
------
Population: 9,092,749 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 2,188,338; female 2,197,015)
15-64 years: 49% (male 2,111,330; female 2,336,987)
65 years and over: 3% (male 128,939; female 130,140) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.37% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 45.46 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.76 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 64 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 56.49 years
male: 53.75 years
female: 59.3 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.31 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Senegalese (singular and plural)
adjective: Senegalese
Ethnic divisions: Wolof 36%, Fulani 17%, Serer 17%, Toucouleur 9%,
Diola 9%, Mandingo 9%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 2%
Religions: Muslim 92%, indigenous beliefs 6%, Christian 2% (mostly
Roman Catholic)
Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 33.1%
male: 43%
female: 23.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Senegal
conventional short form: Senegal
local long form: Republique du Senegal
local short form: Senegal
Data code: SG
Type of government: republic under multiparty democratic rule
Capital: Dakar
Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region);
Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Saint-Louis,
Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor
Independence: 20 August 1960 (from France; The Gambia and Senegal
signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation
of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the
agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989)
National holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960)
Constitution: 3 March 1963, revised 1991
Legal system: based on French civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts in Supreme Court, which also audits the
government's accounting office; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Abdou DIOUF (since 1 January 1981) was
elected for a seven-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 21 February 1993 (next to be held NA February 2000); results -
Abdou DIOUF (PS) 58.4%, Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 32.03%, other 9.57%
head of government: Prime Minister Habib THIAM (since 7 April 1991)
was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister in
consultation with the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 9 May
1993 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - PS 70%, PDS 23%, other
7%; seats - (120 total) PS 84, PDS 27, LD-MPT 3, Let Us Unite
Senegal 3, PIT 2, UDS-R 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party (PS), President
Abdou DIOUF; Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), Abdoulaye WADE;
Democratic League-Labor Party Movement (LD-MPT), Dr. Abdoulaye
BATHILY; Independent Labor Party (PIT), Amath DANSOKHO; Senegalese
Democratic Union-Renewal (UDS-R), Mamadou Puritain FALL; Let Us
Unite Senegal (coalition of African Party for Democracy and
Socialism and National Democratic Rally); other small uninfluential
parties
Other political or pressure groups: students; teachers; labor;
Muslim Brotherhoods
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III,
UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mamadou Mansour SECK
chancery: 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540, 0541
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mark JOHNSON
embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Avenue Kleber, Dakar
mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar
telephone: [221] 23 42 96, 23 34 24
FAX: [221] 22 29 91
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow,
and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow
band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic overview: In 1994 Senegal embarked on its most concerted
structural adjustment effort yet to exploit the 50% devaluation of
the currencies of the 14 Francophone African nations on 12 January
of that year. After years of foot-dragging, the government has
passed a liberalized labor code which should lower the cost of labor
and improve the manufacturing sector's competitiveness. Inroads also
have been made in closing tax loopholes, eliminating monopoly power
in several sectors, and privatizing state owned firms. At the same
time, the government is holding the line on current fiscal
expenditure under the watchful eyes of international organizations
on which it depends for substantial support. The IMF, in mid-1995,
announced that the government met most economic targets as called
for in its Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility agreement and
released the second $50 million tranche. The country's narrow
resource base, environmental degradation, and untamed population
growth will continue to hold back improvement in living standards
over the medium term.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $14.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (1995)
Labor force: 2.509 million (77% are engaged in subsistence
farming; 175,000 wage earners)
by occupation: private sector 40%, government and parapublic 60%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $876 million
expenditures: $197.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining,
petroleum refining, construction materials
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 230,000 kW
production: 720 million kWh
consumption per capita: 79 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton,
tomatoes, green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish catch of
409,000 metric tons in 1992
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast
Asian heroin moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator
of cannabis
Exports: $940 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: fish, ground nuts (peanuts), petroleum products,
phosphates, cotton
partners: France, other EU countries, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali
Imports: $1.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: foods and beverages, consumer goods, capital goods,
petroleum
partners: France, other EU countries, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire,
Algeria, China, Japan
External debt: $3.8 billion (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $439 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 904 km
narrow gauge: 904 km 1.000-meter gauge (70 km double track) (1995)
Highways:
total: 13,850 km
paved: 3,900 km
unpaved: 9,950 km (1990 est.)
Waterways: 897 km total; 785 km on the Senegal river, and 112 km
on the Saloum
Ports: Dakar, Kaolack, Matam, Podor, Richard-Toll, Saint-Louis,
Ziguinchor
Merchant marine:
total: 1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,995 GRT/3,775 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 17
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 55,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: above-average urban system; microwave radio relay and
cable trunk system
international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 850,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 61,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National
Police (Surete Nationale)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,864,239
males fit for military service: 973,170
males reach military age (18) annually: 90,154 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $82 million, 2.1%
of GDP (1996 est.)
======================================================================
@Serbia and Montenegro
---------------------
Serbia and Montenegro have asserted the formation of a joint
independent state, but this entity has not been formally recognized
as a state by the US; the US view is that the Socialist Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) has dissolved and that none of the
successor republics represents its continuation.
Map
---
Location: 44 00 N, 21 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the
Adriatic Sea, between Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between
Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Geographic coordinates: 44 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 102,350 sq km
land area: 102,136 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Kentucky
note: Serbia has a total area and a land area of 88,412 sq km making
it slightly larger than Maine; Montenegro has a total area of 13,938
sq km and a land area of 13,724 sq km making it slightly larger than
Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 2,246 km
border countries: Albania 287 km (114 km with Serbia, 173 km with
Montenegro), Bosnia and Herzegovina 527 km (312 km with Serbia, 215
km with Montenegro), Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 241 km,
Croatia (south) 25 km, Hungary 151 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia 221 km, Romania 476 km
note: the internal boundary between Montenegro and Serbia is 211 km
Coastline: 199 km (Montenegro 199 km, Serbia 0 km)
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: disputes with Bosnia and Herzegovina and
Croatia over Serbian populated areas; Albanian majority in Kosovo
seeks independence from Serbian republic
Climate: in the north, continental climate (cold winter and hot,
humid summers with well distributed rainfall); central portion,
continental and Mediterranean climate; to the south, Adriatic
climate along the coast, hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively
cold winters with heavy snowfall inland
Terrain: extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to
the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient
mountain and hills; to the southwest, extremely high shoreline with
no islands off the coast
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Daravica 2,656 m
Natural resources: oil, gas, coal, antimony, copper, lead, zinc,
nickel, gold, pyrite, chrome
Land use:
arable land: 30%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 25%
other: 20%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets,
especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor; air pollution
around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from
industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube
natural hazards: destructive earthquakes
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: controls one of the major land routes from
Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along
the Adriatic coast
People
------
Population:
total population: 10,614,558 (July 1996 est.)
Montenegro: 635,442 (July 1996 est.)
Serbia: 9,979,116 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
Montenegro - 0-14 years: 22% (male 71,075; female 67,402)
Montenegro - 15-64 years: 67% (male 215,889; female 213,290)
Montenegro - 65 years and over: 11% (male 27,868; female 39.918)
(July 1996 est.)
Serbia - 0-14 years: 21% (male 1,104,274; female 1,026,994)
Serbia - 15-64 years: 66% (male 3,332,809; female 3,293,788)
Serbia - 65 years and over: 13% (male 515,001; female 706,250) (July
1996 est.)
Population growth rate:
Montenegro: 0.39% (1996 est.)
Serbia: 0.39% (1996 est.)
Birth rate:
Montenegro: 11.86 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Serbia: 13.98 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate:
Montenegro: 7.76 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Serbia: 10.25 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate:
Montenegro: -0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Serbia: 0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
Montenegro - at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Montenegro - under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
Montenegro - 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
Montenegro - 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
Montenegro - all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Serbia - at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
Serbia - under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
Serbia - 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
Serbia - 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
Serbia - all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Montenegro: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Serbia: 22.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Montenegro - total population: 74.88 years
Montenegro - male: 70.86 years
Montenegro - female: 79.11 years (1996 est.)
Serbia - total population: 71.98 years
Serbia - male: 68.97 years
Serbia - female: 75.22 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Montenegro: 1.53 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Serbia: 2 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Serb(s) and Montenegrin(s)
adjective: Serbian and Montenegrin
Ethnic divisions: Serbs 63%, Albanians 14%, Montenegrins 6%,
Hungarians 4%, other 13%
Religions: Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant
1%, other 11%
Languages: Serbo-Croatian 95%, Albanian 5%
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Serbia and Montenegro
local long form: none
local short form: Srbija-Crna Gora
note: Serbia and Montenegro has self-proclaimed itself the "Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia," but the US view is that the Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) has dissolved and that none of
the successor republics represents its continuation
Data code:
Serbia: SR
Montenegro: MW
Type of government: republic
Capital: Belgrade
Administrative divisions: 2 republics (pokajine, singular -
pokajina); and 2 nominally autonomous provinces*; Kosovo*,
Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina*
Independence: 11 April 1992 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia formed
as self-proclaimed successor to the Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia - SFRY)
National holiday: St. Vitus Day, 28 June
Constitution: 27 April 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Zoran LILIC (since 25 June 1993) was
elected for a four-year term by the Federal Assembly; note -
Slobodan MILOSEVIC is president of Serbia (since 9 December 1990);
Momir BULATOVIC is president of Montenegro (since 23 December 1990);
Federal Assembly elected Zoran LILIC on 25 June 1993
head of government: Prime Minister Radoje KONTIC (since 29 December
1992) was nominated by the president; Deputy Prime Ministers Jovan
ZEBIC (since NA March 1993), Uros KLIKOVAC (since 15 September
1994), and Nikola SAINOVIC (since 15 September 1995)
cabinet: Federal Executive Council
Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly
Chamber of Republics: elections last held 20 December 1992 (next to
be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (40
total, 20 Serbian, 20 Montenegrin) seats by party NA; note - seats
are filled on a proportional basis to reflect the composition of the
legislatures of the republics of Montenegro and Serbia
Chamber of Citizens: elections last held 20 December 1992 (next to
be held NA 1996); results - percent of votes by party NA; seats -
(138 total, 108 Serbian, 30 Montenegrin) SPS 47, SRS 34, Depos 20,
DPSCG 17, DS 5, SP 5, NS 4, DZVM 3, other 3
Judicial branch: Savezni Sud (Federal Court), judges are elected
by the Federal Assembly; Constitutional Court, judges are elected by
the Federal Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Serbian Socialist Party (SPS,
former Communist Party), Slobodan MILOSEVIC; Serbian Radical Party
(SRS), Vojislav SESELJ; Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO), Vuk
DRASKOVIC, president; Democratic Party (DS), Zoran DJINDJIC;
Democratic Party of Serbia (Depos), Vojlslav KOSTUNICA; Democratic
Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPSCG), Momir BULATOVIC,
president; People's Party of Montenegro (NS), Milan PAROSKI; Liberal
Alliance of Montenegro, Slavko PEROVIC; Democratic Community of
Vojvodina Hungarians (DZVM), Andras AGOSTON; League of
Communists-Movement for Yugoslavia (SK-PJ), Dragan ATANASOVSKI;
Democratic Alliance of Kosovo (LDK), Dr. Ibrahim RUGOVA, president;
Party of Democratic Action (SDA), Sulejman UGLJANIN; Civic Alliance
of Serbia (GSS), Vesna PESIC, chairman; Socialist Party of
Montenegro (SP), leader NA
Other political or pressure groups: NA
Diplomatic representation in US: the US and Serbia and Montenegro
do not maintain full diplomatic relations; the Embassy of the former
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia continues to function in
the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Counselor, Charge d'Affaires
ad interim Zoran POPOVIC
chancery: 2410 California St. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-6566
US diplomatic representation: the US and Serbia and Montenegro do
not maintain full diplomatic relations
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chief of Mission Rudolf V.
PERINA
embassy: address NA, Belgrade
mailing address: Unit 1310, APO AE 09213-1310
telephone: [381] (11) 645655
FAX: [381] (11) 645332
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The swift collapse of the Yugoslav federation
in 1991 has been followed by highly destructive warfare, the
destabilization of republic boundaries, and the breakup of important
interrepublic trade flows. Serbia and Montenegro faces major
economic problems; output has dropped sharply, particularly in 1993.
Like the other former Yugoslav republics, it depended on its sister
republics for large amounts of energy supplies and manufactures.
Wide differences in climate, mineral resources, and levels of
technology among the republics accentuated this interdependence, as
did the communist practice of concentrating much industrial output
in a small number of giant plants. The breakup of many of the trade
links, the sharp drop in output as industrial plants lost suppliers
and markets, and the destruction of physical assets in the fighting
all have contributed to the economic difficulties of the republics.
One singular factor in the economic situation of Serbia and
Montenegro is the continuation in office of a communist government
that is primarily interested in political and military mastery, not
economic reform. Hyperinflation ended with the establishment of a
new currency unit in June 1993; prices were relatively stable in
1994. Reliable statistics are hard to come by; the GDP estimate of
$2,000 per capita is extremely rough. The economy is recovering
extremely slowly following the suspension of UN sanctions in
December 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $20.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 2,640,909
by occupation: industry, mining 40% (1990)
Unemployment rate: more than 40% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: machine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles;
armored vehicles and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural
machinery), metallurgy (steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc,
chromium, antimony, bismuth, cadmium), mining (coal, bauxite,
nonferrous ore, iron ore, limestone), consumer goods (textiles,
footwear, foodstuffs, appliances), electronics, petroleum products,
chemicals, and pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 10,400,000 kW
production: 34 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,400 kWh (1994 est.)
Agriculture: cereals, fruits, vegetables, tobacco, olives; cattle,
sheep, goats
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route
Exports: $NA
commodities: prior to the breakup of the federation, Yugoslavia
exported machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,
chemicals, food and live animals, raw materials
partners: prior to the imposition of UN sanctions trade partners
were the other former Yugoslav republics, Italy, Germany, other EC,
the FSU countries, East European countries, US
Imports: $NA
commodities: prior to the breakup of the federation, Yugoslavia
imported machinery and transport equipment, fuels and lubricants,
manufactured goods, chemicals, food and live animals, raw materials
including coking coal for the steel industry
partners: prior to the imposition of UN sanctions trade partners
were the other former Yugoslav republics, the FSU countries, EC
countries (mainly Italy and Germany), East European countries, US
External debt: $4.2 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Yugoslav New Dinar (YD) = 100 paras
Exchange rates: Yugoslav New Dinars (YD) per US $1 - official
rate: 1.5; black market rate: 2 to 3 (early 1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,960 km
standard gauge: 3,960 km 1.435-m gauge (1,341 km electrified) (1992)
Highways:
total: 46,019 km
paved: 26,949 km
unpaved: 19,070 km (1990 est.)
Waterways: NA km
Pipelines: crude oil 415 km; petroleum products 130 km; natural
gas 2,110 km
Ports: Bar, Belgrade, Kotor, Novi Sad, Pancevo, Tivat
Merchant marine:
Montenegro: total 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 326,133
GRT/544,600 DWT (controlled by Montenegrin beneficial owners)
ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 8, container 3, short-sea passenger
ferry 1
note: ships operate under the flags of Malta, Panama, and Cyprus; no
ships remain under Yugoslav flag (1995 est.)
Serbia: total 2 bulk ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 42,916
GRT/77,103 DWT (controlled by Serbian beneficial owners)
note: all under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; no
ships remain under Yugoslav flag (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 44 (Serbia 39, Montenegro 5)
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2 (Serbia 2, Montenegro 0)
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5 (Serbia 3, Montenegro 2)
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5 (Serbia 4, Montenegro 1)
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (Serbia 2, Montenegro 0)
with paved runways under 914 m: 14 (Serbia 14, Montenegro 0)
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 (Serbia 2, Montenegro 0)
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14 (Serbia 12, Montenegro 2)
(1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 700,000
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 9, shortwave 0
Radios: 2.015 million
Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 1 million
Defense
-------
Branches: People's Army (includes Ground Forces with internal and
border troops, Naval Forces, and Air and Air Defense Forces), Civil
Defense
Manpower availability:
Montenegro - males age 15-49: 173,942
Montenegro - males fit for military service: 140,728
Montenegro - males reach military age (19) annually: 5,226
Serbia - males age 15-49: 2,546,549
Serbia - males fit for military service: 2,041,239 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 245 billion dinars, 4% to 6% of GDP (1992
est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars
using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Seychelles
----------
Map
---
Location: 4 35 S, 55 40 E -- Eastern Africa, group of islands in
the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Flag
----
Description: five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red,
white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean,
northeast of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 4 35 S, 55 40 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 455 sq km
land area: 455 sq km
comparative area: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 491 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims Tromelin Island
Climate: tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast
monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest
monsoon (March to May)
Terrain: Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky,
hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 18%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 18%
other: 60%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: no natural fresh water resources, catchments collect
rain water
natural hazards: lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are
rare; short droughts possible
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands
People
------
Population: 77,575 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 12,005; female 11,835)
15-64 years: 63% (male 24,003; female 24,946)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,669; female 3,117) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.76% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.24 years
male: 64.23 years
female: 74.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.09 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)
adjective: Seychelles
Ethnic divisions: Seychellois (mixture of Asians, Africans,
Europeans)
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2%
Languages: English (official), French (official), Creole
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971 est.)
total population: 58%
male: 56%
female: 60%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form: Seychelles
Data code: SE
Type of government: republic
Capital: Victoria
Administrative divisions: 23 administrative districts; Anse aux
Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie
Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade,
Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe Island), Grand' Anse (on Praslin
Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri,
Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 18 June (1993) (adoption of new
constitution)
Constitution: 18 June 1993
Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and
customary law
Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President France Albert RENE
(since 5 June 1977) was elected for a five-year term by popular
vote; election last held 20-23 July 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);
results - President France Albert RENE (SPPF) reelected with 59.5%
of the vote, Sir James MANCHAM (DP) 36.72%
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple): elections last held 20-23
July 1993 (next to be held NA); results - SPPF 82%, DP 15%, UO 3%;
seats - (33 total, 22 elected, 11 awarded) seats elected - SPPF 21,
DP 1; seats awarded - SPPF 6, DP 4, UO 1
note: the 11 awarded seats are apportioned according to the share of
each party in the total vote
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: ruling party - Seychelles People's
Progressive Front (SPPF), France Albert RENE; Democratic Party (DP),
Sir James MANCHAM; United Opposition (UO), Wavel RAMKALAWAN - a
coalition of the following parties: Seychelles Party (PS), Wavel
RAMKALAWAN; Seychelles Democratic Movement (MSPD), Jacques HONDOUL;
Seychelles Liberal Party (SLP), Ogilvie BERLOUIS; New Democratic
Party , Christopher GILL (former member of DP)
Other political or pressure groups: trade unions; Roman Catholic
Church
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marc Michael R. MARENGO
chancery: (temporary) 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY
10017
telephone: [1] (212) 687-9766, 9767
FAX: [1] (212) 922-9177
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carl Burton STOKES
embassy: 4th Floor, Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe
mailing address: Box 148, Victoria; Unit 62501, APO AE 09815-2501
telephone: [248] 225256
FAX: [248] 225189
Flag: five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white,
and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Since independence in 1976, per capita output
has grown to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level, led
by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force
and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings. In recent
years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to
upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government
has moved to reduce the high dependence on tourism by promoting the
development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. The
vulnerability of the tourist sector was illustrated by the sharp
drop in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war. Although the industry
has rebounded, the government recognizes the continuing need for
upgrading the sector in the face of stiff international competition.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $430 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -2% (1993 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 27,700 (1985)
by occupation: industry and commerce 31%, services 21%, government
20%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 12%, other 16% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 9% (1987)
Budget:
revenues: $227.4 million
expenditures: $263 million, including capital expenditures of $54
million (1993 est.)
Industries: tourism, processing of coconut and vanilla, fishing,
coir (coconut fiber) rope factory, boat building, printing,
furniture, beverage
Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1992)
Electricity:
capacity: 30,000 kW
production: 110 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,399 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava
(tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; expansion of tuna fishing
under way
Exports: $50 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products
(re-exports)
partners: France 43%, UK 22%, Reunion 11%, (1992)
Imports: $261 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: manufactured goods, food, petroleum products, tobacco,
beverages, machinery and transportation equipment
partners: Singapore 16%, Bahrain 16%, South Africa, 14%, UK 13%
(1992)
External debt: $181 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Seychelles rupee (SRe) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1 - 4.9257 (January
1996), 4.7620 (1995), 5.0559 (1994), 5.1815 (1993), 5.1220 (1992),
5.2893 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 269 km
paved: 187 km
unpaved: 82 km (1988 est.)
Ports: Victoria
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 14
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with paved runways under 914 m: 6
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 8,300 (1982 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands in the
archipelago
international: direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent
island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth
station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 34,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 8,200 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, Presidential
Protection Unit, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 21,547
males fit for military service: 10,883 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Sierra Leone
------------
Map
---
Location: 8 30 N, 11 30 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top),
white, and light blue
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Guinea and Liberia
Geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 71,740 sq km
land area: 71,620 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 958 km
border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to
December); winter dry season (December to April)
Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country,
upland plateau, mountains in east
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore,
gold, chromite
Land use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 31%
forest and woodland: 29%
other: 13%
Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: rapid population growth pressuring the environment;
overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and
slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil
exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing
natural hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the
Sahara (November to May); sandstorms, dust storms
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Whaling; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Environmental Modification
People
------
Population: 4,793,121 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 1,057,824; female 1,092,291)
15-64 years: 52% (male 1,197,547; female 1,298,834)
65 years and over: 3% (male 75,066; female 71,559) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 4.14% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 47.13 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 18.24 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 12.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 135.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.47 years
male: 44.56 years
female: 50.47 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.36 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Sierra Leonean(s)
adjective: Sierra Leonean
Ethnic divisions: 13 native African tribes 99% (Temne 30%, Mende
30%, other 39%), Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1%
Religions: Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literate
minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne
(principal vernacular in the north), Krio (the language of the
re-settled ex-slave population of the Freetown area and is lingua
franca)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in English, Mende,
Temne, or Arabic (1995 est.)
total population: 31.4%
male: 45.4%
female: 18.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form: Sierra Leone
Data code: SL
Type of government: constitutional democracy
Capital: Freetown
Administrative divisions: 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern,
Northern, Southern, Western*
Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK)
National holiday: Republic Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution: 1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times
Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous
to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH
(inaugurated 29 March 1996); election held 26-27 February 1996 (next
to be held NA 2000)
cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the
approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible
to the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Representatives: elections last held NA February 1996 (next
to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats (80
total, 68 elected, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate
elections) SLPP 27, UNPP 17, PDP 12, APC 5, NUP 4, DCP 3; note -
first elections since the former House of Representatives was shut
down by the military coup of 29 April 1992
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: 15 parties registered for the
February 1996 elections; National Peoples Party (NPP), Andrew TURAY;
Democratic Center Party (DCP), Abu KOROMA; Peoples Progressive Party
(PPP), Edward KAMARA, chairman; Coalition for Progress Party (CPP),
Geredine WILLIAMS-SARHO; National Unity Movement (NUM); United
National Peoples Party (UNPP); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Thaimu BANGURA, chairman; All Peoples Congress (APC), S. A. T.
KOROMA, chairman; National Republican Party (NRP); Social Democratic
Party (SDP); Peoples National Convention (PNC), I. B. KARGBO,
chairman; National Unity Party (NUP), A. O. D. GEORGE, chairman;
Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Paul DUNBAR, chairman; National
Democratic Alliance (NDA); National Alliance for Democracy Party
(NADP)
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,
IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: (vacant)
chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John L. HIRSCH
embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485
FAX: [232] (22) 225471
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white,
and light blue
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Sierra Leone has substantial mineral,
agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and
social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social
disorders continue to push down production, exports, and the value
of the leone. Agriculture employs about two-thirds of the working
population, with subsistence agriculture dominating the sector.
Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and
of light manufacturing for the domestic market. The mining of
diamonds, bauxite, and rutile is the major source of hard currency.
The government has worked hard to meet its IMF- and World
Bank-mandated stabilization targets, holding down fiscal deficits,
and retiring much of its domestic debt - but at a steep cost in
terms of forgone capital investments and social spending. Moreover,
the economic infrastructure has nearly collapsed due to neglect and
war-related disruptions in the mining and agricultural export
sectors. The continuing civil war in Liberia has led to a large
influx of refugees, who place additional burdens on Sierra Leone's
fragile economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.4 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -4% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $960 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 40%
industry: 17%
services: 43% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 24% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1.369 million (1981 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981
est.)
note: only about 65,000 wage earners (1985)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $75 million
expenditures: $128 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95 est.)
Industries: mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile); small-scale
manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum
refining
Industrial production growth rate: $NA
Electricity:
capacity: 130,000 kW
production: 220 million kWh
consumption per capita: 44 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts;
poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish catch was 65,000 metric tons in
1994
Exports: $115 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: rutile 51%, bauxite 20%, diamonds 16%, coffee 6%, cocoa
7%, fish (1989)
partners: US, UK, Belgium, Germany, other Western Europe
Imports: $150 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: foodstuffs 38%, machinery and equipment 44%, fuels and
lubricants 18% (1989)
partners: US, EU countries, Japan, China, Nigeria
External debt: $1.4 billion (yearend 1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 leone (Le) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: leones (Le) per US$1 - 951.63 (January 1996),
755.22 (1995), 586.74 (1994), 567.46 (1993), 499.44 (1992), 295.34
(1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 84 km used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa is
closed
narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 11,674 km
paved: 1,284 km
unpaved: 10,390 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round
Ports: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 17,526 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: marginal telephone and telegraph service
domestic: national microwave radio relay system made unserviceable
by military activities
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 980,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Police, Security Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,019,093
males fit for military service: 494,451 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 2.6%
of GDP (FY92/93)
======================================================================
@Singapore
---------
Map
---
Location: 1 22 N, 103 48 E -- Southeastern Asia, islands between
Malaysia and Indonesia
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white;
near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white
crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially
enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 632.6 sq km
land area: 622.6 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as
defined in treaties and practice
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: two islands in dispute with Malaysia
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry
seasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in
April)
Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water
catchment area and nature preserve
lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 5%
other: 84%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water
resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change
Geographic note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
People
------
Population: 3,396,924 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 379,076; female 358,739)
15-64 years: 72% (male 1,220,131; female 1,219,412)
65 years and over: 6% (male 97,882; female 121,684) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.9% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 7.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.13 years
male: 75.07 years
female: 81.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Singaporean(s)
adjective: Singapore
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other
2.3%
Religions: Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu,
Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist
Languages: Chinese (official), Malay (official and national),
Tamil (official), English (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 91.1%
male: 95.9%
female: 86.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Singapore
conventional short form: Singapore
Data code: SN
Type of government: republic within Commonwealth
Capital: Singapore
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)
National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution: 3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependence
State of Singapore Constitution)
Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President ONG Teng Cheong (since 1 September 1993)
was elected for a six-year term by popular vote; election last held
28 August 1993 (next to be held NA August 1999); results - ONG Teng
Cheong was elected with 59% of the vote in the country's first
popular election for president
head of government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November
1990) and Deputy Prime Ministers LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November
1990) and Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 August 1995) were appointed by
the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president, responsible to
Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 31 August 1991 (next to be held by
31 August 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81
total) PAP 77, SDP 3, WP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is appointed by the
president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are
appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice
Political parties and leaders:
government: People's Action Party (PAP), GOH Chok Tong, secretary
general
opposition: Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), CHEE Soon Juan;
Workers' Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; National Solidarity Party
(NSP), leader NA; Barisan Sosialis (BS, Socialist Front), leader NA;
Singapore People's Party (SPP), SIN Kek Tong
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C,
CCC, CP, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,
Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNIKOM, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sellapan Rama NATHAN
chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100
FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Timothy A. CHORBA
embassy: 30 Hill Street, Singapore 0617
mailing address: FPO AP 96534
telephone: [65] 3380251
FAX: [65] 3384550
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the
hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent
(closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five
white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy
with strong service and manufacturing sectors and excellent
international trading links derived from its entrepot history. The
economy registered 8.9% growth in 1995, with prospects for 7%-8%
growth in 1996. In 1995, the manufacturing and financial and
business services sectors led economic growth. Rising labor costs
continue to be a threat to Singapore's competitiveness, and the
government's strategy to address this problem includes increasing
productivity, improving infrastructure, and encouraging higher
value-added industries. In applied technology, per capita output,
investment, and labor discipline, Singapore has key attributes of a
developed country.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $66.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 8.9% (1995)
GDP per capita: $22,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NEGL%
industry: 28%
services: 72%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1995)
Labor force: 1.649 million (1994)
by occupation: financial, business, and other services 33.5%,
manufacturing 25.6%, commerce 22.9%, construction 6.6%, other 11.4%
(1994)
Unemployment rate: 2.6% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $17.3 billion
expenditures: $12.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.5
billion (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: petroleum refining, electronics, oil drilling
equipment, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and
beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, financial services,
biotechnology
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 4,510,000 kW
production: 17 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 5,590 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables; poultry
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to
the US, Western Europe, and the Third World; also a money-laundering
center
Exports: $119.6 billion (1995)
commodities: computer equipment, rubber and rubber products,
petroleum products, telecommunications equipment
partners: Malaysia 20%, US 19%, Hong Kong 9%, Japan 7%, Thailand 6%
(1994)
Imports: $125.9 billion (1995)
commodities: aircraft, petroleum, chemicals, foodstuffs
partners: Japan 22%, Malaysia 16%, US 15%, Taiwan 4%, Saudi Arabia
4% (1994)
External debt: $3.2 million (1994)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 - 1.4214 (January
1996), 1.4174 (1995), 1.5274 (1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992),
1.7276 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 38.6 km
narrow gauge: 38.6 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 2,989 km
paved: 2,905 km (including 111.6 km of expressways)
unpaved: 84 km (1994 est.)
Ports: Singapore
Merchant marine:
total: 646 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,915,788
GRT/20,292,580 DWT
ships by type: bulk 110, cargo 118, chemical tanker 18, combination
bulk 3, combination ore/oil 8, container 92, liquefied gas tanker
13, multifunction large-load carrier 4, oil tanker 234, refrigerated
cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea passenger 1,
specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 24
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 22
countries among which are Japan 39, Hong Kong 27, Denmark 24,
Germany 20, Sweden 14, Thailand 14, Belgium 12, Norway 9, Indonesia
7, and US 7 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 8
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.23 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: good domestic facilities; good international
service
domestic: NA
international: submarine cables to Malaysia (Sabah and Peninsular
Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations
- 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat
(Pacific Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 1.05 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police
Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,025,300
males fit for military service: 752,382 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.9 billion,
4.3% of GDP (1995 est.)
======================================================================
@Slovakia
--------
Map
---
Location: 48 40 N, 19 30 E -- Central Europe, south of Poland
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue,
and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on
the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red
and blue
Geography
---------
Location: Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 48,845 sq km
land area: 48,800 sq km
comparative area: about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total: 1,355 km
border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515
km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary;
unresolved property issues with Czech Republic over redistribution
of former Czechoslovak federal property
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and
lowlands in the south
lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m
highest point: Gerlachovka 2,655 m
Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron
ore, copper and manganese ore; salt
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants presents
human health risks; acid rain damaging forests
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed,
but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 5,374,362 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 605,379; female 579,232)
15-64 years: 67% (male 1,777,100; female 1,812,555)
65 years and over: 11% (male 234,377; female 365,719) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.34% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.62 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.35 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.01 years
male: 69.01 years
female: 77.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Slovak(s)
adjective: Slovak
Ethnic divisions: Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.7%, Gypsy 1.5% (the
1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which
could reach 500,000 or more), Czech 1%, Ruthenian 0.3%, Ukrainian
0.3%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%,
Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%
Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Slovak Republic
conventional short form: Slovakia
local long form: Slovenska Republika
local short form: Slovensko
Data code: LO
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Bratislava
Administrative divisions: 4 departments (kraje, singular - kraj)
Bratislava, Zapadoslovensky, Stredoslovensky, Vychodoslovensky
Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)
National holiday: Slovak Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Constitution: ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January
1993
Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to
comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal
theory
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Michal KOVAC (since 8 February 1993) was
elected for a five-year term by the National Parliament; election
last held 8 February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998)
head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir MECIAR (since 12
December 1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president on recommendation of
the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Parliament (Narodni Rada): elections last held 30
September-1 October 1994 (next to be held by October 1998); results
- HZDS 35%, SDL 10.4%, Hungarian coalition (Hungarian Christian
Democrats, Hungarian Civic Party, Coexistence) 10.2%, KDH 10.1%, DU
8.6%, ZRS 7.3%, SNS 5.4%; seats - (150 total) governing coalition 83
(HZDS 61, ZRS 13, SNS 9), opposition 67 (SDL 18, Hungarian coalition
17, KDH 17, DU 15)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the National
Parliament
Political parties and leaders: Movement for a Democratic Slovakia
(HZDS), Vladimir MECIAR, chairman; Common Choice/Party of the
Democratic Left (SDL), Peter WEISS, chairman; Hungarian Christian
Democrats, Vojtech BUGAR; Hungarian Civic Party; Coexistence, Miklos
DURAY, chairman; Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), Jan
CARNOGURSKY; Democratic Union (DU), Jozef MORAVCIK, chairman;
Association of Slovak Workers (ZRS), Jan LUPTAK, chairman; Slovak
National Party (SNS), Jan SLOTA, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Green Party; Social Democratic
Party of Slovakia; Slovak Christian Union
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,
BSEC (observer), CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU
(applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),
IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, NSG, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM
III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner),
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Branislav LICHARDUS
chancery: (temporary) Suite 380, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 965-5161
FAX: [1] (202) 965-5166
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph JOHNSON
embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [42] (7) 533-0861, 533-3338
FAX: [42] (7) 533-5439
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist
side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Since its separation from the Czech Republic on
1 January 1993, Slovakia has continued the difficult transformation
from a centrally controlled economy to a modern market-oriented
economy. Macroeconomic performance improved steadily in 1994 and
1995 - with 4.8% and 6% growth, respectively. But privatization
progressed only in fits and starts. Strong export performance
boosted growth in both years, with consumption and investment
rebounding. Unemployment fell to 12.8% in November 1995, the lowest
level since mid-1993, and inflation dropped from 26% in 1993 to 7.5%
in 1995. The federal government deficit fell from 7% of GDP in 1993
to less than 2% in 1994-95, as growth boosted revenues. Positive
international financial performance led Standard & Poor's to raise
its rating of the National Bank of Slovakia's foreign currency debt
to just one step below investment grade. The trade and current
accounts are both in surplus, and foreign currency reserves held by
the central bank have climbed to $3.5 billion. Foreign debt of $4.6
billion - about the same as Romania's - is the lowest in Central and
Eastern Europe and the second lowest per capita. Bratislava made the
Slovak crown convertible for current account transactions on 1
October 1995. Slovakia continued to have difficulty attracting
foreign investment, however, because of perceived political
uncertainty and vacillations in privatization policy. The government
as well as the OECD projects 5% growth in 1996 and 1997.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $39 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.7%
industry: 47.6%
services: 45.7% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.484 million
by occupation: industry 33.2%, agriculture 12.2%, construction
10.3%, communication and other 44.3% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 13% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $6.1 billion
expenditures: $6.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages;
electricity, gas, coke, oil, and nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade
fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics;
transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus;
rubber products
Industrial production growth rate: 7.8% (January-August 1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 6,300,000 kW
production: 20.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,609 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; hogs,
cattle, poultry; forest products
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
bound for Western Europe
Exports: $8.8 billion (f.o.b., January-November 1995)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment; chemicals; fuels,
minerals, and metals; agricultural products
partners: Czech Republic 35.4%, Germany 18.9%, Austria 5.0%, Italy
4.7%, Hungary 4.6%, Poland 4.4%, Russia 3.6%, Ukraine 2.1%, France
2.0%, Netherlands 1.7% (January-October 1995)
Imports: $8.7 billion (f.o.b., January-November 1995)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment; fuels and
lubricants; manufactured goods; raw materials; chemicals;
agricultural products
partners: Czech Republic 28.1%, Russia 16.8%, Germany 14.3%, Austria
5.2%, Italy 4.5%, Poland 2.9%, US 2.3%, France 2.3%, Hungary 2.2%,
Netherlands 1.7%, Ukraine 1.5% (January-October 1995)
External debt: $4.6 billion hard currency indebtedness (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $104 million (1993)
Currency: 1 koruna (Sk) = 100 halierov
Exchange rates: koruny (Sk) per US$1 - 29.587 (August 1995),
29.447 (November 1994), 32.045 (1994), 30.770 (1993), 28.26 (1992),
29.53 (1991); note - values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak
exchange rate
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,660 km
broad gauge: 102 km 1.520-m gauge
standard gauge: 3,507 km 1.435-m gauge (1378 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (1995)
Highways:
total: 17,737 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 172 km on the Danube
Pipelines: petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 km
Ports: Bratislava, Komarno
Merchant marine:
total: 4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,010 GRT/22,039
DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 37
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 4
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 11 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,362,178 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there
is 1 station of NA type
Radios: 1.1 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 1.6 million (1994 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense,
Railroad Units
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,442,321
males fit for military service: 1,104,901
males reach military age (18) annually: 48,695 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $430 million,
3.0% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Slovenia
--------
Map
---
Location: 46 00 N, 15 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the
Adriatic Sea, between Croatia and Italy
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue,
and red with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav
in white against a blue background at the center, beneath it are two
wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and around it, there are
three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is
located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white
and blue bands
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between
Croatia and Italy
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 20,256 sq km
land area: 20,256 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,207 km
border countries: Austria 324 km, Croatia 546 km, Italy 235 km,
Hungary 102 km
Coastline: 46.6 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: maritime border dispute with Croatia over
direct access to the sea in the Adriatic; the border issue is
currently under negotiation
Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate
with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and
valleys to the east
Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain
region adjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous
rivers to the east
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium,
silver
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 45%
other: 23%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial
waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic
chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating
at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain
natural hazards: flooding and earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Climate Change,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 1,951,443 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 172,778; female 163,695)
15-64 years: 70% (male 682,501; female 678,781)
65 years and over: 13% (male 91,819; female 161,869) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.27% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 8.27 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.4 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.09 years
male: 71.4 years
female: 79 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.13 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Slovene(s)
adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic divisions: Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other
3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 96% (including 2% Uniate), Muslim 1%,
other 3%
Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 7%, other 2%
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia
conventional short form: Slovenia
local long form: Republika Slovenije
local short form: Slovenija
Data code: SI
Type of government: emerging democracy
Capital: Ljubljana
Administrative divisions: 60 provinces (pokajine, singular -
pokajina) Ajdovscina, Brezice, Celje, Cerknica, Crnomelj, Dravograd,
Gornja Radgona, Grosuplje, Hrastnik Lasko, Idrija, Ilirska Bistrica,
Izola, Jesenice, Kamnik, Kocevje, Koper, Kranj, Krsko, Lenart,
Lendava, Litija, Ljubljana-Bezigrad, Ljubljana-Center,
Ljubljana-Moste-Polje, Ljubljana-Siska, Ljubljana-Vic-Rudnik,
Ljutomer, Logatec, Maribor, Metlika, Mozirje, Murska Sobota, Nova
Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ormoz, Pesnica, Piran, Postojna, Ptuj, Radlje Ob
Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne Na Koroskem, Ribnica, Ruse, Sentjur Pri
Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skofja Loka, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenska
Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje Pri Jelsah, Tolmin, Trbovlje,
Trebnje, Trzic, Velenje, Vrhnika, Zagorje Ob Savi, Zalec
Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: National Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution: adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990) was
reelected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 6 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - Milan
KUCAN reelected
head of government: Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May
1992) was nominated by the president and elected by the National
Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers was nominated by the prime minister
and elected by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral; advisory National Council
National Assembly: elections last held 6 December 1992 (next to be
held Fall 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (90
total) LDS 22, SKD 15, ZLSD 14, SNS 12, SLS 10, DSS 6, ZS 5, SDSS 4,
Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1; note - seating as of
January 1996 is as follows: LDS 30, SKD 15, ZLSD 14, SLS 12, DSS 4,
SDSS 4, SNS 4, SND 3, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1,
independents 2
National Council: the Council is an advisory body with no direct
legislative powers; in the election of 6 December 1992, 40 members
were elected to represent local, professional, and socioeconomic
interests (next election to be held NA Fall 1996)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the National
Assembly on recommendation of the Judicial Council; Constitutional
Court, judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly
and nominated by the president
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democratic (LDS), Janez
DRNOVSEK, chairman; Slovene Christian Democrats (SKD), Lozje
PETERLE, chairman; Social Democratic Party of Slovenia (SDSS), Janez
JANSA, chairman; Slovene People's Party (SLS), Marjan PODOBNIK,
chairman; United List (former Communists and allies - ZLSD), Janez
KOCIJANCIC, chairman; Slovene National Party (SNS), Zmago JELINCIC,
chairman; Democratic Party (DSS), Tone PERSAK, chairman; Greens of
Slovenia (ZS), Dusan PLUT, chairman, note - Greens merged with the
LDS; Slovene National Right (SND), Saso LAP, chairman
note: parties have changed as of the December 1992 elections
Other political or pressure groups: none
International organization participation: CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE,
FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO,
ITU, NACC, NAM (guest), OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ernest PETRIC
chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363
FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Victor JACKOVICH
embassy: address NA, Ljubljana
mailing address: P.O. Box 254, Prazakova 4, 61000 Ljubljana;
American Embassy, Ljubljana, Department of State, Washington, DC
20521-7140
telephone: [386] (61) 301-427, 472, 485
FAX: [386] (61) 301-401
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white
against a blue background at the center, beneath it are two wavy
blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and around it, there are three
six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is
located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white
and blue bands
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Slovenia appears to be making a solid economic
recovery, fulfilling the promise it showed at the time of
Yugoslavia's breakup. Its per capita GDP is now the highest in
Central and Eastern Europe and not far below the levels in the
poorer West European countries. Slovenia has benefited from strong
ties to Western Europe and suffered comparatively small physical
damage during Yugoslavia's breakup. The beginning was difficult,
however. Real GDP fell 15% in 1991-92, while inflation soared to
200% in 1992 and unemployment reached 9%. The turning point came in
1993, when real GDP grew 1%, unemployment leveled off, and inflation
slowed dramatically. In 1994, real GDP rose 5.5%, tapering off to an
estimated 4.8% in 1995, while inflation and unemployment both were
down to about 8% by late 1995. The government gets good marks from
foreign observers for fiscal policy - the budget deficit has not
exceeded 1% of GDP in any year since 1991, and the current account
balance has remained in surplus throughout the transition period,
with the exception of 1995. The Slovene privatization program, which
began in 1994, involves about 1,400 firms, but only 412 have been
privatized. The rest are expected to reach private hands by
end-1996, but that does not include firms in so-called strategic
industries, such as telecommunications and energy. Foreign
investment jumped to an estimated $150 million in 1995 from $83.7
million in 1994. With inflation and unemployment expected to
continue edging down, the outlook for 1996 is generally good. A
slowdown in Western Europe - which buys 70% of Slovenia's exports -
could hurt exports, however, lowering GDP growth to about 4% and
perhaps pushing the current account into a small deficit.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $22.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $11,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.3%
industry: 39.9%
services: 54.8% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (December 1995 est.)
