The Project Gutenberg eBook of The 1997 CIA World Factbook This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: The 1997 CIA World Factbook Author: United States. Central Intelligence Agency Release date: March 1, 1999 [eBook #1662] Most recently updated: December 31, 2020 Language: English Credits: Produced by Dr. Gregory B. Newby *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 1997 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK *** Produced by Dr. Gregory B. Newby The 1997 CIA World Factbook TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction A Brief History of Basic Intelligence and the World Factbook Notes and Definitions Guide to Country Profiles (Categories, Fields and Subfields) 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 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 Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Clipperton Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Coral Sea Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Europa Island Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern and Antarctic Lands Gabon The Gambia Gaza Strip Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Glorioso Islands Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City) Honduras Hong Kong Howland Island Hungary Iceland India Indian Ocean Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Jan Mayen Japan Jarvis Island Jersey Johnston Atoll Jordan Juan de Nova Island Kazakstan Kenya Kingman Reef Kiribati Korea, North Korea, South Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia, 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 Namibia Nauru Navassa Island Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pacific Ocean Pakistan Palau Palmyra Atoll Panama Papua New Guinea Paracel Islands Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda 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 Spain Spratly Islands Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tromelin Island Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands Wake Island Wallis and Futuna West Bank Western Sahara Western Samoa World Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe ______________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials, and the style, format, coverage, and content are designed to meet their specific requirements. Information was provided by the American Geophysical Union, Bureau of the Census, Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, Defense Nuclear Agency, Department of State, Foreign Broadcast Information Service, Maritime Administration, National Imagery and Mapping Agency, National Maritime Intelligence Center, National Science Foundation (Antarctic Sciences Section), Office of Insular Affairs, US Board on Geographic Names, US Coast Guard, and other public and private sources. The Factbook is in the public domain. Accordingly, it may be copied freely without permission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The official seal of the CIA, however, may NOT be copied without permission as required by the CIA Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. section 403m). Misuse of the official seal of the CIA could result in civil and criminal penalties. Comments and queries are welcome and may be addressed to: Central Intelligence Agency Attn: Public Affairs Staff Washington, DC 20505 Telephone: [1](703)482-0623 FAX: [1](703)482-1739 ______________________________________________________________________ A BRIEF HISTORY OF BASIC INTELLIGENCE AND THE WORLD FACTBOOK The Intelligence Cycle is the process by which information is acquired, converted into intelligence, and made available to policymakers. Information is raw data from any source that may be fragmentary, contradictory, unreliable, ambiguous, deceptive, or wrong. Intelligence is information that has been collected, integrated, evaluated, analyzed, and interpreted. Finished intelligence is the final product of the Intelligence Cycle ready to be delivered to the policymaker. There are three types of finished intelligence: basic, current, and estimative. Basic intelligence is the fundamental and factual reference material on a country or issue, current intelligence reports on new developments, and estimative intelligence judges probable outcomes. The three are mutually supporting because basic intelligence is the foundation on which the other two are based, current intelligence helps to continually update the knowledge foundation, and estimative intelligence serves to revise overall interpretations of country and issue prospects for both basic and current intelligence. The World Factbook, The President's Daily Brief, and National Intelligence Estimates are examples of the three types of finished intelligence. The United States has carried on foreign intelligence activities since the days of George Washington, but only since World War II have they been coordinated on a governmentwide basis. Three programs have highlighted the development of coordinated basic intelligence since that time: (1) the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS), (2) the National Intelligence Survey (NIS), and (3) The World Factbook. During World War II intelligence consumers realized that the production of basic intelligence by different components of the US Government resulted in a great duplication of effort and conflicting information. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought home to Congressional and executive branch leaders the need for integrating and coordinating departmental reports to national policymakers. Detailed general information was needed not only on such major powers as Germany and Japan, but also on places of little previous interest. In the Pacific Theater, for example, the Navy and Marines had to launch amphibious operations against many islands about which information was unconfirmed or nonexistent. Intelligence authorities resolved that the United States should never again be caught unprepared. In 1943, Gen. George B. Strong (G-2), Adm. H. C. Train (Office of Naval Intelligence - ONI), and Gen. William J. Donovan (Director of the Office of Strategic Services - OSS) decided that a joint effort should be initiated. A steering committee was appointed on 27 April 1943 that recommended the formation of a Joint Intelligence Study Publishing Board to assemble, edit, coordinate, and publish the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS). JANIS was the first interdepartmental basic intelligence program and fulfilled the needs of the US Government for an authoritative and coordinated digest of strategic basic intelligence. Between April 1943 and July 1947, the board published 34 JANIS studies. JANIS performed well in the war effort, and numerous letters of commendation were received including a statement from Adm. Forrest Sherman, Chief of Staff, Pacific Ocean Areas, which said "JANIS has become the indispensable reference work for the shore-based planners." The need for even more comprehensive basic intelligence in the postwar world was well expressed in 1946 by George S. Pettee, a noted author on national security, when he wrote in The Future of American Secret Intelligence (Infantry Journal Press, 1946, page 46) that world leadership in peace requires more elaborate intelligence than war. "The conduct of peace involves all countries, all human activities-not just the enemy and his war production." The Central Intelligence Agency was established on 26 July 1947 and officially began operating 18 September 1947. Effective 1 October 1947, the Director of Central Intelligence assumed operational responsibility for JANIS. On 13 January 1948, the National Security Council issued Intelligence Directive (NSCID) No. 3, which officially authorized the National Intelligence Survey (NIS) program as a peacetime replacement for the wartime JANIS program. Before adequate NIS sections could be produced, it was necessary to develop gazetteers and maps for an accurate presentation of intelligence by the contributing agencies. The US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) compiled the names, the Department of the Interior produced the gazetteers, and CIA produced the maps. The Hoover Commission's Clark Committee, set up in 1954 to study the structure and administration of the CIA, reported to Congress in 1955 that: "The National Intelligence Survey is an invaluable publication which provides the essential elements of basic intelligence on all areas of the world. . . . There will always be a continuing requirement for keeping the Survey up-to-date." The Factbook was created as an annual summary and update to the encyclopedic NIS studies. The first classified Factbook was published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version was published in June 1971. The NIS program was terminated except for the Factbook and gazetteers in 1973. The 1975 Factbook was the first to be made available to the public with sales through the US Government Printing Office (GPO). The 1996 edition was the first to be printed by GPO. The year 1997 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency and the 54th year of continuous basic intelligence support to the US Government by The World Factbook and its two predecessor programs. ______________________________________________________________________ NOTES AND DEFINITIONS There have been some significant changes in this edition. A schema or Guide to Country Profiles has been added. The new maps and flags accompanying each country profile are in color. The country name Zaire has been officially changed to Democratic Republic of the Congo. Congo is now referred to as Republic of the Congo. New reference maps of the United States, Ethnolinguistic Groups in Afghanistan, and Central Africa have been included. Introduction is a new category with two entries--Current issues and Historical perspective that now appear in only a few country profiles, but will be added to all countries in the future. The Area--comparative entry was separated from the Area entry. The lowest point and highest point information has been removed from the Terrain entry and put into a new entry called Elevation extremes. The former Environment entry has been replaced by three new entries--Natural hazards, Environment--current issues, and Environment--international agreements. US diplomatic representation has been renamed Diplomatic representation from the US in order to parallel the Diplomatic representation in the US entry. The former Airports entry has been split into three separate entries--Airports, Airports--with paved runways, and Airports--with unpaved runways. The Defense category has been renamed Military. The Branches entry has been renamed Military branches. The former Manpower availability entry has been replaced by four new entries--Military manpower--military age, Military manpower--availability, Military manpower--fit for military service, and Military manpower--reaching military age annually. The former Defense expenditures entry has been replaced by two new entries--Military expenditures--dollar figure, and Military expenditures--percent of GDP. Transnational Issues is a new category that now includes only two existing entries (Illicit drugs and Disputes--international) but additional entries will be considered in the future. Abbreviations: This information is included in Appendix A: Abbreviations which includes all abbreviations and acronyms used in the Factbook with their expansions. Administrative divisions: This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted. Age structure: This entry provides the distribution of the population according to age. Information is included by sex and age group (0-14 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over). The age structure of a population will affect a country's investment pattern. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest. Agriculture--products: This entry is a rank ordering of major crops and products starting with the most important. Airports: This entry gives the total number of airports. The runway(s) may be paved (concrete or asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces), but must be usable. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. Airports--with paved runways: This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways (concrete or asphalt surfaces). For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups--(1) over 3,047 m, (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m, (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m, (4) 914 to 1,523 m, and (5) under 914 m. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Airports--with unpaved runways: This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces). For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups--(1) over 3,047 m, (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m, (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m, (4) 914 to 1,523 m, and (5) under 914 m. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Appendixes: This section includes Factbook-related material by topic. Area: This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of all water surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, including inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Area--comparative: This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres). Birth rate: This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the level of fertility and the age structure of the population. Budget: This entry includes revenues, total expenditures, and capital expenditures. Climate: This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year. Coastline: This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea. Communications: This category deals with the means of exchanging information and includes the radio, telephone, and television entries. Communications--note: This entry includes miscellaneous communications information of significance not included elsewhere. Constitution: This entry includes the dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments. Country map: Most versions of the Factbook provide a country map in color. The maps were produced from the best information available at the time of preparation. Names and/or boundaries may have changed subsequently. Country name: This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. See the Terminology note regarding the use of the term "country." Currency: This entry identifies the local medium of exchange and its basic subunit. Current issues: This entry briefly characterizes major geographic, social, political, and military developments in the past 12 months and may include a statement about one or two key future trends. This entry appears for only a few countries at the present time, but will be added to all countries in the future. Data code: This entry gives the official US Government digraph that precisely identifies every land entity without overlap, duplication, or omission. AF, for example, is the data code for Afghanistan. This two-letter country code is a standardized geopolitical data element promulgated in the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS) 10-4 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the US Department of Commerce and maintained by the Office of the Geographer and Global Issues at the US Department of State. The data code is used to eliminate confusion and incompatibility in the collection, processing, and dissemination of area-specific data and is particularly useful for interchanging data between databases. Appendix F cross-references various country codes and Appendix G does the same thing for hydrographic codes. Data codes-country: This information is presented in Appendix F: Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes which includes the US Government approved Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and Internet country codes. Data codes--hydrographic: This information is presented in Appendix G: Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes which includes the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC; now National Imagery and Mapping Agency or NIMA), and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) hydrographic codes. The US Government has not yet approved a standard for hydrographic data codes similar to the FIPS 10-4 standard for country data codes. Dates of information: The information cutoff date was 1 January 1997, although a few important changes after that date have been included. Most demographic statistics are estimates for 1997. Death rate: This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by the age distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the rate, in spite of continued declines in mortality at all ages, as declining fertility results in an aging population. Debt--external: This entry gives the total amount of public foreign financial obligations. Dependency status: This entry describes the formal relationship between a nonindependent entity and a sovereign nation. Dependent areas: This entry contains an alphabetical listing of all nonindependent entities associated in some way with a particular sovereign nation. Diplomatic representation: The US Government has diplomatic relations with 184 nations, including 178 of the 185 UN members (excluded UN members are Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, former Yugoslavia, and the US itself). In addition, the US has diplomatic relations with 6 nations that are not in the UN--Holy See, Kiribati, Nauru, Switzerland, Tonga, and Tuvalu. Diplomatic representation from the US: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. Diplomatic representation in the US: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery address, telephone number, FAX number, consulate general locations, consulate locations, honorary consulate general locations, and honorary consulate locations. Disputes--international: This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues, however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government. Economic aid: This entry refers to bilateral commitments of official development assistance (ODA) and other official flows (OOF). ODA is defined as financial assistance which is concessional in character, has the main objective to promote economic development and welfare of LDCs, and contains a grant element of at least 25%. OOF transactions are also official government assistance, but with a main objective other than economic development and with a grant element less than 25%. OOF transactions include official export credits (such as Ex-Im Bank credits), official equity and portfolio investment, and debt reorganization by the official sector that does not meet concessional terms. Aid is considered to have been committed when agreements are initialed by the parties involved and constitute a formal declaration of intent. The entry is separated into two components--donor and recipient. Economy: This category includes the entries dealing with the size, development, and management of productive resources, i.e., land, labor, and capital. Economy--overview: This entry briefly describes the type of economy, including the degree of market orientation, the level of economic development, the most important natural resources, and the unique areas of specialization. It also characterizes major economic events and policy changes in the most recent 12 months and may include a statement about one or two key future macroeconomic trends. Electricity--capacity: This entry gives the maximum designed potential for electricity production expressed in kilowatts. Electricity--consumption per capita: This entry gives the figure for annual electricity generation plus net imports or minus net exports, divided by total population for the same year expressed in kilowatt hours. Electricity--production: This entry gives the annual amount of electricity actually generated expressed in kilowatt hours. Elevation extremes: This entry includes both the highest point and the lowest point. Entities: Some of the nations, dependent areas, areas of special sovereignty, and governments included in this publication are not independent, and others are not officially recognized by the US Government. "Nation" refers to a people politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory. "Dependent area" refers to a broad category of political entities that are associated in some way with a nation. "Country" names used in the table of contents or for page headings are usually the short-form names as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names and may include nations, dependencies, or other geographic entities. There are a total of 266 separate geographic entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows: NATIONS 184 nations that are UN members (excluding the former Yugoslavia, which is still counted by the UN) 7 nations that are not members of the UN--Holy See, Kiribati, Nauru, Serbia and Montenegro, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu OTHER 1 Taiwan DEPENDENT AREAS 6 Australian dependencies--Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island 2 Danish dependencies--Faroe Islands, Greenland 2 Dutch dependencies--Aruba, Netherlands Antilles 16 French dependencies--Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Guadeloupe, Juan de Nova Island, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna 3 New Zealand dependencies--Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau 3 Norwegian dependencies--Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard 1 Portuguese dependency--Macau 16 UK dependencies--Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands 14 US dependencies--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 MISCELLANEOUS 6 Antarctica, Gaza Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, West Bank, Western Sahara OTHER ENTITIES 4 oceans--Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean 1 World __________ 266 Total Environment--current issues: This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. Environment--international agreements: This entry separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels--party to and signed but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name. Environmental agreements: This information is presented in Appendix D: Selected International Environmental Agreements which includes the name, abbreviation, date opened for signature, date entered into force, objective, and parties by category. Ethnic groups: This entry provides a rank ordering of ethnic groups starting with the largest and sometimes includes the percent of total population. Exchange rates: This entry provides the official value of a nation's monetary unit at a given date or over a given period of time, as expressed in units of local currency per US dollar and as determined by international market forces or official fiat. Executive branch: This entry includes several subfields. Chief of state includes the name and title of the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of government includes the name and title of the administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. Cabinet includes the official name for this body of advisers and the method of selection for members. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election. In the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the President is both the chief of state and the head of government. Exports: This entry includes three subfields. Total value is the total US dollar amount of exports on an f.o.b. basis. Commodities is a rank ordering of exported products starting with the most important and sometimes includes the percent of dollar value. Partners is a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important and sometimes includes the percent of dollar value. Fiscal year: This entry identifies the beginning and ending months for a country's accounting period of 12 months, which often is the calendar year but may begin in any month. FY93/94 refers to the fiscal year that began in calendar year 1993 and ended in calendar year 1994. All yearly references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as a noncalendar fiscal year (FY). Flag description: This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent nations are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags. Flag graphic: Most versions of the Factbook provide a color flag available at the beginning of the country entry. The flag graphics were produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time of preparation. The flags of independent nations are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags. GDP: This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. GDP dollar estimates in the Factbook are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations. See the note on GDP methodology for more information. GDP methodology: In the Economy section, GDP dollar estimates for all countries are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations rather than from conversions at official currency exchange rates. The PPP method involves the use of standardized international dollar price weights, which are applied to the quantities of final goods and services produced in a given economy. The data derived from the PPP method provide a better comparison of economic well-being between countries. The division of a GDP estimate in domestic currency by the corresponding PPP estimate in dollars gives the PPP conversion rate. When converted at PPP rates, $1,000 will buy the same market basket of goods in any country. Whereas PPP estimates for OECD countries are quite reliable, PPP estimates for developing countries are often rough approximations. Most of the GDP estimates are based on extrapolation of PPP numbers published by the UN International Comparison Program (UNICP) and by Professors Robert Summers and Alan Heston of the University of Pennsylvania and their colleagues. In contrast, currency exchange rates depend on a variety of international and domestic financial forces that often have little relation to domestic output. In developing countries with weak currencies the exchange rate estimate of GDP in dollars is typically one-fourth to one-half the PPP estimate. Furthermore, exchange rates may suddenly go up or down by 10% or more because of market forces or official fiat whereas real output has remained unchanged. On 12 January 1994, for example, the 14 countries of the African Financial Community (whose currencies are tied to the French franc) devalued their currencies by 50%. This move, of course, did not cut the real output of these countries by half. One important caution: the proportion of, say, defense expenditures as a percentage of GDP in local currency accounts may differ substantially from the proportion when GDP accounts are expressed in PPP terms, as, for example, when an observer tries to estimate the dollar level of Russian or Japanese military expenditures. Note: the numbers for GDP and other economic data can not be chained together from successive volumes of the Factbook because of changes in the US dollar measuring rod, revisions of data by statistical agencies, use of new or different sources of information, and changes in national statistical methods and practices. For statistical series on GDP and other economic variables, see the [1]Handbook of International Economic Statistics available from the same sources as The World Factbook. GDP--composition by sector: This entry gives the percentage contribution of agriculture, industry, and services to total GDP. GDP--per capita: This entry shows GDP on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population as of 1 July for the same year. GDP--real growth rate: This entry gives GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted for inflation and expressed as a percent. Geographic coordinates: This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude for finding purposes of the approximate geographic center of the country and is based on the Gazetteer of Conventional Names, Third Edition, August 1988, US Board on Geographic Names and on other sources. Geographic names: This information is presented in Appendix H: Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names which indicates where various geographic names--including the location of all US Foreign Service Posts, alternate names of countries, former names, and political or geographical portions of larger entities--can be found in The World Factbook. Spellings are normally, but not always, those approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Alternate names are included in parentheses, while additional information is included in brackets. Geography: This category includes the entries dealing with the natural environment and the effects of human activity. Geography--note: This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere. GNP: Gross national product (GNP) is the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year, plus income earned by its citizens abroad, minus income earned by foreigners from domestic production. The Factbook uses GDP rather than GNP to measure national production. Government: This category includes the entries dealing with the system for the adoption and administration of public policy. Government type: This entry gives the basic form of government (e.g., republic, constitutional monarchy, federal republic, parliamentary democracy, military dictatorship). Government--note: This entry includes miscellaneous government information of significance not included elsewhere. Gross domestic product: see GDP Gross national product: see GNP Gross world product: see GWP GWP: This entry gives the gross world product (GWP) or aggregate value of all final goods and services produced worldwide in a given year. Heliports: This entry gives the total number of helicopter takeoff and landing sites (which may or may not have fuel or other services). Highways: This entry includes the total length of the highway system as well as the length of the paved and unpaved components. Historical perspective: This entry contains a brief summary of the background information necessary to understand the current situation in a country. The entry appears for only a few countries at the present time, but will be added to all countries in the future. Illicit drugs: This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs--narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil). Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter. Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush. Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid). Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn). Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine. Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Marijuana is the dried leaves of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax in Southwest Asia. Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussan AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol, Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon, Lomotil). Opium is the brown, gummy exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for the natural and semisynthetic narcotics. Poppy straw concentrate is the alkaloid derived from the mature dried opium poppy. Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea. Quaaludes is the North American slang term for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Imports: This entry includes three subfields. Total value is the total US dollar amount of imports on a c.i.f. or f.o.b. basis. Commodities is a rank ordering of imported products starting with the most important and sometimes includes the percent of dollar value. Partners is a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important and sometimes includes the percent of dollar value. Independence: This entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from what nation. Industrial production growth rate: This entry gives the annual percentage increase in industrial production (includes manufacturing, mining, and construction). Industries: This entry provides a rank ordering of industries starting with the largest by value of annual output. Infant mortality rate: This entry gives the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births occurring in the same year. The infant mortality rate is often used an indicator of the level of health in a country. Inflation rate-consumer price index: This entry furnishes the annual percent change in consumer prices compared with the previous year's consumer prices. International disputes: see Disputes--international International organization participation: This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way. International organizations: This information is presented in Appendix C: International Organizations and Groups which includes the name, abbreviation, address, telephone, FAX, date established, aim, and members by category. Introduction: This category includes two entries--Current issues and Historical perspective. Irrigated land: This entry gives the number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water. Judicial branch: This entry contains the name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members. Labor force: This entry contains the total labor force figure and a rank ordering of component parts by occupation. Land boundaries: This entry contains the total length of all land boundaries and the individual lengths for each of the contiguous border countries. Land use: This entry contains the percentage shares of total land area for five different types of land use. Arable land--land cultivated for crops that are replanted after each harvest like wheat, maize, and rice. Permanent crops--land cultivated for crops that are not replanted after each harvest like citrus, coffee, and rubber. Permanent pastures--land permanently used for herbaceous forage crops. Forests and woodland--land under dense or open stands of trees. Other--any land type not specifically mentioned above like urban areas, roads, desert, etc. Languages: This entry provides a rank ordering of languages starting with the largest and sometimes includes the percent of total population speaking that language. Legal system: This entry contains a brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction. Legislative branch: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election. Life expectancy at birth: This entry contains the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. The entry includes total population as well as the male and female components. Life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and summarizes the mortality at all ages. It can also be thought of as indicating the potential return on investment in human capital, and