Labor force: 786,036
by occupation: agriculture 2%, manufacturing and mining 46%
Unemployment rate: 8% (December 1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $6.6 billion
expenditures: $6.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993)
Industries: ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminum
reduction and rolled products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics
(including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment,
wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,700,000 kW
production: 8.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 4,470 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes;
cattle, sheep, poultry
Illicit drugs: transit point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for
Western Europe
Exports: $8.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 27%, intermediate
manufactured goods 26%, chemicals 9%, food 4.8%, raw materials 3%,
consumer goods 26% (1993)
partners: Germany 30.9%, former Yugoslavia 14.0%, Italy 14.1%,
France 8.9%, Austria 6.4%, CEFTA (Central European Free Trade
Agreement) countries 5% (January-August 1995 est.)
Imports: $9.1 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 30%, intermediate
manufactured goods 17.6%, chemicals 11.5%, raw materials 5.3%, fuels
and lubricants 10.8%, food 8.4% (1993)
partners: Germany 23.3%, Italy 16.8%, former Yugoslavia 7.0%, France
8.5%, Austria 9.7% (January-August 1995 est.)
External debt: $2.9 billion (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $5 million (1993)
Currency: 1 tolar (SlT) = 100 stotins
Exchange rates: tolars (SlT) per US$1 - 121.27 (November 1995),
118.9 (1995), 128.81 (1994), 113.24 (1993), 81.29 (1992), 27.57
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,201 km
standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 499 km) (1994)
Highways:
total: 14,794 km
paved: 13,314 km (including 187 km of expressways)
unpaved: 1,480 km (1994 est.)
Waterways: NA
Pipelines: crude oil 290 km; natural gas 305 km
Ports: Izola, Koper, Piran
Merchant marine:
total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 229,727 GRT/290,456 DWT
(controlled by Slovenian owners)
ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 1, container 4
note: ships operate under the flags of Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines, Singapore, Liberia, and Antigua and Barbuda; no ships
remain under the Slovenian flag (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 14
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 5
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 527,800 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 0
note: there are more than 20 regional and local radio broadcast
stations
Radios: 596,100 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 7
note: there are more than 20 local cable television broadcast
stations
Televisions: 454,400 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Slovene Defense Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 525,925
males fit for military service: 419,456
males reach military age (19) annually: 15,350 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 13.5 billion tolars, 3.6% of GDP (1995
est.); note - conversion of the military budget into US dollars
using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Solomon Islands
---------------
Map
---
Location: 8 00 S, 159 00 E -- Oceania, group of islands in the
South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea
Flag
----
Description: divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the
lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue
with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the
lower triangle is green
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
east of Papua New Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 159 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 28,450 sq km
land area: 27,540 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 5,313 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead,
zinc, nickel
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 93%
other: 4%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; much of the surrounding
coral reefs are dead or dying
natural hazards: typhoons, but they are rarely destructive;
geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic
activity
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 412,902 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 96,241; female 92,722)
15-64 years: 51% (male 107,482; female 104,293)
65 years and over: 3% (male 6,129; female 6,035) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.35% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 37.91 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.41 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 25.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.14 years
male: 68.67 years
female: 73.74 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.43 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Solomon Islander(s)
adjective: Solomon Islander
Ethnic divisions: Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%,
European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%
Religions: Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United
(Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, other
Protestant 5%, traditional beliefs 4%
Languages: Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua
franca, English spoken by 1%-2% of population
note: 120 indigenous languages
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Solomon Islands
former: British Solomon Islands
Data code: BP
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Honiara
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 town*; Central,
Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Temotu, Western
note: there may be two new provinces of Choiseul (Lauru) and
Rennell/Bellona and the administrative unit of Honiara may have been
abolished
Independence: 7 July 1978 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Constitution: 7 July 1978
Legal system: common law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Moses PITAKAKA
(since 10 June 1994) who was appointed for up to five years by the
queen on the advice of Parliament
head of government: Prime Minister Solomon MAMALONI (since 7
November 1994) was elected by and from Parliament; Deputy Prime
Minister Danny PHILIP (since NA October 1995) was appointed by the
governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the advice
of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Parliament: elections last held 26 May 1993 (next to be
held NA 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47
total) GNUR 21, PAP 7, NAPSI 5, SILP 4, UP 4, independents 6
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: National Unity and Reconciliation
Group (GNUR), Solomon MAMALONI; People's Alliance Party (PAP);
National Action Party (NAPSI), leader NA; Solomon Islands Labor
Party (SILP), leader NA; United Party (UP), leader NA; Nationalist
Front for Progress (NFP), Andrew NORI; Labor Party (LP), Joses
TUHANUKU; Christian Fellowship, leader NA
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: Solomon Islands do not have an
embassy in the US; the ambassador to the US traditionally resides in
Honiara (Solomon Islands)
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua
New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands
Flag: divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower
hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five
white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower
triangle is green
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The bulk of the population depend on
subsistence agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of
their livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products
must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral
resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. The government of
the Solomon Islands is nearing financial insolvency. In mid-1995 the
central bank suspended interest and principal payments on government
bonds and treasury bills held by financial institutions and the
general public. The government has taken no steps to restrain
expenditure or address the deficit, which is expected to be
considerably higher than the $20 million forecasted in the 1996
budget.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1992 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 8% (1992 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,590 (1992 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13% (1994)
Labor force: 26,842
by occupation: services 41.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing
23.7%, commerce, transport, and finance 21.7%, construction,
manufacturing, and mining 13.1% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $81.3 million
expenditures: $101.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: copra, fish (tuna)
Industrial production growth rate: -3.8% (1991 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 21,000 kW
production: 30 million kWh
consumption per capita: 80 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cocoa, beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes,
vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish
Exports: $94 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: fish 46%, timber 31%, palm oil 5%, cocoa, copra
partners: Japan 39%, UK 23%, Thailand 9%, Australia 5%, US 2% (1991)
Imports: $101 million (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: plant and machinery, manufactured goods, food and live
animals, fuel
partners: Australia 34%, Japan 16%, Singapore 14%, NZ 9%
External debt: $128 million (1988 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Solomon Islands dollars (SI$) per US$1 - 3.3713
(2d quarter 1995), 3.2914 (1994), 3.1877 (1993), 2.9281 (1992),
2.7148 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,300 km
paved: 30 km
unpaved: 1,270 km
note: in addition, there are 800 km of private logging and
plantation roads of varied surface (1982 est.)
Ports: Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor, Yandina
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 30
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 18
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 5,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 38,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: no regular military forces; Solomon Islands National
Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force; Royal Solomon Islands Police
(RSIP)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Somalia
-------
Map
---
Location: 10 00 N, 49 00 E -- Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf
of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
Flag
----
Description: light blue with a large white five-pointed star in
the center; design based on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland
was a UN trust territory)
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the
Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 49 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 637,660 sq km
land area: 627,340 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 2,366 km
border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,626 km, Kenya 682 km
Coastline: 3,025 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: southern half of boundary with Ethiopia is
a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Ethiopia
over the Ogaden
Climate: principally desert; December to February - northeast
monsoon, moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May
to October - southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the
south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili)
between monsoons
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Shimbiris 2,450 m
Natural resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves of
iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 46%
forest and woodland: 14%
other: 38%
Irrigated land: 1,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: famine; use of contaminated water contributes to
human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;
desertification
natural hazards: recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over
eastern plains in summer
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Law of the
Sea; signed, but not ratified - Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: strategic location on Horn of Africa along
southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and
Suez Canal
People
------
Population: 9,639,151 (July 1996 est.)
note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in
1987 by the Somali Government with the cooperation of the UN and the
US Bureau of the Census; population estimates are updated year by
year between census years by factoring growth rates into them, and
by taking account of refugee movements, and of losses due to famine;
lower estimates of Somalia's population in mid-1996 (on the order of
6.0 to 6.5 million) have been made by aid and relief agencies, based
on the number of persons being fed; population counting in Somalia
is complicated by the large numbers of nomads and by refugee
movements in response to famine and clan warfare
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 2,143,775; female 2,139,104)
15-64 years: 52% (male 2,609,911; female 2,387,620)
65 years and over: 4% (male 182,991; female 175,750) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.1% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.17 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.22 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 121.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.49 years
male: 55.18 years
female: 55.8 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.01 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Somali(s)
adjective: Somali
Ethnic divisions: Somali 85%, Bantu, Arabs 30,000
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 24%
male: 36%
female: 14%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Somalia
former: Somali Republic
Data code: SO
Type of government: none
Capital: Mogadishu
Administrative divisions: 18 regions (plural - NA, singular -
gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo,
Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag,
Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed
Independence: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland,
which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian
Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered
UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September
1979
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: Somalia has no functioning government; the
United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the regime of Major General
Mohamed SIAD Barre on 27 January 1991; the present political
situation is one of anarchy, marked by interclan fighting and random
banditry
Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly
People's Assembly (Golaha Shacbiga): not functioning
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (not functioning)
Political parties and leaders: the United Somali Congress (USC)
ousted the former regime on 27 January 1991; formerly the only party
was the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP), headed by
former President and Commander in Chief of the Army Major General
Mohamed SIAD Barre
Other political or pressure groups: numerous clan and subclan
factions are currently vying for power
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US: Somalia does not have an embassy
in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991)
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi
at Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue; mail address: P. O. Box
30137, Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (2)
334141; FAX [254] (2) 340838
Flag: light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the
center; design based on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a
UN trust territory)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: One of the world's poorest and least developed
countries, Somalia has few resources. Moreover, much of the economy
has been devastated by the civil war. Agriculture is the most
important sector, with livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and
about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and seminomads, who are
dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large
portion of the population. Crop production generates only 10% of GDP
and employs about 20% of the work force. The main export crop is
bananas; sugar, sorghum, and corn are grown for the domestic market.
The small industrial sector is based on the processing of
agricultural products and accounts for less than 10% of GDP; most
facilities have been shut down because of the civil strife. The
greatly increased political turmoil of 1991-93 resulted in a
substantial drop in agricultural output, with widespread famine. In
1994 economic conditions stabilized in the countryside, followed in
1995 by slight improvements. However, ongoing civil strife in
Mogadishu and outlying areas is interfering with any substantial
recovery.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA
Labor force: 3.7 million (very few are skilled laborers)(1993 est.)
by occupation: agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry
and services 29%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: a few small industries, including sugar refining,
textiles, petroleum refining (mostly shut down)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 75,000 kW prior to the civil war, but now largely shut
down due to war damage; some localities operate their own generating
plants, providing limited municipal power; note - UN and relief
organizations use their own portable power systems
production: NA kWh
consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture: bananas, sorghum, corn, mangoes, sugarcane; cattle,
sheep, goats; fishing potential largely unexploited
Exports: $100 million (1995 est.)
commodities: bananas, live animals, fish, hides
partners: Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states, Italy, US (bananas)
Imports: $249 million (1990 est.)
commodities: petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials
partners: US 13%, Italy, FRG, Kenya, UK, Saudi Arabia (1986)
External debt: $1.9 billion (1989)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Somali shilling (So. Sh.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Somali shillings (So. Sh.) per US$1 -
approximately 7,000 (January 1996), 5,000 (1 January 1995), 2,616 (1
July 1993), 4,200 (December 1992), 3,800.00 (December 1990), 490.7
(1989),
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 22,500 km
paved: 2,700 km
unpaved: 19,800 km (1992 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 15 km
Ports: Bender Cassim (Boosaaso), Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo),
Merca, Mogadishu
Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,529 GRT/6,892 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 52
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 6
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 15
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 20 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 9,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: the public telecommunications system was
completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; all
relief organizations depend on their own private systems
domestic: recently, local cellular telephone systems have been
established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
international: international connections are available from
Mogadishu by satellite
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA (there are at
least five radio broadcast stations of NA type)
Radios: 350,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (Somalia's only TV station was
demolished during the civil strife, sometime in 1991)
Televisions: 113,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: NA; note - no functioning central government military
forces; clan militias continue to battle for control of key economic
or political prizes
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,333,994
males fit for military service: 1,301,954 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@South Africa
------------
Map
---
Location: 29 00 S, 24 00 E -- Southern Africa, at the southern tip
of the continent of Africa
Flag
----
Description: two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and
blue separated by a central green band which splits into a
horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist
side, embracing a black isoceles triangle from which the arms are
separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are
separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of
Africa
Geographic coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1,219,912 sq km
land area: 1,219,912 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince
Edward Island)
Land boundaries:
total: 4,750 km
border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491
km, Namibia 855 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km
Coastline: 2,798 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Swaziland has asked South Africa to open
negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African
territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long
ago part of the Swazi Kingdom
Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny
days, cool nights
Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow
coastal plain
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m
Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore,
manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum,
copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 65%
forest and woodland: 3%
other: 21%
Irrigated land: 11,280 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires
extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water
usage threatens to outpace supply; pollution of rivers from
agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in
acid rain; soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards: prolonged droughts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Climate Change, Desertification, Law of
the Sea
Geographic note: South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and
almost completely surrounds Swaziland
People
------
Population: 41,743,459 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 7,578,639; female 7,428,123)
15-64 years: 60% (male 12,356,753; female 12,516,467)
65 years and over: 4% (male 744,806; female 1,118,671) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.76% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 27.91 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.32 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 48.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 59.47 years
male: 57.21 years
female: 61.8 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.43 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: South African(s)
adjective: South African
Ethnic divisions: black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian
2.6%
Religions: Christian (most whites and Coloreds and about 60% of
blacks), Hindu (60% of Indians), Muslim 2%
Languages: 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English,
Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 81.8%
male: 81.9%
female: 81.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of South Africa
conventional short form: South Africa
abbreviation: RSA
Data code: SF
Type of government: republic
Capital: Pretoria (administrative); Cape Town (legislative);
Bloemfontein (judicial)
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State,
Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape,
Northern Province, Western Cape
Independence: 31 May 1910 (from UK)
National holiday: Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)
Constitution: 27 April 1994 (interim constitution, replacing the
constitution of 3 September 1984); note - on 8 May 1996, the
Constitutional Assembly voted 421 to two to pass a new constitution
which, after certification by the Constitutional Court, will
gradually go into effect over a three-year period and come into full
force with the next national elections in April 1999
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Nelson MANDELA
(since 10 May 1994); Deputy Executive Presidents Thabo MBEKI (since
10 May 1994) and Frederik W. DE KLERK (since 10 May 1994) were
elected by the National Assembly
note: any political party that wins 20% or more of the National
Assembly votes in a general election is entitled to name a deputy
executive president; moreover, any party that wins 20 or more seats
in the National Assembly is entitled to become a member of the
governing coalition; currently, the ANC, the IFP, and the NP
constitute a Government of National Unity (GNU)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral
National Assembly: elections last held 26-29 April 1994 (next to be
held NA April 1999); results - ANC 62.6%, NP 20.4%, IFP 10.5%, FF
2.2%, DP 1.7%, PAC 1.2%, ACDP 0.5%, other 0.9%; seats - (400 total)
ANC 252, NP 82, IFP 43, FF 9, DP 7, PAC 5, ACDP 2
Senate: the Senate is composed of members who are nominated by the
nine provincial parliaments (which are elected in parallel with the
National Assembly) and has special powers to protect regional
interests, including the right to limited self-determination for
ethnic minorities; seats - (90 total) ANC 61, NP 17, FF 4, IFP 5, DP
3
note: when the National Assembly meets in joint session with the
Senate to consider the provisions of the constitution, the combined
group is referred to as the Constitutional Assembly
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: African National Congress (ANC),
Nelson MANDELA, president; National Party (NP), Frederik W. DE
KLERK, president; Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI,
president; Freedom Front (FF), Constand VILJOEN, president;
Democratic Party (DP), Tony LEON, president; Pan-Africanist Congress
(PAC), Clarence MAKWETU, president; African Christian Democratic
Party (ACDP), Kenneth MESHOE, president
note: in addition to these seven parties which received seats in the
National Assembly, 11 other parties won votes in the national
elections in April 1994
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: BIS, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,
G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM, OAU, SACU,
SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Franklin SONN
chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400
consulate(s) general: Beverly Hills (California), Chicago, and New
York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador James A. JOSEPH
embassy: 877 Pretorius St., Arcadia 0083
mailing address: P.O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001
telephone: [27] (12) 342-1048
FAX: [27] (12) 342-2244
consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg
Flag: two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue
separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y,
the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a
black isoceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow
yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green
band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in
one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white
band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal
horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature
flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State
with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a
horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other
side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Many of the white one-seventh of the South
African population enjoy incomes, material comforts, and health and
educational standards equal to those of Western Europe. In contrast,
most of the remaining population suffers from the poverty patterns
of the Third World, including unemployment and lack of job skills.
The main strength of the economy lies in its rich mineral resources,
which provide two-thirds of exports. Economic developments for the
remainder of the 1990s will be driven largely by the new
government's attempts to improve black living conditions, to set the
country on a steady export-led growth path, and to cut back the
enormous numbers of unemployed. The economy in recent years has
absorbed less than 5% of the more than 300,000 workers entering the
labor force annually. Local economists estimate that the economy
must grow between 5% and 6% in real terms annually to absorb all of
the new entrants, much less reduce the accumulated total.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $215 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.7% (1995)
Labor force: 14.2 million economically active (1996)
by occupation: services 35%, agriculture 30%, industry 20%, mining
9%, other 6%
Unemployment rate: 32.6% (1996 est.); an additional 11%
underemployment
Budget:
revenues: $30.5 billion
expenditures: $38 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.6
billion (FY94/95 est.)
Industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold,
chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile,
iron and steel, chemical, fertilizer, foodstuffs
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 39,750,000 kW
production: 163 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,482 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; cattle,
poultry, sheep, wool, milk, beef
Illicit drugs: transshipment center for heroin and cocaine;
cocaine consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit
methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various
east African countries; illicit cultivation of marijuana
Exports: $27.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: gold 27%, other minerals and metals 20%-25%, food 5%,
chemicals 3% (1994)
partners: Italy, Japan, US, Germany, UK, other EU countries, Hong
Kong
Imports: $27 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: machinery 32%, transport equipment 15%, chemicals 11%,
oil, textiles, scientific instruments (1994)
partners: Germany, US, Japan, UK, Italy
External debt: $22 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: current aid pledges include US $600 million over three years
ending in 1996; UK $150 million over three years; Australia $21
million over three years; Japan $1.3 billion over two years ending
in 1996; EU $833 million over five years
Currency: 1 rand (R) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: rand (R) per US$1 - 3.6417 (January 1996), 3.6266
(1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7563 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 21,431 km
narrow gauge: 20,995 km 1.067-m gauge (9,087 km electrified); 436 km
0.610-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 182,329 km
paved: 55,428 km (including 2,040 km of expressways)
unpaved: 126,901 km (1991 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 931 km; petroleum products 1,748 km; natural
gas 322 km
Ports: Cape Town, Durban, East London, Mosselbaai, Port Elizabeth,
Richards Bay, Saldanha
Merchant marine:
total: 4 container ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 211,276
GRT/198,602 DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 667
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 10
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 44
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 75
with paved runways under 914 m: 221
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 33
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 280 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 5,206,235 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: the system is the best developed, most modern,
and has the highest capacity in Africa
domestic: consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial
cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, and
radiotelephone communication stations; key centers are Bloemfontein,
Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria
international: 1 submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 286, shortwave 0
Radios: 12.1 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 67 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 3.45 million (1990 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: South African National Defense Force (SANDF; includes
Army, Navy, Air Force, and Medical Services), South African Police
Service (SAPS)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 10,686,976
males fit for military service: 6,502,265
males reach military age (18) annually: 424,854 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.9 billion,
2.2% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
--------------------------------------------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 54 30 S, 37 00 W -- Southern South America, islands in
the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the UK is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic
Ocean, east of the tip of South America
Geographic coordinates: 54 30 S, 37 00 W
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:
total area: 4,066 sq km
land area: 4,066 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island
note: includes Shag Rocks, Clerke Rocks, Bird Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: NA km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by
Argentina
Climate: variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year,
interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as
snow
Terrain: most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are
rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has
steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of
volcanic origin with some active volcanoes
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Paget 2,915 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some
sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather
conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship;
they are also subject to active volcanism
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: the north coast of South Georgia has several
large bays, which provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early
in this century, live on South Georgia
People
------
Population: no indigenous population; there is a small military
garrison on South Georgia, and the British Antarctic Survey has a
biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are
uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
conventional short form: none
Data code: SX
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: none; Grytviken on South Georgia is the garrison town
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution: 3 October 1985
Legal system: English common law
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Commissioner
David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992; resident at Stanley,
Falkland Islands)
Legislative branch: no elections
Judicial branch: none
Flag: the flag of the UK is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters.
There is a potential source of income from harvesting fin fish and
krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in
the UK.
Budget:
revenues: $291,777
expenditures: $451,000, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988
est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 900 kW
production: 2 million kWh
consumption per capita: NA kWh (1992)
Transportation
--------------
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Grytviken
Airports: none
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: coastal radiotelephone station at Grytviken
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Spain
-----
Map
---
Location: 40 00 N, 4 00 W -- Southwestern Europe, bordering the
Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, and North Atlantic Ocean,
southwest of France
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double
width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of
the yellow band; the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by
the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar
and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of
Gibraltar
Geography
---------
Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay,
Mediterranean Sea, and North Atlantic Ocean, southwest of France
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 504,750 sq km
land area: 499,400 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Oregon
note: includes Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and five places of
sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco -
Ceuta, Mellila, Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de
Velez de la Gomera
Land boundaries:
total: 1,903.2 km
border countries: Andorra 65 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km,
Portugal 1,214 km
note: excludes the length of the boundary between the places of
sovereignty and Morocco
Coastline: 4,964 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Gibraltar question with UK; Spain controls
five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the
coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which
Morocco contests, as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas,
Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas
Climate: temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate
and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly
cloudy and cool along coast
Terrain: large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged
hills; Pyrenees in north
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico de Teide on Canary Islands 3,718 m
Natural resources: coal, lignite, iron ore, uranium, mercury,
pyrites, fluorspar, gypsum, zinc, lead, tungsten, copper, kaolin,
potash, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 31%
permanent crops: 10%
meadows and pastures: 21%
forest and woodland: 31%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: 33,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage
and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; air
pollution; deforestation; desertification
natural hazards: periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location along approaches to Strait of
Gibraltar
People
------
Population: 39,181,114 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16% (male 3,237,942; female 3,055,881)
15-64 years: 68% (male 13,380,956; female 13,352,582)
65 years and over: 16% (male 2,566,728; female 3,587,025) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.16% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.04 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.86 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.26 years
male: 74.95 years
female: 81.81 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Spaniard(s)
adjective: Spanish
Ethnic divisions: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types
Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other sects 1%
Languages: Castilian Spanish, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1986 est.)
total population: 96%
male: 98%
female: 94%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain
conventional short form: Spain
local short form: Espana
Data code: SP
Type of government: parliamentary monarchy
Capital: Madrid
Administrative divisions: 17 autonomous communities (comunidades
autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon,
Asturias, Canarias, Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon,
Cataluna, Communidad Valencia, Extremadura, Galicia, Islas Baleares,
La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco
note: there are five places of sovereignty on and off the coast of
Morocco (Ceuta, Mellila, Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and
Penon de Velez de la Gomera) with administrative status unknown
Independence: 1492 (expulsion of the Moors and unification)
National holiday: National Day, 12 October
Constitution: 6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978
Legal system: civil law system, with regional applications; does
not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975) is a
hereditary monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria AZNAR (since 5 May
1996) was proposed by the king and voted into office by the National
Assembly on 4 May 1996; AZNAR's Popular Party defeated Felipe
GONZALEZ Marques's Socialist Workers Party in the 3 March 1996
legislative election; Deputy Prime Minister (vacant)
cabinet: Council of Ministers was designated by the prime minister
Council of State: is the supreme consultative organ of the government
Legislative branch: bicameral The General Courts or National
Assembly (Las Cortes Generales)
Senate (Senado): elections last held 3 March 1996 (next to be held
by March 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (256
total) PP 132, PSOE 96, CiU 11, PNV 6, IU 2, others 9
Congress of Deputies (Congreso de los Diputados): elections last
held 3 March 1996 (next to be held by March 2000); results - PP
38.9%, PSOE 37.5%, IU 10.7%, CiU 4.6%; seats - (350 total) PSOE 141,
PP 156, IU 21, CiU 16, other 16
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo)
Political parties and leaders:
principal national parties from right to left: Popular Party (PP),
Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez; Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE),
Felipe GONZALEZ Marquez, secretary general; Spanish Communist Party
(PCE), Julio ANGUITA Gonzalez; United Left (IU - a coalition of
parties including the PCE, a branch of the PSOE, and other small
parties), Julio ANGUITA Gonzalez
chief regional parties: Convergence and Union (CiU), Jordi PUJOL,
secretary general (a coalition of the Democratic Convergence of
Catalonia (CDC), Pere ESTEVE, and the Democratic Union of Catalonia
(UDC), Josep Antoni DURAN LLEIDA); Basque Nationalist Party (PNV),
Xabier ARZALLUS Antia and Jose Antonio ARDANZA; Basque United People
(HB or Herri Batasuna, ETA's political wing), Juan Cruz IDIGORAS;
Canarian Coalition (CC), a coalition of five parties
Other political or pressure groups: on the extreme left, the
Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) and the First of October
Antifascist Resistance Group (GRAPO) use terrorism to oppose the
government; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977); Workers
Confederation (CC.OO); the Socialist General Union of Workers (UGT),
and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union (USO); business
and landowning interests; the Catholic Church; Opus Dei; university
students
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB,
ESA, EU, FAO, G- 8, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MTCR, NACC, NAM
(guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCRO,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL,
WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime De OJEDA Eiseley
chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340
FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard N. GARDNER
embassy: Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid
mailing address: APO AE 09642
telephone: [34] (1) 577-4000, 577-2301
FAX: [34] (1) 577-5735
consulate(s) general: Barcelona
Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width),
and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the
yellow band; the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the
Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and
Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Spain, with a mixed capitalist economy and a
per capita GDP two-thirds that of the four leading economies of
Western Europe, has shared with these countries the recession of the
early 1990s, the gradual upturn of 1994-95, and the ongoing
controversies over the timing and terms of European economic union.
Reduction of the budget deficit - at 5.9% of GDP in 1995 - to meet
the Maastricht monetary convergence criterion of 3% by 1997 remains
the primary goal of Spanish economic policy, but political pressures
had kept the Socialist government from implementing the full range
of reforms necessary to meet this goal. Spain's official
unemployment rate of 23% is the highest in the EU, and the troubled
Socialists had been reluctant to cut social spending. Parliament
rejected the administration's proposed 1996 budget because of
political wrangling - not because of great differences with the
substance of the spending plan - forcing the government to continue
spending at 1995 levels and use piecemeal decrees to raise
consumption taxes to a level consistent with inflation. The
conservative opposition Popular Party, now in power after ending 13
years of Socialist rule in the spring of 1996, has promised to cut
government spending, loosen regulations on financial markets, and
lower taxes to spur job creation. The conservatives have stated
support for Spain's role in the EU but also have cautioned against
harming Spain's economy by moving too quickly to meet the criteria
for monetary union.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $565 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $14,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 33.6%
services: 62.8% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (1995)
Labor force: 11.837 million
by occupation: services 59%, industry 21%, agriculture 11%,
construction 9% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 22.8% (yearend 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $96.8 billion
expenditures: $122.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.7
billion (1994 est.)
Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and
beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding,
automobiles, machine tools, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 7% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 43,800,000 kW
production: 148 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,545 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets,
citrus; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish catch of 1.4
million metric tons is among top 20 nations
Illicit drugs: key European gateway country for Latin American
cocaine and North African hashish entering the European market;
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
Exports: $85 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: cars and trucks, semifinished manufactured goods,
foodstuffs, machinery
partners: EU 68.7%, US 4.9%, other developed countries 7.9% (1994)
Imports: $110 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery, transport equipment, fuels, semifinished
goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals
partners: EU 60.9%, US 7.3%, other developed countries 11.5%, Middle
East 6.2% (1994)
External debt: $90 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $1.213 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 peseta (Pta) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 123.19 (January 1996),
124.69 (1995), 133.96 (1994), 127.26 (1993), 102.38 (1992), 103.91
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 14,343 km
broad gauge: 12,139 km 1.668-m gauge (6,510 km electrified; 2,295 km
double track)
standard gauge: 488 km 1.435-m gauge (488 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,716 km (privately owned: 1,669 km 1.000-m gauge, 489
km electrified; 28 km 0.914-m gauge, 28 km electrified; government
owned: 19 km 1.000-m gauge, all electrified)
Highways:
total: 331,961 km
paved: 328,641 km (including 2,700 km of expressways)
unpaved: 3,320 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 1,045 km, but of minor economic importance
Pipelines: crude oil 265 km; petroleum products 1,794 km; natural
gas 1,666 km
Ports: Aviles, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Cartagena, Castellon de
la Plana, Ceuta, Huelva, La Coruna, Las Palmas (Canary Islands),
Malaga, Melilla, Pasajes, Puerto de Gijon, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
(Canary Islands), Santander, Tarragona, Valencia, Vigo
Merchant marine:
total: 147 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 874,688 GRT/1,391,421
DWT
ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 36, chemical tanker 11, combination
ore/oil 1, container 8, liquefied gas tanker 4, oil tanker 25,
passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 12, roll-on/roll-off cargo 32,
short-sea passenger 6, specialized tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 96
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 15
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 11
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 15
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13
with paved runways under 914 m: 28
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 12.6 million (1990 est.)
Telephone system: generally adequate, modern facilities
domestic: NA
international: 22 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations
- 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat, NA
Inmarsat, and NA Marecs; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 190, FM 406 (repeaters 134),
shortwave 0
Radios: 12 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 100 (repeaters 1,297)
Televisions: 15.7 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Civil Guard, National
Police, Coastal Civil Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 10,360,209
males fit for military service: 8,370,197
males reach military age (20) annually: 341,670 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $6.3 billion,
1.4% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Spratly Islands
---------------
Map
---
Location: 8 38 N, 111 55 E -- Southeastern Asia, group of reefs in
the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern
Vietnam to the southern Philippines
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of reefs in the South China
Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the
southern Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 8 38 N, 111 55 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: NA sq km but less than 5 sq km
land area: less than 5 sq km
comparative area: NA
note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts
scattered over the South China Sea
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 926 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by
China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia
and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive
economic zone, which encompasses Louisa Reef, but has not publicly
claimed the island
Climate: tropical
Terrain: flat
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m
Natural resources: fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas
potential
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of
numerous reefs and shoals
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategically located near several primary
shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous
small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are scattered
garrisons
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Spratly Islands
Data code: PG
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to commercial
fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary
basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the
region is largely unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of
potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.
Industries: none
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: about 50 small islands or reefs are occupied by
China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam
======================================================================
@Sri Lanka
---------
Map
---
Location: 7 00 N, 81 00 E -- Southern Asia, island in the Indian
Ocean, south of India
Flag
----
Description: yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel
has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the
other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding
a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow
field appears as a border that goes around the entire flag and
extends between the two panels
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India
Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 81 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 65,610 sq km
land area: 64,740 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,340 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March);
southwest monsoon (June to October)
Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in
south-central interior
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
Natural resources: limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems,
phosphates, clay
Land use:
arable land: 16%
permanent crops: 17%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 37%
other: 23%
Irrigated land: 5,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations
threatened by poaching; coastal degradation from mining activities
and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by
industrial wastes and sewage runoff
natural hazards: occasional cyclones and tornadoes
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands,
Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Marine Life Conservation
Geographic note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea
lanes
People
------
Population: 18,553,074 (July 1996 est.)
note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and
armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand
Tamil civilians have fled the island; as of late 1992, nearly
115,000 were housed in refugee camps in south India, another 95,000
lived outside the Indian camps, and more than 200,000 Tamils have
sought political asylum in the West
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 2,673,943; female 2,559,569)
15-64 years: 66% (male 6,023,759; female 6,171,964)
65 years and over: 6% (male 553,940; female 569,899) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.13% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.89 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 20.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.35 years
male: 69.77 years
female: 75.06 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.05 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Sri Lankan(s)
adjective: Sri Lankan
Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher,
Malay, and Vedda 1%
Religions: Buddhist 69%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 8%
Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil
(national language) 18%
note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken by about
10% of the population
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 90.2%
male: 93.4%
female: 87.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form: Sri Lanka
former: Ceylon
Data code: CE
Type of government: republic
Capital: Colombo
Administrative divisions: 8 provinces; Central, North Central,
North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
Independence: 4 February 1948 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence and National Day, 4 February (1948)
Constitution: adopted 16 August 1978
Legal system: a highly complex mixture of English common law,
Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Chandrika
Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994) was elected for a
six-year term by popular vote; note - Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE is the
prime minister; in Sri Lanka the president is considered to be both
the chief of state and the head of the government, this is in
contrast to the more common practice of dividing the roles between
the president and the prime minister when both offices exist;
election last held 9 November 1994 (next to be held NA November
2000); results - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (People's
Alliance) 62%, Srima DISSANAYAKE (United National Party) 37%, other
1%
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president in consultation with
the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 16 August 1994 (next to be held by
August 2000); results - PA 49.0%, UNP 44.0%, SLMC 1.8%, TULF 1.7%,
SLPF 1.1%, EPDP 0.3%, UPF 0.3%, PLOTE 0.1%, other 1.7%; seats - (225
total) PA 105, UNP 94, EPDP 9, SLMC 7, TULF 5, PLOTE 3, SLPF 1, UPF 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
Judicial Service Commission
Political parties and leaders: All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC),
C. G. Kumar PONNAMBALAM; Ceylon Workers Congress (CLDC), S.
THONDAMAN; Communist Party, K. P. SILVA; Communist Party/Beijing
(CP/B), N. SHANMUGATHASAN; Democratic People's Liberation Front
(DPLF), leader NA; Democratic United National Front (DUNF), G. M.
PREMACHANDRA; Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), Douglas
DEVANANDA; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRL),
Suresh PREMACHANDRAN; Eelam Revolutionary Organization of Students
(EROS), Shankar RAJI; Lanka Socialist Party/Trotskyite (LSSP, or
Lanka Sama Samaja Party), Colin R. DE SILVA; Liberal Party (LP),
Chanaka AMARATUNGA; New Socialist Party (NSSP, or Nava Sama Samaja
Party), Vasudeva NANAYAKKARA; People's Alliance (PA), Chandrika
Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA; People's Liberation Organization of Tamil
Eelam (PLOTE), Dharmalingam SIDARTHAN; People's United Front (MEP,
or Mahajana Eksath Peramuna), Dinesh GUNAWARDENE; Sri Lanka Freedom
Party (SLFP), Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress
(SLMC), M. H. M. ASHRAFF; Sri Lanka People's Party (SLMP, or Sri
Lanka Mahajana Party), Ossie ABEYGUNASEKERA; Sri Lanka Progressive
Front (SLPF), leader NA; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO),
leader NA; Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), M. SIVASITHAMBARAM;
United National Party (UNP), Dingiri Banda WIJETUNGA; Upcountry
People's Front (UPF), leader NA; several ethnic Tamil and Muslim
parties, represented in either parliament or provincial councils
note: the United Socialist Alliance (USA), which was formed in 1987
and included the NSSP, LSSP, SLMP, CP/M, and CP/B, was defunct as of
1993, following the formation of the People's Alliance Party (PA)
Other political or pressure groups: Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) and other smaller Tamil separatist groups; other
radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups; Buddhist clergy; Sinhalese
Buddhist lay groups; labor unions
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP,
FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, NAM, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jayantha Cudah Bandara DHANAPALA
chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028
FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181
consulate(s): New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador A. Peter BURLEIGH
embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3
mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo
telephone: [94] (1) 448007
FAX: [94] (1) 437345
Flag: yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two
equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other
panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a
sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow
field appears as a border that goes around the entire flag and
extends between the two panels
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Industry - dominated by the fast-growing
apparel industry - has surpassed agriculture as the main source of
export earnings. The economy has been plagued by high rates of
unemployment since the late 1970s. Economic growth accelerated in
1991-94 as domestic conditions began to improve and conditions for
foreign investment brightened. In 1995, however, the government's
emphasis on populist measures and its preoccupation with the
stepped-up Tamil insurgency have clouded Sri Lanka's economic
prospects and discouraged foreign investors. A further problem for
1996 is the need to curb government overspending.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $65.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 24%
services: 52% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.4% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 6.1 million
by occupation: agriculture 45%, services 37%, industry 18% (1993
est.)