is necessary for the calculation of various actuarial measures. Literacy: This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition--the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons. Low levels of literacy, and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world. Location: This entry identifies the country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water. Map references: This entry includes the name of the Factbook reference map on which a country may be found. The entry on Geographic coordinates may be helpful in finding some smaller countries. Maritime claims: This entry includes the following claims: contiguous zone, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone, exclusive fishing zone, extended fishing zone, none (usually for a landlocked country), other (unique maritime claims like Libya's Gulf of Sidra Closing Line or North Korea's Military Boundary Line), and territorial sea. The proximity of neighboring states may prevent some national claims from being extended the full distance. Merchant marine: Merchant marine may be defined as all ships engaged in the carriage of goods; all commercial vessels (as opposed to all nonmilitary ships) which excludes tugs, fishing vessels, offshore oil rigs, etc.; or a grouping of merchant ships by nationality or register. This entry contains information in two subfields--total and ships by type. Total includes the total number of ships (1,000 GRT or over), total DWT for all ships, and total GRT for all ships. Ships by type includes a listing of barge carriers, bulk cargo ships, cargo ships, combination bulk carriers, combination ore/oil carriers, container ships, intermodal ships, liquefied gas tankers, livestock carriers, multifunction large-load carriers, oil tankers, passenger ships, passenger-cargo ships, railcar carriers, refrigerated cargo ships, roll-on/roll-off cargo ships, short-sea passenger ships, specialized tankers, tanker tug-barges, and vehicle carriers. Captive register is a register of ships maintained by a territory, possession, or colony primarily or exclusively for the use of ships owned in the parent country; also referred to as an offshore register, the offshore equivalent of an internal register. Ships on a captive register will fly the same flag as the parent country, or a local variant of it, but will be subject to the maritime laws and taxation rules of the offshore territory. Although the nature of a captive register makes it especially desirable for ships owned in the parent country, just as in the internal register, the ships may also be owned abroad. The captive register then acts as a flag of convenience register, except that it is not the register of an independent state. Flag of convenience register is a national register offering registration to a merchant ship not owned in the flag state. The major flags of convenience (FOC) attract ships to their registers by virtue of low fees, low or nonexistent taxation of profits, and liberal manning requirements. True FOC registers are characterized by having relatively few of the registered ships actually owned in the flag state. Thus, while virtually any flag can be used for ships under a given set of circumstances, an FOC register is one where the majority of the merchant fleet is owned abroad. It is also referred to as an open register. Flag state is the nation in which a ship is registered and which holds legal jurisdiction over operation of the ship, whether at home or abroad. Maritime legislation of the flag state determines how a ship is crewed and taxed and whether a foreign-owned ship may be placed on the register. Internal register is a register of ships maintained as a subset of a national register. Ships on the internal register fly the national flag and have that nationality but are subject to a separate set of maritime rules from those on the main national register. These differences usually include lower taxation of profits, use of foreign nationals as crew members, and, usually, ownership outside the flag state (when it functions as an FOC register). The Norwegian International Ship Register and Danish International Ship Register are the most notable examples of an internal register. Both have been instrumental in stemming flight from the national flag to flags of convenience and in attracting foreign-owned ships to the Norwegian and Danish flags. Merchant ship is a vessel that carries goods against payment of freight; commonly used to denote any nonmilitary ship but accurately restricted to commercial vessels only. Register is the record of a ship's ownership and nationality as listed with the maritime authorities of a country; also, the compendium of such individual ships' registrations. Registration of a ship provides it with a nationality and makes it subject to the laws of the country in which registered (the flag state) regardless of the nationality of the ship's ultimate owner. Military: This category includes the entries dealing with a country's military structure, manpower, and expenditures. Military branches: This entry lists the names of the ground, naval, air, marine, and other defense or military-type forces. Military expenditures--dollar figure: This entry gives current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. The figure should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations. Military expenditures--percent of GDP: This entry gives current military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Military manpower--availability: This entry gives the total numbers of males and females age 15-49 and assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Military manpower--fit for military service: This entry gives the number of males and females age 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Military manpower--military age: This entry gives the minimum age at which an individual may volunteer for military service or be subject to conscription. Military manpower--reaching military age annually: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Military--note: This entry includes miscellaneous military information of significance not included elsewhere. Money figures: All money figures are expressed in contemporaneous US dollars unless otherwise indicated. National capital: This entry gives the location of the seat of government. National holiday: This entry gives the primary national day of celebration--usually independence day. Nationality: This entry provides the identifying terms for citizens--noun and adjective. Natural hazards: This entry lists potential natural disasters. Natural resources: This entry lists a country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance. Net migration rate: This entry includes the figure for the difference between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g., 3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The net migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the overall level of population change. High levels of migration can cause problems such as increasing unemployment and potential ethnic strife (if people are coming in) or reducing the labor force, perhaps in certain key sectors (if people are leaving). People: This category includes the entries dealing with the characteristics of the people and their society. People--note: This entry includes miscellaneous demographic information of significance not included elsewhere. Pipelines: This entry gives the lengths and types of pipelines for transporting products like natural gas, crude oil, or petroleum products. Political parties and leaders: This entry includes a listing of political organizations and their leaders. Political pressure groups and leaders: This entry includes a listing of organizations with leaders involved in politics, but not standing for legislative election. Population: This entry gives an estimate from the US Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past, and on assumptions about future trends. Starting with the 1993 Factbook, demographic estimates for some countries (mostly African) have taken into account the effects of the growing incidence of AIDS infections; in 1997 these countries were Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guyana, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Zaire which is now known as Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The total population presents one overall measure of the potential impact of the country on the world and within its region. Population growth rate: The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. Also known as growth rate or average annual rate of growth. The growth rate is a factor in determining how rapidly a country responds to the changing needs of its people in terms of infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid population growth can also be seen as threatening by neighboring countries. Ports and harbors: This entry lists a few ports and harbors selected on the basis of overall importance to each country. This is determined by evaluating a number of factors (e.g., dollar value of goods handled, gross tonnage, facilities, military significance). Radio broadcast stations: This entry includes the total number of AM, FM, and shortwave broadcast stations. Radios: This entry gives the total number of radio receivers. Railways: This entry includes the total length of the railway network and component parts by gauge: broad, dual, narrow, standard, and other. Reference maps: This section includes world, regional, and special or current interest maps. Religions: This entry includes a rank ordering of religions starting with the largest and sometimes includes the percent of total population. Sex ratio: This entry includes the number of males for each female in five age groups-at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over, and for the total population. Sex ratio at birth has recently emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in some countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and infanticide due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect future marriage patterns and fertility patterns and could cause unrest among young adult males who are unable to find partners. The sex ratio at birth for the World is 1.06 (1997 est.). Suffrage: This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted. Telephone numbers: All telephone numbers in the Factbook consist of the country code in brackets, the city or area code (where required) in parentheses, and the local number. The one component that is not presented is the international access code which varies from country to country. For example, an international direct dial telephone call placed from the US to Madrid, Spain, would be as follows: 011 [34] (1) 577-xxxx where 011 is the international access code for station-to-station calls (01 is for calls other than station-to-station calls), [34] is the country code for Spain, (1) is the city code for Madrid, 577 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number. An international direct dial telephone call placed from another country to the US would be as follows: An international direct dial telephone call placed from another country to the US would be as follows: [1] is the country code for the US, (202) is the area code for Washington, DC, 939 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number. Telephone system: This entry includes a brief characterization of the system with details on the domestic and international components. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Arabsat-Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Autodin--Automatic Digital Network (US Department of Defense) CB--citizen's band mobile radio communications cellular telephone system--the telephones in this system are radio transceivers, each instrument having its own private radio frequency with sufficient radiated power to reach the booster station in its area (cell), from which the telephone signal is fed to a regular telephone exchange Central American Microwave System--a trunk microwave radio relay system that links the countries of Central America and Mexico with each other coaxial cable--a multichannel communication cable consisting of a central conducting wire, surrounded by and insulated from a cylindrical conducting shell; a large number of telephone channels can be made available within the insulated space by the use of a large number of carrier frequencies DSN--Defense Switched Network (formerly Automatic Voice Network or Autovon); basic general--purpose, switched voice network of the Defense Communications System (US Department of Defense) Eutelsat--European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Paris) fiber-optic cable--a multichannel communications cable using a thread of optical glass fibers as a transmission medium in which the signal (voice, video, etc.) is in the form of a coded pulse of light HF--high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-kHz range Inmarsat-International Mobile Satellite Organization (London); provider of global mobile satellite communications for commercial and distress and safety applications, at sea, in the air, and on land Intelsat--International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Washington, DC) Intersputnik--International Organization of Space Communications (Moscow); first established in the former Soviet Union and the East European countries, it is now marketing its services worldwide with earth stations in North America, Africa, and East Asia landline--communication wire or cable of any sort that is installed on poles or buried in the ground Marecs--Maritime European Communications Satellite used in the Inmarsat system on lease from the European Space Agency Marisat--satellites of the Comsat Corporation that participate in the Inmarsat system Medarabtel--the Middle East Telecommunications Project of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), providing a modern telecommunications network, primarily by microwave radio relay, linking Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen (initially started in Morocco in 1970 by the Arab Telecommunications Union (ATU) and known at that time as the Middle East Mediterranean Telecommunications Network) NMT--Nordic Mobile Telephone; an analog cellular telephone system that was developed jointly by the national telecommunications authorities of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) Orbita--a Russian television service; also the trade name of a packet--switched digital telephone network radiotelephone communications--the two--way transmission and reception of sounds by broadcast radio on authorized frequencies using telephone handsets satellite communication system--a communication system consisting of two or more earth stations and at least one satellite that provides long distance transmission of voice, data, and television; the system usually serves as a trunk connection between telephone exchanges; if the earth stations are in the same country, it is a domestic system satellite earth station--a communications facility with a microwave radio transmitting and receiving antenna and required receiving and transmitting equipment for communicating with satellites satellite link--a radio connection between a satellite and an earth station permitting communication between them, either one--way (down link from satellite to earth station--television receive--only transmission) or two-way (telephone channels) SHF--super--high--frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-MHz range SHF--super-high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-MHz range Solidaridad-geosynchronous satellites in Mexico's system of international telecommunications in the Western Hemisphere Statsionar--Russia's geostationary system for satellite telecommunications submarine cable--a cable designed for service under water TAT--Trans--Atlantic Telephone; any of a number of high--capacity submarine coaxial telephone cables linking Europe with North America telefax--facsimile service between subscriber stations via the public switched telephone network or the international Datel network telegraph--a telecommunications system designed for unmodulated electric impulse transmission telex--a communication service involving teletypewriters connected by wire through automatic exchanges tropospheric scatter--a form of microwave radio transmission in which the troposphere is used to scatter and reflect a fraction of the incident radio waves back to earth; powerful, highly directional antennas are used to transmit and receive the microwave signals; reliable over-the-horizon communications are realized for distances up to 600 miles in a single hop; additional hops can extend the range of this system for very long distances trunk network--a network of switching centers, connected by multichannel trunk lines UHF--ultra-high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 300- to 3,000-MHz range VHF--very-high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 30- to 300-MHz range Telephones: This entry gives the total number of subscribers. Television broadcast stations: This entry gives the total number of separate broadcast stations plus any repeater stations. Televisions: This entry gives the total number of television sets. Terminology: Due to the highly structured nature of the Factbook database, some collective generic terms have to be used. "Country name" and "National capital", for example are used collectively to include nations, dependent areas, uninhabited islands, areas of special sovereignty, etc. The term "Military" is also used as an umbrella term for various civil defense, security, and defense activities. Terrain: This entry contains a brief description of the topography. Total fertility rate: This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate is a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for population growth in the country. High rates will also place some limits on the labor force participation rates for women. Large numbers of children born to women indicate large family sizes that might limit the capacity of the families to educate their children. Transnational Issues: This category includes only two entries at the present time. Disputes--international and Illicit drugs--deal with current issues going beyond national boundaries. Transportation: This category includes the entries dealing with the movement of people or material. Transportation--note: This entry includes miscellaneous transportation information of significance not included elsewhere. Unemployment rate: This entry contains the percent of the labor force that is without jobs. Substantial underemployment might be noted. United Nations System: This information is presented in Appendix B: United Nations System which is a chart, table, or text (depending on the version of the Factbook) that shows the organization of the UN in detail. Waterways: This entry gives the total length and individual names of navigable rivers, canals, and other inland bodies of water. Weights and measures: This information is presented in Appendix E: Weights and Measures which includes mathematical notations (mathematical powers and names), metric interrelationships (prefix; symbol; length, weight, or capacity; area; volume), and standard conversion factors. Years: All year references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as fiscal year (FY). The calendar year is an accounting period of 12 months from 1 January to 31 December. The fiscal year is an accounting period of 12 months other than 1 January to 31 December. FY93/94 refers to the fiscal year that began in calendar year 1993 and ended in calendar year 1994. Note: Information for the US and US dependencies was compiled from material in the public domain and does not represent Intelligence Community estimates. The [2]Handbook of International Economic Statistics, published annually in September by the Central Intelligence Agency, contains detailed economic information for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, the successor nations to the Soviet Union, and selected other countries. The Handbook can be obtained wherever the Factbook is available. References 1. http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/hies97/index.htm 2. http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/hies97/index.htm ______________________________________________________________________ GUIDE TO COUNTRY PROFILES (CATEGORIES, FIELDS AND SUBFIELDS) Introduction Current issues Historical perspective Geography Location Geographic coordinates Map references Area total land water Area--comparative Land boundaries total border countries Coastline Maritime claims contiguous zone continental shelf exclusive economic zone exclusive fishing zone extended fishing zone other territorial sea Climate Terrain Elevation extremes lowest point highest point Natural resources Land use arable land permanent crops permanent pastures forests and woodland other Irrigated land Natural hazards Environment--current issues Environment--international agreements party to signed, but not ratified Geography--note People Population Age structure 0-14 years 15-64 years 65 years and over Population growth rate Birth rate Death rate Net migration rate Sex ratio at birthunder 15 years 15-64 years 65 years and over total population Infant mortality rate Life expectancy at birth total population male female Total fertility rate Nationality noun adjective Ethnic groups Religions Languages Literacy definition total population male female Government Country name conventional long form conventional short form local long form local short form former Data code Dependency status Government type National capital Administrative divisions Dependent areas Independence National holiday Constitution Legal system Suffrage Executive branch chief of state head of government cabinet elections election results Legislative branch elections election results Judicial branch Political parties and leaders Political pressure groups and leaders International organization participation Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission chancery telephone FAX consulate(s) general consulate(s) honorary consulate(s) honorary consulate(s) general Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission embassy branch office mailing address telephone FAX consulate(s) general consulate(s) Flag description Government--note Economy Economy--overview GDP GDP--real growth GDP--per capita GDP--composition by sector agriculture industry services Inflation rate--consumer price index Labor force total by occupation Unemployment rate Budget revenues expenditures Industries Industrial production growth rate Electricity--capacity Electricity--production Electricity--consumption per capita Agriculture--products Exports total value commodities partners Imports total value commodities partners Debt--external Economic aid donor recipient Currency Exchange rates Fiscal year Communications Telephones Telephone system domestic international Radio broadcast stations Radios Television broadcast stations Televisions Communications--note Transportation Railways total broad gauge dual