Unemployment rate: 13% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $2.7 billion
expenditures: $3.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $851
million (1995)
Industries: processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other
agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining,
textiles, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: 9% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,410,000 kW
production: 3.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 168 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, roots,
spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, meat
Exports: $3.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: garments and textiles, teas, diamonds, other gems,
petroleum products, rubber products, other agricultural products,
marine products, graphite
partners: US 34.7%, UK, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, France (1994)
Imports: $4.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: textiles and textile materials, machinery and
equipment, transport equipment, food, petroleum, building materials
partners: Japan, India, UK, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan,
Singapore, China (1994)
External debt: $8.8 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $423 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Sri Lankan rupee (SLRe) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Sri Lankan rupees (SLRes) per US$1 - 54.158
(January 1996), 51.252 (1995), 49.415 (1994), 48.322 (1993), 43.830
(1992), 41.372 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,484 km
broad gauge: 1,459 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 25 km .762-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 94,651 km
paved: 25,749 km
unpaved: 68,902 km (1990)
Waterways: 430 km; navigable by shallow-draft craft
Pipelines: crude oil and petroleum products 62 km (1987)
Ports: Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Trincomalee
Merchant marine:
total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 220,508 GRT/329,410 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 13, container 1, oil tanker 2,
refrigerated cargo 8 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 13
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 175,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: very inadequate domestic service, good
international service
domestic: NA
international: submarine cables to Indonesia and Djibouti; satellite
earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 5, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.525 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5
Televisions: 865,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 5,085,306
males fit for military service: 3,960,070
males reach military age (18) annually: 180,825 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $640 million,
4.4% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Sudan
-----
Map
---
Location: 15 00 N, 30 00 E -- Northern Africa, bordering the Red
Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt
and Eritrea
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 2,505,810 sq km
land area: 2.376 million sq km
comparative area: slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 7,687 km
border countries: Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km,
Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km,
Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km, Zaire 628 km
Coastline: 853 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administrative boundary with Kenya does
not coincide with international boundary; administrative boundary
with Egypt does not coincide with international boundary creating
the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km, tensions over
this disputed area began to escalate in 1992 and remain high
Climate: tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season
(April to October)
Terrain: generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in east and
west
lowest point: Red Sea 0 m
highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m
Natural resources: petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper,
chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 24%
forest and woodland: 20%
other: 51%
Irrigated land: 18,900 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife
populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion;
desertification
natural hazards: dust storms
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
Geographic note: largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile
and its tributaries
People
------
Population: 31,547,543 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 7,389,616; female 7,080,044)
15-64 years: 52% (male 8,219,080; female 8,172,544)
65 years and over: 2% (male 387,961; female 298,298) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.48% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 41.08 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.46 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.3 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 76 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.12 years
male: 54.2 years
female: 56.09 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Sudanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Sudanese
Ethnic divisions: black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%,
other 1%
Religions: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%,
Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum)
Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects
of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
note: program of Arabization in process
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 46.1%
male: 57.7%
female: 34.6%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of the Sudan
conventional short form: Sudan
local long form: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan
local short form: As-Sudan
former: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
Data code: SU
Type of government: transitional - previously ruling military
junta; presidential and National Assembly elections held in March
1996; new constitution to be drafted by the National Assembly
Capital: Khartoum
Administrative divisions: 9 states (wilayat, singular - wilayat or
wilayah*); A'ali an Nil (Upper Nile), Al Wusta*, Al Istiwa'iyah*
(Equatoria), Al Khartum, Ash Shamaliyah*, Ash Sharqiyah*, Bahr al
Ghazal, Darfur, Kurdufan
note: on 14 February 1994, the 9 states comprising Sudan were
divided into 26 new states; the following spellings have been
reported but not approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Bahr
Aljebal, Blue Nile, Bohayrat, East Equatoria, Gedarif, Gezira,
Jungle, Kassala, Khartoum, North, North Bahr Alghazal, North Darfur,
North Kordofan, Red Sea, River Nile, Sinnar, South Darfur, South
Kordofan, Unity, Upper Nile, Warab, West Bahr Alghazal, West Darfur,
West Kordofan, West Equatoria, White Nile)
Independence: 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1956)
Constitution: 12 April 1973, suspended following coup of 6 April
1985; interim constitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following
coup of 30 June 1989; new constitution to be drafted following
national elections held in March 1996
Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; as of
20 January 1991, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council
imposed Islamic law in the northern states; the council is still
studying criminal provisions under Islamic law; Islamic law applies
to all residents of the northern states regardless of their
religion; some separate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal, but noncompulsary
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Lt. General Umar
Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993) was elected to a
five-year term by popular vote; election last held 6-17 March 1996
(next to be held NA 2001); results - President al-BASHIR won 75.7%
of the vote and defeated about forty other candidates; First Vice
President Major General al-Zubayr Muhammad SALIH (since 19 October
1993), Second Vice President (Police) Maj. General George KONGOR
AROP (since NA February 1994)
note: al-BASHIR, as chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council
for National Salvation (RCC), assumed power on 30 June 1989 and
served concurrently as chief of state, chairman of the RCC, prime
minister, and minister of defense until 16 October 1993 when he was
appointed president by the RCC; upon its dissolution on 16 October
1993, the RCC's executive and legislative powers were devolved to
the president and the Transitional National Assembly (TNA), Sudan's
appointed legislative body, which has since been replaced by the
National Assembly which was elected in March 1996
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president; note - on 30
October 1993, President al-BASHIR announced a new, predominantly
civilian cabinet, consisting of 20 federal ministers, most of whom
retained their previous cabinet positions; on 9 February 1995, he
abolished three ministries and redivided their portfolios to create
several new ministries; these changes increased National Islamic
Front presence at the ministerial level and consolidated its control
over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; President al-BASHIR's
government is dominated by members of Sudan's National Islamic
Front, a fundamentalist political organization formed from the
Muslim Brotherhood in 1986; front leader Hasan al-TURABI dominates
much of Khartoum's overall domestic and foreign policies; President
al-BASHIR is expected to name a new cabinet following the elections
held in March 1996
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held 6-17 March 1996 (next to be
held NA); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (400 total, 275
directly elected, and 125 elected by a supra assembly of interest
groups known as the National Congress); note - March 1996 elections
were held on a nonparty basis and parties are to be banned in the
new National Assembly
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Special Revolutionary Courts
Political parties and leaders: none; banned following 30 June 1989
coup
Other political or pressure groups: National Islamic Front, Hasan
al-TURABI
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD,
AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Mahdi IBRAHIM
chancery: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 338-8565 through 8570
FAX: [1] (202) 667-2406
US diplomatic representation: operations in Khartoum were
suspended in February 1996; Ambassador to Sudan Timothy M. CARNEY
and several members of the mission have relocated to Nairobi, Kenya
and operate out of the US Embassy there; the embassy is located at
the corner of Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue; mailing address:
P. O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (2)
334141; FAX: [254] (2) 340838
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Sudan is buffeted by civil war, chronic
political instability, adverse weather, high inflation, a drop in
remittances from abroad, and counterproductive economic policies.
The private sector's main areas of activity are agriculture and
trading, with most private industrial investment predating 1980.
Agriculture employs 80% of the work force. Industry mainly processes
agricultural items. Sluggish economic performance over the past
decade, attributable largely to declining annual rainfall, has
reduced levels of per capita income and consumption. A large foreign
debt and huge arrearages continue to cause difficulties. In 1990 the
International Monetary Fund took the unusual step of declaring Sudan
noncooperative because of its nonpayment of arrearages to the Fund.
After Sudan backtracked on promised reforms in 1992-93, the IMF
threatened to expel Sudan from the Fund. To avoid expulsion,
Khartoum agreed to make payments on its arrears to the Fund,
liberalize exchange rates, and reduce subsidies, measures it has
partially implemented. The government's continued prosecution of the
civil war and its growing international isolation continued to
inhibit growth in the nonagricultural sectors of the economy during
1995. Agricultural production in 1995, while fairly good, was not up
to the bumper crop level of 1994.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $25 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 33%
industry: 17%
services: 50% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 66% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 8.9 million (1993 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 10%,
government 6%
note: labor shortages for almost all categories of skilled
employment (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: 30% (FY92/93 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $382 million
expenditures: $1.06 billion, including capital expenditures of $91
million (1995 est.)
Industries: cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar,
soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate: 6.8% (FY92/93 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 500,000 kW
production: 1.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 42 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, oilseed, sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic;
sheep
Exports: $535 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: cotton 24%, livestock/meat 13%, gum arabic 11%
partners: EU 39%, Saudi Arabia 19%, Japan 9%, US 3% (1993)
Imports: $1.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products, manufactured goods,
machinery and equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles
partners: EU 31%, Libya 19%, Egypt 5%, Saudi Arabia 5%, US 5% (1993)
External debt: $18 billion (yearend 1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $387 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Sudanese pound (LSd) = 100 piastres
Exchange rates: Sudanese pounds (LSd) per US$1 - official rate:
750.0 (November 1995), 277.8 (1994), 153.8 (1993), 69.4 (1992),
5.4288 (1991); market rate: 571.02 (August 1995), 289.61 (1994),
159.31 (1993), 97.43 (1992), 6.96 (1991)
note: the market rate is a unified exchange rate determined by a
committee of local bankers, without official intervention, and is
quoted uniformly by all commercial banks
Fiscal year: calendar year
note: prior to July 1995, Sudan had a fiscal year that began on 1
July and ended on 30 June; as a transition to their new fiscal year,
a six-month budget was implemented for 1 July - 31 December 1995;
the new calendar year (1 January - 31 December) fiscal year became
effective 1 January 1996
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 5,516 km
narrow gauge: 4,800 km 1.067-m gauge; 716 km 1.6096-m gauge
plantation line
Highways:
total: 19,885 km
paved: 1,989 km
unpaved: 17,896 km (1986 est.)
Waterways: 5,310 km navigable
Pipelines: refined products 815 km
Ports: Juba, Khartoum, Kusti, Malakal, Nimule, Port Sudan, Sawakin
Merchant marine:
total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 43,024 GRT/57,985 DWT
ships by type: cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 56
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 25 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 77,215 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: large, well-equipped system by African
standards, but barely adequate and poorly maintained by modern
standards
domestic: consists of microwave radio relay, cable, radiotelephone
communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite
system with 14 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 11, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 6.67 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 2.06 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Popular Defense Force Militia
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 7,152,884
males fit for military service: 4,399,445
males reach military age (18) annually: 329,460 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Suriname
--------
Map
---
Location: 4 00 N, 56 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the
North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
Flag
----
Description: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width),
white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there
is a large yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band
Geography
---------
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic
Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 56 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 163,270 sq km
land area: 161,470 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,707 km
border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km
Coastline: 386 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims area in French Guiana between
Litani Rivier and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa
Rivier); claims area in Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and
Courantyne/Koetari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
highest point: Wilhelmina Gebergte 1,286 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower potential, fish, shrimp,
bauxite, iron ore, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum,
gold
Land use:
arable land: NEGL%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 97%
other: 3%
Irrigated land: 590 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation as foreign producers obtain timber
concessions
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the
Sea
Geographic note: mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of
flora and fauna which for the most part is not threatened because of
the lack of development; relatively small population most of which
lives along the coast
People
------
Population: 436,418 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 74,959; female 71,500)
15-64 years: 62% (male 136,287; female 132,407)
65 years and over: 4% (male 9,930; female 11,335) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.6% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.84 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 29.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.04 years
male: 67.51 years
female: 72.7 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.68 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Surinamer(s)
adjective: Surinamese
Ethnic divisions: Hindustani (also known locally as "East"
Indians; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter
part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed European and African
ancestry) 31%, Javanese 15.3%, "Bush Black" (also known as "Bush
Creole" whose ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and
18th centuries as slaves) 10.3%, Amerindian 2.6%, Chinese 1.7%,
Europeans 1%, other 1.1%
Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%,
Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%
Languages: Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang
Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of
Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca
among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 93%
male: 95.1%
female: 91%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Suriname
conventional short form: Suriname
local long form: Republiek Suriname
local short form: Suriname
former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana
Data code: NS
Type of government: republic
Capital: Paramaribo
Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular -
distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie,
Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
Independence: 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Constitution: ratified 30 September 1987
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Ronald R. VENETIAAN
(since 16 September 1991) and Prime Minister Jules R. AJODHIA (since
16 September 1991), who is also the vice president, were elected for
five-year terms by the National Assembly; election last held 6
September 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - elected by
the National Assembly - Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) 80% (645 votes), Jules
WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 14% (115 votes), Hans PRADE (DA '91) 6% (49 votes)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president from
among the members of the National Assembly
note: Commander in Chief of the National Army maintains significant
power
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 25 May
1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (51 total) NF 30, NDP 10, DA '91 9, independents 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices nominated for life
Political parties and leaders: The New Front (NF), a coalition of
four parties (NPS, VHP, KTPI, SPA), leader Ronald R. VENETIAAN;
Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Jaggernath LACHMON; National Party
of Suriname (NPS), Ronald VENETIAAN; Party of National Unity and
Solidarity (KTPI), Willy SOEMITA; Suriname Labor Party (SPA), Fred
DERBY; Democratic Alternative '91 (DA '91), a coalition of two
parties (AF, and BEP) formed in January 1991, Winston JESSURUN;
Alternative Forum (AF), Gerard BRUNINGS; Party for Brotherhood and
Unity in Politics (BEP), Caprino ALLENDY; Pendawa Lima, Marsha
JAMIN; National Democratic Party (NDP), Desire BOUTERSE; Progressive
Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union (PALU), Ir Iwan KROLIS; The
Alliance, a combination of three parties (DP, HPP, PVF), Ernie
BRUNINGS; Democratic Party (DP), Ernie BRUNINGS; Reformed
Progressive Party (HPP), Harry KISOENSINGH; Party of the Federation
of Land Workers PVF), Jwan SITAL
Other political or pressure groups: Surinamese Liberation Army
(SLA), Ronnie BRUNSWIJK, Johan "Castro" WALLY; Union for Liberation
and Democracy, Kofi AFONGPONG; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation
Movement, Leendert ADAMS; Tucayana Amazonica, Alex JUBITANA, Thomas
SABAJO
International organization participation: ACP, Caricom, ECLAC,
FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM,
OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Willem A. UDENHOUT
chancery: Suite 108, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488, 7490 through 7492
FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878
consulate(s) general: Miami
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roger R. GAMBLE
embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
mailing address: P. O. Box 1821, American Embassy Paramaribo,
Department of State, Washington, DC, 20521-3390
telephone: [597] 472900, 477881, 476459
FAX: [597] 420800
Flag: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white,
red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a
large yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is dominated by the bauxite
industry, which accounts for upwards of 15% of GDP and more than 65%
of export earnings. Following a dismal year in 1994 which saw the
value of the Surinamese currency plummet by about 80%, inflation
rise to more than 600%, and national output fall for the fifth
consecutive year, nearly all economic indicators improved in 1995.
The VENETIAAN government unified the exchange rate and the currency
gained some of its lost value. In addition, inflation fell to double
digits and tax revenues increased sufficiently to nearly erase the
budget deficit. The release of substantial development aid from the
Netherlands - which had been held up due to the government's failure
to initiate economic reforms - also helped buoy the economy.
Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on
continued implementation of needed economic restructuring; the
outcome of the national elections in May 1996 will be an important
factor in determining future government policy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,950 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.6%
industry: 23.7%
services: 54.7% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 62% (1995)
Labor force: 98,240
by occupation: agriculture, industry, services
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $300 million
expenditures: $700 million, including capital expenditures of $70
million (1994 est.)
Industries: bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum production,
lumbering, food processing, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 420,000 kW
production: 1.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,123 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts,
plantains, peanuts; beef, chicken; forest products and shrimp of
increasing importance
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe
Exports: $293.6 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: alumina, aluminum, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
partners: Norway 33%, Netherlands 26%, US 13%, Japan 6%, Brazil 6%,
UK 3% (1992)
Imports: $194.3 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton,
consumer goods
partners: US 42%, Netherlands 22%, Trinidad and Tobago 10%, Brazil
5% (1992)
External debt: $180 million (March 1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per
US$1 - central bank midpoint rate: 402.32 (December 1995), 442.23
(1995), 134.12 (1994); parallel rate: 412 (December 1995), 510
(December 1994), 109 (January 1994)
note: beginning July 1994, the central bank midpoint exchange rate
was unified and became market determined
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 166 km (single track)
standard gauge: 80 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 86 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 4,470 km
paved: 1,162 km
unpaved: 3,308 km (1990)
Waterways: 1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing
vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the
principal waterways
Ports: Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam,
Wageningen
Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, container 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 38
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 31
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 43,522 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: international facilities good
domestic: microwave radio relay network
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 1
Radios: 290,256 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 6 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 59,598 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force
elements), Civil Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 119,010
males fit for military service: 70,400 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Svalbard
--------
(territory of Norway)
Map
---
Location: 78 00 N, 20 00 E -- Northern Europe, islands between the
Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north
of Norway
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Norway is used
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean,
Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway
Geographic coordinates: 78 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:
total area: 62,049 sq km
land area: 62,049 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia
note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,587 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but
not recognized by Russia
territorial sea: 4 nm
International disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute in the
Barents Sea between Norway and Russia
Climate: arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool
summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and
north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most
of the year
Terrain: wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered;
west coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along
west and north coasts
lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m
Natural resources: coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc,
wildlife, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (no trees and the only bushes are crowberry and
cloudberry)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: ice floes often block up the entrance to Bellsund
(a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally
make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway;
consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of
the total area
People
------
Population: 2,715 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -4.01% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Ethnic divisions: Russian and Ukrainian 62%, Norwegian 38%, other
NEGL% (1994)
Languages: Russian, Norwegian
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Svalbard
Data code: SV
Type of government: territory of Norway administered by the
Ministry of Industry, Oslo, through a governor (sysselmann) residing
in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920)
sovereignty was given to Norway
Capital: Longyearbyen
Independence: none (territory of Norway)
National holiday: NA
Legal system: NA
Executive branch:
Chief of State: King HARALD V (of Norway since 17 January 1991) is a
hereditary monarch
Head of Government: Governor Ann-Krisitin OLSEN (since NA) and
Assistant Governor Jan-Atle HANSEN (since NA September 1993) are
responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice
note: Norwegian inhabitants participate in Norwegian national
elections
International organization participation: none
Flag: the flag of Norway is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Coal mining is the major economic activity on
Svalbard. By treaty (9 February 1920), the nationals of the treaty
powers have equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to
Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal
companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining
are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are
essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company
employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs
many of the local services, and provides most of the local
infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear,
fox, and walrus.
Labor force: NA
Budget:
revenues: $11.6 million
expenditures: $11.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 21,000 kW
production: 45 million kWh
consumption per capita: 13,860 kWh (1992)
Currency: 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.4160 (January
1996), 6.3352 (1995), 7.0576 (1994), 7.0941 (1993), 6.2145 (1992),
6.4829 (1991)
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 4
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: local telephone service
international: satellite earth station - 1 of NA type (for
communication with Norwegian mainland only)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1 (repeaters 2), shortwave 0
note: there are five meteorological/radio stations
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)
======================================================================
@Swaziland
---------
Map
---
Location: 26 30 S, 31 30 E -- Southern Africa, between Mozambique
and South Africa
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple
width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the
red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a
staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 26 30 S, 31 30 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 17,360 sq km
land area: 17,200 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 535 km
border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Swaziland has asked South Africa to open
negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African
territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long
ago part of the Swazi Kingdom
Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m
highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower,
forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: NEGL
meadows and pastures: 62%
forest and woodland: 7%
other: 20%
Irrigated land: 640 sq km (1993 est.)
Environment:
current issues: limited access to potable water; wildlife
populations being depleted because of excessive hunting;
overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change,
Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South
Africa
People
------
Population: 998,730 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 227,634; female 229,129)
15-64 years: 52% (male 247,156; female 271,096)
65 years and over: 2% (male 9,864; female 13,851) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.24% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.91 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 88.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 57.26 years
male: 53.25 years
female: 61.4 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.05 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Swazi(s)
adjective: Swazi
Ethnic divisions: African 97%, European 3%
Religions: Christian 60%, indigenous beliefs 40%
Languages: English (official, government business conducted in
English), siSwati (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 76.7%
male: 78%
female: 75.6%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland
conventional short form: Swaziland
Data code: WZ
Type of government: monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth
Capital: Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative)
Administrative divisions: 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini,
Shiselweni
Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK)
National holiday: Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968)
Constitution: none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended
12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978,
but has not been formally presented to the people
Legal system: based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory
courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA; note - no suffrage before September 1993; 55 of the
65 seats in the House of Assembly were filled by popular vote in the
elections of September and October 1993; of a population of less
than 1 million, the electorate numbered 283,693
Executive branch:
chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) is a
hereditary monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Prince Jameson Mbilini DLAMINI
(since 12 November 1993); appointed by the king
cabinet: Cabinet; designated by the king
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament is advisory
Senate: consists of 30 members (10 appointed by the House of
Assembly and 20 appointed by the king)
House of Assembly: elections last held 26 September and 11 October
1993 (next to be held NA); results - balloting is done on a nonparty
basis; of the total of 65 seats, 10 are appointed by the king and 55
are elected by secret, popular vote; candidates for election are
nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each
constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first
round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round
Judicial branch: High Court, judges are appointed by the king;
Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the king
Political parties and leaders:
note: political parties are banned by the constitution promulgated
on 13 October 1978; illegal parties are prohibited from holding
large public gatherings
illegal parties: Peoples' United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Mario
MASUKU; Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), Benedict TSABEDZE;
Swaziland Communist Party (SWACOPA), Mphandlana SHONGWE; Swaziland
Liberation Front (FROLISA); Convention for Full Democracy in
Swaziland (COFUDESWA), Sabelo DLAMINI; Swaziland National Front
(SWANAFRO); Ngwane Socialist Revolutionary Party (NGWASOREP)
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KHANYA
chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 362-6683, 6685
FAX: [1] (202) 244-8059
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John T. SPROTT
embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane
mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane
telephone: [268] 46441 through 46445
FAX: [268] 45959
Flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width),
and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band
is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff
decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
Economy
-------
Economic overview: This small landlocked economy is based largely
on subsistence agriculture, which occupies more than 60% of the
population. Manufacturing features a number of agroprocessing
factories. Mining has declined in importance in recent years;
high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted by 1978, and health
concerns cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of sugar and
forestry products are the main earners of hard currency. Surrounded
by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique,
Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa, from which it
receives 90% of its imports and to which it sends about half of its
exports. Remittances from Swazi workers in South African mines
supplement domestically produced income by as much as 20%.
Overgrazing, soil depletion, and drougth persist as problems for the
future.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 25%
industry: 40%
services: 35% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.7% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 160,355 (1986 est.)
by occupation: private sector about 65%, public sector 35%
Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $342 million
expenditures: $410 million, including capital expenditures of $130
million (1994 est.)
Industries: mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugar
Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 120,000 kW
production: 410 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,003 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, citrus,
pineapples, corn, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep
Exports: $798 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: sugar, edible concentrates, wood pulp, cotton yarn,
asbestos
partners: South Africa 50%, EU countries, Canada
Imports: $827 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment,
petroleum products, foodstuffs, chemicals
partners: South Africa 90%, Switzerland, UK 2.6%
External debt: $240 million (1992)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 lilangeni (E) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: emalangeni (E) per US$1 - 3.6417 (January 1996),
3.6266 (1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7563
(1991), 2.5863 (1990); note - the Swazi emalangeni is at par with
the South African rand
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 297 km; note - includes 71 km which are not in use
narrow gauge: 297 km 1.067-m gauge (single track)
Highways:
total: 2,960 km
paved: 804 km
unpaved: 2,156 km (1993 est.)
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 17
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 10
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 30,364 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and
low-capacity, microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 129,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 10
Televisions: 12,500 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (Army), Royal Swaziland
Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 220,097
males fit for military service: 127,285 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22 million, NA%
of GDP (FY93/94)
======================================================================
@Sweden
------
Map
---
Location: 62 00 N, 15 00 E -- Northern Europe, bordering the
Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Skagerrak, between Finland and
Norway
Flag
----
Description: blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of
the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist
side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of
Bothnia, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 449,964 sq km
land area: 410,928 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
total: 2,205 km
border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km
Coastline: 3,218 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool,
partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Natural resources: zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber,
uranium, hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 2%
forest and woodland: 64%
other: 27%
Irrigated land: 1,120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: acid rain damaging soils and lakes; pollution of the
North Sea and the Baltic Sea
natural hazards: ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in
the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking
Baltic and North Seas
People
------
Population: 8,900,954 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 860,940; female 815,967)
15-64 years: 64% (male 2,884,687; female 2,794,593)
65 years and over: 17% (male 654,439; female 890,328) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.56% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.55 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.43 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.06 years
male: 75.62 years
female: 80.63 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Swede(s)
adjective: Swedish
Ethnic divisions: white, Lapp (Sami), foreign-born or
first-generation immigrants 12% (Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes,
Norwegians, Greeks, Turks)
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%,
Pentecostal 1%, other 3.5% (1987)
Languages: Swedish
note: small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form: Sweden
local long form: Konungariket Sverige
local short form: Sverige
Data code: SW
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Stockholm
Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (lan, singular and plural);
Alvsborgs Lan, Blekinge Lan, Gavleborgs Lan, Goteborgs och Bohus
Lan, Gotlands Lan, Hallands Lan, Jamtlands Lan, Jonkopings Lan,
Kalmar Lan, Kopparbergs Lan, Kristianstads Lan, Kronobergs Lan,
Malmohus Lan, Norrbottens Lan, Orebro Lan, Ostergotlands Lan,
Skaraborgs Lan, Sodermanlands Lan, Stockholms Lan, Uppsala Lan,
Varmlands Lan, Vasterbottens Lan, Vasternorrlands Lan, Vastmanlands
Lan
Independence: 6 June 1523, Gustav VASA was elected king; 6 June
1809, a constitutional monarchy was established
National holiday: Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 June
Constitution: 1 January 1975
Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973) is a
constitutional monarch; Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice
Desiree, daughter of the King (born 14 July 1977)
head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March
1996) was elected by the Riksdag
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Riksdag): elections last held 18 September 1994 (next to
be held NA September 1998); results - Social Democrats 45.4%,
Moderate Party (Conservatives) 22.3%, Center Party 7.7%, Liberals
7.2%, Left Party 6.2%, Greens 5.8%, Christian Democrats 4.1%, New
Democracy Party 1.2%; seats - (349 total) Social Democrats 162,
Moderate Party (Conservatives) 80, Center Party 27, Liberals 26,
Left Party 22, Greens 18, Christian Democrats 14; note - the New
Democracy Party did not receive a seat because parties require a
minimum of 4.0% of votes for a seat in parliament
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hogsta Domstolen), judges are
appointed by the government (prime minister and cabinet)
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, Goran
PERSSON; Moderate Party (conservative), Carl BILDT; Liberal People's
Party, Maria LEISSNER; Center Party, Olof JOHANSSON; Christian
Democratic Party, Alf SVENSSON; New Democracy Party, Vivianne
FRANZEN; Left Party (VP; Communist), Gudrun SCHYMAN; Communist
Workers' Party, Rolf HAGEL; Green Party, no formal leader but party
spokesperson is Briger SCHLAUG
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB,
ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 8, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NC,
NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP,
UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carl Henrik Sihver LILJEGREN
chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600
FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas L. SIEBERT
embassy: Strandvagen 101, S-115 89 Stockholm
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [46] (8) 783 53 00
FAX: [46] (8) 661 19 64
Flag: blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the
flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in
the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Aided by peace and neutrality during World War
I through World War II, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of
living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive
welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent
internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force.
Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an
economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately-owned firms
account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering
sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. In 1993, agriculture
accounted for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. In recent years,
however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by
budgetary difficulties, inflation, growing unemployment, and a
gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. In
November 1992, Sweden broke its tie to the EC's ECU (European
Currency Unit), and depreciation of the krona has boosted export
competitiveness and helped lift Sweden out of its 1991-93 recession.
To curb the budget deficit and bolster confidence in the economy,
the government adopted an adjustment program in November 1994 that
aims to eliminate the government budget deficit and to stabilize the
debt to GDP ratio. Sweden has harmonized its economic policies with
those of the EU, which it joined at the start of 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $177.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $20,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 27%
services: 71% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1995)
Labor force: 4.552 million (84% unionized, 1992)
by occupation: community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining
and manufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%,
banking, insurance 9.0%, communications 7.2%, construction 7.0%,
agriculture, fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 7.8% (December 1995) plus about 6% in training
programs
Budget:
revenues: $109.4 billion
expenditures: $146.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96)
Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio
and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products,
processed foods, motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 11.7% (1994)
Electricity:
capacity: 34,560,000 kW
production: 141 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 14,891 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, sugar beets, potatoes; meat, milk
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics shipped via the
former Soviet Republics and Baltic states for the European market
Exports: $61.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and
wood, iron and steel products, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum
products
partners: EU 59.1% (Germany 13.2%, UK 10.2%, Denmark 6.9%, France
5.1%), Norway 8.1%, Finland 4.8%, US 8.0% (1994)
Imports: $51.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals,
motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing
partners: EU 62.6% (Germany 18.4%, UK 9.5%, Denmark 6.6%, France
5.5%), Finland 6.3%, Norway 6.1%, US 8.5% (1994)
External debt: $66.5 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $1.769 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1 - 6.7240 (January
1996), 7.1333 (1995), 7.7160 (1994), 7.7834 (1993), 5.8238 (1992),
6.0475 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 January - 31 December (Sweden changed its fiscal
year from 1 July - 30 June in 1995)
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 12,624 km (includes 953 km of privately-owned railways)
standard gauge: 11,767 km 1.435-m gauge (7,320 km electrified and
1,152 km double track)
other: 857 km NA-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 135,859 km
paved: 97,818 km (including 936 km of expressways)
unpaved: 38,041 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges
Pipelines: natural gas 84 km
Ports: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar,
Karlshamn, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall
Merchant marine:
total: 169 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,993,422
GRT/2,183,215 DWT
ships by type: bulk 10, cargo 35, chemical tanker 24, combination
ore/oil 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 32, railcar carrier 2,
refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 38, short-sea passenger
7, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 14 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 251
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 85
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 26
with paved runways under 914 m: 127
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 7.41 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international facilities;
automatic system
domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cable carry most voice traffic;
parallel microwave radio relay network carries some additional
telephone channels
international: 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations
- 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic
and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth
station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
and Norway)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 360 (mostly repeaters),
shortwave 0
Radios: 7.272 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 880 (mostly repeaters)
Televisions: 3.5 million
Defense
-------
Branches: Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,133,816
males fit for military service: 1,867,031
males reach military age (19) annually: 51,357 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5.8 billion,
2.5% of GDP (FY94/95)
======================================================================
@Switzerland
-----------
Map
---
Location: 47 00 N, 8 00 E -- Central Europe, east of France
Flag
----
Description: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in
the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag
Geography
---------
Location: Central Europe, east of France
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 41,290 sq km
land area: 39,770 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,852 km
border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,
Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy,
rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with
occasional showers
Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with
a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m
highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 40%
forest and woodland: 26%
other: 23%
Irrigated land: 250 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air
burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of
agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
natural hazards: avalanches, landslides, flash floods
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern
Europe; along with southeastern France and northern Italy, contains
the highest elevations in Europe
People
------
Population: 7,207,060 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 638,728; female 610,546)
15-64 years: 68% (male 2,495,325; female 2,405,226)
65 years and over: 15% (male 424,394; female 632,841) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.59% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.35 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.64 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.62 years
male: 74.58 years
female: 80.82 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.47 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Swiss (singular and plural)
adjective: Swiss
Ethnic divisions:
total population: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%,
other 6%
Swiss nationals: German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%,
other 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 47.6%, Protestant 44.3%, other 8.1%
(1980)
Languages: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 12%, Romansch 1%, other
4%
note: figures for Swiss nationals only: German 74%, French 20%,
Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Swiss Confederation
conventional short form: Switzerland
local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German),
Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)
local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera
(Italian)
Data code: SZ
Type of government: federal republic
Capital: Bern
Administrative divisions: 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton
in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular
- kanton in German); Aargau, Ausser-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft,
Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden,
Inner-Rhoden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt
Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri,
Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich
Independence: 1 August 1291
National holiday: Anniversary of the Founding of the Swiss
Confederation, 1 August (1291)
Constitution: 29 May 1874
Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal
decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Jean-Pascal
DELAMURAZ (1996 calendar year; presidency rotates annually); Vice
President Arnold KOLLER (term runs concurrently with that of
president); the president is appointed each year from the Federal
Council by the Federal Assembly
cabinet: Federal Council (German - Bundesrat, French - Censeil
Federal, Italian - Consiglio Federale) was elected for a four-year
term by the Federal Assembly from among its own members
Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly (German -
Bundesversammlung, French - Assemblee Federale, Italian - Assemblea
Federale)
Council of States: (German - Standerat, French - Conseil des Etats,
Italian - Consiglio degli Stati); elections last held throughout
1995 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (46 total) PRD 17, PDC 17, UDC 4, PSS 3, LPS 3, LdU 1,
Ticino League 1
National Council: (German - Nationalrat, French - Conseil National,
Italian - Consiglio Nazionale); elections last held 20 October 1995
(next to be held NA October 1999); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (200 total) PRD 45, PSS 54, PDC 34, UDC 30, GPS 8,
LPS 7, FPS 6, LdU 6, SD 3, EVP 3, PdA 2, Ticino League 2
Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court, judges elected for
six-year terms by the Federal Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Radical Free Democratic Party
(PRD), Franz STEINEGGER, president; Social Democratic Party (PSS),
Peter BODENMANN, president; Christian Democratic People's Party
(PDC), Anton COTTIER, president; Swiss People's Party (UDC), Hans
UHLMANN, president; Green Party (GPS), Verena DIENER, president;
Freedom Party (FPS), Roland BORER; Liberal Party (LPS), Christoph
EYMANN, president; Alliance of Independents' Party (LdU), Monica
WEBER, president; Ticino League, Giuliano BIGNASCA, president; and
other minor parties including Swiss Democratic Party (SD), Workers'
Party (PdA), and the Evangelical People's Party (EVP); note - see
elections
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA,
FAO, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,
OSCE, PCA, UN (observer), UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNITAR, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlo JAGMETTI
chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900
FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New
York, Pago Pago (American Samoa), and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
embassy: Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3005 Bern
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [41] (31) 357 70 11
FAX: [41] (31) 357 73 44
consulate(s) general: Zurich
Flag: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the
center that does not extend to the edges of the flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Switzerland, a fundamentally prosperous and
stable modern economy with a per capita GDP roughly 10% above that
of the big West European economies, is experiencing short-term
difficulties. After recovering slowly in 1994-95 from recession, the
Swiss economy remains weak, mainly because of the strong Swiss franc
and weak growth in Swiss export market, especially in other European
countries. Over the near term, growth may average barely 1%, with
more than one-half of this increase resulting from growth in
inventories. Weak domestic consumer demand is the principal culprit;
stagnation in real disposable income is combining with a reluctance
to reduce saving rates in the face of an uncertain employment
outlook. Switzerland's leading sectors, including financial
services, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and special-purpose
machines, will therefore be more reliant on export markets at the
same time they are being squeezed by the strong franc. Consequently,
growth in machinery and equipment investment, for example, is
expected to taper off. On the other side, import growth has been
fueled by the strong franc; there are growing indications that Swiss
manufacturers are substituting imported inputs for domestic ones.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $158.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $22,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 33.5%
services: 63.5% (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 3.48 million (900,000 foreign workers, mostly Italian)
by occupation: services 50%, industry and crafts 34%, government
10%, agriculture and forestry 6% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 3.3% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $31 billion
expenditures: $36.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision
instruments
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 15,430,000 kW
production: 58 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 6,699 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs
Illicit drugs: money-laundering center; transit country for South
American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin
Exports: $69.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, precision instruments, metal
products, foodstuffs, textiles and clothing
partners: Western Europe 63.1% (EU countries 56%, other 7.1%), US
8.8%, Japan 3.4%
Imports: $68.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: agricultural products, machinery and transportation
equipment, chemicals, textiles, construction materials
partners: Western Europe 79.2% (EU countries 72.3%, other 6.9%), US
6.4%
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $793 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes,
rappen, or centesimi
Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 -
1.1810 (January 1996), 1.1825 (1995), 1.3677 (1994), 1.4776 (1993),
1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 5,719 km (1,432 km double track)
standard gauge: 3,283 km 1.435-m gauge (99% electrified; 310 km
nongovernment owned)
narrow gauge: 1,255 km 1.000-m gauge (99% electrified; 1,181 km
nongovernment owned)
other: 1,181 km NA-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 71,118 km
paved: 71,118 km (including 1,514 km of expressways)
unpaved: 0 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 65 km; Rhine (Basel to Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen to
Bodensee); 12 navigable lakes
Pipelines: crude oil 314 km; natural gas 1,506 km
Ports: Basel
Merchant marine:
total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 410,581 GRT/727,744 DWT
ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, oil tanker 2,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 67
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with paved runways under 914 m: 40
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 5,622,976 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international services
domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean
and Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 265, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 18 (repeaters 1,322)
Televisions: 2.513 million (1994 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air Force and Antiaircraft Command, Frontier
Guards, Fortification Guards
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,893,587
males fit for military service: 1,623,414
males reach military age (20) annually: 41,425 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.74 billion,
1.4% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Syria
-----
Map
---
Location: 35 00 N, 38 00 E -- Middle East, bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
black with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line
centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has
a plain white band and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an
Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band;
also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a symbolic eagle
centered in the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between
Lebanon and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 185,180 sq km
land area: 184,050 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than North Dakota
note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory
Land boundaries:
total: 2,253 km
border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon
375 km, Turkey 822 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 41 nm
territorial sea: 35 nm
International disputes: Golan Heights is Israeli occupied; Hatay
question with Turkey; dispute over Turkey's water development plans
for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; Syrian troops in northern,
central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976
Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August)
and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold
weather with snow or sleet periodically hitting Damascus
Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal
plain; mountains in west
lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m
highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m
Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese
ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum
Land use:
arable land: 28%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 46%
forest and woodland: 3%
other: 20%
Irrigated land: 10,000 sq km (1992)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;
desertification; water pollution from dumping of raw sewage and
wastes from petroleum refining; inadequate supplies of potable water
natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms
international agreements: party to - Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification, Environmental Modification
Geographic note: there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian
land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 1995
est.)