gauge narrow gauge other gauges standard gauge Highways total paved unpaved Waterways Pipelines Ports and harbors Merchant marine total ships by type Airports Airports--with paved runways total over 3,047m 2,438 to 3,047m 1,524 to 2,437m 914 to 1,523m under 914m Airports--with unpaved runways total over 3,047m 2,438 to 3,047m 1,524 to 2,437m 914 to 1,523m under 914m Heliports Transportation--note Military Military branches Military manpower--military age Military manpower--availability males age 15-49 females age 15-49 Military manpower--fit for military service males females Military manpower--reaching military age annually males females Military expenditures--dollar figure Military expenditures--percent of GDP Military--note Transnational Issues Disputes--international Illicit drugs ______________________________________________________________________ AFGHANISTAN @Afghanistan:Geography Location: Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 65 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 647,500 sq km land: 647,500 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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) Climate: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 3% other: 39% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 30,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding Environment - current issues: soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification Environment - international agreements: party to : Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: landlocked @Afghanistan:People Population: 23,738,085 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 5,201,585; female 5,003,503) 15-64 years: 54% (male 6,680,687; female 6,208,463) 65 years and over : 3% (male 341,301; female 302,546) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 4.48% (1997 est.) note: this rate reflects the continued return of refugees Birth rate: 42.72 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.78 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 19.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 1.13 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 146.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 46.34 years male: 46.89 years female: 45.76 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.07 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan Ethnic groups: Pashtun 38%, Tajik 25%, Uzbek 6%, Hazara 19%, minor ethnic groups (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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 31.5% male : 47.2% female: 15% (1995 est.) @Afghanistan:Government Country name: 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 Government type: transitional government National 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 control over Afghan foreign affairs) 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 all factions tacitly agree they will follow Islamic law (Shari'a) Suffrage: undetermined; previously males 15-50 years of age Executive branch: on 27 September 1996, the ruling members of the Afghan Government were displaced by members of the Islamic Taliban movement; the Islamic State of Afghanistan has no functioning government at this time, and the country remains divided among fighting factions note: the Taliban have declared themselves the legitimate government of Afghanistan; the UN has deferred a decision on credentials and the Organization of the Islamic Conference has left the Afghan seat vacant until the question of legitimacy can be resolved through negotiations among the warring factions; the country is essentially divided along ethnic lines; the Taliban controls the capital of Kabul and approximately two-thirds of the country including the predominately ethnic Pashtun areas in southern Afghanistan; opposing factions have their stonghold in the ethnically diverse north - General DOSTAM's National Islamic Movement controls several northcentral provinces and Commander MASOOD controls the ethnic Tajik majority areas of the northeast Legislative branch: non-functioning as of June 1993 Judicial branch: non-functioning as of March 1995, although there are local Shari'a (Islamic law) courts throughout the country Political parties and leaders: Taliban (Religious Students Movement), Mohammad OMAR; Supreme Defense Council of Afghanistan [comprised of Jumbesh-i-Melli Islami (National Islamic Movement), Abdul Rashid DOSTAM; Jamiat-i-Islami (Islamic Society), Burhanuddin RABBANI and Ahmad Shah MASOOD; and Hizbi Wahdat-Khalili faction (Islamic Unity Party), Abdul Karim KHALILI]; other smaller parties are 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-Akbari faction (Islamic Unity Party), Mohammad Akbar AKBARI; Harakat-i-Islami (Islamic Movement), Mohammed Asif MOHSENI Political pressure groups and leaders: tribal elders represent traditional Pashtun leadership; Afghan refugees in Pakistan, Australia, US, and elsewhere have organized politically; Peshawar, Pakistan-based groups such as the Coordination Council for National Unity and Understanding in Afghanistan (CUNUA), Ishaq GAILANI; Writers Union of Free Afghanistan (WUFA), A. Rasul AMIN; Mellat (Social Democratic Party), leader NA 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 the US: chief of mission : Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Yar Mohammed MOHABBAT 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US embassy in Kabul has been closed since January 1989 due to security concerns 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 Economy Economy - overview: Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on farming and livestock raising (sheep and goats). Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during more than 17 years of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). During the war one-third of the population fled the country, with Pakistan and Iran sheltering a combined peak of more than 6 million refugees. Now, only 750,000 registered Afghan refugees remain in Pakistan and about 1.2 million in Iran. Another 1 million have probably moved into and around urban areas within Afghanistan. Gross domestic product has fallen substantially over the past 17 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 medical care. Inflation remains a serious problem throughout the country, with one estimate putting the rate at 240% in Kabul in 1996. Numerical data are likely to be either unavailable or unreliable. GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.1 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 56% industry: 15% services: 29% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 240% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 7.1 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: 8% (1995 est.) 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: 371,000 kW (1993) Electricity - production: 670 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 35 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, fruits, nuts, karakul pelts; wool, mutton Exports: total value: $80 million (1996 est.) commodities: fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems partners : FSU, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, India, UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia Imports: total value : $150 million (1996 est.) commodities: food and petroleum products; most consumer goods partners: FSU, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Singapore, India, South Korea, Germany Debt - external: $2.3 billion (March 1991 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA; about $56 million in UN aid plus additional bilateral aid and aid in kind (1996) note: US provided $450 million in bilateral assistance (1985-93); US continues to contribute to multilateral assistance through the UN programs 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 - 17,000 (December 1996), 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 @Afghanistan:Communications Telephones: 31,200 (1983 est.) Telephone system: domestic : very limited telephone and telegraph service international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) linked only to Iran and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 0, shortwave 2 Radios: 1.8 million (1996 est.); note - about 60% of families own a radio Television broadcast stations: NA note: one television station run by Jumbesh faction provides intermittent service Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.) @Afghanistan: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: 2,793 km unpaved: 18,207 km (1995 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 and harbors: Kheyrabad, Shir Khan Airports: 33 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 under 914 m: 7 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.) Heliports: 3 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: NA; note - the military does not exist on a national basis; 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 groups Military manpower - military age: 22 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 5,813,298 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 3,118,004 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 231,250 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: some support from RABBANI and MASOOD to anti-government Islamic fighters in Tajikistan's civil war; support to Islamic militants worldwide by some factions; question over which group should hold Afghanistan's seat at the UN Illicit drugs: world's second-largest illicit opium producer after Burma (1,230 metric tons in 1996 - down 2% from 1995) and a major source of hashish ______________________________________________________________________ ALBANIA @Albania: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: 28,750 sq km land: 27,400 sq km water: 1,350 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 5% permanent pastures: 15% forests and woodland: 38% other: 21% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 3,410 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Wetlands signed, but not ratified : none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) @Albania:People Population: 3,299,757 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (male 575,087; female 534,618) 15-64 years: 60% (male 927,791; female 1,068,922) 65 years and over: 6% (male 80,135; female 113,204) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.9% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 21.96 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 7.54 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -5.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 : 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 47.