People
------
Population: 15,608,648 (July 1996 est.)
note: in addition, there are 31,300 people living in the
Israeli-occupied Golan Heights - 16,500 Arabs (15,000 Druze and
1,500 Alawites) and 14,800 Israeli settlers (August 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 47% (male 3,738,671; female 3,557,474)
15-64 years: 50% (male 4,013,355; female 3,843,466)
65 years and over: 3% (male 227,249; female 228,433) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.37% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 39.56 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.86 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 40 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.13 years
male: 65.94 years
female: 68.38 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.91 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Syrian(s)
adjective: Syrian
Ethnic divisions: Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%
Religions: Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim
sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities
in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic,
Circassian, French widely understood
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 70.8%
male: 85.7%
female: 55.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic
conventional short form: Syria
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah
local short form: Suriyah
former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt)
Data code: SY
Type of government: republic under military regime since March 1963
Capital: Damascus
Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (muhafazat, singular -
muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As
Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib,
Rif Dimashq, Tartus
Independence: 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under
French administration)
National holiday: National Day, 17 April (1946)
Constitution: 13 March 1973
Legal system: based on Islamic law and civil law system; special
religious courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971; see
note) was reelected for a seven-year term by universal suffrage;
election last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held NA December
1998); results - President Hafiz al-ASAD was reelected for a fourth
seven-year term with 99.98% of the vote; note - President ASAD
seized power in the November 1970 coup, assumed presidential powers
22 February 1971, and was confirmed as president in the 12 March
1971 national elections; Vice Presidents 'Abd al-Halim ibn Said
KHADDAM (since NA), Rifaat al-ASAD (since NA), and Muhammad Zuhayr
MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984) were appointed by the president
head of government: Prime Minister Mahmud ZUBI (since 1 November
1987), Deputy Prime Ministers Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March
1984), Salim YASIN (since NA December 1981), and Rashid AKHTARINI
(since 4 July 1992) were appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
People's Council (Majlis al-Chaab): elections last held 24-25 August
1994 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (250 total) National Progressive Front 167, independents
83
Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court, justices are
appointed for four-year terms by the president; High Judicial
Council; Court of Cassation; State Security Courts
Political parties and leaders:
National Progressive Front includes: the ruling Arab Socialist
Renaissance (Ba'th) Party, Hafiz al-ASAD, president of the republic,
secretary general of the party, and chairman of the National
Progressive Front; Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP), 'Abd al-Ghani
KANNUT; Arab Socialist Union (ASU), Jamal ATASSI; Syrian Communist
Party (SCP), Wisal FARHAH; Arab Socialist Unionist Movement, Sami
SOUFAN; and Democratic Socialist Union Party, Ghassan UTHMAN
Other political or pressure groups: non-Ba'th parties have little
effective political influence; Communist party ineffective;
conservative religious leaders; Muslim Brotherhood
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,
CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO,
ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU,
WHO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Walid MUALEM
chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313
FAX: [1] (202) 234-9548
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSS
embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street No. 2, Damascus
mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus
telephone: [963] (11) 333-2814, 333-0788, 332-0783
FAX: [963] (11) 224-7938
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line
centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has
a plain white band and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an
Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band;
also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a symbolic eagle
centered in the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: During 1990-92 Syria's state-dominated economy
benefited from the Gulf war, increased oil production, good weather,
and economic reform. Economic growth averaged roughly 10%. The war
led to a Syrian aid windfall of nearly $5 billion from Arab,
European, and Japanese donors. Most positive economic trends ended
in 1993 due to the dissipation of the Gulf war boom, a domestic
financial crisis, and economic policy missteps. Economic growth has
dropped below 5%, income inequality is increasing, the government
budget deficit is growing, and international accounts are weakening.
For the long run, Syria's economy is saddled with a large number of
poorly performing public sector firms and low industrial
productivity. Oil production is likely to ebb by the end of the
decade. Unemployment will likely rise as the more than 60% of the
population under age 20 moves into the labor force. The economic
benefits of any peace treaty with Israel will depend in large part
on the pace of economic reform.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $91.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: 25%
services: 45% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.1% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 4.7 million (1995 est.)
by occupation: services 42%, industry 36%, agriculture 22% (1990
est.)
Unemployment rate: 8% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $2.5 billion
expenditures: $3.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco,
phosphate rock mining, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 4,160,000 kW
production: 13.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 865 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas; beef,
lamb, eggs, poultry, milk
Illicit drugs: a transit point for Lebanese and Turkish refined
cocaine going to Europe and heroin and hashish bound for regional
and Western markets
Exports: $3.5 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: petroleum 66%, cotton, fruits and vegetables 14%,
textiles 9%, animal products 4%, industrial products 3%
partners: EU 61%, Arab countries 24%, former CEMA countries, China,
Yugoslavia 5%, US and Canada 3% (1993 est.)
Imports: $5.4 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: machinery 25%, metal products 16%, transport equipment
15%, foodstuffs 12%, textiles 10%
partners: EU 37%, former CEMA countries, China, Yugoslavia 17%, US
and Canada 7%, Arab countries 6% (1993 est.)
External debt: $21.2 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $259 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Syrian pound (LS) = 100 piastres
Exchange rates: Syrian pounds (LS) per US$1 - 11.225 (official
fixed rate), 26.6 ("blended rate" used by the UN and diplomatic
missions), 42.0 ("neighboring country rate" - applies to most state
enterprise imports), 48.0 - 52.0 (offshore rate) (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,998 km
broad gauge: 1,766 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 232 km 1.050-m gauge
Highways:
total: 31,569 km
paved: 24,308 km (including 712 km of expressways)
unpaved: 7,261 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 870 km; minimal economic importance
Pipelines: crude oil 1,304 km; petroleum products 515 km
Ports: Baniyas, Jablah, Latakia, Tartus
Merchant marine:
total: 99 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 294,355 GRT/454,990 DWT
ships by type: bulk 12, cargo 85, livestock carrier 1, vehicle
carrier 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 99
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 62
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 541,465 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: fair system currently undergoing significant
improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology
domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay network
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 1 submarine cable;
coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon,
and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.392 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 17
Televisions: 700,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air
Force, Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces, Police and Security Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,590,557
males fit for military service: 2,011,610
males reach military age (19) annually: 164,598 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $875 million, 8%
of GDP (1994 est.); note - based on official budget data that
understate actual spending
======================================================================
@Taiwan
------
Map
---
Location: 23 30 N, 121 00 E -- Eastern Asia, islands bordering the
East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait,
north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China
Flag
----
Description: red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea,
Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the
Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China
Geographic coordinates: 23 30 N, 121 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 35,980 sq km
land area: 32,260 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware
combined
note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,448 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: involved in complex dispute over the
Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and
possibly Brunei; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by
Vietnam and Taiwan; Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku
Islands/Diaoyu Tai) claimed by China and Taiwan
Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon
(June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to
gently rolling plains in west
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Yu Shan 3,997 m
Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone,
marble, and asbestos
Land use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 55%
other: 15%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from industrial emissions, raw
sewage; air pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies;
trade in endangered species
natural hazards: earthquakes and typhoons
international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Marine Life
Conservation
People
------
Population: 21,465,881 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 2,605,495; female 2,436,864)
15-64 years: 69% (male 7,505,344; female 7,252,188)
65 years and over: 8% (male 907,310; female 758,680) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.89% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.52 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.02 years
male: 73.43 years
female: 78.82 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Chinese (singular and plural)
adjective: Chinese
Ethnic divisions: Taiwanese 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%
Religions: mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%,
Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka
dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 86%
male: 93%
female: 79%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Taiwan
local long form: none
local short form: T'ai-wan
Data code: TW
Type of government: multiparty democratic regime; opposition
political parties legalized in March 1989
Capital: Taipei
Administrative divisions: some of the ruling party in Taipei claim
to be the government of all China; in keeping with that claim, the
central administrative divisions include 2 provinces (sheng,
singular and plural) and 2 municipalities* (shih, singular and
plural) - Fu-chien (some 20 offshore islands of Fujian Province
including Quemoy and Matsu), Kao-hsiung*, T'ai-pei*, and Taiwan (the
island of Taiwan and the Pescadores islands); note - the more
commonly referenced administrative divisions are those of Taiwan
Province - 16 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5
municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special
municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua,
Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan,
Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung,
T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**,
T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is at
Chung-hsing-hsin-ts'un
note: Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanization
National holiday: National Day, 10 October (1911) (Anniversary of
the Revolution)
Constitution: 1 January 1947, amended in 1992, presently
undergoing revision
Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President LI Teng-hui (succeeded to the presidency
following the death of President CHIANG Ching-kuo 13 January 1988,
elected by the National Assembly 21 March 1990, reelected by popular
vote in the first-ever direct elections for president 23 March
1996); election last held 23 March 1996 (next to be held NA 2000);
results - LI Teng-hui 54%, PENG Ming-min 21%, LIN Yang-kang 15%, and
CHEN Li-an 10%; Vice President-elect LIEN Chan (to be inaugurated 20
May 1996)
head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) LIEN
Chan (since 23 February 1993) and Vice Premier (Vice President of
the Executive Yuan) HSU Li-teh (since 23 February 1993) were
appointed by the president; note - LIEN Chan will continue to serve
as premier until 20 May 1996 when he will be inaugurated as vice
president; a new premier is expected to be appointed sometime in May
1996
cabinet: Executive Yuan was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Yuan and unicameral
National Assembly
Legislative Yuan: elections last held 2 December 1995 (next to be
held NA December 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (164 total) KMT 85, DPP 54, CNP 21, independents 4; note - since
the election, there has been a change in the distribution of seats -
KMT 83, DPP 54, CNP 21, independents 6
National Assembly: elections last held 23 March 1996 (next to be
held NA 2000); results - KMT 55%, DPP 30%, CNP 14%, other 1%; seats
- (334 total) KMT 183, DPP 99, CNP 46, other 6
Judicial branch: Judicial Yuan, justices nominated and appointed
for nine-year terms by the president
Political parties and leaders: Kuomintang (KMT, Nationalist
Party), LI Teng-hui, chairman; Democratic Progressive Party (DPP),
leader NA; Chinese New Party (CNP), leader NA; Labor Party (LP),
leader NA
Other political or pressure groups: Taiwan independence movement,
various environmental groups
note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the
mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization
and the increased representation of the opposition Democratic
Progressive Party in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate
on the island's national identity; advocates of Taiwan independence,
both within the DPP and the ruling Kuomintang, oppose the ruling
party's traditional stand that the island will eventually unify with
mainland China; the aims of the Taiwan independence movement include
establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; other
organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the World
United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for Taiwan
Nation Building
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC,
IOC, WCL, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US: none; unofficial commercial and
cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through
a private instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Representative Office (TECRO) with headquarters in Taipei and field
offices in Washington and 10 other US cities
US diplomatic representation: none; unofficial commercial and
cultural relations with the people of Taiwan are maintained through
a private institution, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which
has offices in Taipei at #7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3,
telephone [886] (2) 709-2000, FAX [886] (2) 702-7675, and in
Kao-hsiung at #2 Chung Cheng 3d Road, telephone [886] (7) 224-0154
through 0157, FAX [886] (7) 223-8237, and the American Trade Center
at Room 3207 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade
Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei 10548, telephone [886]
(2) 720-1550
Flag: red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side
corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with
considerable government guidance of investment and foreign trade and
partial government ownership of some large banks and industrial
firms. Real growth in GDP has averaged about 9% a year during the
past three decades. Export growth has been even faster and has
provided the impetus for industrialization. Inflation and
unemployment are low. Agriculture contributes about 4% to GDP, down
from 35% in 1952. Taiwan currently ranks as number 13 among major
trading countries. Traditional labor-intensive industries are
steadily being replaced with more capital- and technology-intensive
industries. Taiwan has become a major investor in China, Thailand,
Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The tightening of
labor markets has led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal
and illegal.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $290.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $13,510 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 37.3%
services: 59.1% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 8.874 million
by occupation: services 49%, industry 39%, agriculture 11% (1993
est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.6% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $30.3 billion
expenditures: $30.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1991 est.)
Industries: electronics, textiles, chemicals, clothing, food
processing, plywood, sugar milling, cement, shipbuilding, petroleum
refining
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 21,460,000 kW
production: 108 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 4,789 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, vegetables, fruit, tea;
pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish catch increasing, reached 1.4
million metric tons in 1988
Illicit drugs: an important heroin transit point; also a drug
money laundering center
Exports: $93 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: electrical machinery 19.7%, electronic products 19.6%,
textiles 10.9%, footwear 3.3%, foodstuffs 1.0%, plywood and wood
products 0.9% (1993 est.)
partners: US 27.6%, Hong Kong 21.7%, EU countries 15.2%, Japan 10.5%
(1994 est.)
Imports: $85.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: machinery and equipment 15.7%, electronic products
15.6%, chemicals 9.8%, iron and steel 8.5%, crude oil 3.9%,
foodstuffs 2.1% (1993 est.)
partners: Japan 30.1%, US 21.7%, EU countries 17.6% (1993 est.)
External debt: $620 million (1992 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 New Taiwan dollar (NT$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars per US$1 - 27.4 (1995), 26.2
(1994), 26.6 (1993), 25.4 (1992), 25.748 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 4,600 km; note - 1,075 km in common carrier service and about
3,525 km is dedicated to industrial use
narrow gauge: 4,600 km 1.067-m
Highways:
total: 19,860 km
paved: 17,119 km (including 382 km of expressways)
unpaved: 2,741 km (1990 est.)
Pipelines: petroleum products 615 km; natural gas 97 km
Ports: Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T'ai-chung
Merchant marine:
total: 198 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,812,534
GRT/8,885,092 DWT
ships by type: bulk 50, cargo 29, combination bulk 3, combination
ore/oil 1, container 83, oil tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 11,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 38
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 12
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 10,253,773 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: best developed system in Asia outside of Japan
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay trunk system on east and
west coasts
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Pacific
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to Japan (Okinawa),
Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia,
Middle East, and Western Europe
Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 23, shortwave 0
Radios: 8.62 million
Television broadcast stations: 15 (repeaters 13)
Televisions: 6.66 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, Coastal Patrol
and Defense Command, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service
Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 6,278,159
males fit for military service: 4,849,057
males reach military age (19) annually: 204,313 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11.5 billion,
3.6% of GDP (FY96/97)
======================================================================
@Tajikistan
----------
Tajikistan has experienced three changes of government since it
gained independence in September 1991. The current president,
Emomali RAHMONOV, was elected in November 1994, yet has been in
power since 1992. The country is suffering through its third year of
a civil conflict, with no clear end in sight. Underlying the
conflict are deeply rooted regional and clan-based animosities that
pit a government consisting of people primarily from the Kulob
(Kulyab), Khujand (Leninabad), and Hisor (Hissar) regions against a
secular and Islamic-led opposition from the Gharm, Gorno-Badakhshan,
and Qurghonteppa (Kurgan-Tyube) regions. Government and opposition
representatives have held periodic rounds of UN-mediated peace talks
and agreed in September 1994 to a cease-fire which has been
periodically extended. Russian-led peacekeeping troops are deployed
throughout the country, and Russian-commanded border guards are
stationed along the Tajik-Afghan border.
Map
---
Location: 39 00 N, 71 00 E -- Central Asia, west of China
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe
of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven five-pointed
gold stars is located in the center of the white stripe
Geography
---------
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 143,100 sq km
land area: 142,700 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Wisconsin
Land boundaries:
total: 3,651 km
border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870
km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: boundary with China in dispute;
territorial dispute with Kyrgyzstan on northern boundary in Isfara
Valley area; Afghanistan's and other foreign support to Islamic
fighters in Tajikistan's civil war based in northern Afghanistan
Climate: midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters;
semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains
Terrain: Pamir and Altai Mountains dominate landscape; western
Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest
lowest point: Syrdariya 300 m
highest point: Qullai Kommunizm 7,495 m
Natural resources: significant hydropower potential, some
petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony,
tungsten
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 23%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 71%
Irrigated land: 6,940 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels
of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides; part
of the basin of the shrinking Aral Sea suffers from severe
overutilization of available water for irrigation and associated
pollution
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 5,916,373 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 1,282,846; female 1,258,302)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,546,264; female 1,566,365)
65 years and over: 4% (male 110,705; female 151,891) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.54% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.43 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 113.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.45 years
male: 60.84 years
female: 68.24 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.38 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Tajik(s)
adjective: Tajik
Ethnic divisions: Tajik 64.9%, Uzbek 25%, Russian 3.5% (declining
because of emigration), other 6.6%
Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 5%
Languages: Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and
business
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan
conventional short form: Tajikistan
local long form: Jumhurii Tojikistan
local short form: none
former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: TI
Type of government: republic
Capital: Dushanbe
Administrative divisions: 2 oblasts (viloyatho, singular -
viloyat) and one autonomous oblast* (viloyati avtonomii); Viloyati
Avtonomii Badakhshoni Kuni* (Khorugh - formerly Khorog), Viloyati
Khatlon (Qurghonteppa - formerly Kurgan-Tyube), Viloyati Leninobod
(Khujand - formerly Leninabad)
note: the administrative center names are in parentheses
Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 9 September (1991)
Constitution: new constitution adopted 6 November 1994
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994;
was Head of State and Assembly Chairman since NA November 1992) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 6 November 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - Emomali
RAHMONOV 58%, Abdumalik ABDULLAJANOV 40%
head of government: Prime Minister Yahyo AZIMOV (since 8 February
1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president who
proposes them to the Supreme Assembly for approval
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Majlisi Oli): elections last held 26 February and
12 March 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote
by party NA; estimated seats - (181 total) Communist Party and
affiliates 100, People's Party 10, Party of People's Unity 6, Party
of Economic and Political Renewal 1, other 64
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
president
Political parties and leaders: People's Party of Tajikistan,
Abdumajid DOSTIYEV; Party of People's Unity, Abdumalik ABDULLOJONOR;
Tajik Communist Party, Shodi SHABDOLOV; Democratic Party, Jumaboy
NIYAZOV, chairman; Islamic Renaissance Party (IRP), Mohammed Sharif
HIMMATZODA, chairman; Rebirth (Rastokhez), Takhir ABDUZHABOROV; Lali
Badakhshan Society, Atobek AMIRBEK; Tajikistan Party of Economic and
Political Renewal (TPEPR); Citizenship, Patriotism, Unity Party,
Bobokhon MAHMADOV; Adolatho "Justices" Party, Abdurahmon KARIMOV,
chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Tajikistan Opposition Movement
based in northern Afghanistan, Seyed Abdullah NURI, chairman
International organization participation: CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO,
ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM, ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US: Tajikistan does not have an
embassy in the US, but has a mission at the UN: address - 136 East
67th Street, New York, NY 10021, telephone - [1] (212) 472-7645, FAX
- [1] (212) 628-0252
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador R. Grant SMITH
embassy: interim chancery, Oktyabrskaya Hotel, 105A Prospect Rudaki,
Dushanbe 734001
mailing address: Octyabrskaya Hotel, 105A Prospect Rudaki, Dushanbe,
Tajikistan 734001
telephone: [7] (3772) 21-03-56
FAX: Telex (787) 20116
Flag: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of
white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven five-pointed gold
stars is located in the center of the white stripe
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Tajikistan had the next-to-lowest per capita
GDP in the former USSR, the highest rate of population growth, and
an extremely low standard of living. Agriculture dominates the
economy, with cotton being the most important crop. Mineral
resources, varied but limited in amount, include silver, gold,
uranium, and tungsten. Industry is limited to a large aluminum
plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in
light industry and food processing. The Tajik economy has been
gravely weakened by four years of civil conflict and by the loss of
subsidies and markets for its products, which has left Tajikistan
dependent on Russia and Uzbekistan and on international humanitarian
assistance for much of its basic subsistence needs. Moreover,
constant political turmoil and the continued dominance by former
communist officials have impeded the introduction of meaningful
economic reforms. The regime has made only halfhearted efforts to
stabilize the economy and promote reform.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.4 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -12.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,040 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 28% monthly average (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.95 million (1992)
by occupation: agriculture and forestry 43%, government and services
24%, industry 14%, trade and communications 11%, construction 8%
(1990)
Unemployment rate: 3.3% includes only officially registered
unemployed; also large numbers of underemployed workers and
unregistered unemployed people (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers,
cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators
and freezers
Industrial production growth rate: -5% (1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 3,800,000 kW
production: 14.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,400 kWh (1995)
Agriculture: cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle,
sheep, goats
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy;
mostly for CIS consumption; used as transshipment point for illicit
drugs from Southwest Asia to Western Europe and North America
Exports: $707 million (1995)
commodities: cotton, aluminum, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles
partners: Russia, Kazakstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
Imports: $690 million (1995)
commodities: fuel, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment,
textiles, foodstuffs
partners: Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan
External debt: $635 million (of which $250 million to Russia)
(1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $22 million (1993)
note: commitments, $885 million (disbursements $115 million)
(1992-95)
Currency: introduced its own currency, the Tajik ruble, in May 1995
Exchange rates: Tajik rubles per US$1 - 284 (January 1996)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 480 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial
lines (1990)
Highways:
total: 32,752 km
paved: 21,119 km
unpaved: 11,633 km (1992 est.)
Pipelines: natural gas 400 km (1992)
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 59
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 36 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 303,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: poorly developed and not well maintained; many
towns are not reached by the national network
domestic: cable and microwave radio relay
international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other
CIS republics, and by leased connections to the Moscow international
gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway
switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 2
Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there
is one state-owned radio broadcast station
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
note: 1 Intelsat earth station provides TV receive-only service from
Turkey
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army (being formed), Presidential National Guard,
Security Forces (internal and border troops)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,358,106
males fit for military service: 1,115,149
males reach military age (18) annually: 58,691 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 180 billion rubles, 3.4% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Tanzania
--------
Map
---
Location: 6 00 S, 35 00 E -- Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian
Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
Flag
----
Description: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from
the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is
green and the lower triangle is blue
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between
Kenya and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 35 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 945,090 sq km
land area: 886,040 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than twice the size of California
note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Land boundaries:
total: 3,402 km
border countries: Burundi 451 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km,
Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km
Coastline: 1,424 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: boundary dispute with Malawi in Lake
Nyasa; Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no
longer be indefinite since it has been informally reported that the
indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary has been settled
Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north,
south
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential, tin, phosphates, iron
ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 40%
forest and woodland: 47%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: 1,530 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil degradation; deforestation; desertification;
destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent
droughts affected marginal agriculture
natural hazards: the tsetse fly and lack of water limit agriculture;
flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification
Geographic note: Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa
People
------
Population: 29,058,470 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 6,536,911; female 6,576,752)
15-64 years: 52% (male 7,360,370; female 7,739,500)
65 years and over: 3% (male 396,128; female 448,809) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.15% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 41.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 19.47 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -10.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: the total number of Rwandan and Burundian refugees in Tanzania
is about 750,000
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 105.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 42.34 years
male: 40.95 years
female: 43.78 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.67 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Tanzanian(s)
adjective: Tanzanian
Ethnic divisions:
mainland: native African (95% Bantu, consisting of well over 100
tribes) 99%, Asian, European, and Arab 1%
Zanzibar: Arab, mixed Arab and native African, native African
Religions:
mainland: Christian 45%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 20%
Zanzibar: Muslim more than 99%
Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguju (name for
Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of
commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely
spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages
note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of Bantu people
living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili
is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety
of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the
lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of
most people is one of the local languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili),
English, or Arabic (1995 est.)
total population: 67.8%
male: 79.4%
female: 56.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania
conventional short form: Tanzania
former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar
Data code: TZ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Dar es Salaam
note: some government offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which
is planned as the new national capital by the end of the 1990s
Administrative divisions: 25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam,
Dodoma, Iringa, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro,
Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma,
Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar
North, Zanzibar Urban/West, Ziwa Magharibi
Independence: 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9
December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became
independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with
Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and
Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964
National holiday: Union Day, 26 April (1964)
Constitution: 25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Benjamin MKARA (since 22 November 1995)
was elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election last held
29 October-19 November 1995 (next to be held 29 October 2000);
results - Benjamin MKARA 62%, MREMA 28%, LIPUMBA 6%, CHEYO 4%; Vice
President Omar Ali JUMA (since 22 November 1995); President of
Zanzibar Salmin AMOUR (since 27 October 1995); election last held 22
October 1995 (next to be held 22 October 2000); results - Salmin
AMOUR 50.2%, HAMAD 49.8%
head of government: Prime Minister Fredrick SUMAYE (since 27
November 1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president from the members of
the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Bunge): elections last held 29 October-19
November 1995 (next to be held 29 October 2000); results - percent
of total vote by party NA; seats - (274 total, 232 elected) CCM 186,
opposition parties 46; of the 42 seats which are not elected some
are filled by presidential appointment and others are designated by
law for specific officials
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court
Political parties and leaders: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM or
Revolutionary Party), Ali Hassan MWINYI; Civic United Front (CUF),
Seif Sharif HAMAD; National Convention for Construction and Reform
(NCCR), Lyatonga (Augustine) MREMA; Union for Multiparty Democracy
(UMD), Abdullah FUNDIKIRA; Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo
(CHADEMA), Edwin I. M. MTEI, chairman; Democratic Party
(unregistered), Reverend MTIKLA; United Democratic Party (UDP), John
CHEYO
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB,
ECA, FAO, G- 6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADC,
UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mustafa Salim NYANG'ANYI
chancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125
FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Brady ANDERSON
embassy: 36 Laibon Road (off Bagamoyo Road), Dar es Salaam
mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam
telephone: [255] (51) 66010 through 66015
FAX: [255] (51) 66701
Flag: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the
lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green
and the lower triangle is blue
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the
world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which
accounts for 58% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 90% of
the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit
cultivated crops to only 5% of the land area. Industry accounts for
8% of GDP and is mainly limited to processing agricultural products
and light consumer goods. The economic recovery program announced in
mid-1986 has generated notable increases in agricultural production
and financial support for the program by bilateral donors. The World
Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have
provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's deteriorated economic
infrastructure. Growth in 1991-94 has featured a pickup in
industrial production and a substantial increase in output of
minerals, led by gold. Recent banking reforms have helped increase
private sector growth and investment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $23.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 58%
industry: 8%
services: 34% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 13.495 million
by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 10% (1986 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $495 million
expenditures: $631 million, including capital expenditures of $118
million (1990 est.)
Industries: primarily agricultural processing (sugar, beer,
cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refining,
shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer
Industrial production growth rate: 9.3% (1990)
Electricity:
capacity: 440,000 kW
production: 880 million kWh
consumption per capita: 30 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide
made from chrysanthemums), cashews, tobacco, cloves (Zanzibar),
corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle,
sheep, goats
Illicit drugs: growing role in transshipment of Southwest Asian
heroin destined for European and US markets
Exports: $462 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: coffee, cotton, tobacco, tea, cashew nuts, sisal
partners: Germany, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Kenya, Hong Kong, US
Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transportation
equipment, cotton piece goods, crude oil, foodstuffs
partners: Germany, UK, US, Japan, Italy, Denmark
External debt: $6.7 billion (1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Tanzanian shilling (TSh) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Tanzanian shillings (TSh) per US$1 - 558.18
(December 1995), 574.76 (1995), 509.63 (1994), 405.27 (1993), 297.71
(1992), 219.16 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,569 km (1995)
narrow gauge: 2,600 km 1.000-m gauge; 969 km 1.067-m gauge
note:: the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which
operates 1,860 km of 1.067-m narrow gauge track between Dar es
Salaam and New Kapiri M'poshi in Zambia is not a part of Tanzania
Railways Corporation; 969 km are in Tanzania and 891 km are in
Zambia; because of the difference in gauge, this system does not
connect to Tanzania Railways
Highways:
total: 55,600 km
paved: 20,572 km (including 50 km of expressways)
unpaved: 35,028 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa
Pipelines: crude oil 982 km
Ports: Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Lindi, Mkoani, Mtwara,
Musoma, Mwanza, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar
Merchant marine:
total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,371 GRT/41,269 DWT
ships by type: cargo 3, oil tanker 2, passenger-cargo 2,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 111
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 28
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 15
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 57 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 137,000 (1989 est.)
Telephone system: fair system operating below capacity
domestic: open wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 640,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Tanzanian People's Defense Force (TPDF; includes Army,
Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary Police Field Force Unit, Militia
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 6,499,244
males fit for military service: 3,765,193 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $69 million, NA%
of GDP (FY94/95)
======================================================================
@Thailand
--------
Map
---
Location: 15 00 N, 100 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, bordering the
Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma
Flag
----
Description: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue
(double width), white, and red
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the
Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 514,000 sq km
land area: 511,770 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
Land boundaries:
total: 4,863 km
border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km,
Malaysia 506 km
Coastline: 3,219 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved
maritime boundary with Vietnam; parts of border with Cambodia in
dispute; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined
Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May
to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March);
southern isthmus always hot and humid
Terrain: central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains
elsewhere
lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum,
timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite
Land use:
arable land: 34%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 30%
other: 31%
Irrigated land: 42,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water
pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil
erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting
natural hazards: land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the
depletion of the water table; droughts
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia
and Singapore
People
------
Population: 58,851,357 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 7,627,916; female 7,351,264)
15-64 years: 69% (male 19,994,884; female 20,576,141)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,468,814; female 1,832,338) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.03% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.29 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 33.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.6 years
male: 64.89 years
female: 72.49 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Thai (singular and plural)
adjective: Thai
Ethnic divisions: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions: Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism
0.1%, other 0.6% (1991)
Languages: Thai, English the secondary language of the elite,
ethnic and regional dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 93.8%
male: 96%
female: 91.6%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form: Thailand
Data code: TH
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Bangkok
Administrative divisions: 76 provinces (changwat, singular and
plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat,
Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri,
Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi,
Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri,
Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom,
Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat,
Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum
Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun,
Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae,
Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi,
Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon,
Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla,
Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon
Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December
(1927)
Constitution: new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended
10 June 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system, with influences of common
law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; martial law in
effect since 23 February 1991 military coup
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946) is a
constitutional monarch; Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON
(born 28 July 1952)
head of government: Prime Minister BANHAN Sinlapa-acha (since 13
July 1995); prime minister must be appointed from among the members
of the House of Representatives
cabinet: Council of Ministers
Privy Council: NA
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Rathasapha)
Senate (Wuthisapha): consists of a 270-member appointed body
House of Representatives (Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon): elections last
held 2 July 1995 (next to be held 2 July 1999); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (391 total) TNP 93, DP 86, NAP 56, NDP 53,
PDP 23, SAP 23, NTP 18, TCP 18, LDP 10, SP 8, MP 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the
king
Political parties and leaders: Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai
Party), BANHAN Sinlapa-acha; Democratic Party (DP or Prachathipat
Party), CHUAN Likphai; New Aspiration Party (NAP or Khwamwang Mai),
Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut; National Development Party (NDP or Chat
Phattana), CHATCHAI Chunhawan; Phalang Dharma Party (PDP or Phalang
Tham), THAKSIN Chinnawat; Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom
Party), MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Leadership Party (NTP or Nam Thai),
Amnuai Wirawan; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or Prachakon Thai), SAMAK
Sunthonwet; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), ATHIT
Urairat; Solidarity Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI
Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM
Yubamrung
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC,
CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, Mekong
Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram
chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William H. ITOH
embassy: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok
mailing address: APO AP 96546
telephone: [66] (2) 252-5040
FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990
consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai
consulate(s): Udorn
Flag: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double
width), white, and red
Economy
-------
Economic overview: One of the more advanced developing countries
in Asia, Thailand depends on exports of manufactures - including
high-technology goods - and the development of the service sector to
fuel the country's rapid growth, averaging 9% since 1989. Most of
Thailand's recent imports have been for capital equipment and raw
materials, although imports of consumer goods are beginning to rise.
Thailand's 35% domestic savings rate is a key source of capital for
the economy, and the country is also benefiting from rising
investment from abroad. Prime Minister BANHAN's government -
Thailand's sixth government in five years - undoubtedly will
continue Bangkok's probusiness policies despite some concerns that
it is relaxing Bangkok's traditional fiscal austerity. BANHAN is
beginning to address Thailand's serious infrastructure bottlenecks,
especially in the transport and telecommunications sectors. Over the
longer term, Bangkok must produce more college graduates with
technical training and upgrade workers' skills to continue its rapid
economic development.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $416.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 8.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 30.6%
services: 59.2% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.8% (1995)
Labor force: 32,152,600
by occupation: agriculture 57%, industry 17%, commerce 11%, services
(including government) 15% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $28.4 billion
expenditures: $28.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.1
billion (FY94/95)
Industries: tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural
processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as
jewelry; electric appliances and components, integrated circuits,
furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and
third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate: 13.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 12,810,000 kW
production: 56.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 909 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane,
coconuts, soybeans
Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana;
major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international
drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced
the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to
neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by
eradication efforts; also a drug money laundering center; rapidly
growing role in amphetamine production for regional consumption;
increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamine and heroin
Exports: $45.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: manufactures 73%, agricultural products and fisheries
21%, raw materials 5%, fuels 1%
partners: US 21.0%, Japan 17.1%, Singapore 13.6%, Hong Kong 5.3%,
Germany 3.5%, UK 3.0%, Netherlands 2.8%, Malaysia 2.4%
Imports: $53.9 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: manufactures 80%, fuels 6.9%, raw materials 6.6%,
foodstuffs 4.3%
partners: Japan 30.4%, US 11.9%, Singapore 6.3%, Germany 5.8%,
Taiwan 5.1%, Malaysia 4.9%, South Korea 3.7%, China 2.6%
External debt: $53.7 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $624 million (1993)
Currency: 1 baht (B) = 100 satang
Exchange rates: baht (B) per US$1 - 25.300 (January 1996), 25.000
(1995 est.), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993), 25.400 (1992), 25.517
(1991)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 4,623 km
narrow gauge: 4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)
Highways:
total: 54,388 km
paved: 48,786 km (including 171 km of expressways)
unpaved: 5,602 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable
depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; numerous minor
waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft
Pipelines: petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km
Ports: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha,
Songkhla
Merchant marine:
total: 259 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,559,037
GRT/2,498,812 DWT
ships by type: bulk 32, cargo 143, chemical tanker 3, container 11,
liquefied gas tanker 12, oil tanker 45, passenger 1, refrigerated
cargo 7, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1,
specialized tanker 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 98
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 22
with paved runways under 914 m: 36
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,553,200 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: service to general public inadequate; bulk of
service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and
microwave radio relay network
domestic: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic
satellite system being developed
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 200 (in government-controlled
network), FM 100 (in government-controlled network), shortwave 0
Radios: 10.75 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 11 (in government-controlled
network)
Televisions: 3.3 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai
Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 16,835,334
males fit for military service: 10,182,904
males reach military age (18) annually: 592,268 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.0 billion,
2.5% of GDP (FY94/95)
======================================================================
@The Bahamas
-----------
Map
---
Location: 24 15 N, 76 00 W -- Caribbean, chain of islands in the
North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top),
gold, and aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the
hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean,
southeast of Florida
Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 13,940 sq km
land area: 10,070 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,542 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Alvernia 63 m
Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 32%
other: 67%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: coral reef decay
natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause
extensive flood and wind damage
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
Geographic note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba;
extensive island chain
People
------
Population: 259,367 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 36,331; female 35,771)
15-64 years: 67% (male 84,107; female 89,193)
65 years and over: 5% (male 5,449; female 8,516) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.05% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 18.73 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.53 years
male: 67.98 years
female: 77.16 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.97 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bahamian(s)
adjective: Bahamian
Ethnic divisions: black 85%, white 15%
Religions: Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%,
Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or
unknown 3%, other 2%
Languages: English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write but definition of
literacy not available (1995 est.)
total population: 98.2%
male: 98.5%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas
conventional short form: The Bahamas
Data code: BF
Type of government: commonwealth
Capital: Nassau
Administrative divisions: 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked
Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek,
Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock,
Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New
Providence, Nicholls Town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock
Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay
Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 10 July (1973)
Constitution: 10 July 1973
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Sir Orville
TURNQUEST (since 2 January 1995) who was appointed by the queen
head of government: Prime Minister Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM (since
19 August 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Frank WATSON (since NA)
were appointed by the governor general
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the prime
minister's recommendation
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: a 16-member body appointed by the governor general
House of Assembly: elections last held 19 August 1992 (next to be
held by August 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(49 total) FNM 32, PLP 17
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Progressive Liberal Party (PLP),
Sir Lynden O. PINDLING; Free National Movement (FNM), Hubert
Alexander INGRAHAM
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC,
CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS,
OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Timothy Baswell DONALDSON
chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660
FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668
consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sidney WILLIAMS
embassy: Mosmar Building, Queen Street, Nassau
mailing address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; P.O. Box 9009, Miami, FL
33159; Nassau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-3370 (pouch)
telephone: [1] (809) 322-1181, 328-2206
FAX: [1] (809) 328-7838
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and
aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with
an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking.
Tourism alone accounts for more than 50% of GDP and directly or
indirectly employs 40% of the archipelago's labor force. A slowdown
in the expansion of the tourism sector - especially stopover travel
from Europe - led to a reduction in the country's GDP growth rate in
1995, down to an estimated 2% from 3.5% in 1994. The construction
sector benefited from hotel rehabilitation and the government's
ongoing housing development program. Earnings from exports of
vegetable and citrus production have been decreasing since 1993 but
are expected to increase in 1996 due to storm damage to crops in
Florida. The overall growth prospects through 1996 will depend
heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector and continued income
growth in the US, which accounts for the majority of tourist visits.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $18,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 35%
services: 62% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1994)
Labor force: 136,900 (1993)
by occupation: government 30%, tourism 40%, business services 10%,
agriculture 5% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $665 million
expenditures: $725 million, including capital expenditures of $94
million (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and
transshipment, salt production, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals,
spiral-welded steel pipe
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 424,000 kW
production: 929 million kWh
consumption per capita: 3,200 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: citrus, vegetables; poultry
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound
for US and Europe; also a money-laundering center
Exports: $224.257 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish, refined
petroleum products
partners: US 51%, UK 7%, Norway 7%, France 6%, Italy 5%
Imports: $1.08 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, crude oil, vehicles,
electronics
partners: US 55%, Japan 17%, Nigeria 12%, Denmark 7%, Norway 6%
External debt: $407.8 million (December 1994)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1 - 1.00 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,386 km
paved: 1,342 km
unpaved: 1,044 km (1986 est.)
Ports: Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau
Merchant marine:
total: 956 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,592,285
GRT/35,765,965 DWT
ships by type: bulk 176, cargo 182, chemical tanker 43, combination
bulk 9, combination ore/oil 19, container 53, liquefied gas tanker
20, oil tanker 180, passenger 53, refrigerated cargo 147,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 47, short-sea passenger 13, vehicle carrier 14
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 48
countries among which are Norway 155, Greece 124, US 84, Denmark 63,
Netherlands 44, Sweden 36, Finland 34, France 29, Japan 29, and
Belgium 24 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 55
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 16
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11
with paved runways under 914 m: 17
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 119,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed
international: tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida;
3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 200,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 60,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal
Bahamas Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $20 million, 3.8%
of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@The Gambia
----------
Map
---
Location: 13 28 N, 16 34 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with
white edges, and green
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and
Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 11,300 sq km
land area: 10,000 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 740 km
border country: Senegal 740 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: short section of boundary with Senegal is
indefinite
Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler,
dry season (November to May)
Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 53 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 16%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 9%
forest and woodland: 20%
other: 55%
Irrigated land: 120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases
prevalent
natural hazards: rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification
Geographic note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on
the continent of Africa
People
------
Population: 1,204,984 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 276,782; female 275,683)
15-64 years: 51% (male 307,405; female 312,736)
65 years and over: 3% (male 17,278; female 15,100) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.55% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.44 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.14 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 80.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.96 years
male: 50.74 years
female: 55.24 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian
Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%,
Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-Gambian 1%
Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%
Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other
indigenous vernaculars
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 38.6%
male: 52.8%
female: 24.9%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form: The Gambia
Data code: GA
Type of government: republic under multiparty democratic rule
note:: nominally a republic, The Gambia has had a military
government since 22 July 1994; the military authority has promised
to return control to a democratically-elected government in July 1996
Capital: Banjul
Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower
River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western
Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal
signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation
of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the
agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution: 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994
Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic
law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Armed Forces
Provisional Ruling Council Capt. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since the
military coup of 22 July 1994); Vice Chairman of the Armed Forces
Provisional Ruling Council Capt. Edward SINGHATEH (since March
1995); last popular election held on 29 April 1992; results - Sir
Dawda JAWARA (PPP) 58.5%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 22.2%, Assan
Musa CAMARA (GPP) 8.0% (prior to the 22 July 1994 coup, next
election had been scheduled for April 1997)
cabinet: Cabinet normally is appointed by the president from members
of the House of Representatives (present cabinet appointed by
Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council)
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Representatives: last popular election held on 29 April
1992 (next to be held NA April 1997); results - PPP won 58.1% of
votes; seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP 30, NCP 6
note: following the military coup on 22 July 1994, all elective
offices were dissolved; in April 1996, the military government
announced that voter registrations would begin in May and democratic
elections would be held in October 1996
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: the following political parties
were active on 22 July 1994, after which time political activity was
banned by the military government: People's Progressive Party (PPP),
Dawda K. JAWARA (in exile), secretary general; National Convention
Party (NCP), Sheriff DIBBA (in exile); Gambian People's Party (GPP),
Hassan Musa CAMARA; United Party (UP), leader NA; People's
Democratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS),
leader NA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAH
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,
ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Counselor, Charge d'Affaires
ad interim Tombong SAIDY
chancery: Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1399, 1379, 1425
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gerald A. SCOTT
embassy: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul
mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul
telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391970, 391971
FAX: [220] 392475
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white
edges, and green
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other
natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of
the population is engaged in crop production and livestock raising.
Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of
peanuts, fish, and hides. A sustained structural adjustment program,
including a liberalized trade policy, had fostered a respectable 4%
annual rate of growth in 1990-93. Reexport trade normally
constitutes one-third of economic activity; however, border closures
associated with Senegal's monetary crisis in late 1993 led to a
halving of reexport trade, reducing government revenues in turn. The
50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 has made Senegalese
goods more competitive and apparently prompted a relaxation of
Senegalese controls, paving the way for a comeback in reexports.
But, in response to the military's takeover in July 1994, cuts in
foreign trade and a decline in tourism have undermined economic
growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 27%
industry: 15%
services: 58% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1994)
Labor force: 400,000 (1986 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services
18.9%, government 6.1%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $91.4 million
expenditures: $90 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96 est.)
Industries: processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism;
beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking,
metalworking; clothing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 30,000 kW
production: 70 million kWh
consumption per capita: 64 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: peanuts, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava
(tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats; forest and fishing
resources not fully exploited
Exports: $35 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm
kernels
partners: Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1%, other 5% (1989)
Imports: $209 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel,
machinery and transport equipment
partners: Europe 57%, Asia 25%, USSR and Eastern Europe 9%, US 6%,
other 3% (1989)
External debt: $386 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 dalasi (D) = 100 butut
Exchange rates: dalasi (D) per US$1 - 9.555 (August 1996), 9.576
(1994), 9.129 (1993), 8.888 (1992), 8.803 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,386 km
paved: 764 km
unpaved: 1,622 km (1990 est.)
Waterways: 400 km
Ports: Banjul
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 11,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open wire
international: microwave radio relay links to Senegal and
Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 180,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 267,188
males fit for military service: 134,611 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 3.8%
of GDP (FY93/94)
======================================================================
@Togo
----
Map
---
Location: 8 00 N, 1 10 E -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Benin and Ghana
Flag
----
Description: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom)
alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red
square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African
colors of Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Benin and Ghana
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 56,790 sq km
land area: 54,390 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,647 km
border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km
Coastline: 56 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 30 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern
plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pic Baumann 986 m
Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble
Land use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 28%
other: 42%
Irrigated land: 70 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn
agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; recent droughts affecting
agriculture
natural hazards: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in
north during winter; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Law of the
Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Desertification, Tropical Timber 94
People
------
Population: 4,570,530 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 49% (male 1,116,030; female 1,105,957)
15-64 years: 49% (male 1,085,774; female 1,163,374)
65 years and over: 2% (male 46,089; female 53,306) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.56% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 46.23 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 84.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 57.87 years
male: 55.7 years
female: 60.1 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.75 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Togolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Togolese
Ethnic divisions: native African (37 tribes; largest and most
important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and
Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10%
Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and
Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Dagomba and
Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye; the two major African languages in
the north)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 51.7%
male: 67%
female: 37%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Togo
conventional short form: Togo
local long form: Republique Togolaise
local short form: none
former: French Togo
Data code: TO
Type of government: republic under transition to multiparty
democratic rule
Capital: Lome
Administrative divisions: 23 circumscriptions (circonscriptions,
singular - circonscription); Amlame (Amou), Aneho (Lacs), Atakpame
(Ogou), Badou (Wawa), Bafilo (Assoli), Bassar (Bassari), Dapango
(Tone), Kande (Keran), Klouto (Kloto), Pagouda (Binah), Lama-Kara
(Kozah), Lome (Golfe), Mango (Oti), Niamtougou (Doufelgou), Notse
(Haho), Pagouda, Sotouboua, Tabligbo (Yoto), Tchamba, Nyala,
Tchaoudjo, Tsevie (Zio), Vogan (Vo)
note: the 23 units may now be called prefectures (singular -
prefecture) and reported name changes for individual units are
included in parentheses
Independence: 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN
trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1960)
Constitution: multiparty draft constitution approved by High
Council of the Republic 1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27
September 1992
Legal system: French-based court system
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April
1967) reelected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election
last held 25 August 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); all major
opposition parties boycotted the election; Gen. EYADEMA won 96.5% of
the vote
head of government: Prime Minister Edem KODJO (since April 1994)
appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the
prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held 6 and 20 February 1994 (next
to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81
total) CAR 36, RPT 35, UTD 7, UJD 2, CFN 1
note: the Supreme Court ordered new elections for three seats of the
Action Committee for Renewal (CAR) and the Togolese Union for
Democracy (UTD), lowering their total to 34 and six seats,
respectively; the remaining three seats have not been filled
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel); Supreme Court
(Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Rally of the Togolese People (RPT),
President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA; Coordination des Forces Nouvelles
(CFN), Joseph KOFFIGOH; Togolese Union for Democracy (UTD), Edem
KODJO; Action Committee for Renewal (CAR), Yao AGBOYIBOR; Union for
Democracy and Solidarity (UDS), Antoine FOLLY; Pan-African
Sociodemocrats Group (GSP), an alliance of three radical parties:
CDPA, PDR, and PSP; Democratic Convention of African Peoples (CDPA),
Leopold GNININVI; Party for Democracy and Renewal (PDR), Zarifou
AYEVA; Pan-African Social Party (PSP), Francis AGBAGLI; Union of
Forces for Change (UFC), Gilchrist OLYMPIO (in exile); Union of
Justice and Democracy (UJD), Lal TAXPANDJAN
note: Rally of the Togolese People (RPT), led by President EYADEMA,
was the only party until the formation of multiple parties was
legalized 12 April 1991
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU,
MINURSO, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WADB, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kossivi OSSEYI
chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212
FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG
embassy: Rue Pelletier Caventou and Rue Vauban, Lome
mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome
telephone: [228] 21 77 17, 21 29 91 through 21 29 94
FAX: [228] 21 79 52
Flag: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom)
alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red
square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African
colors of Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic overview: This small sub-Saharan economy is heavily
dependent on subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for
more than 60% of the labor force. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton together
generate about 30% of export earnings. Togo is self-sufficient in
basic foodstuffs when harvests are normal. In the industrial sector,
phosphate mining is by far the most important activity, although it
has suffered from the collapse of world phosphate prices and
increased foreign competition. Togo serves as a regional commercial
and trade center. The government's decade-long effort, supported by
the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures,
encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with
expenditures has stalled. Political unrest, including private and
public sector strikes throughout 1992 and 1993, has jeopardized the
reform program, shrunk the tax base, and disrupted vital economic
activity. Although strikes had ended in 1994, political unrest and
lack of funds prevented the government from taking advantage of the
50% currency devaluation of 12 January 1994. Resumption of World
Bank and IMF flows will depend on implementation of several
controversial moves toward privatization and on downsizing the
military, on which the regime depends to stay in power.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 49.2%
industry: 17.7%
services: 33.1% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.538 million (1993 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 64%, industry 9%, services 21%.
unemployed 6% (1981 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $165 million
expenditures: $274 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement;
handicrafts, textiles, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 34,000 kW
production: 41.004 million kWh
consumption per capita: 9 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn,
beans, rice, millet, sorghum; meat; annual fish catch of
10,000-14,000 tons
Illicit drugs: increasingly used as transit hub by heroin
traffickers
Exports: $162.2 (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: phosphates, cotton, cocoa, coffee
partners: EC 40%, Africa 16%, US 1% (1990)
Imports: $212 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, food, chemical
products
partners: EC 57%, Africa 17%, US 5%, Japan 4% (1990)
External debt: $1.3 billion (1991)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 525 km (1995)
narrow gauge: 525 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 7,545 km
paved: 1,833 km
unpaved: 5,712 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 50 km Mono river
Ports: Kpeme, Lome
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 8
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 12,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: fair system based on network of microwave radio
relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines
domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean) and 1 Symphonie
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 795,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (relays 2)
Televisions: 24,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 975,746
males fit for military service: 512,196 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $48 million, 2.9%
of GDP (1993)
======================================================================
@Tokelau
-------
(territory of New Zealand)
Map
---
Location: 9 00 S, 172 00 W -- Oceania, group of islands in the
South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New
Zealand
Flag
----
Description: the flag of New Zealand is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 10 sq km
land area: 10 sq km
comparative area: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 101 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)
Terrain: coral atolls enclosing large lagoons
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: very limited natural resources and overcrowding are
contributing to emigration to New Zealand
natural hazards: lies in Pacific typhoon belt
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 1,482 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -1.35% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Tokelauan(s)
adjective: Tokelauan
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian
Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic
28%, other 2%
note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on
Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with
the Congregational Christian Church predominant
Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tokelau
Data code: TL
Type of government: territory of New Zealand
Capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center
Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand)
Independence: none (territory of New Zealand)
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of
Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)
Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948,
as amended in 1970
Legal system: British and local statutes
Suffrage: NA
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch; the queen and New Zealand
are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993)
who was appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in
New Zealand
head of government: Official Secretary Casimilo J. PEREZ (since NA),
Tokelau Apia Liaison Office
Legislative branch: unicameral
General Fono: seats - (45 total, 15 chosen by each of the three
atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega)
Judicial branch: High Court in Niue; Supreme Court in New Zealand
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: SPC, WHO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of New Zealand)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of New Zealand)
Flag: the flag of New Zealand is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Tokelau's small size, isolation, and lack of
resources greatly restrain economic development and confine
agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid
from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being
substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue
come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and
handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in
New Zealand.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.5 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $1,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $430,830
expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of
$37,300 (1987 est.)
Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, wood
work, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 200 kW
production: 300,000 kWh
consumption per capita: 180 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papaya, bananas; pigs,
poultry, goats
Exports: $98,000 (f.o.b., 1983)
commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts
partners: NZ
Imports: $323,400 (c.i.f., 1983)
commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel
partners: NZ
External debt: 0
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138
(January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584
(1992), l.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports: none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from
Western Samoa
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: radiotelephone service between islands
international: radiotelephone service to Western Samoa
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
note: each atoll has a radio broadcast station of NA type that
broadcasts shipping and weather reports
Radios: 1,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
======================================================================
@Tonga
-----
Map
---
Location: 20 00 S, 175 00 W -- Oceania, archipelago in the South
Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Flag
----
Description: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the
upper hoist-side corner
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 748 sq km
land area: 718 sq km
comparative area: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 419 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December
to May), cool season (May to December)
Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted
coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: on Kao Island 1,033 m
Natural resources: fish, fertile soil
Land use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 55%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 12%
other: 2%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation results as more and more land is being
cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs
from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors;
overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations
natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and
volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
international agreements: party to - Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Geographic note: archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited)
People
------
Population: 106,466 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.82% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 27.33 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.26 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 40.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.04 years
male: 67.03 years
female: 71.4 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.75 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Tongan(s)
adjective: Tongan
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian, Europeans about 300
Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000
adherents)
Languages: Tongan, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write a simple message in
Tongan or English (1976 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga
conventional short form: Tonga
former: Friendly Islands
Data code: TN
Type of government: hereditary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Nuku'alofa
Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu,
Vava'u
Independence: 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate)
National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)
Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967
Legal system: based on English law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) is
a constitutional monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991)
and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991)
were appointed for life by the king
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the king
Privy Council: consists of the king and the Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea): elections last held 3-4 February
1993 (next to be held NA February 1996); results - percent of vote
NA; seats - (30 total, 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex
officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and
nine for elected people's representatives) 6 proreform, 3
traditionalist
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the king
Political parties and leaders: Tonga People's Party, Viliami
FUKOFUKA
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC,
SPF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: Tonga does not have an embassy in
the US; Ambassador Sione KITE, resides in London
consulate(s) general: San Francisco
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Flag: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which
contributes 40% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans
are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of
total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its
food, mainly from New Zealand. The manufacturing sector accounts for
only 11% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency
earnings, but the country also remains dependent on sizable external
aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. The economy
continued to grow in 1993-95 largely because of a rise in squash
exports, increased aid flows, and several large construction
projects. The government is now turning its attention to further
development of the private sector and the reduction of the budget
deficit.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $228 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,160 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 40% (1995 est.)
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993)
Labor force: 32,013 (1990 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 70% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $44 million
expenditures: $86 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 6,000 kW
production: 30 million kWh
consumption per capita: 231 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa,
coffee, ginger, black pepper
Exports: $20.3 million (f.o.b., FY93/94)
commodities: squash, vanilla, fish, root crops, coconut oil
partners: Japan 59%, US 14%, Australia 6%, NZ 6% (FY93/94)
Imports: $57.8 million (c.i.f., FY93/94)
commodities: food products, machinery and transport equipment,
manufactures, fuels, chemicals
partners: NZ 44%, Australia 22%, US 8%, Japan 7% (FY93/94)
External debt: $48.4 million (FY93/94)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 pa'anga (T$) = 100 seniti
Exchange rates: pa'anga (T$) per US$1 - 1.2753 (December 1995),
1.2709 (1995), 1.3202 (1994), 1.3841 (1993), 1.3471 (1992), 1.2961
(1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 432 km
paved: 280 km
unpaved: 152 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai
Merchant marine:
total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,990 GRT/14,884 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 6
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3,500 (1986 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 66,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 1,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Tonga Defense Services, Maritime Division, Royal Tongan
Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Trinidad and Tobago
-------------------
Map
---
Location: 11 00 N, 61 00 W -- Caribbean, islands between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Flag
----
Description: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the
upper hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 61 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 5,130 sq km
land area: 5,130 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 362 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental
margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December)
Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt
Land use:
arable land: 14%
permanent crops: 17%
meadows and pastures: 2%
forest and woodland: 44%
other: 23%
Irrigated land: 220 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from agricultural chemicals,
industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches;
deforestation; soil erosion
natural hazards: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical
storms
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83,
Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity
People
------
Population: 1,272,385 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30% (male 193,134; female 186,649)
15-64 years: 64% (male 413,426; female 404,175)
65 years and over: 6% (male 33,791; female 41,210) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.08% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.25 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -8.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.3 years
male: 67.91 years
female: 72.77 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)
adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian
Ethnic divisions: black 43%, East Indian (a local term - primarily
immigrants from northern India) 40%, mixed 14%, white 1%, Chinese
1%, other 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 32.2%, Hindu 24.3%, Anglican 14.4%,
other Protestant 14%, Muslim 6%, none or unknown 9.1%
Languages: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 97.9%
male: 98.8%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago
Data code: TD
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Port-of-Spain
Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1
ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint
Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*,
Tobago**, Victoria
Independence: 31 August 1962 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962)
Constitution: 1 August 1976
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Noor Mohammed HASSANALI (since 18 March
1987) was elected by an electoral college of members of the Senate
and House of Representatives
head of government: Prime Minister Basdeo PANDAY (since 9 November
1995) was appointed from among the members of Parliament
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed from among the members of Parliament
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of a 31-member body appointed by the president
House of Representatives: elections last held 6 November 1995 (next
to be held by December 2001); results - PNM 52%, UNC 42.2%, NAR
5.2%; seats - (36 total) PNM 17, UNC 17, NAR 2; the UNC formed a
coalition with the NAR
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the
president on the advice of the prime minister; Supreme Court, judges
are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: People's National Movement (PNM),
Patrick MANNING; United National Congress (UNC), Basdeo PANDAY;
National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), A. N. R. ROBINSON;
Movement for Social Transformation (MOTION), David ABDULLAH;
National Joint Action Committee (NJAC), Makandal DAAGA; Republican
Party, Nello MITCHELL; National Development Party (NDP), Carson
CHARLES; Movement for Unity and Progress (MUP), Hulsie BHAGGAN
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC,
CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,
LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UNU, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Corinne Averille McKNIGHT
chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490
FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Brian J. DONNELLY
embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain
mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain
telephone: [1] (809) 622-6372 through 6376, 6176
FAX: [1] (809) 628-5462
Flag: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper
hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Trinidad and Tobago's oil- and
petrochemical-dependent economy enjoys a high per capita income,
although living standards have declined since the boom years of
1973-82. The country managed to record a second successive year of
economic growth in 1995, the first period of substantial expansion
since the early 1980s. A broad economic reform program, including
the floating of the exchange rate, trade and capital market
liberalization, and an extensive privatization program by the
previous administration has left the incoming PANDAY government in a
relatively sound economic position. Trinidad and Tobago's economic
prospects continue to depend heavily on world petroleum prices,
however, and further progress toward diversification will be an
important challenge in the medium term.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $12,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 44.5%
services: 50.7% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1995)
Labor force: 404,500
by occupation: construction and utilities 13%, manufacturing,
mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 11%, services 62% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 17.8% (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $1.65 billion
expenditures: $1.61 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing,
cement, beverage, cotton textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,150,000 kW
production: 3.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,740 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables;
poultry
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe and producer of cannabis
Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel
products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers
partners: US 48%, Caricom countries15%, Latin America 9%, EU 5%
(1994)
Imports: $996 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured
goods, food, live animals
partners: US 47.7%, Venezuela 10%, UK 8.3%, other EU 8% (1994)
External debt: $2 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $10 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$) per US$1 -
5.9412 (January 1996), 5.9192 (1995), 5.9249 (1994), 5.3511 (1993),
4.2500 (fixed rate 1989-1992); note - effective 13 April 1993, the
exchange rate of the TT$ is market-determined as opposed to the
prior fixed relationship to the US dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
note: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando;
railway service was discontinued in 1968
Highways:
total: 8,352 km
paved: 3,978 km
unpaved: 4,374 km (1987 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,032 km; petroleum products 19 km; natural
gas 904 km
Ports: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain,
Scarborough, Tembladora
Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,928 GRT/5,571 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 170,000 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: excellent international service; good local
service
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 700,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (includes Ground
Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and Tobago Police
Service
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 351,835
males fit for military service: 252,532 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $83 million, NA%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Tromelin Island
---------------
(possession of France)
Map
---
Location: 15 52 S, 54 25 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1 sq km
land area: 1 sq km
comparative area: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3.7 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar, Mauritius, and
Seychelles
Climate: tropical
Terrain: sandy
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (scattered bushes)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: climatologically important location for
forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Tromelin
Data code: TE
Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner
of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Communications note: important meteorological station
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Tunisia
-------
Map
---
Location: 34 00 N, 9 00 E -- Northern Africa, bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Flag
----
Description: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red
crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and
star are traditional symbols of Islam
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea,
between Algeria and Libya
Geographic coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 163,610 sq km
land area: 155,360 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,424 km
border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km
Coastline: 1,148 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Libya; land
boundary dispute with Algeria settled in 1993; Malta and Tunisia are
discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf
between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry
summers; desert in south
Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid
south merges into the Sahara
lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m
highest point: Jabal ash Shanabi 1,544 m
Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc,
salt
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 10%
meadows and pastures: 19%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 47%
Irrigated land: 2,750 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective
and presents human health risks; water pollution from raw sewage;
limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing;
soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation
Geographic note: strategic location in central Mediterranean
People
------
Population: 9,019,687 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 1,583,636; female 1,489,784)
15-64 years: 61% (male 2,738,013; female 2,719,998)
65 years and over: 5% (male 254,403; female 233,853) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.81% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.18 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.09 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 35.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.6 years
male: 71.27 years
female: 74.03 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.92 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Tunisian(s)
adjective: Tunisian
Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 98%, European 1%, Jewish less than 1%
Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish 1%
Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce),
French (commerce)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 66.7%
male: 78.6%
female: 54.6%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Tunisia
conventional short form: Tunisia
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah
local short form: Tunis
Data code: TS
Type of government: republic
Capital: Tunis
Administrative divisions: 23 governorates; Beja, Ben Arous,
Bizerte, Gabes, Gafsa, Jendouba, Kairouan, Kasserine, Kebili,
L'Ariana, Le Kef, Mahdia, Medenine, Monastir, Nabeul, Sfax, Sidi Bou
Zid, Siliana, Sousse, Tataouine, Tozeur, Tunis, Zaghouan
Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 20 March (1956)
Constitution: 1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988
Legal system: based on French civil law system and Islamic law;
some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in
joint session
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November
1987) was reelected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;
election last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results
- President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI was reelected without opposition
head of government: Prime Minister Hamed KAROUI (since 26 September
1989) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Chamber of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab): elections last held 20 March
1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - RCD 97.7%, MDS 1.0%,
others 1.3%; seats - (163 total) RCD 144, MDS 10, others 9; note -
the government changed the electoral code to guarantee that the
opposition won seats
Judicial branch: Court of Cassation (Cour de Cassation)
Political parties and leaders: Constitutional Democratic Rally
Party (RCD), President BEN ALI (official ruling party); Movement of
Democratic Socialists (MDS), Mohammed MOUAADA; five other political
parties are legal, including the Communist Party
Other political or pressure groups: the Islamic fundamentalist
party, An Nahda (Rebirth), is outlawed
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB,
AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, BSEC (observer), CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS
(observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Azzouz ENNAIFER
chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Ann CASEY
embassy: 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [216] (1) 782-566
FAX: [216] (1) 789-719
Flag: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent
nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are
traditional symbols of Islam
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important
agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors.
Detailed governmental control of economic affairs has gradually
lessened over the past decade, including increasing privatization of
trade and commerce, simplification of the tax structure, and a
cautious approach to debt. Real growth has averaged 4.2% in 1991-95,
and inflation has been moderate. Growth in tourism and IMF support
have been key elements in this solid record. Drought, especially in
the south, held back GDP growth in 1995. Further privatization and
further improvements in government administrative efficiency are
among the challenges for the future.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $37.1 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.4% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,250 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 30%
services: 55% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.917 million (1993 est.)
by occupation: services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995
est.)
note: shortage of skilled labor
Unemployment rate: 16.2% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $4.3 billion
expenditures: $5.5 billion, including capital expenditures to $NA
(1993 est.)
Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron
ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, food, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1989)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,410,000 kW
production: 5.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 595 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: olives, dates, oranges, almonds, grain, sugar beets,
grapes; poultry, beef, dairy products
Exports: $4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: hydrocarbons, agricultural products, phosphates and
chemicals
partners: EU countries 75%, Middle East 10%, Algeria 2%, India 2%,
US 1%
Imports: $6.6 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: industrial goods and equipment 57%, hydrocarbons 13%,
food 12%, consumer goods
partners: EU countries 70%, US 5%, Middle East 2%, Japan 2%,
Switzerland 1%, Algeria 1%
External debt: $7.7 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $221 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes
Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars (TD) per US$1 - 0.9635 (January
1996), 0.9458 (1995), 1.0116 (1994), 1.0037 (1993), 0.8844 (1992),
0.9246 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,260 km
standard gauge: 492 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,758 km 1.000-m gauge
dual gauge: 10 km 1.000-m and 1.435-m gauges (1993 est.)
Highways:
total: 29,183 km
paved: 17,510 km (including 52 km of expressways)
unpaved: 11,673 km (1989 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 797 km; petroleum products 86 km; natural gas
742 km
Ports: Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 125,840 GRT/164,277 DWT
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 4, chemical tanker 3, oil tanker 2,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, short-sea passenger 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 29
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 6
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 233,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: the system is above the African average; key
centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis
domestic: trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial
cable, and microwave radio relay
international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat with back-up control
station; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and
Libya; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 8, shortwave 0
Radios: 1,693,527 (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 19
Televisions: 670,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces, National
Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,354,513
males fit for military service: 1,349,728
males reach military age (20) annually: 91,866 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $535 million,
2.8% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Turkey
------
Map
---
Location: 39 00 N, 35 00 E -- Southwestern Asia (that part west of
the Bosporus is sometimes included with Europe), bordering the Black
Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and
the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria
Flag
----
Description: red with a vertical white crescent (the closed
portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star
centered just outside the crescent opening
Geography
---------
Location: Southwestern Asia (that part west of the Bosporus is
sometimes included with Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between
Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the
Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 35 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 780,580 sq km
land area: 770,760 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 2,627 km
border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km,
Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 331 km, Syria 822 km
Coastline: 7,200 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only - to the maritime
boundary agreed upon with the former USSR
territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea,; 12 nm in the Black Sea and
in the Mediterranean Sea
International disputes: complex maritime, air and territorial
disputes with Greece in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question; Hatay question
with Syria; dispute with downstream riparians (Syria and Iraq) over
water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters;
harsher in interior
Terrain: mostly mountains; narrow coastal plain; high central
plateau (Anatolia)
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m
Natural resources: antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper,
borate, sulfur, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 30%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 12%
forest and woodland: 26%
other: 28%
Irrigated land: 22,200 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and
detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation
natural hazards: very severe earthquakes, especially in northern
Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Hazardous
Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Desertification, Environmental Modification
Geographic note: strategic location controlling the Turkish
Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and
Aegean Seas
People
------
Population: 62,484,478 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 10,192,195; female 9,836,045)
15-64 years: 62% (male 19,859,717; female 19,187,769)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,571,451; female 1,837,301) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.26 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.52 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 43.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.92 years
male: 69.53 years
female: 74.43 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.58 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Turk(s)
adjective: Turkish
Ethnic divisions: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20%
Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (Christian and
Jews)
Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 82.3%
male: 91.7%
female: 72.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Turkey
conventional short form: Turkey
local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti
local short form: Turkiye
Data code: TU
Type of government: republican parliamentary democracy
Capital: Ankara
Administrative divisions: 79 provinces (iller, singular - il);
Adana, Adiyaman, Afyon, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya,
Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik,
Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum,
Denizli, Diyarbakir, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir,
Gazi Antep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel, Iggdir,
Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahraman Maras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars,
Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli,
Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir,
Nigde, Ordu, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanli Urfa, Siirt, Sinop,
Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova,
Yozgat, Zonguldak
note: Karabuk, Kilis, and Yalova are three new Turkish provinces
mentioned in the 24 December 1995 election results
Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman
Empire)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Declaration of the Republic,
29 October (1923)
Constitution: 7 November 1982
Legal system: derived from various continental legal systems;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Suleyman DEMIREL (since 16 May 1993) was
elected for a seven-year term by the National Assembly
head of government: Prime Minister Mesut YILMAZ (since 12 March
1996) and Deputy Prime Minister Nahit MENTESE (since 12 March 1996)
were appointed by the president
National Security Council: advisory body to the president and the
cabinet
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on
nomination of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Grand National Assembly of Turkey: (Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi)
elections last held 24 December 1995 (next to be held by December
2000); results - RP 21.38%, DYP 19.18%, ANAP 19.65%, DSP 14.64%, CHP
10.71%, independent 0.48%; seats - 550 total) RP 158, DYP 135, ANAP
133, DSP 75, CHP 49
note: seats held by various parties are subject to change due to
defections, creation of new parties, and ouster or death of sitting
deputies; current seats by party are as follows: RP 158, DYP 135,
ANAP 126, DSP 75, CHP 49, BBP 7
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the
president; Court of Appeals, judges are elected by the Supreme
Council of Judges and Prosecutors
Political parties and leaders: True Path Party (DYP), Tansu
CILLER; Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut YILMAZ; Welfare Party (RP),
Necmettin ERBAKAN; Democratic Left Party (DSP), Bulent ECEVIT;
Nationalist Action Party (MHP), Alparslan TURKES; New Party (YP),
Yusuf Bozkurt OZAL; Republican People's Party (CHP), Deniz BAYKAL;
Workers' Party (IP), Dogu PERINCEK; Nation Party (MP), Aykut
EDIBALI; Democrat Party (DP), Murat UZMAN; Grand Unity Party (BBP),
Muhsin YAZICIOGLU; Rebirth Party (YDP), Hasan Celal GUZEL; People's
Democracy Party (HADEP), Murat BOZLAK; Main Path Party (ANAYOL),
Gurcan BASER; Democratic Target Party (DHP), Abdulkadir Yasar TURK;
Liberal Party (LP), Besim TIBUK; New Democracy Movement (YDH), Cem
BOYNER; Labor Party (EP), Abdullah Levent TUZER; Democracy and Peace
Party (DBP), Refik KARAKOC; Freedom and Solidarity Praty (ODP), Ufuk
URAS
Other political or pressure groups: Turkish Confederation of Labor
(Turk-Is), Bayram MERAL; Confederation of Revolutionary Workers
Unions (DISK), Ridvan BUDAK; Moral Rights Workers Union (Hak-Is),
Salim USLU; Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association
(TUSIAD), Halis KOMILI; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and
Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), Ali Osman ULUSOY; Turkish Confederation
of Employers' Unions (TISK), Refik BAYDUR; Independent
Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), Erol YARAR
International organization participation: AsDB, BIS, BSEC, CCC,
CE, CERN (observer), EBRD, ECE, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC,
NATO, NEA, OECD, OIC, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nuzhet KANDEMIR
chancery: 1714 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 659-8200
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marc GROSSMAN
embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Ankara
mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823
telephone: [90] (312) 468-6110
FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019
consulate(s) general: Istanbul
consulate(s): Adana
Flag: red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is
toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just
outside the crescent opening
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Turkish economy consists of a mixture, on
the one hand, of modern industry and commerce, and, on the other
hand, of time-honored village agriculture and crafts. Since World
War II, it has become increasingly integrated into the West European
economic arena, for example, as a member of OECD. The economy has
improved significantly since the 1994 crisis, when the economy
experienced a sharp drop and inflation hit triple digits. The crisis
- sparked by the downgrading in January 1994 of Turkey's
international credit rating by two US rating agencies - stemmed from
years of loose monetary and fiscal policies that had exacerbated
inflation and allowed the public debt, money supply, and current
account deficit to explode. In April 1994, then Prime Minister
CILLER introduced a stabilization package that paved the way for a
$950 million IMF standby loan. However, because the government
missed key macroeconomic targets in 1995 and the December national
election produced months of political wrangling, the IMF put the
agreement - and release of remaining funds - on hold. The new
center-right minority government that finally has emerged will find
it difficult to balance the need for new austerity measures and
tough structural reforms with the pressure for continued buoyant
growth. Ankara is also likely to face internal opposition to
policies it must implement as part of the Turkey-EU customs union
agreement - which came into force on 1 January 1996 - because many
industries are unfit for EU competition and much-needed revenues
will decline with the elimination of import tariffs and surcharges.
Meanwhile, Ankara's heavy debt repayment schedule in 1996 makes it
necessary for Turkish leaders to bolster the confidence of both
domestic and foreign investors.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $345.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 15.5%
industry: 33.2%
services: 51.3% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 94% (1995)
Labor force: 20.9 million
by occupation: agriculture 46%, services 31%, industry 23%
note: about 1.5 million Turks work abroad (1994)
Unemployment rate: 10.2% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $30.2 billion
expenditures: $35 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.8
billion (1995)
Industries: textiles, food processing, mining (coal, chromite,
copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper
Industrial production growth rate: 8.8% (1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 18,710,000 kW
production: 71 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,079 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulses,
citrus; livestock
Illicit drugs: major transit route for Southwest Asian heroin and
hashish to Western Europe and the US via air, land, and sea routes;
major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking
organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert
imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey
as well as near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over
areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw
concentrate
Exports: $20.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: textiles and apparel 37%, steel products 12%, fruits
and vegetables 11% (1994)
partners: Germany 22%, Russia 8%, US 8%, Italy 6% (1994)
Imports: $32.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery 25%, fuels 17%, raw materials 11%, foodstuffs
5% (1994)
partners: Germany 16%, US 10%, Italy 9%, Russia 8% (1994)
External debt: $73.8 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $195 million (1993)
note: aid for Gulf war efforts from coalition allies (1991), $4.1
billion; aid pledged for Turkish Defense Fund, $2.5 billion
Currency: Turkish lira (TL)
Exchange rates: Turkish liras (TL) per US$1 - 60,502.1 (January
1996), 45,845.1 (1995), 29,608.7 (1994), 10,984.6 (1993), 6,872.4
(1992), 4,171.8 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 10,386 km
standard gauge: 10,386 km 1.435-m gauge (1,088 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 386,704 km
paved: 45,683 km (including 862 km of expressways)
unpaved: 341,021 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: about 1,200 km
Pipelines: crude oil 1,738 km; petroleum products 2,321 km;
natural gas 708 km
Ports: Gemlik, Hopa, Iskenderun, Istanbul, Izmir, Izmit, Mersin,
Samsun, Trabzon
Merchant marine:
total: 465 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,509,741
GRT/9,494,434 DWT
ships by type: bulk 139, cargo 212, chemical tanker 18, combination
bulk 7, combination ore/oil 12, container 2, liquefied gas tanker 4,
livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 43, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated
cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 15, short-sea passenger 7,
specialized tanker 2
note: Turkey owns an additional 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 247,369 DWT operating under the registries of Malta,
Panama, Libya, and Greece (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 104
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 17
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 19
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 18
with paved runways under 914 m: 28
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 6.89 million (1990 est.)
Telephone system: fair domestic and international systems
domestic: trunk microwave radio relay network; limited open-wire
network
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Atlantic Ocean
regions); 1 submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations: AM 15, FM 94, shortwave 0
Radios: 9.4 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 357
Televisions: 10.53 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Land Forces, Navy (includes Naval Air and Naval
Infantry), Air Force, Coast Guard, Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 16,937,828
males fit for military service: 10,312,010
males reach military age (20) annually: 637,456 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $6.0 billion, 4%
of GDP (1995); note - figures do not include about $7 billion for
the government's counterinsurgency effort against the separatist
Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
======================================================================
@Turkmenistan
------------
Map
---
Location: 40 00 N, 60 00 E -- Central Asia, bordering the Caspian
Sea, between Iran and Kazakstan
Flag
----
Description: green field, including a vertical stripe on the hoist
side, with a claret vertical stripe in between containing five
white, black, and orange carpet guls (an asymmetrical design used in
producing rugs) associated with five different tribes; a white
crescent and five white stars in the upper left corner to the right
of the carpet guls
Geography
---------
Location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran
and Kazakstan
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 60 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 488,100 sq km
land area: 488,100 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 3,736 km
border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakstan 379 km,
Uzbekistan 1,621 km
Coastline: 0 km
note: Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet
determined
Climate: subtropical desert
Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to
mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran;
borders Caspian Sea in west
lowest point: Sarygamysh Koli -110 m
highest point: Ayrybaba 3,139 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulfur, salt
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 69%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 29%
Irrigated land: 12,450 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with
agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salinization, water-logging of
soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution;
diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into
irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the
Aral Sea; desertification
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Ozone Layer Protection; signed,
but not ratified - Climate Change, Desertification
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 4,149,283 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 826,637; female 804,385)
15-64 years: 56% (male 1,154,415; female 1,188,173)
65 years and over: 5% (male 65,447; female 110,226) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.82% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 29.12 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.89 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 81.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 61.48 years
male: 56.68 years
female: 66.52 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.62 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Turkmen(s)
adjective: Turkmen
Ethnic divisions: Turkmen 73.3%, Russian 9.8%, Uzbek 9%, Kazak 2%,
other 5.9%
Religions: Muslim 87%, Eastern Orthodox 11%, unknown 2%
Languages: Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turkmenistan
local long form: none
local short form: Turkmenistan
former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: TX
Type of government: republic
Capital: Ashgabat
Administrative divisions: 5 welayatlar (singular - welayat): Ahal
Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Nebitdag), Dashhowuz Welayaty
(formerly Tashauz), Lebap Welayaty (Charjew), Mary Welayaty
note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when name
differs from welayat name
Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991)
Constitution: adopted 18 May 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990,
when the first direct presidential election occured) was elected to
a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 21 June
1992 (next to be held NA 2002); results - Saparmurad NIYAZOV 99.5%
(ran unopposed); note - a 15 January 1994 referendum extended
NIYAZOV's term an additional five years until 2002 (99.99% approval)
head of government: Prime Minister (vacant); Deputy Prime Ministers
Mukhamed ABALAKOV (since NA), Babamurad BAZAROV (since NA), Hekim
ISHANOV (since NA), Valeriy OTCHERTSOV (since NA), Yagmur OVEZOV
(since NA), Matkarim RAJAPOV (since NA), Pirkuly ODEYEV (since NA),
Rejep SAPAROV (since NA), Boris SHIKHMURADOV (since NA), Batyr
SARJAYEV (since NA), Amannazar ILAMANOV (since NA), Ilaman SHYKHYYEV
(since NA) were appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
note: NIYAZOV has been asked by various local groups, most recently
on 26 October 1995 at the annual elders meeting, to be "president
for life," but that would require an amendment to the constitution
Legislative branch: under the 1992 constitution, there are two
parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People's Council (Halk Maslahaty
- having more than 100 members and meeting infrequently) and a
50-member unicameral Assembly (Majlis)
Assembly (Majlis): elections last held 11 December 1994 (next to be
held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (50
total) Democratic Party 45, other 5; note - all 50 preapproved by
President NIYAZOV
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Turkmenistan,
Saparmurat NIYAZOV; Party for Democratic Development, Durdymurat
HOJA-MUHAMEDOV, chairman; Agzybirlik, Nurberdy NURMAMEDOV,
cochairman, Hubayberdi HALLIYEV, cochairman
note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small
opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries
International organization participation: CCC, CIS, EBRD, ECE,
ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE,
PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Halil UGUR
chancery: 1511 K Street NW, Suite 412, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 737-4800
FAX: [1] (202) 737-1152
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. COTTER
embassy: 9 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [7] (3632) 35-00-45, 35-00-46, 35-00-42, Tie Line [8]
962-0000
FAX: [7] (3632) 51-13-05
Flag: green field, including a vertical stripe on the hoist side,
with a claret vertical stripe in between containing five white,
black, and orange carpet guls (an asymmetrical design used in
producing rugs) associated with five different tribes; a white
crescent and five white stars in the upper left corner to the right
of the carpet guls
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Turkmenistan is largely desert country with
nomadic cattle raising, intensive agriculture in irrigated oases,
and huge gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is
planted in cotton making it the world's tenth largest producer. It
also has the world's fifth largest reserves of natural gas and
substantial oil resources. Until the end of 1993, Turkmenistan had
experienced less economic disruption than other former Soviet states
because its economy received a boost from higher prices for oil and
gas and a sharp increase in hard currency earnings. In 1994,
Russia's refusal to export Turkmen gas to hard currency markets and
mounting debts of its major customers in the former USSR for gas
deliveries contributed to a sharp fall in industrial production and
caused the budget to shift from a surplus to a slight deficit. The
economy remained depressed through 1995 while inflation soared.
Furthermore, with an authoritarian ex-communist regime in power and
a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious
approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to
sustain its inefficient economy. For 1996, Turkmenistan will face
continuing constraints on its earnings because of its customers'
inability to pay for their gas and a below average cotton crop in
1995. Turkmenistan is working hard to open new gas export channels
through Iran and Turkey, but these will take many years to realize.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.5 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -10% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,820 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 32.5%
industry: 33.4%
services: 34.1% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% monthly average (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1.642 million (January 1994)
by occupation: agriculture and forestry 44%, industry and
construction 20%, other 36% (1992)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food
processing
Industrial production growth rate: -7% (1995)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,480,000 kW
production: 9.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,400 kWh (1995)
Agriculture: cotton, grain; livestock
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy;
mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program;
used as transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia to
Western Europe
Exports: $1.9 billion to states outside the FSU (1995)
commodities: natural gas, cotton, petroleum products, electricity,
textiles, carpets
partners: Ukraine, Russia, Kazakstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia,
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Argentina
Imports: $777 million from states outside the FSU (1995)
commodities: machinery and parts, grain and food, plastics and
rubber, consumer durables, textiles
partners: Russia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Turkey
External debt: $400 million (of which $275 million to Russia)
(1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $10 million (1993)
note: commitments, $1,830 million ($375 million drawn), 1992-95
Currency: Turkmenistan introduced its national currency, the
manat, on 1 November 1993
Exchange rates: manats per US$1 - 2,400 (January 1996)
note: government established a unified rate in mid-January 1996
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,120 km in common carrier service; does not include
industrial lines
broad gauge: 2,120 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways:
total: 23,000 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km (1990 est.)
Waterways: the Amu Darya is an important inland waterway
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; natural gas 4,400 km
Ports: Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnowodsk)
Airports:
total: 64
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 13
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 35 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: poorly developed
domestic: NA
international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other
CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the
Moscow international gateway switch; a new telephone link from
Ashgabat to Iran has been established; a new exchange in Ashgabat
switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat;
satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there
is at least one state-owned radio broadcast station of NA type
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense, Republic Security Forces
(internal and border troops), National Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,024,398
males fit for military service: 834,803
males reach military age (18) annually: 41,697 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 4.5 billion manats, 3.0% of GDP (1995); note
- conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Turks and Caicos Islands
------------------------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 21 45 N, 71 35 W -- Caribbean, two island groups in the
North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the
flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and
cactus
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic
Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas
Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 430 sq km
land area: 430 sq km
comparative area: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 389 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and
relatively dry
Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 98%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, private
cisterns collect rainwater
natural hazards: frequent hurricanes
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: 30 islands (eight inhabited)
People
------
Population: 14,302 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 2.14% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.85 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.15 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 13.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 12.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.4 years
male: 73.46 years
female: 77.07 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.86 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: none
adjective: none
Ethnic divisions: African
Religions: Baptist 41.2%, Methodist 18.9%, Anglican 18.3%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 1.7%, other 19.9% (1980)
Languages: English (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
Data code: TK
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Grand Turk
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)
Constitution: introduced 30 August 1976, suspended in 1986,
restored and revised 5 March 1988
Legal system: based on laws of England and Wales with a small
number adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1953) is a hereditary monarch, represented by Governor
Martin BOURKE (since NA February 1993) who was appointed by the queen
head of government: Chief Minister Derek H. TAYLOR (since 31 January
1995) was appointed by the governor
cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and
five appointed by the governor from the Legislative Council
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: elections last held 31 January 1995 (next to be
held by NA 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20
total, 13 elected) PDM 8, PNP 4, independent (Norman SAUNDERS) 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Progressive National Party (PNP),
Washington MISSICK; People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Derek H.
TAYLOR; United Democratic Party (UDP), Wendal SWANN
International organization participation: Caricom (associate),
CDB, Interpol (subbureau)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the
flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and
cactus
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Turks and Caicos economy is based on
tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most food for
domestic consumption is imported; there is some subsistence farming
- mainly corn, cassava, citrus, and beans - on the Caicos Islands.
The tourism sector expanded in 1995, posting a 10% increase in the
first quarter as compared to the same period in 1994. The US was the
leading source of tourists in 1995, accounting for upward of 70% of
arrivals or about 60,000 visitors. Major sources of government
revenue include fees from offshore financial activities and customs
receipts as the Islands rely on imports for nearly all consumption
and capital goods.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $80.8 million (1992 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -1.5% (1992 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,000 (1992 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 4,848 (1990 est.)
by occupation: majority engaged in fishing and tourist industries;
some subsistence agriculture
Unemployment rate: 12% (1992)
Budget:
revenues: $31.9 million (1995)
expenditures: $30.4 million (1995), including capital expenditures
of $NA
Industries: fishing, tourism, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 9,050 kW
production: 11.1 million kWh
consumption per capita: 860 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: corn, beans; fish
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics
destined for the US
Exports: $6.8 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
partners: US, UK
Imports: $42.8 million (1993)
commodities: food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures,
construction materials
partners: US, UK
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 121 km
paved: 24 km
unpaved: 97 km
Ports: Grand Turk, Providenciales
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,359 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: fair cable and radiotelephone services
domestic: NA
international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 7,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: television programs are available
from a cable network, and broadcasts from the Bahamas can be
received in the islands
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Tuvalu
------
Map
---
Location: 8 00 S, 178 00 E -- Oceania, island group consisting of
nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the
way from Hawaii to Australia
Flag
----
Description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of
the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine
islands
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in
the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to
Australia
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 178 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 26 sq km
land area: 26 sq km
comparative area: 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 24 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to
November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)
Terrain: very low-lying and narrow coral atolls
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
note: Tuvalu's nine coral atolls have enough soil to grow coconuts
and support subsistence agriculture
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater
is not potable, all water needs must be met by catchment systems
with storage facilities; beachhead erosion because of the use of
sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest
undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread
of the crown of thorns starfish
natural hazards: severe tropical storms are rare
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 10,146 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 1,865; female 1,798)
15-64 years: 59% (male 2,831; female 3,162)
65 years and over: 5% (male 227; female 263) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.51% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.95 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.87 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 27.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.34 years
male: 62.15 years
female: 64.59 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.11 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Tuvaluan(s)
adjective: Tuvaluan
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian 96%
Religions: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day
Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%
Languages: Tuvaluan, English
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tuvalu
former: Ellice Islands
Data code: TV
Type of government: democracy; began debating republic status in
1992
Capital: Funafuti
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 1 October 1978 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978)
Constitution: 1 October 1978
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Manuella TULAGA
(since NA June 1994) who was appointed by the queen on
recommendation of the prime minister
head of government: Prime Minister Kamuta LATASI (since 10 December
1993) and Deputy Prime Minister Otinielu TAUSI (since 10 December
1993) were elected by and from the members of Parliament
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on
recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Fale I Fono): members elected for four-year terms;
elections last held 25 November 1993 (next to be held by NA 1997);
results - percent of vote NA; seats - (12 total) independents 12
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C (special),
ESCAP, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO,
UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: Tuvalu does not have an embassy
in the US
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
======================================================================
@Uganda
------
Map
---
Location: 1 00 N, 32 00 E -- Eastern Africa, west of Kenya
Flag
----
Description: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow,
red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the
center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing
the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 32 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 236,040 sq km
land area: 199,710 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 2,698 km
border countries: Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km,
Tanzania 396 km, Zaire 765 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December
to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast
Terrain: mostly plateau with rim of mountains
lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m
highest point: Margherita (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m
Natural resources: copper, cobalt, limestone, salt
Land use:
arable land: 23%
permanent crops: 9%
meadows and pastures: 25%
forest and woodland: 30%
other: 13%
Irrigated land: 90 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: draining of wetlands for agricultural use;
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching is widespread
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Desertification, Environmental Modification
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 20,158,176 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 50% (male 5,006,615; female 4,972,831)
15-64 years: 48% (male 4,842,908; female 4,874,471)
65 years and over: 2% (male 231,156; female 230,195) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.24% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 45.92 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 20.72 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: Uganda is host to refugees from a number of neighboring
countries, including Zaire, Sudan, and Rwanda; probably in excess of
100,000 southern Sudanese fled to Uganda during the past year; many
of the 8,000 Rwandans who took refuge in Uganda have returned home
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 99.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 40.29 years
male: 39.98 years
female: 40.6 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.61 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Ugandan(s)
adjective: Ugandan
Ethnic divisions: Baganda 17%, Karamojong 12%, Basogo 8%, Iteso
8%, Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Bunyoro
3%, Batobo 3%, European, Asian, Arab 1%, other 23%
Religions: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%,
indigenous beliefs 18%
Languages: English (official), Luganda, Swahili, Bantu languages,
Nilotic languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 61.8%
male: 73.7%
female: 50.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Uganda
conventional short form: Uganda
Data code: UG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Kampala
Administrative divisions: 39 districts; Apac, Arua, Bundibugyo,
Bushenyi, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kalangala,
Kampala, Kamuli, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum,
Kotido, Kumi, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto,
Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pallisa, Rakai,
Rukungiri, Soroti, Tororo
Independence: 9 October 1962 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 9 October (1962)
Constitution: 8 October 1995; adopted by the interim, 284-member
Constituent Assembly, charged with debating the draft constitution
that had been proposed in May 1993; the Constituent Assembly was
dissolved on promulgation of the constitution in October 1995
Legal system: in 1995, the government restored the legal system to
one based on English common law and customary law and reinstituted a
normal judicial system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since
seizing power 29 January 1986); election last held 9 May 1996 (next
to be held NA); results - Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 74%, Paul K.
SSEMOGERERE 24%, Muhammad MAYANJA 2%; note - this was the first
popular direct presidential election since independence in 1962
head of government: Prime Minister Kintu MUSOKE (since 18 November
1994);
cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held in 1980; note - the National
Assembly was dissolved in July 1985 following a military coup and
was succeeded on 1 February 1986 by the interim National Resistance
Council, initially consisting of 23 appointed members, but by
early-1989 enlarged to 278 members, of whom 210 were indirectly
elected; the National Resistance Council, which had served as
Uganda's acting legislature for more than 10 years, was dissolved on
15 June 1996 to prepare for the popular election of a new
legislature on 27 June 1996 in keeping with the provisions of the
new constitution
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court
Political parties and leaders: only officially recognized party -
National Resistance Movement (NRM), Yoweri MUSEVENI
note: Ugandan People's Congress (UPC), Milton OBOTE; Democratic
Party (DP), Paul SSEMOGEERE; and Conservative Party (CP), Joshua S.
MAYANJA-NKANGI continue to exist but the new constitution confirms
the suspension of political party activity until 2001
Other political or pressure groups: Lord's Resistance Army (LRA);
West Nile Bank Front (WNBF)
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB,
ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IGADD, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Kapimpina KATENTA-APULI
chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador E. Michael SOUTHWICK
embassy: Parliament Avenue, Kampala
mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala
telephone: [256] (41) 259792, 259793, 259795
FAX: [256] (41) 259794
Flag: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red,
black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center
and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the
hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Uganda has substantial natural resources,
including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral
deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important
sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee
is the major export crop and accounts for the bulk of export
revenues. Since 1986 the government - with the support of foreign
countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and
stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising
producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum
products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are
especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and
export earnings. In 1990-94, the economy turned in a solid
performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of
infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, and
gradually improving domestic security. The economy again prospered
in 1995 with rapid growth, low inflation, growing foreign
investment, a trimmed bureaucracy, and the continued return of
exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 7.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 55%
industry: 12%
services: 33% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (1995)
Labor force: 8.361 million (1993 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 86%, industry 4%, services 10% (1980 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $574 million
expenditures: $1.07 billion, including capital expenditures of $328
million (1994/95 est.)
Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement
Industrial production growth rate: 15% (1994)
Electricity:
capacity: 162,000 kW
production: 603 million kWh
consumption per capita: 30 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca),
potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry
Exports: $424 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: coffee 97%, cotton, tea
partners: US 25%, UK 18%, France 11%, Spain 10%
Imports: $870 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: petroleum products, machinery, cotton piece goods,
metals, transportation equipment, food
partners: Kenya 25%, UK 14%, Italy 13%
External debt: $3.2 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Ugandan shilling (USh) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Ugandan shillings (USh) per US$1 - 1,032.6
(November 1995), 979.4 (1994), 1,195.0 (1993), 1,133.8 (1992), 734.0
(1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,241 km single track
narrow gauge: 1,241 km 1.000-m gauge
note:: a program to rehabilitate the railroad is underway (1995)
Highways:
total: 30,320 km
paved: 3,480 km
unpaved: 26,840 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George,
Lake Edward; Victoria Nile, Albert Nile
Ports: Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell
Merchant marine:
total: 3 roll-on/roll-off cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
5,091 GRT/2,743 DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 21
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 54,900 (1989 est.)
Telephone system: fair system
domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communications
stations
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 2.04 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 193,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Wing
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 4,359,286
males fit for military service: 2,365,157 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $56 million, 1.7%
of budget (FY93/94)
======================================================================
@Ukraine
-------
Map
---
Location: 49 00 N, 32 00 E -- Eastern Europe, bordering the Black
Sea, between Poland and Russia
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden
yellow represent grainfields under a blue sky
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland
and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 49 00 N, 32 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 603,700 sq km
land area: 603,700 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 4,558 km
border countries: Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km,
Poland 428 km, Romania (southwest) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km,
Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 90 km
Coastline: 2,782 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: undefined
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: certain territory of Moldova and Ukraine -
including Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina - are considered by
Bucharest as historically a part of Romania; this territory was
incorporated into the former Soviet Union following the
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1940; dispute with Romania over
continental shelf of the Black Sea under which signifcant gas and
oil deposits may exist; potential dispute with Russia over Crimea;
has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the
right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation
Climate: temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern
Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest
in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from
cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm
across the greater part of the country, hot in the south
Terrain: most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and
plateaux, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians),
and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m
Natural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil,
salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel,
mercury, timber
Land use:
arable land: 56%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 12%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 30%
Irrigated land: 26,000 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; air and water
pollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast
from 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed,
but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile
Organic Compounds, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic position at the crossroads between
Europe and Asia; second-largest country in Europe
People
------
Population: 50,864,009 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 5,139,034; female 4,936,901)
15-64 years: 66% (male 16,135,671; female 17,433,600)
65 years and over: 14% (male 2,318,629; female 4,900,174) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -0.4% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.17 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.16 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.86 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 22.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.8 years
male: 61.54 years
female: 72.32 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Ukrainian(s)
adjective: Ukrainian
Ethnic divisions: Ukrainian 73%, Russian 22%, Jewish 1%, other 4%
Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian
Orthodox - Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox,
Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate), Protestant, Jewish
Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 100%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Ukraine
local long form: none
local short form: Ukrayina
former: Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: UP
Type of government: republic
Capital: Kiev (Kyyiv)
Administrative divisions: 24 oblasti (singular - oblast'), 1
autonomous republic* (avtomnaya respublika), and 2 municipalites
(mista, singular - misto) with oblast status**; Cherkas'ka
(Cherkasy), Chernihivs'ka (Chernihiv), Chernivets'ka (Chernivtsi),
Dnipropetrovs'ka (Dnipropetrovs'k), Donets'ka (Donets'k),
Ivano-Frankivs'ka (Ivano-Frankivs'k), Kharkivs'ka (Kharkiv),
Khersons'ka (Kherson), Khmel'nyts'ka (Khmel'nyts'kyy),
Kirovohrads'ka (Kirovohrad), Kyyiv**, Kyyivs'ka (Kiev), Luhans'ka
(Luhans'k), L'vivs'ka (L'viv), Mykolayivs'ka (Mykolayiv), Odes'ka
(Odesa), Poltavs'ka (Poltava), Respublika Krym* (Simferopol'),
Rivnens'ka (Rivne), Sevastopol'**, Sums'ka (Sevastopol'),
Ternopil's'ka (Ternopil'), Vinnyts'ka (Vinnytsya), Volyns'ka
(Luts'k), Zakarpats'ka (Uzhhorod), Zaporiz'ka (Zaporizhzhya),
Zhytomyrs'ka (Zhytomyr)
note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when name
differs from oblast' name
Independence: 1 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 24 August (1991)
Constitution: adopted 28 June 1996
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Leonid D. KUCHMA (since 19 July 1994) was
elected for a five-year term by direct popular vote; election last
held 26 June and 10 July 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results -
Leonid KUCHMA 52.15%, Leonid KRAVCHUK 45.06%
head of government: Prime Minister Yevhen MARCHUK (since NA June
1995), First Deputy Prime Minister Pavlo LAZARENKO (since NA), and
eight deputy prime ministers were appointed by the president and
approved by the Supreme Council
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president and
approved by the Supreme Council
National Security Council: originally created in 1992, but
significantly revamped and strengthened under President KUCHMA;
members include the president, prime minister, ministers of finance,
environment, justice, internal affairs, foreign economic relations,
economic and foreign affairs; the NSC staff is tasked with
developing national security policy on domestic and international
matters and advising the president
Presidential Administration: helps draft presidential edicts and
provides policy support to the president
Council of Regions: advisory body created by President KUCHMA in
September 1994; includes the chairmen of Oblast and Kiev and
Sevastopol City Supreme Councils
Legislative branch: unicameral
Supreme Council: elections last held 27 March 1994 with repeat
elections continuing through December 1998 to fill empty seats (next
to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (450
total) Communists 91, Rukh 22, Agrarians 18, Socialists 15,
Republicans 11, Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists 5, Labor 5, Party
of Democratic Revival 4, Democrats 2, Social Democrats 2, Civil
Congress 2, Conservative Republicans 1, Party of Economic Revival of
Crimea 1, Christian Democrats 1, independents 225; note - most
recent repeat election held in April 1996 filling 422 of 450 seats
as follows: independents 238, Communist 95, Rukh 22, Agrarians 18,
Socialist 15, Republicans 11, Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists 5,
Labor 5, Party of Democratic Revival 4, Democratic Party of Ukraine
2, Social Democrats 2, Civil Congress 2, Conservative Republicans 1,
Party of Economic Rivival of Crimea 1, Christian Democrats 1, vacant
28
Judicial branch: Supreme Court is the highest judicial body;
Constitutional Court has exclusive jurisdiction over interpretation
of the constitution and laws
Political parties and leaders: Green Party of Ukraine, Vitaliy
KONONOV, leader; Liberal Party of Ukraine, Volodymyr SHCHERBAN;
Liberal Democratic Party of Ukraine, Volodymyr KLYMCHUK, chairman;
Democratic Party of Ukraine, Volodymyr Oleksandrovych YAVORIVSKIY,
chairman; People's Party of Ukraine; Peasants' Party of Ukraine;
Party of Democratic Rebirth (Revival) of Ukraine, Volodymyr FILENKO,
chairman; Social Democratic Party of Ukraine, Vasyl ONOPENKO,
chairman; Socialist Party of Ukraine, Oleksandr MOROZ, chairman;
Ukrainian Christian Democratic Party, Vitaliy ZHURAVSKYY, chairman;
Ukrainian Conservative Republican Party, Stepan KHMARA, chairman;
Ukrainian Labor Party, Valentyn LANDYK, chairman; Ukrainian Party of
Justice, Yuriy ZUBKO, chairman; Ukrainian Peasants' Democratic
Party, Serhiy PLACHINDA, chairman; Ukrainian Republican Party,
Bondan YAROSHPSKYY, chairman; Ukrainian National Conservative Party;
Ukrainian People's Movement for Restructuring (Rukh), Vyacheslav
CHORNOVIL, chairman; Ukrainian Communist Party, Petr SYMONENKO;
Agrarian Party; Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists, Slava STESTKO;
Civil Congress, O. BAZYLUK; Party of Economic Revival of Crimea;
Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, Nataliya VITRENKO and
Volodymyr MARCHENKO, leaders; People's Democratic Party, Anatoliy
MATVIYENKO, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: New Ukraine (Nova Ukrayina);
Congress of National Democratic Forces
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE, CIS,
EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO,
ITU, NACC, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOT,
UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Yuriy Mikolayevych SHCHERBAK
chancery: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 333-0606
FAX: [1] (202) 333-0817
consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William Green MILLER
embassy: 10 Yuria Kotsyubinskovo, 252053 Kiev 53
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [380] (44) 244-7345
FAX: [380] (44) 244-7350
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow
represent grainfields under a blue sky
Economy
-------
Economic overview: After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far
and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet
Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking
republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of
Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial
quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics.
Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied equipment and raw
materials to industrial and mining sites in other regions of the
former USSR. In early 1992, the Ukrainian Government liberalized
most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but
widespread resistance to reform within the government and the
legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some
backtracking. Loose monetary policies pushed inflation to
hyperinflationary levels in late 1993. Since his election in July
1994, President KUCHMA has developed a comprehensive economic reform
program, maintained financial discipline, and removed almost all
controls over prices and foreign trade. Implementation of KUCHMA's
economic agenda is encountering considerable resistance from
parliament, entrenched bureaucrats, and industrial interests.
However, should KUCHMA succeed in implementing aggressive market
reforms during 1996, the economy may stabilize and possibly achieve
real growth in the range of 0.5%-1%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $174.6 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,370 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 31%
industry: 43%
services: 26% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% monthly average (1995)
Labor force: 23.55 million (January 1994)
by occupation: industry and construction 33%, agriculture and
forestry 21%, health, education, and culture 16%, trade and
distribution 7%, transport and communication 7%, other 16% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 0.7% officially registered; large number of
unregistered or underemployed workers (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals,
machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food-processing
(especially sugar)
Industrial production growth rate: -11% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 54,380,000 kW
production: 192.1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,200 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture: grain, sugar beets, vegetables; meat, milk
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy;
mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program;
used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe
Exports: $11.3 billion (1995)
commodities: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals,
chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, grain, meat
partners: other FSU countries, China, Italy, Switzerland
Imports: $10.7 billion (1995)
commodities: energy, machinery and parts, transportation equipment,
chemicals, textiles
partners: other FSU countries, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic
External debt: $8.8 billion (including $4.5 billion to Russia)
(late 1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $220 million (1993)
note: commitments, 1992-95, $4.5 billion ($4.1 billion drawn)
Currency: on 2 September 1996, Ukraine introduced the long-awaited
hryvnia (plural hryvni) as its national currency, replacing the
karbovanets (in circulation since 12 November 1992) at a rate of
100,000 karbovantsi to 1 hryvnia
Exchange rates: hryvnia per US$1 - 1.76 (2 September 1996)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 23,350 km
broad gauge: 23,350 km 1.524-m gauge (8,600 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 169,964 km
paved: 168,094 km (including 1,767 km of expressways)
unpaved: 1,870 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 4,400 km navigable waterways, of which 1,672 km were on
the Pryp''yat' and Dnipro (1990)
Pipelines: crude oil 2,010 km; petroleum products 1,920 km;
natural gas 7,800 km (1992)
Ports: Berdyans'k, Illichivs'k, Izmayil, Kerch, Kherson, Kiev
(Kyyiv), Mariupol', Mykolayiv, Odesa, Pivdenne, Reni
Merchant marine:
total: 353 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,262,341
GRT/4,356,374 DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 5, bulk 39, cargo 217, chemical tanker
2, combination bulk 1, container 11, multifunction large-load
carrier 3, oil tanker 21, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 5, railcar
carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 32,
short-sea passenger 3 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 706
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 14
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 55
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 34
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 57
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 7
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 16
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 37
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 476 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: system is unsatisfactory both for business and
for personal use; 3.56 million applications for telephones had not
been satisfied as of January 1991; electronic mail services have
been established in Kiev, Odessa, and Luhans'k by Sprint
domestic: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in
Kiev (Kyyiv) and allows direct dialing of international calls
through Kiev's digital exchange
international: calls to other CIS countries are carried by landline
or microwave radio relay; calls to 167 other countries are carried
by satellite or by the 150 leased lines through the Moscow
international gateway switch; satellite earth stations - NA
Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions), and NA
Intersputnik
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there
are at least two radio broadcast stations of NA type
Radios: 15 million (1990)
Television broadcast stations: at least 2
Televisions: 17.3 million (1992)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Internal Troops,
National Guard, Border Troops
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 12,388,788
males fit for military service: 9,716,127
males reach military age (18) annually: 362,000 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 1.35 billion hryvni, less than 2% of GDP
(Ukrainian Government's forecast for 1996); note - conversion of
defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate
could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@United Arab Emirates
--------------------
Map
---
Location: 24 00 N, 54 00 E -- Middle East, bordering the Gulf of
Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white,
and black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian
Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 75,581 sq km
land area: 75,581 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
total: 867 km
border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km
Coastline: 1,318 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: location and status of boundary with Saudi
Arabia is not final, defacto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; no
defined boundary with most of Oman, but Administrative Line in far
north; claims two islands in the Persian Gulf occupied by Iran:
Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye
Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al
Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by
Iran); claims island in the Persian Gulf jointly administered with
Iran (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in
Persian by Iran); in 1992, the dispute over Abu Musa and the Tunb
islands became more acute when Iran unilaterally tried to control
the entry of third country nationals into the UAE portion of Abu
Musa island, Tehran subsequently backed off in the face of
significant diplomatic support for the UAE in the region
Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand
dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 2%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 98%
Irrigated land: 50 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources being overcome
by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil
spills
natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location along southern approaches to
Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
People
------
Population: 3,057,337 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 542,848; female 519,952)
15-64 years: 64% (male 1,277,829; female 683,282)
65 years and over: 1% (male 22,246; female 11,180) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 4.33% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 26.43 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 3.03 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 19.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.99 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.52 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 20.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.74 years
male: 70.64 years
female: 74.94 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.46 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Emiri(s)
adjective: Emiri
Ethnic divisions: Emiri 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South
Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians)
8% (1982)
note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)
Religions: Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%
Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write but definition of
literacy not available (1995 est.)
total population: 79.2%
male: 78.9%
female: 79.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: United Arab Emirates
conventional short form: none
local long form: Al Imarata al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
local short form: none
former: Trucial States
abbreviation: UAE
Data code: TC
Type of government: federation with specified powers delegated to
the UAE central government and other powers reserved to member
emirates
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Administrative divisions: 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah);
Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah),
Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn
Independence: 2 December 1971 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1971)
Constitution: 2 December 1971 (provisional)
Legal system: federal court system introduced in 1971; all
emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah have joined the
federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil,
criminal, and high courts
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state: President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2
December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since NA 1966) and
Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990),
ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) were elected by the Supreme Council of Rulers
head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum
(since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) and Deputy Prime
Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) were
appointed by the president
Supreme Council of Rulers: composed of the seven emirate rulers, the
council is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE;
establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation, Abu
Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto
power; council meets four times a year
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Federal National Council (Majlis
Watani Itihad); no elections; reviews legislation, but cannot change
or veto
Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court, judges appointed by the
president
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Husayn al-SHAALI
chancery: Suite 600, 3000 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 338-6500
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David C. LITT
embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi
mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi; American Embassy Abu
Dhabi, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6010 (pouch)
telephone: [971] (2) 436691, 436692
FAX: [971] (2) 434771
consulate(s) general: Dubai
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and
black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The UAE has an open economy with one of the
world's highest incomes per capita and with a sizable annual trade
surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of
GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of
those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound
transformation from an impoverished region of small desert
principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At
present levels of production, crude oil reserves should last for
over 100 years. Although much stronger economically than most Gulf
states, the UAE faces similar problems with weak international oil
prices and the pressures for cuts in OPEC oil production quotas. The
UAE Government is encouraging increased privatization within the
economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $70.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $24,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 55%
services: 43% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 794,400 (1993 est.)
by occupation: industry and commerce 56%, services 38%, agriculture
6% (1990 est.)
note: 80% of labor force is foreign (est.)
Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1988)
Budget:
revenues: $4.6 billion
expenditures: $4.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction
materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling
Industrial production growth rate: -1.1% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 4,760,000 kW
production: 16.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 5,796 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy
products; fish
Illicit drugs: growing role as heroin transshipment and
money-laundering center
Exports: $25.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: crude oil 66%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates
partners: Japan 45%, India 6%, Oman 6%, South Korea 5%, Iran 5%
(1994)
Imports: $21.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment,
food
partners: Japan 11%, UK 8%, Germany 8%, US 8%, Italy 7% (1994)
External debt: $11.6 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Emirian dirham (Dh) = 100 fils
Exchange rates: Emirian dirhams (Dh) per US$1 - 3.6710 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 3,000 km
paved: 3,000 km
unpaved: 0 km (1993 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 830 km; natural gas, including natural gas
liquids, 870 km
Ports: 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal
'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Umm al
Qaywayn
Merchant marine:
total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,068,980 GRT/1,876,504
DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 17, chemical tanker 2, container 7,
liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 22,
refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 36
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 10
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 677,793 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: modern system consisting of microwave radio
relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai
domestic: microwave radio relay and coaxial cable
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; submarine cables to Qatar,
Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain;
microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 545,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 12
Televisions: 170,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Federal
Police Force)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,102,080
males fit for military service: 599,439
males reach military age (18) annually: 21,250 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.59 billion,
4.3% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@United Kingdom
--------------
Map
---
Location: 54 00 N, 2 00 W -- Western Europe, islands including the
northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North
Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France
Flag
----
Description: blue with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint
of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of
Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) which is superimposed on the
diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland);
known as the Union Flag or Union Jack; the design and colors
(especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of
other flags including dependencies, Commonwealth countries, and
others
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth
of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the
North Sea, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates: 54 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 244,820 sq km
land area: 241,590 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon
note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands
Land boundaries:
total: 360 km
border country: Ireland 360 km
Coastline: 12,429 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in
accordance with agreed upon boundaries
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Northern Ireland question with Ireland;
Gibraltar question with Spain; Argentina claims Falkland Islands
(Islas Malvinas); Argentina claims South Georgia and the South
Sandwich Islands; Mauritius claims island of Diego Garcia in British
Indian Ocean Territory; Rockall continental shelf dispute involving
Denmark, Iceland, and Ireland (Ireland and the UK have signed a
boundary agreement in the Rockall area); territorial claim in
Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory)
Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over
the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are
overcast
Terrain: mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling
plains in east and southeast
lowest point: Fenland -4 m
highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m
Natural resources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, tin, limestone,
iron ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica
Land use:
arable land: 29%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 48%
forest and woodland: 9%
other: 14%
Irrigated land: 1,570 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants
contribute to air pollution; some rivers polluted by agricultural
wastes and coastal waters polluted because of large-scale disposal
of sewage at sea
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification
Geographic note: lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35
km from France and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel;
because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125
km from tidal waters
People
------
Population: 58,489,975 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 5,853,545; female 5,565,153)
15-64 years: 65% (male 19,050,420; female 18,797,406)
65 years and over: 15% (male 3,753,361; female 5,470,090) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.22% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.12 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.24 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.41 years
male: 73.78 years
female: 79.17 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural)
adjective: British
Ethnic divisions: English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh
1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8%
Religions: Anglican 27 million, Roman Catholic 9 million, Muslim 1
million, Presbyterian 800,000, Methodist 760,000, Sikh 400,000,
Hindu 350,000, Jewish 300,000 (1991 est.)
note: the UK does not include a question on religion in its census
Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales),
Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)
Literacy: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of
schooling (1978 est.)
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
conventional short form: United Kingdom
abbreviation: UK
Data code: UK
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: London
Administrative divisions: 47 counties, 7 metropolitan counties, 26
districts, 9 regions, and 3 islands areas
England: 39 counties, 7 metropolitan counties*; Avon, Bedford,
Berkshire, Buckingham, Cambridge, Cheshire, Cleveland, Cornwall,
Cumbria, Derby, Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Sussex, Essex,
Gloucester, Greater London*, Greater Manchester*, Hampshire,
Hereford and Worcester, Hertford, Humberside, Isle of Wight, Kent,
Lancashire, Leicester, Lincoln, Merseyside*, Norfolk, Northampton,
Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Nottingham, Oxford, Shropshire,
Somerset, South Yorkshire*, Stafford, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne and
Wear*, Warwick, West Midlands*, West Sussex, West Yorkshire*,
Wiltshire
Northern Ireland: 26 districts; Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena,
Ballymoney, Banbridge, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh,
Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Down, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne,
Limavady, Lisburn, Londonderry, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and
Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane
Scotland: 9 regions, 3 islands areas*; Borders, Central, Dumfries
and Galloway, Fife, Grampian, Highland, Lothian, Orkney*, Shetland*,
Strathclyde, Tayside, Western Isles*
Wales: 8 counties; Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwent, Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan,
Powys, South Glamorgan, West Glamorgan
Dependent areas: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean
Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands,
Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong (scheduled to become a Special
Administrative Region of China on 1 July 1997), Jersey, Isle of Man,
Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the
South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands
Independence: 1 January 1801 (United Kingdom established)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second
Saturday in June)
Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and
practice
Legal system: common law tradition with early Roman and modern
continental influences; no judicial review of Acts of Parliament;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch; Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen,
born 14 November 1948)
head of government: Prime Minister John MAJOR (since 28 November
1990) is the leader of the party which holds the majority in the
House of Commons and must have the consent of the monarch
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
House of Lords: consists of a 1,200-member body, four-fifths are
hereditary peers, two archbishops, 24 other senior bishops, serving
and retired Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, other life peers, Scottish
peers
House of Commons: elections last held 9 April 1992 (next to be held
by NA April 1997); results - Conservative 41.9%, Labor 34.5%,
Liberal Democratic 17.9%, other 5.7%; seats - (651 total)
Conservative 336, Labor 271, Liberal Democratic 20, other 24
Judicial branch: House of Lords, several Lords of Appeal in
Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life
Political parties and leaders: Conservative and Unionist Party,
John MAJOR; Labor Party, Anthony (Tony) Blair; Liberal Democrats
(LD), Jeremy (Paddy) ASHDOWN; Scottish National Party, Alex SALMOND;
Welsh National Party (Plaid Cymru), Dafydd Iwan WIGLEY; Ulster
Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), David TRIMBLE; Democratic
Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), Rev. Ian PAISLEY; Social
Democratic and Labor Party (SDLP, Northern Ireland), John HUME; Sinn
Fein (Northern Ireland), Gerry ADAMS; Alliance Party (Northern
Ireland), John ALDERDICE
Other political or pressure groups: Trades Union Congress;
Confederation of British Industry; National Farmers' Union; Campaign
for Nuclear Disarmament
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN,
EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G- 5,
G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OSCE,
PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD,
UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR,
UNRWA, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sir John Olav KERR
chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-1340
FAX: [1] (202) 898-4255
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston,
Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco
consulate(s): Dallas, Miami, and Seattle
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William J. CROWE, Jr.
embassy: 24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W. 1A1AE
mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, London; FPO AE 09498-4040
telephone: [44] (71) 499-9000
FAX: [44] (71) 409-1637
consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh
Flag: blue with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of
England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of
Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) which is superimposed on the
diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland);
known as the Union Flag or Union Jack; the design and colors
(especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of
other flags including dependencies, Commonwealth countries, and
others
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The UK is one of the world's great trading
powers and financial centers, and its economy ranks among the four
largest in Western Europe. The economy is essentially capitalistic;
over the past 13 years the ruling Tories have greatly reduced public
ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs.
Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by
European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only
about 1% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and
oil reserves, and primary energy production accounts for 12% of GDP,
one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services,
particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by
far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to
decline in importance, now employing only 25% of the work force. The
economy registered 3.9% GDP growth in 1994, the best rate for six
years, but slipped back to 2.7% in 1995. Exports and manufacturing
output have been the primary engines of growth. Unemployment is
gradually falling. Inflation is at a tolerable 3%. A major economic
policy question for the UK in the 1990s is the terms on which it
participates in the financial and economic integration of Europe.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.1384 trillion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $19,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.7%
industry: 27.7%
services: 70.6% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (November 1995)
Labor force: 28.048 million
by occupation: services 62.8%, manufacturing and construction 25.0%,
government 9.1%, energy 1.9%, agriculture 1.2% (June 1992)
Unemployment rate: 8% (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $388.9 billion
expenditures: $447.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95 est.)
Industries: production machinery including machine tools, electric
power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment,
shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and
communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper
and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other
consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 65,360,000 kW
production: 303 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 5,123 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle,
sheep, poultry; fish
Illicit drugs: gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering
the European market; producer of synthetic drugs; transshipment
point for Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering center
Exports: $200.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, chemicals,
semifinished goods, transport equipment
partners: EU countries 56.4% (Germany 12.7%, France 9.9%,
Netherlands 7.0%), US 13.1%
Imports: $221.9 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, semifinished goods,
foodstuffs, consumer goods
partners: EU countries 54.9% (Germany 14.6%, France 10.0%,
Netherlands 6.7%), US 12.2%
External debt: $16.2 billion (June 1992)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $2.908 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 British pound (L) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: British pounds (L) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January
1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992),
0.5652 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 17,561 km
broad gauge: 434 km 1.600-m gauge (190 km double track); note - all
1.600-m gauge track, of which 357 km is in common carrier use, is in
Northern Ireland
standard gauge: 16,892 km 1.435-m gauge (4,928 km electrified;
12,591 km double or multiple track); note - 16,532 km of 1.435-m
routes are in common carrier service; the remaining 360 km are
operated by a total of 40 tourist or other private companies
narrow gauge: 235 km 0.260-m, 0.311-m, 0.381-m, 0.600-m, 0.610-m,
0.686-m, 0.760-m, 0.762-m, 0.800-m, 0.825-m, 0.914-m and 1.067-m
gauges; note - these short, narrow-gage lines are operated by a
total of 25 tourist and other private firms (1995)
Highways:
total: 386,243 km (1993 est.)
paved: NA km (including 3,237 km of expressways in Great Britain)
unpaved: NA km
Waterways: 3,200 km under British Waterways Board
Pipelines: crude oil (almost all insignificant) 933 km; petroleum
products 2,993 km; natural gas 12,800 km
Ports: Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Grangemouth, Hull,
Leith, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Medway, Sullom Voe, Tees, Tyne
Merchant marine:
total: 151 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,191,969
GRT/3,861,239 DWT
ships by type: bulk 10, cargo 21, chemical tanker 2, container 24,
liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 56, passenger 8, passenger-cargo
1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 14, specialized
tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 388
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 29
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 103
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 59
with paved runways under 914 m: 166
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 22 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 10 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 29.5 million (1987 est.)