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 68.28 years male: 65.24 years female: 71.55 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.64 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 9 and over can read and write total population: 72% male: 80% female: 63% (1955 est.) @Albania:Government Country name: 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 Government type: emerging democracy National 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) head of government: Prime Minister of the interim National Reconciliation Government Bashkim FINO (since 12 March 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term; election last held NA 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997); prime minister appointed by the president election results : Sali BERISHA elected president; percent of People's Assembly vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (140 seats; most members are elected by direct popular vote and some by proportional vote for four-year terms) elections: last held 26 May 1996 (next tentatively scheduled for 29 June 1997) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DP 122, PS 10, RP 3, UHP 3, Balli Kombetar 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman of the Supreme Court is elected by the People's Assembly Political parties and leaders: Albanian Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albania Workers Party) [Fatos NANO, chairman]; Democratic Party or PD [Tritan SHEHU]; Albanian Republican Party or PR [Sabri GODO]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Skender GJINUSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Neritan CEKA, chairman]; Unity for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vasil MELO, chairman]; Movement for Democracy Party or LDP [ruled by committee of Genc RULI, Alfred SERREQI, Dashimir SHEHI, Maksim KONOMI]; Balli Kombetar [Hysen SELFO] International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, 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 the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Marisa R. LINO (15 July 1996) 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 description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center Economy Economy - 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. However, a weakening of government resolve to maintain stabilization policies in the election year of 1996 contributed to renewal of inflationary pressures, spurred by the budget deficit which exceeded 12%. The collapse of financial pyramid schemes in early 1997 - which had attracted deposits from a substantial portion of Albania's adult population - triggered unrest in much of the south in early 1997. The economy continues to be buoyed by 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. Most agricultural land was privatized in 1992, substantially improving peasant incomes. Overall economic performance is likely to be substantially worse in 1997; inflation will easily top 50% and GDP may drop by 5% or more. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.4 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,290 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 56% industry: 21% services: 23% (1995) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 17.4% (1996) Labor force: total: 1.692 million (1994 est.) (including 352,000 emigrant workers and 261,000 domestically unemployed) by occupation : agriculture (nearly all private) 49.5%, private sector 22.2%, state (nonfarm) sector 28.3% (including state-owned industry 7.8%); note - includes only those domestically employed Unemployment rate: 13% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $624 million expenditures : $996 million, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1995 est.) Electricity - capacity: 1.533 million kW (1995) Electricity - production: 3.86 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,221 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: wide range of temperate-zone crops and livestock Exports: total value: $205 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities : asphalt, metals and metallic ores, electricity, crude oil, vegetables, fruits, tobacco partners: Italy, US, Greece, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Imports: total value: $680 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities : machinery, consumer goods, grains partners: Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Debt - external: $500 million (1994 est.) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA Currency: 1 lek (L) = 100 qintars Exchange rates: leke (L) per US$1 - 150.00 (May 1997), 104.50 (1996), 92.70 (1995), 94.62 (1994), 102.06 (1993), 75.03 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Albania: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.) @Albania:Transportation Railways: total : 670 km standard gauge: 670 km 1.435-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 15,500 km paved: 4,650 km unpaved: 10,850 km (1995 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 and harbors: Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore Merchant marine: total: 8 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 39,201 GRT/57,938 DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 11 (1994 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1994 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m : 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1994 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 738,082 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 600,403 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 31,823 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $42 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% to 2.0% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 Illicit drugs: increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active in Central and Eastern Europe ______________________________________________________________________ ALGERIA @Algeria: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 : 2,381,740 sq km land: 2,381,740 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 2% other : 82% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 5,550 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mud slides 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 Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan) @Algeria:People Population: 29,830,370 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 39% (male 5,923,391; female 5,712,088) 15-64 years: 57% (male 8,619,009; female 8,450,774) 65 years and over: 4% (male 525,556; female 599,552) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.18% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 28.01 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.76 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 47.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.62 years male : 67.5 years female: 69.79 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.48 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1% Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 61.6% male: 73.9% female : 49% (1995 est.) @Algeria:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic National 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, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996; note - referendum approving the revisions of 28 November 1996 was signed into law 7 December 1996 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) head of government : Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 31 December 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 16 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); prime minister appointed by the president election results : Liamine ZEROUAL elected president; percent of vote - Liamine ZEROUAL 61.3% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (380 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; suspended since 1992) and the Council of Nations (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; members serve six-year terms; created as a result of the constitutional revision of November 1996) elections : National People's Assembly - first-round held 26 December 1991; second round canceled by the military after President BENDJEDID resigned 11 January 1992, effectively suspending the assembly (next election scheduled for 5 June 1997) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - the fundamentalist FIS won 188 of the 231 seats contested in the first round of the 1991 elections 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); Movement of a Peaceful Society (Hamas), Mahfoud NAHNAH, chairman; Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), Said SAADI, secretary general; Algerian Renewal Party (PRA), Noureddine BOUKROUH, chairman; Nahda Movement (Al Nahda), Abdallah DJABALLAH, president; Democratic National Rally (RND), Abdelkader BENSALAH, chairman; Movement for Democracy in Algeria (MDA), Ahmed Ben BELLA note : the government established a multiparty system in September 1989 and, as of 31 December 1990, over 50 legal parties existed; a new party law was enacted in March 1997 International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, 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 the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ramtane LAMAMRA chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800 FAX : [1] (202) 667-2174 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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, 69-12-55 FAX: [213] (2) 69-39-79 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) Economy Economy - 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 is the second largest gas exporter; and it ranks fourteenth for oil reserves. 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, a robust harvest, and elevated oil prices, the economy experienced a strong recovery and key economic improvements. Recent and planned investments in developing hydrocarbon resources are likely to increase growth and export earnings. GDP: purchasing power parity - $115.9 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 50% services: 38% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 19.8% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 7.8 million (1996 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: 28% (1996 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: 6.01 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 18.7 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 583 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle Exports: total value: $11 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: petroleum and natural gas 97% partners: Italy 18.8%, US 14.8%, France 11.8%, Spain 8%, Germany 7.9% (1995 est.) Imports: total value : $10.