Telephone system: technologically advanced domestic and
international system
domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and
fiber-optic systems
international: 40 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations
- 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat
(Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat; at least 8 large
international switching centers
Radio broadcast stations: AM 225, FM 525 (mostly repeaters),
shortwave 0
Radios: 70 million
Television broadcast stations: 207 (repeaters 3,210)
Televisions: 20 million
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air
Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 14,515,077
males fit for military service: 12,102,431 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $35.1 billion,
3.1% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@United States
-------------
Map
---
Location: 38 00 N, 97 00 W -- North America, bordering both the
North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and
Mexico
Flag
----
Description: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and
bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the
upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small white five-pointed stars
arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and
bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent
the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies;
known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a
number of other flags including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto
Rico
Geography
---------
Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean
and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 38 00 N, 97 00 W
Map references: North America
Area:
total area: 9,372,610 sq km
land area: 9,166,600 sq km
comparative area: about one-half the size of Russia; about
three-tenths the size of Africa; about one-half the size of South
America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly smaller than
China; about two and one-half times the size of Western Europe
note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia
Land boundaries:
total: 12,248 km
border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska),
Cuba 29 km (US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay), Mexico 3,326 km
note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains
part of Cuba
Coastline: 19,924 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 12 nm
continental shelf: not specified
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary disputes with Canada
(Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal
Island); US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and
only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate
the lease; Haiti claims Navassa Island; US has made no territorial
claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does
not recognize the claims of any other nation; Republic of Marshall
Islands claims Wake Island
Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida and
arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the
Mississippi River and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low
winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in
January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes
of the Rocky Mountains
Terrain: vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low
mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in
Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii
lowest point: Death Valley -86 m
highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m
Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates,
uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver,
tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 26%
forest and woodland: 29%
other: 25%
Irrigated land: 181,020 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US
and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide
from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of
pesticides and fertilizers; very limited natural fresh water
resources in much of the western part of the country require careful
management; desertification
natural hazards: tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around
Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic coast; tornadoes in the
midwest; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west;
flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska is a major impediment to
development
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,
Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but
not ratified - Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Desertification,
Hazardous Wastes, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia,
Canada, and China)
People
------
Population: 266,476,278 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 29,718,390; female 28,335,934)
15-64 years: 65% (male 86,225,056; female 87,411,573)
65 years and over: 13% (male 13,850,234; female 20,021,655) (July
1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.91% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.8 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.8 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.95 years
male: 72.65 years
female: 79.41 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: American(s)
adjective: American
Ethnic divisions: white 83.4%, black 12.4%, Asian 3.3%, Native
American 0.8% (1992)
Religions: Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other
4%, none 10% (1989)
Languages: English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: United States of America
conventional short form: United States
abbreviation: US or USA
Data code: US
Type of government: federal republic; strong democratic tradition
Capital: Washington, DC
Administrative divisions: 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama,
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico,
New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee,
Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia,
Wisconsin, Wyoming
Dependent areas: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland
Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands,
Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto
Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island
note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered
the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently entered
into a new political relationship with all four political units: the
Northern Mariana Islands is a Commonwealth in political union with
the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of
Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994); the
Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association
with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the
Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US
(effective 21 October 1986)
Independence: 4 July 1776 (from England)
National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Constitution: 17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President William Jefferson
CLINTON (since 20 January 1993) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr.
(since 20 January 1993) were elected for four-year terms by a
college of representatives elected directly from each state;
election last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 5 November
1996); results - William Jefferson CLINTON (Democratic Party) 43.2%,
George BUSH (Republican Party) 37.7%, Ross PEROT (independent)
19.0%, other 0.1%
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president with Senate approval
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress
Senate: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5
November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (100
total) Republican Party 54, Democratic Party 46
House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next
to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (435 total) Republican Party 231, Democratic Party 203,
independent 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed for life by
the president with confirmation by the Senate
Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Haley BARBOUR,
national committee chairman and Jeanie AUSTIN, co-chairman;
Democratic Party, David C. WILHELM, national committee chairman;
several other groups or parties of minor political significance
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CP, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC,
ESCAP, FAO, G- 2, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR,
NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security
Council, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNOMIG,
UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO, ZC
Flag: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner bearing 50 small white five-pointed stars arranged
in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom)
alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50
states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as
Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of
other flags including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The US has the most powerful, diverse, and
technologically advanced economy in the world, with a per capita GDP
of $27,500, the largest among major industrial nations. In this
market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make
most of the decisions, and government purchases of goods and
services are made predominantly in the marketplace. US business
firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts
in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant,
lay off surplus workers, and develop new products. At the same time,
they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals' home markets
than the barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets. In all
economic sectors, US firms are at or near the forefront in
technological advances, especially in computers, medical equipment,
and aerospace, although their advantage has steadily narrowed since
the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains
the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those
at the bottom lack the education and professional/technical skills
of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get pay raises,
health insurance coverage, and other benefits. The years 1994-95
witnessed moderate gains in real output, low inflation rates, and a
drop in unemployment below 6%. The capture of both houses of
Congress by the Republicans in the elections of 8 November 1994 has
intensified the debate over how the US should address its major
economic problems. These problems include inadequate investment in
economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical costs of an aging
population, sizable budget and trade deficits, and stagnation of
family income in the lower economic groups. The outlook for 1996 is
for continued moderate growth, low inflation, and about the same
level of unemployment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.2477 trillion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $27,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 23%
services: 75% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1995)
Labor force: 132.304 million (includes unemployed) (1995)
by occupation: managerial and professional 28.3%, technical, sales
and administrative support 30.0%, services 13.5%, manufacturing,
mining, transportation, and crafts 25.3%, farming, forestry, and
fishing 2.8%
Unemployment rate: 5.6% (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $1.258 trillion
expenditures: $1.461 trillion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)
Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly
diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor
vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics,
food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining
Industrial production growth rate: 5.4% (1994 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 695,120,000 kW
production: 3.1 trillion kWh
consumption per capita: 11,236 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, other grains, corn, fruits, vegetables,
cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for domestic
consumption with 1987 production estimated at 3,500 metric tons or
about 25% of the available marijuana; ongoing eradication program
aimed at small plots and greenhouses has not reduced production
Exports: $578 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw
materials, consumer goods, agricultural products
partners: Western Europe 24.3%, Canada 22.1%, Japan 10.5% (1993)
Imports: $751 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery,
automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and
beverages
partners: Canada, 19.3%, Western Europe 18.1%, Japan 18.1% (1993)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $9.721 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
British pounds: (L) per US$ - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995),
0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991)
Canadian dollars: (Can$) per US$ - 1.3666 (January 1996), 1.3724
(1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992), 1.1457 (1991)
French francs: (F) per US$ - 5.0056 (January 1996), 4.9915 (1995),
5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991)
Italian lire: (Lit) per US$ - 1,583.8 (January 1996), 1,629.6
(1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6
(1991)
Japanese yen: (Y) per US$ - 105.84 (January 1996), 94.06 (1995),
102.21 (1994), 111.20 (1993), 126.65 (1992), 134.71 (1991)
German deutsche marks: (DM) per US$ - 1.4617 (January 1996), 1.4331
(1995), 1.6228 (1994), 1.6533 (1993), 1.5617 (1992), 1.6595 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 240,000 km mainline routes (nongovernment owned)
standard gauge: 240,000 km 1.435-m gauge (1989)
Highways:
total: 6,284,488 km
paved: 5,574,341 km (in 1991, included 85,267 km of expressways)
unpaved: 710,147 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland channels, exclusive of
the Great Lakes
Pipelines: petroleum 276,000 km; natural gas 331,000 km (1991)
Ports: Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Duluth,
Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New
Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Portland (Oregon),
Prudhoe Bay, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo
Merchant marine:
total: 322 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,716,000
GRT/15,259,000 DWT
ships by type: bulk 21, cargo 20, chemical tanker 17, intermodal
125, liquefied gas tanker 14, passenger-cargo 2, tanker 110, tanker
tug-barge 13
note: in addition, there are 190 government-owned vessels (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 13,387
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 179
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 201
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1,204
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2,361
with paved runways under 914 m: 7,720
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 151
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1,563 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 63 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 182.558 million (1987 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay,
coaxial cable, and domestic satellites
international: 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth
stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean)
(1990 est.), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat
(Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4,987, FM 4,932, shortwave 0
Radios: 540.5 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1,092 (in addition, there are about
9,000 cable TV systems)
Televisions: 215 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy (includes
Marine Corps), Department of the Air Force
note: the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Transportation,
but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 69,302,573
males fit for military service: NA
males reach military age (18) annually: 1,864,580 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $272.2 billion, 3.8% of GDP (1995 est.)
======================================================================
@Uruguay
-------
Map
---
Location: 33 00 S, 56 00 W -- Southern South America, bordering
the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil
Flag
----
Description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and
bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper
hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as
the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy
Geography
---------
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic
Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil
Geographic coordinates: 33 00 S, 56 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 176,220 sq km
land area: 173,620 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Washington State
Land boundaries:
total: 1,564 km
border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km
Coastline: 660 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 200 nm; overflight and navigation guaranteed beyond
12 nm
International disputes: short section of boundary with Argentina
is in dispute; two short sections of the boundary with Brazil are in
dispute - Arroyo de la Invernada (Arroio Invernada) area of the Rio
Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio
Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the Uruguay River
Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal
lowland
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m
Natural resources: fertile soil, hydropower potential, minor
minerals
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 78%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: 1,100 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: substantial pollution from Brazilian industry along
border; one-fifth of country affected by acid rain generated by
Brazil; water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry;
inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal
natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and
occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine
pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains,
which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly
vulnerable to rapid changes in weather fronts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation
People
------
Population: 3,238,952 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 405,041; female 386,155)
15-64 years: 63% (male 1,004,089; female 1,035,336)
65 years and over: 13% (male 170,109; female 238,222) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.7% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.05 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.94 years
male: 71.8 years
female: 78.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.32 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Uruguayan(s)
adjective: Uruguayan
Ethnic divisions: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%
Religions: Roman Catholic 66% (less than one-half of the adult
population attends church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%,
nonprofessing or other 30%
Languages: Spanish, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the
Brazilian frontier)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 97.3%
male: 96.9%
female: 97.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
conventional short form: Uruguay
local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay
local short form: Uruguay
Data code: UY
Type of government: republic
Capital: Montevideo
Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno,
Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio
Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta
y Tres
Independence: 25 August 1828 (from Brazil)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1828)
Constitution: 27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended
27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November
1980
Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Julio Maria
SANGUINETTI (since 1 March 1995) and Vice President Hugo BATALLA
(since 1 March 1995) were elected for five-year terms by popular
vote; election last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA
November 1999)
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly (Asamblea General)
Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores): elections last held 27
November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999); results - Colorado
36%, Blanco 34 %, Encuentro Progresista 27%, New Sector 3%; seats -
(30 total) Colorado 11, Blanco 10, Encuentro Progresista 8, New
Sector 1
Chamber of Representatives (Camara de Representantes): elections
last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999);
results - Colorado 32%, Blanco 31%, Encuentro Progresista 31%, New
Sector 5%; seats - (99 total) Colorado 32, Blanco 31, Encuentro
Progresista 31, New Sector 5
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the
president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly
Political parties and leaders: National (Blanco) Party, Alberto
VOLONTE Berro; Colorado Party, Jorge BATLLE; Broad Front Coalition,
12 member Executive Secretariat (as of 11 March 1996); New Sector
Coalition, Hugo BATALLA; Encuentro Progresista (EP), Tabare VAZQUEZ
International organization participation: AG (observer), CCC,
ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG,
UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP,
UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alvaro DIEZ DE MEDINA SUAREZ
chancery: 1918 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. DODD
embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo
mailing address: APO AA 34035
telephone: [598] (2) 23 60 61, 48 77 77
FAX: [598] (2) 48 86 11
Flag: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom)
alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper
hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as
the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Uruguay's small economy benefits from a
favorable climate for agriculture and substantial hydropower
potential. Economic development has been restrained in recent years
by high - though declining - inflation and extensive government
regulation. The SANGUINETTI government's conservative monetary and
fiscal policies are aimed at continuing to reduce inflation,
currently at 35.4%; other priorities include extensive reform of the
social security system and increased investment in education.
Uruguay went into recession during second quarter 1995 and ended the
year with an estimated 2% fall in GDP and a two percentage point
rise in unemployment to 11%. This was partly due to Argentina's
recession and the slowdown in Brazilian growth in 1995, which
contributed to declines in the Uruguayan manufacturing,
construction, and service sectors. However, despite its Mercosur
(Southern Cone Common Market) partners' troubles, Uruguayan trade
expanded and potential new markets are being explored through
Mercosur negotiations with neighboring countries and the European
Union (EU). Uruguay also recently augmented its transport and
agricultural sector ties with the US. The economy is expected to
come out of recession as regional growth prospects improve.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $24.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -2.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.5%
industry: 27.5%
services: 62% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35.4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.355 million (1991 est.)
by occupation: government 25%, manufacturing 19%, agriculture 11%,
commerce 12%, utilities, construction, transport, and communications
12%, other services 21% (1988 est.)
Unemployment rate: 11% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $3.03 billion
expenditures: $3.37 billion with capital expenditures of $NA (1994
est.)
Industries: meat processing, wool and hides, sugar, textiles,
footwear, leather apparel, tires, cement, petroleum refining, wine
Industrial production growth rate: -19% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,070,000 kW
production: 9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,575 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, rice, corn, sorghum; livestock; fishing
Exports: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: wool and textile manufactures, beef and other animal
products, leather, rice
partners: Brazil, Argentina, US, China, Italy
Imports: $3.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals, minerals,
plastics
partners: Brazil, Argentina, US, Nigeria
External debt: $4.95 billion (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $91 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Uruguayan peso ($Ur) = 100 centesimos
Exchange rates: Uruguayan pesos ($Ur) per US$1 - 7.12 (January
1996), 5.6 (January 1995), 5.0529 (1994), 3.9484 (1993), 3.0270
(1992), 2.0188 (1991)
note: on 1 March 1993 the former new peso (N$Ur) was replaced as
Uruguay's unit of currency by the peso which is equal to 1,000 of
the new pesos
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,070 km (461 km closed; additional 460 km only partially
operational)
standard gauge: 2,070 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:
total: 49,600 km
paved: 6,656 km
unpaved: 42,944 km (1988 est.)
Waterways: 1,600 km; used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft
Ports: Fray Bentos, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Punta del
Este
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 71,405 GRT/110,939 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, container 1, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 66
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8
with paved runways under 914 m: 36
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 451,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: some modern facilities
domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new
nationwide microwave radio relay network
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 99, FM 0, shortwave 9
Radios: 1.89 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 26
Televisions: 725,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard,
Marines), Air Force, Grenadier Guards, Coracero Guard, Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 783,890
males fit for military service: 636,454 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $256 million,
1.5% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Uzbekistan
----------
Map
---
Location: 41 00 N, 64 00 E -- Central Asia, north of Afghanistan
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
and green separated by red fimbriations with a crescent moon and 12
stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
Geography
---------
Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 447,400 sq km
land area: 425,400 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 6,221 km
border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan
1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km
Coastline: 0 km
note: Uzbekistan borders the Aral Sea (420 km)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild
winters; semiarid grassland in east
Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad,
flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya and
Sirdaryo; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west
lowest point: Saryqamish Kuli -12 m
highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium,
silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 47%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 42%
Irrigated land: 41,550 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: drying up of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing
concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these
substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and
contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial
wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause
of many human health disorders; increasing soil salinization; soil
contamination from agricultural chemicals, including DDT
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Climate Change,
Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection;
signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 23,418,381 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 4,732,585; female 4,618,503)
15-64 years: 55% (male 6,441,052; female 6,540,479)
65 years and over: 5% (male 416,571; female 669,191) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.87% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 29.86 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 79.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.6 years
male: 60.44 years
female: 68.97 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Uzbek(s)
adjective: Uzbek
Ethnic divisions: Uzbek 71.4%, Russian 8.3%, Tajik 4.7%, Kazak
4.1%, Tatar 2.4%, Karakalpak 2.1%, other 7%
Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other
3%
Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 96%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan
conventional short form: Uzbekistan
local long form: Uzbekiston Respublikasi
local short form: none
former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: UZ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent)
Administrative divisions: 12 wiloyatlar (singular - wiloyat), 1
autonomous republic* (respublikasi), and 1 city** (shahri); Andijon
Wiloyati, Bukhoro Wiloyati, Jizzakh Wiloyati, Farghona Wiloyati,
Qoraqalpoghiston* (Nukus), Qashqadaryo Wiloyati (Qarshi), Khorazm
Wiloyati (Urganch), Namangan Wiloyati, Nawoiy Wiloyati, Samarqand
Wiloyati, Sirdaryo Wiloyati (Guliston), Surkhondaryo Wiloyati
(Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Wiloyati
note: an administrative division has the same name as its
administrative center (exceptions have the administrative center
name following in parentheses)
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991)
Constitution: new constitution adopted 8 December 1992
Legal system: evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks
independent judicial system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when
he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet) was elected for
a five-year term by popular vote; election last held 29 December
1991 (next to be held NA 2000); results - Islam KARIMOV 86%,
Mukhammad SOLIKH 12%, other 2%; note - the 26 March 1995 referendum
extended KARIMOV's term until 2000 (99.6% approval)
head of government: Prime Minister Otkir SULTONOV (since December
1995), First Deputy Prime Minister Ismoil JURABEKOV (since NA),
Deputy Prime Ministers Viktor CHIZHEN (since NA), Bakhtiyor HAMIDOV
(since NA), Kayim HAQQULOV (since NA), Rim GINIYATULLIN (since NA),
Saidmukhtor SAIDQOSIMOV (since NA), Mirabror USMONOV (since NA),
Murat SHARIFKHOJAYEV (since NA), Uktam ISMAILOV (since NA), Rustam
YUNUSOV (since NA) were appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president with
approval of the Supreme Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
Supreme Assembly (Oliy Majlis): elections last held 25 December 1994
(next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (250 total) People's Democratic Party 207, Fatherland
Progress Party 12, other 31; note - final runoffs were held 22
January 1995; seating was as follows: People's Democratic Party 69,
Fatherland Progress Party 14, Social Democratic Party 47, local
government 120
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the
president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly
Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Party (PDP;
formerly Communist Party), Islom A. KARIMOV, chairman; Fatherland
Progress Party (FPP), Anwar YULDASHEV, chairman; Social Democratic
Party, Anvar JORABAYEV, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Birlik (Unity) People's
Movement (BPM), Ibrahim BURIYEV, chairman; Islamic Rebirth Party
(IRP), Abdullah UTAYEV, chairman; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party was
banned 9 December 1992
note: UTAYEV (IRP) is either in prison or in exile
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CIS, EBRD,
ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM, OIC (observer), OSCE, PFP, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Fatiq TESHABAYEV
chancery: (temporary) Suites 619 and 623, 1511 K Street NW,
Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 638-4266, 4267
FAX: [1] (202) 638-4268
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO
embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [7] (3712) 77-14-07, 77-10-81, 77-69-86
FAX: [7] (3712) 89-13-35
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green
separated by red fimbriations with a crescent moon and 12 stars in
the upper hoist-side quadrant
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of
which 10% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys.
It was one of the poorest republics of the former Soviet Union with
more than 60% of its population living in overpopulated rural
communities. At the same time, Uzbekistan is the world's third
largest cotton exporter, a major producer of gold and natural gas,
and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery.
Following independence, the government sought to prop up its
Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on
production and prices. Faced with high rates of inflation, however,
the government stepped up the pace of reform in mid-1994, by
introducing tighter monetary policies, expanding privatization,
reducing the role of the state in the economy, and improving the
environment for foreign investors. Nevertheless, the state continues
to be a dominating influence in the economy, and reforms have so far
failed to induce far-reaching structural changes.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $54.7 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,370 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% monthly average
(January-October 1995 est.)
Labor force: 8.234 million
by occupation: agriculture and forestry 43%, industry and
construction 22%, other 35% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 0.4% includes only officially registered
unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building,
metallurgy, natural gas
Industrial production growth rate: 0% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 11,690,000 kW
production: 47.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,130 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy;
mostly for CIS consumption; government eradication programs; used as
transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe
Exports: $3.1 billion (1995)
commodities: cotton, gold, natural gas, mineral fertilizers, ferrous
metals, textiles, food products
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, US
Imports: $2.9 billion (1995)
commodities: grain, machinery and parts, consumer durables, other
foods
partners: principally other FSU countries, Czech Republic
External debt: $1.285 billion (of which $510 million to Russia)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $71 million (1993)
note: commitments, $2,915 million ($135 million in disbursements)
(1992-95)
Currency: introduced provisional som-coupons 10 November 1993
which circulated parallel to the Russian rubles; became the sole
legal currency 31 January 1994; was replaced in July 1994 by the som
currency
Exchange rates: soms per US$1 - 35.8 (end December 1995), 25
(yearend 1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,460 km in common carrier service; does not include
industrial lines
broad gauge: 3,460 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways:
total: 78,400 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km (1990 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas
810 km (1992)
Ports: Termiz
Airports:
total: 261
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 14
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8
with paved runways under 914 m: 5
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 216 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.458 million (1995 est.)
Telephone system: poorly developed
domestic: NMT-450 analog cellular network established in Tashkent
international: linked by landline or microwave radio relay with CIS
member states and to other countries by leased connection via the
Moscow international gateway switch; new Intelsat links to Tokyo and
Ankara give Uzbekistan international access independent of Russian
facilities; satellite earth stations - NA Orbita and NA Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there
is at least one state-owned broadcast station of NA type
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces (internal and
border troops), National Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 5,672,621
males fit for military service: 4,623,960
males reach military age (18) annually: 231,293 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 164 million soms, 3.7% of GDP (1993); note -
conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current
exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Vanuatu
-------
Map
---
Location: 16 00 S, 167 00 E -- Oceania, group of islands in the
South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to
Australia
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green
with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all
separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a
horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and
enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk
encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 S, 167 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 14,760 sq km
land area: 14,760 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Connecticut
note: includes more than 80 islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2,528 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims Matthew and Hunter Islands east of
New Caledonia
Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds
Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Tabwemasana 1,877 m
Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 2%
forest and woodland: 1%
other: 91%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: a majority of the population does not have access to
a potable and reliable supply of water
natural hazards: tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April);
volcanism causes minor earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 177,504 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 36,409; female 35,105)
15-64 years: 57% (male 51,969; female 48,901)
65 years and over: 3% (male 2,802; female 2,318) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.17% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 30.57 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.84 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.21 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 64.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.13 years
male: 58.27 years
female: 62.09 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.01 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
Ethnic divisions: indigenous Melanesian 94%, French 4%,
Vietnamese, Chinese, Pacific Islanders
Religions: Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Catholic 15%,
indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of
Christ 3.8%, other 15.7%
Languages: English (official), French (official), pidgin (known as
Bislama or Bichelama)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)
total population: 53%
male: 57%
female: 48%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form: Vanuatu
former: New Hebrides
Data code: NH
Type of government: republic
Capital: Port-Vila
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma,
Shefa, Tafea, Torba
Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
Constitution: 30 July 1980
Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French
and British systems
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jean Marie LEYE (since 2 March 1994) was
elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of
Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils
head of government: Prime Minister Maxime Carlot KORMAN (since 23
February 1996) was elected by Parliament from among its members;
Deputy Prime Minister Donald KALPOKAS (since 23 February 1996) was
appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament;
note - Prime Minister VOHOR resigned 7 February 1996 when faced with
a no-confidence vote in Parliament; Parliament then convened an
extraordinary session and voted 30 to 20 to elect Maxime Carlot
KORMAN as the new prime minister
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister,
responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 30 November 1995 (next to be held NA
November 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (50
total) UMP 17, VP 14, NUP 9, MPP 5, TU 2, Na-Griamel Movement 1,
Friend Melanesian Party 1, independent 1; note - after the election,
a coalition was formed by the Union of Moderate Parties and the
National United Party to form a new government on 14 December 1995,
but political party associations are fluid
note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom
and land
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is appointed by the
president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader
of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the
president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission
Political parties and leaders: Union of Moderate Parties (UMP),
Serge VOHOR; National United Party (NUP), Walter LINI; Unity Front
(UF) includes the Vanuatu Party (VP), Donald KALPOKAS, Melanesian
Progressive Party (MPP), Barak SOPE, Tan Union (TU), Vincent
BOULEKONE, and the Na-Griamel Movement, Frankie STEVENS; Friend
Melanesian Party, leader NA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Sethy
REGENVANU; Independence Front (IF), Patrick CROWBY
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: Vanuatu does not have an embassy
in the US
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by
a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two
points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle);
centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed
namele leaves, all in yellow
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is based primarily on subsistence
farming which provides a living for the bulk of the population.
Fishing and tourism are the other mainstays of the economy, with
43,000 visitors in 1992. Mineral deposits are negligible; the
country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry
sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from
import duties.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $210 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,220 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 66,597 (1989 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 32%, industry 3% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $74.8 million
expenditures: $76.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 17,000 kW
production: 30 million kWh
consumption per capita: 181 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts,
fruits, vegetables; fish
Exports: $24.6 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: copra, beef, cocoa, timber, coffee
partners: EU 32%, Japan 29%, Australia 11%, New Caledonia 7% (1993)
Imports: $78.6 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machines and vehicles, food and beverages, basic
manufactures, raw materials and fuels, chemicals
partners: Australia 41%, France 15%, NZ 11%, Japan 9%, Fiji 6% (1992)
External debt: $38.2 million (yearend 1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 vatu (VT) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: vatu (VT) per US$1 - 114.40 (January 1996), 112.11
(1995), 116.41 (1994), 121.58 (1993), 113.39 (1992), 111.68 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,021 km
paved: 238 km
unpaved: 783 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)
Merchant marine:
total: 112 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587,286
GRT/2,173,970 DWT
ships by type: bulk 38, cargo 29, chemical tanker 3, combination
bulk 1, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 5, livestock carrier 1,
oil tanker 6, refrigerated cargo 16, vehicle carrier 10
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 20
countries among which are Japan 37, US 19, Netherlands 10, Greece 6,
Hong Kong 6, China 4, Canada 4, UAE 3, Russia 2, and Australia 2
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 31
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 17
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF;
includes the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force or VMF)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Venezuela
---------
Map
---
Location: 8 00 N, 66 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and
Guyana
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue,
and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band
and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue
band
Geography
---------
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and
the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 66 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 912,050 sq km
land area: 882,050 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,993 km
border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
Coastline: 2,800 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 15 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo
River; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of
======================================================================
@Vietnam
-------
Map
---
Location: 16 00 N, 106 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, bordering the
Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, between China
and Cambodia
Flag
----
Description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the
center
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf
of Tonkin, and South China Sea, between China and Cambodia
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 106 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 329,560 sq km
land area: 325,360 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 3,818 km
border countries: Cambodia 982 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 1,555 km
Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary with Cambodia not
defined; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands in
the South China Sea with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and
possibly Brunei; unresolved maritime boundary with Thailand;
maritime boundary dispute with China in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel
Islands in the South China Sea occupied by China but claimed by
Vietnam and Taiwan; offshore islands and sections of boundary with
Cambodia are in dispute
Climate: tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy
season (mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October
to mid-March)
Terrain: low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands;
hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Ngoc Linh 3,143 m
Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate,
offshore oil deposits, forests
Land use:
arable land: 22%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 40%
other: 35%
Irrigated land: 18,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices
are contributing to deforestation; soil degradation; water pollution
and overfishing threatening marine life populations; inadequate
supplies of potable water because of groundwater contamination
natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive
flooding
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban
People
------
Population: 73,976,973 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 13,739,304; female 12,988,929)
15-64 years: 59% (male 20,956,735; female 22,448,944)
65 years and over: 5% (male 1,548,513; female 2,294,548) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 38.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.02 years
male: 64.69 years
female: 69.48 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural)
adjective: Vietnamese
Ethnic divisions: Vietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese 3%, Muong, Thai,
Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham
Religions: Buddhist, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs,
Islam, Protestant
Languages: Vietnamese (official), French, Chinese, English, Khmer,
tribal languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 93.7%
male: 96.5%
female: 91.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
conventional short form: Vietnam
local long form: Cong Hoa Chu Nghia Viet Nam
local short form: Viet Nam
abbreviation: SRV
Data code: VM
Type of government: Communist state
Capital: Hanoi
Administrative divisions: 50 provinces (tinh, singular and
plural), 3 municipalities* (thu do, singular and plural); An Giang,
Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Bac Thai, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Can Tho,
Cao Bang, Dac Lac, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Bac, Ha Giang,
Ha Noi*, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hai Hung, Hai Phong*, Ho Chi Minh*, Hoa
Binh, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son,
Lao Cai, Long An, Minh Hai, Nam Ha, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan,
Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam-Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh,
Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Song Be, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thanh
Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long,
Vinh Phu, Yen Bai
Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945)
Constitution: 15 April 1992
Legal system: based on communist legal theory and French civil law
system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Le Duc ANH (since 23 September 1992) was
elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly from among its
members
head of government: Prime Minister Vo Van KIET (since 9 August 1991)
was appointed by the president from among the members of the
National Assembly; First Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since
10 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Ministers Nguyen KHANH (since NA
February 1987) and Tran Duc LUONG (since NA February 1987) were
appointed by the prime minister
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president on proposal of the
prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi): elections last held 19 July 1992 (next
to be held NA July 1997); results - CPV is the only party; seats -
(395 total) CPV or CPV-approved 395
Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court, chief justice is elected
for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation
of the president
Political parties and leaders: only party - Communist Party of
Vietnam (CPV), DO MUOI, general secretary
International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,
Mekong Group, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim
Le Van BANG
chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, Suite 501
telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737
FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917
note: on 11 July 1995, President CLINTON announced the normalization
of diplomatic relations with Vietnam; the liaison offices in both
countries were upgraded to full embassies on 5 August 1995
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires L. Desaix
ANDERSON
embassy: 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone: [84] (4) 431500
FAX: [84] (4) 350484
note: on 11 July 1995, President CLINTON announced the normalization
of diplomatic relations with Vietnam; the liaison offices in both
countries were upgraded to full embassies on 5 August 1995
Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Vietnam's economic performance has been
impressive in 1990-95, with real growth averaging over 8% annually.
Much of this growth comes from a surge in foreign investment outlays
which are estimated at $750 million in 1995, up 50% from 1993
levels. Utilization rates for official development assistance are
also increasing, rising to an estimated $535 million in 1995.
Foreign capital is contributing to a boom in commercial construction
and strong growth in services and industrial output. Crude oil
remains the country's largest single export but now accounts for
only one-quarter of total exports, slightly more than manufactures.
Imports are dominated by capital and intermediate goods closely
related to investment outlays. Vietnamese authorities may not be
moving quickly enough to establish the financial and legal
infrastructure needed to sustain growth through the remainder of the
decade. Reform of the banking sector is proceeding slowly, raising
concerns that the country will be unable to tap sufficient domestic
savings to maintain rapid growth. Administrative and legal barriers
are leading to costly delays for foreign investors, raising doubts
about Vietnam's ability to maintain the inflow of foreign capital.
While government officials are leading an effort to accelerate
reform, their continuing ideological bias in favor of state
intervention and control of the economy may slow progress toward a
more liberalized investment environment. Even with the strong growth
of the economy, unemployment at 25% remains a major problem.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $97 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 9.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 28%
services: 44% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1995)
Labor force: 32.7 million
by occupation: agricultural 65%, industrial and service 35% (1990
est.)
Unemployment rate: 25% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $4.67 billion
expenditures: $5 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.36
billion (1995 est.)
Industries: food processing, textiles, machine building, mining,
cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil
Industrial production growth rate: 14% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 4,470,000 kW
production: 20 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 200 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture: paddy rice, corn, potatoes, rubber, soybeans, coffee,
tea, bananas; poultry, pigs; fish catch of 943,100 metric tons (1989
est.)
Illicit drugs: opium producer and increasingly important transit
point for Southeast Asian heroin destined for the US and Europe;
growing opium addiction; possible small-scale heroin production
Exports: $5.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: crude oil, rice, marine products, coffee, rubber, tea,
and garments
partners: Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, France, South Korea
Imports: $7.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, steel
products, fertilizer, raw cotton, grain
partners: Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan
External debt: $7.3 billion Western countries; $4.5 billion CEMA
debts primarily to Russia; $9 billion to $18 billion nonconvertible
debt (former CEMA, Iraq, Iran)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $57 million (1993)
note: $2.31 billion in credits and grants pledged by international
donors for 1996
Currency: 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu
Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1 - 11,193 (1995 average),
11,000 (October 1994), 10,800 (November 1993), 8,100 (July 1991),
7,280 (December 1990), 3,996 (March 1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,835 km (in addition, there are 224 km not restored to
service after war damage)
standard gauge: 151 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 2,454 km 1.000-m gauge
other gauge: 230 km NA-m dual gauge (three rails)
Highways:
total: 105,000 km
paved: 10,500 km
unpaved: 94,500 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at
all times by vessels up to 1.8 m draft
Pipelines: petroleum products 150 km
Ports: Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hon Gai, Qui Nhon, Nha
Trang
Merchant marine:
total: 112 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 569,269 GRT/947,938 DWT
ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 95, oil tanker 10, refrigerated cargo
3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
note: Vietnam owns an additional 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 120,320 DWT operating under the registries of Honduras,
Panama, The Bahamas, and Malta (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 48
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 800,000 (1995 est.)
Telephone system: while Vietnam's telecommunication sector lags
far behind other countries in Southeast Asia, Hanoi has made
considerable progress since 1991 in upgrading the system; Vietnam
has digitized fully 100% of provincial switch boards, while
fiber-optic and microwave transmission systems have been extended
from Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City to all provinces; the
density of telephone receivers nationwide doubled from 1993 to 1995,
but is still far behind other countries in the region; Vietnam's
telecommunications strategy aims to increase telephone density to 30
per 1,000 inhabitants by the year 2000 and authorities estimate that
approximately $2.7 billion will be spent on telecommunications
upgrades through the end of the decade
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian
Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 228, shortwave 0
Radios: 7.215 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 36 (repeaters 77)
Televisions: 2.9 million (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes Ground Forces,
Navy, and Air Force)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 18,593,129
males fit for military service: 11,769,955
males reach military age (17) annually: 796,312 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $544 million,
2.7% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Virgin Islands
--------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 18 20 N, 64 50 W -- Caribbean, islands between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Flag
----
Description: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center
between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a
yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows
in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white
stripes below a blue panel
Geography
---------
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 352 sq km
land area: 349 sq km
comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 188 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively
low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season
May to November
Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level
land
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf
Land use:
arable land: 15%
permanent crops: 6%
meadows and pastures: 26%
forest and woodland: 6%
other: 47%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources
natural hazards: rarely affected by hurricanes; frequent and severe
droughts, floods, and earthquakes
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: important location along the Anegada Passage - a
key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the
best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
People
------
Population: 97,120 (July 1996 est.)
note: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born
elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%,
other 8%
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -0.06% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.57 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.29 years
male: 73.6 years
female: 77.2 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions: black 80%, white 15%, other 5%
Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%,
other 7%
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Virgin Islands of the United States
conventional short form: Virgin Islands
former: Danish West Indies
Data code: VQ
Type of government: organized, unincorporated territory of the US
administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs,
US Department of the Interior
Capital: Charlotte Amalie
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US)
National holiday: Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to
US)
Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Legal system: based on US laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous
inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential
elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of the United States) William Jefferson
CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr.
(since 20 January 1993)
head of government: Governor Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (since 5 January
1995) and Lieutenant Governor Kenneth E. MAPP (since 5 January 1995)
were elected for four-year terms by universal suffrage; election
last held 22 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998);
results - Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (ICM) 54.7%, former Lieutenant
Governor Derek HODGE 42.6%
Legislative branch: unicameral
Senate: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5
November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15
total) Democrats 7, independents 7, Republican 1
US House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994
(next to be held 5 November 1996); results - Victor O. FRAZER (ICM)
54.5%, Eileen R. PETERSON (Democrat) 45.5%; seats - (1 total) ICM 1;
note - the Virgin Islands elects one representative to the US House
of Representatives
Judicial branch: US District Court, handles civil matters over
$50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age and over), and federal
cases, judges are appointed by the president; Territorial Court,
handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, juvenile,
domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases, judges appointed by the
governor
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn
STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN;
Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS
International organization participation: ECLAC (associate), IOC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US)
Flag: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between
the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow
eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the
other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes
below a blue panel
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity,
accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The
manufacturing sector consists of textile, electronics,
pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector
is small, most food being imported. International business and
financial services are a small but growing component of the economy.
One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1987 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $12,500 (1987 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 47,443 (1990 est.)
by occupation: agriculture, industry, services, other (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.7% (1992)
Budget:
revenues: $364.4 million
expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1990 est.)
Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum
distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Industrial production growth rate: 12% (year NA)
Electricity:
capacity: 320,000 kW
production: 970 million kWh
consumption per capita: 9,172 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: truck garden products, fruit, vegetables, sorghum;
Senepol cattle
Exports: $2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities: refined petroleum products
partners: US, Puerto Rico
Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building
materials
partners: US, Puerto Rico
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 856 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
note: international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix (1995
est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 60,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay
international: submarine cable and satellite communications;
satellite earth stations - NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 8, shortwave 0 (1988)
Radios: 105,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 65,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Wake Island
-----------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 19 17 N, 166 36 E -- Oceania, island in the North
Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the
Northern Mariana Islands
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
Geographic coordinates: 19 17 N, 166 36 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 6.5 sq km
land area: 6.5 sq km
comparative area: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 19.3 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by the Republic of the Marshall
Islands
Climate: tropical
Terrain: atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater
volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 6 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: occasional typhoons
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean;
emergency landing location for transpacific flights
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; there are 302 US military
and contract personnel (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Wake Island
Data code: WQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US
administered by the US Army and Strategic Defense Command since 1
October 1994
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Independence: none (territory of the US)
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to providing
services to US military personnel and contractors located on the
island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity: supplied by US military
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Ports: none; two offshore anchorages for large ships
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Transportation note: formerly an important commercial aviation
base, now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, as well
as the US Army Space and Strategic Defense Command for missile
launches
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the
Overseas Telephone System (OTS)
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA
note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service
provided by satellite
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) television
service provided by satellite
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Wallis and Futuna
-----------------
(overseas territory of France)
Map
---
Location: 13 18 S, 176 12 W -- Oceania, islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Flag
----
Description: a white modified Maltese cross centered on a red
background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in
the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official
occasions
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 274 sq km
land area: 274 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC
note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island),
Ile Alofi, and 20 islets
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 129 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool,
dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80%
humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C
Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Singavi 765 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 20%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 75%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation (only small portions of the original
forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as
the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests,
the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion;
there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of
natural fresh water resources
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: both island groups have fringing reefs
People
------
Population: 14,659 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.11% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -8.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.76 years
male: 72.16 years
female: 73.4 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders
adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian
Religions: Roman Catholic 100%
Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1969 est.)
total population: 50%
male: 50%
female: 50%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna
local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
local short form: Wallis et Futuna
Data code: WF
Type of government: overseas territory of France
Capital: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France);
there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the
US Government, but there are three kingdoms named Wallis, Sigave, Alo
Independence: none (overseas territory of France)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995), represented by High Administrator Leon-Alexandre LEGRAND
(since NA) was appointed by the French Ministry of the Interior
head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Mikaele
TAUHAVILI (since NA)
cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three
members appointed by the high administrator on advice of the
Territorial Assembly
note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers
Legislative branch: unicameral
Territorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale): elections last held
22 March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 9, Taumu'a Lelei 11
French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be
held by NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (1 total) RPR 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1992
(next to be held by NA September 1996); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (1 total) MRG 1; note - Wallis and Futuna elect
one deputy
Judicial branch: none; justice generally administered under French
law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings
administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union
Populaire Locale (UPL); Union Pour la Democratie Francaise (UDF);
Lua kae tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche (MRG);
Taumu'a Lelei
International organization participation: FZ, SPC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory of
France)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France)
Flag: a white modified Maltese cross centered on a red background;
the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper
hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is limited to traditional
subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of the labor force earning
its livelihood from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock
(mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed
in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies,
licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes,
and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. Wallis and
Futuna imports food - particularly sugar, rice, and beef - fuel,
clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, but its exports are
negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $28.7 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $2,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
by occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government
4% (est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $14.04 million
expenditures: $14.04 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)
Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 1,200 kW
production: 1 million kWh
consumption per capita: 70 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats
Exports: $370,000 (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: copra, handicrafts
partners: NA
Imports: $13.5 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation
equipment, fuel, clothing
partners: France, Australia, New Zealand
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per
US$1 - 91.00 (January 1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.94 (1994), 102.96
(1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991); note - linked at the rate of
18.18 to the French franc
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)
paved: 16 km (all on Ile Uvea)
unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)
Waterways: none
Ports: Leava, Mata-Utu
Merchant marine:
total: 1 oil tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 26,000 GRT/40,000
DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 340 (1985 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@West Bank
---------
The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government
Arrangements ("the DOP"), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993,
provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years of
Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West
Bank. Permanent status negotiations began on 5 May 1996.
Map
---
Location: 32 00 N, 35 15 E -- Middle East, west of Jordan
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, west of Jordan
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 35 15 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 5,860 sq km
land area: 5,640 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Delaware
note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter
of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and
Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of
depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967
Land boundaries:
total: 404 km
border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli
occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian
Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through
further negotiation
Climate: temperate, temperature and precipitation vary with
altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters
Terrain: mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west,
but barren in east
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m
highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 27%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 32%
forest and woodland: 1%
other: 40%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for
Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 202 Israeli settlements and
civilian land use sites in the West Bank and 26 in East Jerusalem
(August 1995 est.)
People
------
Population: 1,427,741 (July 1996 est.)
note: in addition, there are 127,600 Israeli settlers in the West
Bank and 153,700 in East Jerusalem (August 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 332,628; female 315,968)
15-64 years: 51% (male 368,180; female 362,880)
65 years and over: 4% (male 20,495; female 27,590) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 4.99% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 38.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 15.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.76 years
male: 70.17 years
female: 73.44 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.2 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: NA
adjective: NA
Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%
Religions: Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian
and other 8%
Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers), English
(widely understood)
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Government note: Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles
on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed
to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian
Authority, a Palestinian Legislative Council, elected in January
1996, as part of interim self-governing arrangements in the West
Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for
the Gaza Strip and Jericho has taken place pursuant to the
Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the
Jericho Area. A transfer of powers and responsibilities in certain
spheres for the rest of the West Bank has taken place pursuant to
the Israel-PLO 29 August 1994 Agreement on Preparatory Transfer of
Powers and Responsibilities. A transfer of powers and
responsibilities in additional areas of the West Bank has taken
place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim
Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility
during the transitional period for external security and for
internal security and public order of settlements and Israelis.
Permanent status is to be determined through direct negotiations
within five years.
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: West Bank
Data code: WE
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic progress in the West Bank has been
hampered by Israeli military administration and the effects of the
Palestinian uprising (intifadah). Industries using advanced
technology or requiring sizable investment have been discouraged by
a lack of local capital and restrictive Israeli policies. Capital
investment consists largely of residential housing, not productive
assets that would enable local Palestinian firms to compete with
Israeli industry. GDP has been substantially supplemented by
remittances of workers employed in Israel and Persian Gulf states.
Such transfers from the Gulf dropped after Iraq invaded Kuwait in
August 1990. In the wake of the Persian Gulf crisis, many
Palestinians have returned to the West Bank, increasing
unemployment, and export revenues have dropped because of the
decline of markets in Jordan and the Gulf states. The area's
economic situation has worsened since Israel imposed stringent
border restrictions in 1995 and 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3%-4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 33%
industry: 7%
services: 60% (1995 est., includes Gaza Strip)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1995 est.)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: construction 28.2%, agriculture 21.8%, industry
14.5%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 12.6%, other services 22.9%
(1991)
note: excluding Israeli settlers
Unemployment rate: 25%-30% (1995 est.)
Budget: $NA
Industries: generally small family businesses that produce cement,
textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs;
the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in
the settlements and industrial centers
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: NA kW
production: NA kWh
consumption per capita: NA kWh
note: most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric
Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East
Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric
Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and
military facilities; at the same time, some Palestinian
municipalities, such as Nabulus and Janin, generate their own
electricity from small power plants
Agriculture: olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables; beef,
dairy products
Exports: $116 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: olives, fruit, vegetables
partners: Jordan, Israel
Imports: $791 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials
partners: Jordan, Israel
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: $410 million (est.) disbursed from international aid pledged
in 1995 (includes aid to Gaza Strip)
Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot; 1 Jordanian
dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 3.1295
(January 1996), 3.0113 (1995), 3.0111 (1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591
(1992), 2.2791 (1991); Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.7090
(January 1996), 0.7005 (1995), 0.6987 (1994), 0.6928 (1993), 0.6797
(1992), 0.6808 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
note: small road network; Israelis have developed many highways to
service Jewish settlements
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
note: 8% of Palestinian households have telephones (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
note: Israeli company BEZEK is responsible for communication
services in the West Bank
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA; note - 82% of Palestinian households have radios (1992
est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
note: 1 broadcast station is planned for Jericho
Televisions: NA; note - 54% of Palestinian households have
televisions (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: NA
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Western Sahara
--------------
Map
---
Location: 24 30 N, 13 00 W -- Northern Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Mauritania and Morocco
Geographic coordinates: 24 30 N, 13 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 266,000 sq km
land area: 266,000 sq km
comparative area: about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries:
total: 2,046 km
border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Coastline: 1,110 km
Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
International disputes: claimed and administered by Morocco, but
sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a
referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in
effect since September 1991
Climate: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents
produce fog and heavy dew
Terrain: mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or
sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m
highest point: unnamed location 463 m
Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 19%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 81%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: sparse water and arable land
natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur
during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of
time, often severely restricting visibility
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 222,631 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 2.46% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 46.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 18.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 145.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.01 years
male: 46 years
female: 48.34 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.85 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)
adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian
Ethnic divisions: Arab, Berber
Religions: Muslim
Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Western Sahara
Data code: WI
Type of government: legal status of territory and question of
sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario
Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and
Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a
government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR);
territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976,
with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under
pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its
portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly
thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the
Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984;
guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored
cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991
Capital: none
Administrative divisions: none (under defacto control of Morocco)
Executive branch: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none
US diplomatic representation: none
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural
resources and having little rainfall, depends on pastoral nomadism,
fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for
the population. Most of the food for the urban population must be
imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by
the Moroccan Government. Incomes and standards of living are
substantially below the Moroccan level.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 12,000
by occupation: animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: phosphate mining, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 60,000 kW
production: 79 million kWh
consumption per capita: 339 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases);
camels, sheep, goats (kept by the nomads)
Exports: $NA
commodities: phosphates 62%
partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade
partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Imports: $NA
commodities: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs
partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade
partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 8.607 (January
1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 6,200 km
paved: 0 km
unpaved: 6,200 km
Ports: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, El Aaiun
Airports:
total: 12
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 2,000
Telephone system: sparse and limited system
domestic: NA
international: tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay,
tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: NA
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Western Samoa
-------------
Map
---
Location: 13 35 S, 172 20 W -- Oceania, group of islands in the
South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New
Zealand
Flag
----
Description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side
quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the
Southern Cross constellation
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 2,860 sq km
land area: 2,850 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 403 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season
(May to October)
Terrain: narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged
mountains in interior
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish
Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 24%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 47%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion
natural hazards: occasional typhoons; active volcanism
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
People
------
Population: 214,384 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 43,540; female 42,185)
15-64 years: 56% (male 62,742; female 57,323)
65 years and over: 4% (male 4,089; female 4,505) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.37% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 31.12 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.75 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 34.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.73 years
male: 66.35 years
female: 71.24 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.93 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Western Samoan(s)
adjective: Western Samoan
Ethnic divisions: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of
European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%
Religions: Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population
associated with the London Missionary Society; includes
Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints,
Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 97%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Independent State of Western Samoa
conventional short form: Western Samoa
Data code: WS
Type of government: constitutional monarchy under native chief
Capital: Apia
Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai,
Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli,
Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN
trusteeship)
National holiday: National Day, 1 June (1962)
Constitution: 1 January 1962
Legal system: based on English common law and local customs;
judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental
rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Chief Susuga MALIETOA Tanumafili II (co-chief of
state from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April
1963); upon his death, a new chief of state will be elected by the
Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term
head of government: Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana (since 7
April 1988) was appointed by the chief of state with approval of the
Legislative Assembly
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the chief of state with the prime
minister's advice
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Fono): elections last held 5 April 1991 (next
to be held 26 April 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (47 total) HRPP 28, SNDP 18, independents 1
note: only matai (head of family) are able to run for the
Legislative Assembly
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party
(HRPP), TOFILAU Eti Alesana, chairman; Samoan National Development
Party (SNDP), TAPUA Tamasese Efi, chairman; Samoan Progressive
Conservative Party, LEOTA Ituau Ale; Samoa All People's Party
(SAPP), Matatumua MAIMOAGA
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni SLADE
chancery: 820 Second Avenue, Suite 800, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197
FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMAN (Ambassador to New
Zealand and Western Samoa, resides in Wellington, New Zealand)
embassy: 5th floor, Beach Road, Apia
mailing address: P.O. Box 3430, Apia
telephone: [685] 21631
FAX: [685] 22030
Flag: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant
bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern
Cross constellation
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Agriculture employs more than one-half of the
labor force, contributes 50% to GDP, and furnishes 90% of exports.
The bulk of export earnings comes from the sale of coconut oil and
copra. The economy depends on emigrant remittances and foreign aid
to supplement GDP and to support a level of imports much greater
than export earnings. Tourism has become the most important growth
industry. The economy continued to falter in 1994, as remittances
and tourist earnings remained low. Production of taro, the primary
food export crop, dropped 97% in 1993/94 when a fungal disease
threatened the country's basic food crops. Nevertheless, the
government is relying on recovery and further expansion in
agricultural production to sustain economic growth of around 5% over
the next several years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $415 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 50%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18% (1994)
Labor force: 45,635 (1986 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $78.6 million
expenditures: $81.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: timber, tourism, food processing, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 29,000 kW
production: 50 million kWh
consumption per capita: 200 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts, bananas, taro, yams
Exports: $6.4 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: coconut oil and cream, taro, copra, cocoa
partners: New Zealand 34%, American Samoa 21%, Germany 18%,
Australia 11%
Imports: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities: intermediate goods 58%, food 17%, capital goods 12%
partners: New Zealand 37%, Australia 25%, Japan 11%, Fiji 9%
External debt: $141 million (June 1993)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 tala (WS$) = 100 sene
Exchange rates: tala (WS$) per US$1 - 2.5195 (January 1996),
2.4722 (1995), 2.5349 (1994), 2.5681 (1993), 2.4655 (1992), 2.3975
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,030 km
paved: 373 km
unpaved: 1,657 km (1988 est.)
Ports: Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa
Merchant marine:
total: 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
3,838 GRT/5,536 DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 7,500 (1988 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 76,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: no regular armed services; Western Samoa Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@World
-----
Map
---
Geography
---------
Map references: World, Time Zones
Area:
total area: 510.072 million sq km
land area: 148.94 million sq km
water area: 361.132 million sq km
comparative area: land area about 15 times the size of the US
note: 70.8% of the world is water, 29.2% is land
Land boundaries: the land boundaries in the world total 250,883.64
km (not counting shared boundaries twice)
Coastline: 356,000 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm claimed by most but can vary
continental shelf: 200-m depth claimed by most or to depth of
exploitation, others claim 200 nm or to the edge of the continental
margin
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm claimed by most but can vary
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm claimed by most but can vary
territorial sea: 12 nm claimed by most but can vary
note: boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many
countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full
200 nm; 43 nations and other areas that are landlocked include
Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan,
Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic,
Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary,
Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San
Marino, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan,
West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Climate: two large areas of polar climates separated by two rather
narrow temperate zones from a wide equatorial band of tropical to
subtropical climates
Terrain: the greatest ocean depth is the Marianas Trench at 10,924
m in the Pacific Ocean
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m
Natural resources: the rapid using up of nonrenewable mineral
resources, the depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the
extinction of animal and plant species, and the deterioration in air
and water quality (especially in Eastern Europe and the former USSR)
pose serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are
only beginning to address
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 24%
forest and woodland: 31%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial
disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss
of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of
wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion
natural hazards: large areas subject to severe weather (tropical
cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis,
volcanic eruptions)
international agreements: selected international environmental
agreements are included under the Environment entry for each country
and in the Selected International Environmental Agreements appendix
People
------
Population: 5,771,939,007 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 919,402,570; female 874,330,478)
15-64 years: 62% (male 1,824,524,365; female 1,776,639,084)
65 years and over: 7% (male 162,216,128; female 213,712,993)
Population growth rate: 1.4% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 60 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 62 years
male: 61 years
female: 64 years
Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Government
----------
Data code: none; there is no FIPS 10-4 country code for the World,
so the Factbook uses the "W" data code from DIAM 65-18 "Geopolitical
Data Elements and Related Features," Data Standard No. 3, March
1984, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency; see the
Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes appendix
Administrative divisions: 266 nations, dependent areas, other, and
miscellaneous entries
Legal system: varies by individual country; 186 (not including
Yugoslavia) are parties to the UN International Court of Justice
(ICJ or World Court)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Real global output - gross world product (GWP)
- again rose 3% in 1995, with the newly industrializing Third World
countries setting the pace. And once more, results varied widely
among regions and countries. Average growth of 2.5% in the GDP of
industrialized countries (56% of GWP in 1995) and average growth of
5% in the GDP of less developed countries (38% of GWP) were partly
offset by a small 1.5% drop in the GDP of the former USSR/Eastern
Europe area (only 6% of GWP). With the notable exception of Japan at
3.1%, unemployment was typically 6%-12% in the industrial world. The
US accounted for 22% of GWP in 1995; Western Europe accounted for
21%; and Japan accounted for 8%. These are the three "economic
superpowers" presumably destined to compete for mastery in
international markets on into the 21st century. As for the less
developed countries: China, India, and the Four Dragons - South
Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore - once again posted records
of 5% growth or better; however, many other countries, especially in
Africa, continued to suffer from drought, rapid population growth,
inflation, and civil strife. Central Europe continued its progress
in moving toward "market-friendly" economies. The 15 ex-Soviet
countries typically experienced further declines in output, although
considerably less than in 1992-94. Externally, the nation-state, as
a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control
over international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology.
Internally, the central government in a number of cases is losing
control over resources as separatist regional movements - typically
based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in the successor states of
the former Soviet Union, in the former Yugoslavia, in India, and in
Canada. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult political
problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order
to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment.
The addition of nearly 100 million people each year to an already
overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution,
desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of
their own internal problems, the industrialized countries have
inadequate resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of
the world, which, at least from the economic point of view, are
becoming further marginalized. (For specific economic developments
in each country, see the individual country entries in this volume.)
GDP: GWP (gross world product) - purchasing power parity - $33.7
trillion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
all countries: 25%
developed countries: 2% to 6% typically
developing countries: 10% to 60% typically (1995 est.)
note: national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from
stable prices in Japan to hyperinflation in a number of Third World
countries
Labor force: 2.24 billion (1992)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 30% combined unemployment and underemployment
in many non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically
6%-12% unemployment (1995 est.)
Industries: dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in
computers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical
equipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a
small portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly
adjusting to these technological forces; the rapid development of
new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already
grim environmental problems
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,773,000,000 kW
production: 11.601 trillion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,937 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: the whole gamut of crops, livestock, forest products,
and fish
Exports: $4.3 trillion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods
and services
partners: in value, about 75% of exports from the developed countries
Imports: $4.4 trillion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods
and services
partners: in value, about 75% of imports by the developed countries
External debt: $2 trillion for less developed countries (1995 est.)
Economic aid: worldwide traditional foreign aid $50 billion (1995
est.)
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,201,337 km includes about 190,000 to 195,000 km of
electrified routes of which 147,760 km are in Europe, 24,509 km in
the Far East, 11,050 km in Africa, 4,223 km in South America, and
4,160 km in North America; note - fastest speed in daily service is
300 km/hr attained by France's Societe Nationale des Chemins-de-Fer
Francais (SNCF) Le Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) - Atlantique line
broad gauge: 251,153 km
standard gauge: 710,754 km
narrow gauge: 239,430 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Chiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, Mina' al Ahmadi
(Kuwait), New Orleans, New York, Rotterdam, Yokohama
Merchant marine:
total: 25,521 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 442,276,527
GRT/701,647,274 DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 22, bulk 5,308, cargo 8,089, chemical
tanker 920, combination bulk 307, combination ore/oil 279, container
1,938, liquefied gas tanker 709, livestock carrier 52, multifunction
large-load carrier 62, oil tanker 4,320, passenger 298,
passenger-cargo 117, railcar carrier 21, refrigerated cargo 1,022,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1,034, short-sea passenger 484, specialized
tanker 81, vehicle carrier 458 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: ground, maritime, and air forces at all levels of
technology
Defense expenditures: probably a small decline in 1995 in
aggregate real expenditure on arms worldwide and somewhat less than
three-quarters of a trillion dollars in money terms, or roughly 2%
of gross world product (1995 est.)
======================================================================
@Yemen
-----
Map
---
Location: 15 00 N, 48 00 E -- Middle East, bordering the Arabian
Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
black; similar to the flag of Syria which has two green stars and of
Iraq which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a
horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag
of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band
Geography
---------
Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden,
and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 48 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 527,970 sq km
land area: 527,970 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming
note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR
or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of
Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen)
Land boundaries:
total: 1,746 km
border countries: Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km
Coastline: 1,906 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm in the North; 24 nm in the South
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: large section of boundary with Saudi
Arabia not defined; a dispute with Eritrea over sovereignty of the
Hanish Islands in the southern Red Sea has been submitted to
arbitration under the auspices of the International Court of Justice
Climate: mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate
in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily
hot, dry, harsh desert in east
Terrain: narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and
rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope
into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble, small
deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper, fertile soil in
west
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 30%
forest and woodland: 7%
other: 57%
Irrigated land: 3,100 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources;
inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion;
desertification
natural hazards: sandstorms and dust storms in summer
international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification, Law
of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change
Geographic note: controls Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the
Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping
lanes
People
------
Population: 13,483,178 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 3,302,489; female 3,122,246)
15-64 years: 50% (male 3,327,682; female 3,364,787)
65 years and over: 2% (male 158,018; female 207,956) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.56% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 45.22 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.59 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 71.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 59.58 years
male: 58.23 years
female: 60.99 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.29 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Yemeni(s)
adjective: Yemeni
Ethnic divisions: predominantly Arab; Afro-Arab concentrations in
western coastal locations; South Asians in southern regions; small
European communities in major metropolitan areas
Religions: Muslim including Sha'fi (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a),
small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu
Languages: Arabic
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 38%
male: 53%
female: 26%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Yemen
conventional short form: Yemen
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah
local short form: Al Yaman
Data code: YM
Type of government: republic
Capital: Sanaa
Administrative divisions: 17 governorates (muhafazat, singular -
muhafazah); Abyan, Aden, Al Bayda, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah,
Al Mahwit, Ataq, Dhamar, Hadhramaut, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib,
Sa'dah, San'a', Ta'izz
note: there may be a new governorate for the capital city of Sanaa
Independence: 22 May 1990 Republic of Yemen was established on 22
May 1990 with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic {Yemen (Sanaa)
or North Yemen} and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic
Republic of Yemen {Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen}; previously North
Yemen had become independent on NA November 1918 (from the Ottoman
Empire) and South Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967
(from the UK)
National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic, 22 May (1990)
Constitution: 16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994
Legal system: based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common
law, and local tribal customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May
1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the
merger of North and South Yemen) was elected for a five-year term by
the House of Representatives; election last held 1 October 1994
(next to be held NA 1999); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab
Mansur al-HADI (since NA October 1994) was appointed by the president
head of government: Prime Minister Abd al-Aziz ABD AL-GHANI (since
NA October 1994) was appointed by the president; Deputy Prime
Ministers Abd al-Wahhab al-ANISI (since NA October 1994), Dr. Abd
al-Karim Ali al-IRYANI (since NA October 1994), Dr. Muhammad Said
al-ATTAR (since NA October 1994), and Abd al-Qadir al-BA JAMAL
(since NA October 1994)
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on
advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Representatives: elections last held 27 April 1993 (next to
be held NA May 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(301 total) GPC 124, Islaah 61, YSP 55, others 13, independents 47,
election nullified 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: over 40 political parties are
active in Yemen, but only three project significant influence; since
the May-July 1994 civil war, President SALIH's General People's
Congress (GPC) and Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR's Yemeni
Grouping for Reform, or Islaah, have joined to form a coalition
government; the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP), headed by Ali Salih
UBAYD, has regrouped as a loyal opposition
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF,
CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Muhsin Ahmad al-AYNI
chancery: Suite 705, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760, 4761
FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David G. NEWTON
embassy: Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, Sanaa
mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa
telephone: [967] (1) 238843 through 238852
FAX: [967] (1) 251563
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;
similar to the flag of Syria which has two green stars and of Iraq
which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a
horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag
of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Whereas the northern city Sanaa is the
political capital of a united Yemen, the southern city Aden, with
its refinery and port facilities, is the economic and commercial
capital. Future economic development depends heavily on
Western-assisted development of the country's moderate oil
resources. Former South Yemen's willingness to merge stemmed partly
from the steady decline in Soviet economic support. The low level of
domestic industry and agriculture has made northern Yemen dependent
on imports for practically all of its essential needs. Once
self-sufficient in food production, northern Yemen has become a
major importer. Land once used for export crops - cotton, fruit, and
vegetables - has been turned over to growing a shrub called qat,
whose leaves are chewed for their stimulant effect by Yemenis and
which has no significant export market. Economic growth in former
South Yemen has been constrained by a lack of incentives, partly
stemming from centralized control over production decisions,
investment allocation, and import choices. Yemen's large trade
deficits have been compensated for by remittances from Yemenis
working abroad and by foreign aid. Since the Gulf crisis,
remittances have dropped substantially. High inflation and political
divisions hinder the development of a forward-looking economic
policy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $37.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,520 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 21%
industry: 24%
services: 55%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 71.3% (1994 est.)
Labor force: no reliable estimates exist, most people are employed
in agriculture and herding or as expatriate laborers; services,
construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-half
of the labor force
Unemployment rate: 30% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.4 billion
expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: crude oil production and petroleum refining;
small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food
processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 810,000 kW
production: 1.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 149 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grain, fruits, vegetables, qat (mildly narcotic
shrub), coffee, cotton; dairy products, poultry, meat; fish
Exports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: crude oil, cotton, coffee, hides, vegetables, dried and
salted fish
partners: US 17%, Japan 16%, Singapore 15%, China 13% (1994)
Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: textiles and other manufactured consumer goods,
petroleum products, sugar, grain, flour, other foodstuffs, cement,
machinery, chemicals
partners: US 11%, UK 7%, France 7%, Germany 5%, Japan 5% (1994)
External debt: $8 billion (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $148 million (1993)
Currency: Yemeni rial (new currency)
Exchange rates: Yemeni rials per US$1 - 12.010 (official fixed
rate); 90 (market rate, December 1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 51,392 km
paved: 4,831 km
unpaved: 46,561 km (1992 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 644 km; petroleum products 32 km
Ports: Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla, Mocha, Nishtun
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,059 GRT/18,563 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, oil tanker 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 41
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 3
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 131,655 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: since unification in 1990, efforts have been
made to create a national telecommunications network
domestic: the network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, and
tropospheric scatter
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean
and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2
Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 10
Televisions: 350,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Police)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,985,764
males fit for military service: 1,685,517
males reach military age (18) annually: 145,161 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Zaire
-----
Map
---
Location: 0 00 N, 25 00 E -- Central Africa, northeast of Angola
Flag
----
Description: light green with a yellow disk in the center bearing
a black arm holding a red flaming torch; the flames of the torch are
blowing away from the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African
colors of Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola
Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 2,345,410 sq km
land area: 2,267,600 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than one-fourth the size of US
Land boundaries:
total: 10,271 km
border countries: Angola 2,511 km, Burundi 233 km, Central African
Republic 1,577 km, Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km,
Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km
Coastline: 37 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake
Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it has been informally
reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary
has been settled; long section with Congo along the Congo river is
indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made)
Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler
and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern
highlands; north of Equator - wet season April to October, dry
season December to February; south of Equator - wet season November
to March, dry season April to October
Terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in
east
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Margherita Peak (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m
Natural resources: cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial
and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium,
uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 78%
other: 15%
Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: poaching threatens wildlife populations; water
pollution; deforestation; 1.2 million Rwandan refugees are
responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and
wildlife poaching in eastern Zaire
natural hazards: periodic droughts in south; volcanic activity
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber
83; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Environmental
Modification
Geographic note: straddles Equator; very narrow strip of land that
controls the lower Congo river and is only outlet to South Atlantic
Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern
highlands
People
------
Population: 46,498,539 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 11,161,347; female 11,124,583)
15-64 years: 49% (male 11,197,097; female 11,783,524)
65 years and over: 3% (male 539,775; female 692,213) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 48.1 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 16.9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -14.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: in 1994, more than one million refugees fled into Zaire to
escape the fighting between the Hutus and the Tutsis in Rwanda and
Burundi; a small number of these returned to their homes in 1995
despite fear of the ongoing violence; additionally, Zaire is host to
about 100,000 Angolan, and about 100,000 Sudanese refugees
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 108 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.7 years
male: 44.97 years
female: 48.47 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.64 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Zairian(s)
adjective: Zairian
Ethnic divisions: over 200 African ethnic groups, the majority are
Bantu; four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the
Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%,
Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and traditional beliefs 10%
Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade
language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo,
Tshiluba
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in French, Lingala,
Kingwana, or Tshiluba (1995 est.)
total population: 77.3%
male: 86.6%
female: 67.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Zaire
conventional short form: Zaire
local long form: Republique du Zaire
local short form: Zaire
former: Belgian Congo Congo/Leopoldville Congo/Kinshasa
Data code: CG
Type of government: republic with a strong presidential system
Capital: Kinshasa
Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region)
and 1 town* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Zaire, Equateur, Haut-Zaire,
Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu,
Shaba, Sud-Kivu
Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Regime (Second Republic), 24
November (1965)
Constitution: 24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15
February 1978; amended April 1990; new transitional constitution
promulgated in April 1994
Legal system: based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Marshal MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa
Za Banga (since 24 November 1965) elected for a seven-year term by
popular vote; election last held 29 July 1984 (next to be held by 9
July 1997); results - President MOBUTU was reelected without
opposition
head of government: Prime Minister Leon KENGO wa Dondo (since 14
June 1994) elected by the High Council of the Republic
cabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by mutual agreement
of the president and the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
parliament: a single body consisting of the High Council of the
Republic and the Parliament of the Transition with membership
equally divided between presidential supporters and opponents
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: sole legal party until January 1991
- Popular Movement of the Revolution (MPR); other parties include
Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), Etienne TSHISEKEDI
wa Mulumba; Democratic Social Christian Party (PDSC); Union of
Federalists and Independent Republicans (UFERI); Unified Lumumbast
Party (PALU), Antoine GIZENGA; Union of Independent Democrats (UDI),
Leon KENGO wa Dondo
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
ITU, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador TATANENE Manata
chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel H. SIMPSON
embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa
mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828
telephone: [243] (12) 21533 through 21535
FAX: [243] (88) 43805, ext. 2308 or 43467
Flag: light green with a yellow disk in the center bearing a black
arm holding a red flaming torch; the flames of the torch are blowing
away from the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Zaire's economy has continued to disintegrate,
although Prime Minister KENGO has had some success in slowing the
rate of economic decline. While meaningful economic figures are
difficult to come by, Zaire's hyperinflation, chronic large
government deficits, and plunging mineral production have made the
country one of the world's poorest. Most formal transactions are
conducted in hard currency as indigenous bank notes have lost almost
all value, and a barter economy now flourishes in all but the
largest cities. Most individuals and families hang on grimly through
subsistence farming and petty trade. The government has not been
able to meet its financial obligations to the IMF nor put in place
the financial measures advocated by it. Although short-term
prospects for improvement remain doubtful, improved political
stability would boost Zaire's long-term potential to effectively
exploit its vast mineral and agricultural resources.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -7.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% monthly average (1995 est.)
Labor force: 14.51 million (1993 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 16%, services 19% (1991
est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $479 million
expenditures: $479 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: mining, mineral processing, consumer products
(including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and
beverages), cement, diamonds
Industrial production growth rate: -20% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,830,000 kW
production: 6.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 133 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine,
cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood
products
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic
consumption
Exports: $419 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: copper, coffee, diamonds, cobalt, crude oil
partners: US, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, UK, Japan, South
Africa
Imports: $382 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and other machinery,
transport equipment, fuels
partners: South Africa, US, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
UK
External debt: $11.3 billion (December 1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 zaire (Z) = 100 makuta
Exchange rates: new zaires (Z) per US$1 - 10,618 (October 1995),
1,194 (1994), 3 (1993); zaire (Z) per US$1 - 645,549 (1992), 15,587
(1991)
note: on 22 October 1993 the new zaire, equal to 3,000,000 old
zaires, was introduced
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 5,138 km (1995); note - severely reduced trackage in use
because of civil strife
narrow gauge: 3,987 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km
1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge
Highways:
total: 145,000 km
paved: 290 km
unpaved: 144,710 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 15,000 km including the Congo, its tributaries, and
unconnected lakes
Pipelines: petroleum products 390 km
Ports: Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu,
Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 217
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 15
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 82
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 17
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 94 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 34,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in
and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth
stations
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.87 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 55,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie,
paramilitary Civil Guard, Special Presidential Division
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 10,025,536
males fit for military service: 5,108,385 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $46 million, 1.5%
of GDP (1990)
======================================================================
@Zambia
------
Map
---
Location: 15 00 S, 30 00 E -- Southern Africa, east of Angola
Flag
----
Description: green with a panel of three vertical bands of red
(hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the
outer edge of the flag
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, east of Angola
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 752,610 sq km
land area: 740,720 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,664 km
border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km,
Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zaire 1,930 km, Zimbabwe 797 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and
Zimbabwe is in disagreement; Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake
Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it has been informally
reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary
has been settled
Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to
April)
Terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains
lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m
highest point: in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m
Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds,
gold, silver, uranium, hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 47%
forest and woodland: 27%
other: 19%
Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral
extraction and refining region; poaching seriously threatens
rhinoceros and elephant populations; deforestation; soil erosion;
desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human
health risks
natural hazards: tropical storms (November to April)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 9,159,072 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 49% (male 2,272,981; female 2,244,403)
15-64 years: 48% (male 2,157,106; female 2,256,935)
65 years and over: 3% (male 110,433; female 117,214) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.11% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.73 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 23.65 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 96.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 36.31 years
male: 36.15 years
female: 36.46 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.55 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Zambian(s)
adjective: Zambian
Ethnic divisions: African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%
Religions: Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous
beliefs 1%
Languages: English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda,
Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous
languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in English (1995 est.)
total population: 78.2%
male: 85.6%
female: 71.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Zambia
conventional short form: Zambia
former: Northern Rhodesia
Data code: ZA
Type of government: republic
Capital: Lusaka
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt,
Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western
Independence: 24 October 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964)
Constitution: 2 August 1991
Legal system: based on English common law and customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional
council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Frederick CHILUBA
(since 31 October 1991) elected for a five-year term by popular
vote; Vice President General Godfrey MIYANDA (since NA August 1994)
appointed by the president; election last held 31 October 1991 (next
to be held October 1996); results - Frederick CHILUBA 84%, Kenneth
KAUNDA 16%
cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the president from among the members
of the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held 31 October 1991 (next to be
held October 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(150 total) MMD 125, UNIP 25; note - the MMD's majority was weakened
by the defection of 13 of its parliamentary members during 1993 and
the defeat of its candidates in four of the resulting byelections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed by the
president
Political parties and leaders: Movement for Multiparty Democracy
(MMD), Frederick CHILUBA; United National Independence Party (UNIP),
Kenneth KAUNDA; National Party (NP), Humphrey MULEMBIA; Labor Party
(LP), Chibiza MFUNI; Zambia Democratic Congress (ZDC), Dean
MUNG'OMBA; Liberal Progressive Front (LPF), Roger CHONGWE, president
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADC,
UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dunstan Weston KAMANA
chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719
FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roland K. KUCHEL
embassy: corner of Independence Avenue and United Nations Avenue,
Lusaka
mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka
telephone: [260] (1) 250-955, 252-230
FAX: [260] (1) 252-225
Flag: green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist
side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer
edge of the flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Despite continuing progress in privatization
and budgetary reform, Zambia's economy is showing little
improvement. Inflation, while slowing somewhat, continues to be a
major concern to the CHILUBA government. Four of Zambia's 20 banks
collapsed in 1995, and the nation's debt stood at about $7 billion.
Zambia's copper mining sector, which accounts for over 80% of the
nation's foreign currency intake, is struggling. Production rates
are down as are world copper prices. Food production is insufficient
to meet the country's needs due to previous droughts and an end to
government subsidization of agriculture. While the government's
economic program aims for 6% growth in each of the next three years,
a growth rate of 3-5% is more likely.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 32%
industry: 22%
services: 46% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 55% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 3.4 million
by occupation: agriculture 85%, mining, manufacturing, and
construction 6%, transport and services 9%
Unemployment rate: 22% (1991)
Budget:
revenues: $665 million
expenditures: $767 million, including capital expenditures of $300
million (1991 est.)
Industries: copper mining and processing, construction,
foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer
Industrial production growth rate: -1% (1992)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,440,000 kW
production: 7.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 650 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed,
tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca); cattle, goats, beef,
eggs
Illicit drugs: increasingly a regional transshipment center for
methaqualone and heroin
Exports: $1.075 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: copper, zinc, cobalt, lead, tobacco
partners: EU countries, Japan, South Africa, US, India, Thailand,
Malaysia
Imports: $845 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, fuels,
manufactures
partners: EU countries, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, US
External debt: $7 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $734 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Zambian kwacha (ZK) = 100 ngwee
Exchange rates: Zambian kwacha (ZK) per US$1 - 909.09 (December
1995), 833.33 (1995), 769.23 (1994), 434.78 (1993), 156.25 (1992),
61.7284 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,164 km (1995)
narrow gauge: 2,164 km 1.067-m gauge (13 km double track)
note: the total includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway
Authority (TAZARA), which operates 1,860 km of 1.067-m narrow gauge
track between Dar es Salaam and New Kapiri M'poshi where it connects
to the Zambia Railways system; TAZARA is not a part of Zambia
Railways
Highways:
total: 37,359 km
paved: 6,575 km (including 56 km of expressways)
unpaved: 30,784 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 2,250 km, including Zambezi and Luapula rivers, Lake
Tanganyika
Pipelines: crude oil 1,724 km
Ports: Mpulungu
Airports:
total: 104
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 35
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 54 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 80,900 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan
Africa
domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger
towns and cities
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 11, FM 5, shortwave 0
Radios: 1,889,140
Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 215,000 (1995 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air Force, paramilitary forces, Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,934,845
males fit for military service: 1,020,851 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $96 million, 2.7%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Zimbabwe
--------
Map
---
Location: 20 00 S, 30 00 E -- Southern Africa, northeast of
Botswana
Flag
----
Description: seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red,
black, red, yellow, and green with a white equilateral triangle
edged in black based on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird is
superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, northeast of Botswana
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 390,580 sq km
land area: 386,670 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 3,066 km
border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa
225 km, Zambia 797 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and
Zambia is in disagreement
Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November
to March)
Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high
veld); mountains in east
lowest point: junction of the Lundi and Savi rivers 162 m
highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m
Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel,
copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: NEGL (coffee)
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 49%
other: 31%
Irrigated land: 2,250 sq km (1993 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air
and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest
concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly
reduced by poaching
natural hazards: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are
rare
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed,
but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 11,271,314 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 2,513,606; female 2,481,478)
15-64 years: 53% (male 2,935,188; female 3,030,270)
65 years and over: 3% (male 152,244; female 158,528) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.41% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 32.34 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 18.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: there is a small but steady flow of Zimbabweans into South
Africa in search of better paid employment
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 72.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 41.85 years
male: 41.91 years
female: 41.78 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.09 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Zimbabwean(s)
adjective: Zimbabwean
Ethnic divisions: African 98% (Shona 71%, Ndebele 16%, other 11%),
white 1%, mixed and Asian 1%
Religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs)
50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%
Languages: English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of
the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal
dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in English (1995 est.)
total population: 85%
male: 90%
female: 80%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe
conventional short form: Zimbabwe
former: Southern Rhodesia
Data code: ZI
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Harare
Administrative divisions: 8 provinces and 2 cities* with
provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland
Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo (Victoria),
Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands
Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980)
Constitution: 21 December 1979
Legal system: mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Executive President Robert
Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987) was nominated by the House
of Assembly (if more than one nomination, electoral college of
members of the House of Assembly elect the president); election last
held 26-27 March 1996 (next to be held NA March 2002); results -
Robert MUGABE 92.7%, Abel MUZOREWA 4.8%; Ndabaningi SITHOLE 2.4%;
Co-Vice President Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987);
Co-Vice President Joshua M. NKOMO (since 6 August 1990) was
appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president; responsible to
Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 8-9 April 1995 (next to be held NA
March 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (150
total, 120 elected) ZANU-PF 118, ZANU-Ndonga 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Zimbabwe African National
Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Robert MUGABE; Zimbabwe African
National Union-NDONGA (ZANU-NDONGA), Ndabaningi SITHOLE; Zimbabwe
Unity Movement (ZUM), Edgar TEKERE; Democratic Party (DP), Emmanuel
MAGOCHE; Forum Party of Zimbabwe, Enock DUMBUTSHENA; United Parties,
Abel MUZOREWA
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,
NAM, OAU, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Amos Bernard Muvengwa MIDZI
chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100
FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Johnnie CARSON
embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare
mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare
telephone: [263] (4) 794521
FAX: [263] (4) 796488
Flag: seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black,
red, yellow, and green with a white equilateral triangle edged in
black based on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird is
superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Agriculture employs 70% of the labor force of
this landlocked nation and supplies almost 40% of exports. Mining
accounts for only 5% of both GDP and employment, but minerals and
metals account for about 40% of exports. Severe drought caused GDP
to drop 8% in 1992, with growth rebounding to 2% in 1993 and 4.5% in
1994, only to drop by 2.4% in 1995. The government is continuing to
push its IMF/World Bank structural adjustment program aimed at
encouraging exports and foreign investment. Officials face the
difficult task of restraining expenditures in their effort to keep
inflation within bounds.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -2.4% (1995)
GDP per capita: $1,620 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 18.3%
industry: 35.3%
services: 46.4% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25.8% (1995)
Labor force: 4.228 million (1993 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 70%, transport and services 22%, industry
8%
Unemployment rate: at least 45% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.7 billion
expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $253
million (FY92/93)
Industries: mining, steel, clothing and footwear, chemicals,
foodstuffs, fertilizer, beverage, transportation equipment, wood
products
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1994)
Electricity:
capacity: 2,040,000 kW
production: 9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 913 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane,
peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs
Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: agricultural 35% (tobacco 30%, other 5%), manufactures
25%, gold 12%, ferrochrome 10%, textiles 8% (1992)
partners: UK 14%, Germany 11%, South Africa 10%, Japan 7%, US 5%
(1991)
Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 41%, other
manufactures 23%, chemicals 16%, fuels 12% (1991)
partners: South Africa 25%, UK 15%, Germany 9%, US 6%, Japan 5%
(1991)
External debt: $4.4 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $362 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Zimbabwean dollar (Z$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Zimbabwean dollars (Z$) per US$1 -9.3633 (January
1996), 8.6580 (1995), 8.1500 (1994), 6.4725 (1993), 5.0942 (1992),
3.4282 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,759 km (1995)
narrow gauge: 2,759 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified; 42 km
double track) (1995 est.)
Highways:
total: 91,078 km
paved: 14,572 km
unpaved: 76,506 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: Lake Kariba is a potential line of communication
Pipelines: petroleum products 212 km
Ports: Binga, Kariba
Airports:
total: 403
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8
with paved runways under 914 m: 185
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 198 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 301,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: system was once one of the best in Africa, but
now suffers from poor maintenance
domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines,
and radiotelephone communication stations
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 18, shortwave 0
Radios: 890,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 8 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 280,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Republic Police (includes Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,629,880
males fit for military service: 1,632,391 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $236 million,
3.4% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
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