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: capital goods, food and beverages, consumer goods partners: France 29%, Spain 10.5%, Italy 8.2%, US 8%, Germany 5.6% (1995 est.) Debt - external: $32 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $420 million (1996) Currency: 1 Algerian dinar (DA) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Algerian dinars (DA) per US$1 - 57.136 (January 1997), 54.749 (1996), 47.663 (1995), 35.059 (1994), 23.345 (1993), 21.836 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Algeria: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.) @Algeria: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: 102,424 km paved : 70,570 km (including 6,080 km of expressways) unpaved: 31,854 km (1995 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 6,612 km; petroleum products 298 km; natural gas 2,948 km Ports and harbors: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys, Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda, Tenes Merchant marine: total : 78 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 925,261 GRT/1,094,281 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 27, chemical tanker 7, liquefied gas tanker 11, oil tanker 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea passenger 5, specialized tanker 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 119 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 66 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m : 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 17 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 53 2,438 to 3,047 m : 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 31 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: National Popular Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Air Defense, National Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 7,666,961 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 4,700,502 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 337,630 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.3 billion (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.7% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: part of southeastern region claimed by Libya; land boundary dispute with Tunisia settled in 1993 ______________________________________________________________________ AMERICAN SAMOA (territory of the US) @American Samoa: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: 199 sq km land: 199 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island Area - comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 116 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm 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) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Lata 966 m Natural resources: pumice, pumicite Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 10% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland : 70% other: 15% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons common from December to March Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - 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 @American Samoa:People Population: 61,819 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 3.72% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 35.23 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 4.01 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population : NA male(s)/female Infant mortality rate: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.91 years male: 71.03 years female: 74.85 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.16 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: American Samoan(s) adjective: American Samoan Ethnic groups: 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: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 98% female: 97% (1980 est.) @American Samoa:Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa abbreviation: AS Data code: AQ Dependency status: unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the US Department of Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs Government type: NA National 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) head of government: Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1997) and Lieutenant Governor Togiola Tulafono (since 3 January 1997) cabinet: NA elections: governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 November 1996 (next to be held 7 November 2000) election results: Tauese P. SUNIA elected governor of American Samoa; percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 51%, Peter REID (Independent) 49% Legislative branch: bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs who serve four-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 1998); Senate - last held 3 November 1996 (next to be held 7 November 2000) election results : House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA note: American Samoa elects one delegate to the US House of Representatives; elections last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 1998); 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 the US: none (territory of the US) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US) 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 Economy Economy - overview: Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts the great bulk 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. According to one observer, attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. GDP: purchasing power parity - $128 million (1991 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,600 (1991 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA % Labor force: total: 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), handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 33,000 kW (1993) Electricity - production: 100 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,743 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy farming Exports: total value: $306 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: canned tuna 93% partners : US 99.6% Imports: total value: $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% Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note : important financial support from the US Currency: 1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @American Samoa:Communications Telephones: 9,000 (1994 est.) Telephone system: domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular phone 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.) @American Samoa:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total : 350 km paved: 150 km unpaved: 200 km Ports and harbors: Aunu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago, Ta'u Merchant marine: none Airports: 3 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ ANDORRA @Andorra:Geography Location: Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain Geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total : 450 sq km land: 450 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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) Climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers Terrain: rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 56% forests and woodland: 22% other: 20% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: snowslides, avalanches Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked @Andorra:People Population: 64,000 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14% (male 4,788; female 4,452) 15-64 years : 74% (male 25,291; female 21,807) 65 years and over: 12% (male 3,903; female 3,759) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.72% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 10.67 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 1.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 1.16 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.45 years male : 80.53 years female: 86.53 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.21 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran Ethnic groups: Spanish 61%, Andorran 30%, French 6%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic (predominant) Languages: Catalan (official), French, Castilian Literacy: NA @Andorra:Government Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Andorra conventional short form: Andorra local long form: Principat d'Andorra local short form : Andorra Data code: AN Government type: 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 National capital: Andorra la Vella Administrative divisions: 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Les Escaldes, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria Independence: 1278 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: chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995) and Spanish Episcopal Coprince Monseigneur Juan MARTI Alanis (since 31 January 1971); note - each coprince is represented by a veguer (current names NA) head of government: Executive Council President Marc FORNE Molne (since 21 December 1994) cabinet: Executive Council designated by the executive council president elections: executive council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces; election last held 16 February 1997 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: Marc FORNE Molne elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the 7 parishes; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 February 1997 (next to be held February 2001) election results: percent of vote by party - UL 57%, AND 21%, IDN 7%, ND 7%, other 8%; seats by party - UL 16, AND 6, ND 2, IDN 2, UPO 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Andorra at Perpignan (France) two civil judges appointed by the veguers, one appeals judge appointed by the coprinces alternately; Ecclesiastical Court of the Bishop of Seo de Urgel (Spain); Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal des Cortes 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 or AND [Oscar RIBAS Reig and Jordi FARRAS]; Liberal Union or UL [Francesc CERQUEDA]; New Democracy or ND [Jaume BARTOMEU]; Andorran National Coalition or CNA [Antoni CERQUEDA]; National Democratic Initiative or IDN [Vincenc MATEU]; Liberal Party of Andorra (Partit Liberal d'Andorra) or PLA [Marc FORNE]; Unio Parroquial d'Ordino or UDO note : there are two other small parties International organization participation: CE, ECE, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, UN, UNESCO, WIPO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Juli MINOVES-TRIQUELL (also Permanent Representative to the UN) chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064 FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - overview: Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 10 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 - $1.2 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $18,000 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 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 (1992) Electricity - production: 140 million kWh (1992) Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh; note - Andorra exports most of its electricity to France and Spain Agriculture - products: small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep raising Exports: total value : $47 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: electricity, tobacco products, furniture partners : France 49%, Spain 47% Imports: total value: $1 billion (1995) commodities: consumer goods, food partners: France, Spain, US 4.2% Debt - external: $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 - 5.4169 (January 1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992); Spanish pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 134.77 (January 1997), 126.66 (1996), 124.69 (1995), 133.96 (1994), 127.26 (1993), 102.38 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Andorra: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.) @Andorra:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved : 71 km (1991 est.) Ports and harbors: none Airports: none Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ ANGOLA Introduction Current issues: 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 and the cease-fire is generally holding, but military tensions persist and banditry is increasing. In order to bring armed insurgents under government control the peace accord of 20 November 1994 provided for the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the Angolan armed forces. Military integration began in June 1996 and a Government of National Unity and Reconciliation was installed in April 1997. Efforts which began in May 1997 to extend government into UNITA-occupied areas are proceeding slowly. The original 7,200-man UN peacekeeping force began a phased drawdown in late 1996. All UN peacekeepers are scheduled to depart by September 1997 but a small UN military observer force will probably remain in Angola through 1998. @Angola:Geography Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 18 30 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,246,700 sq km land : 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km of which 220 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda province, Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km Coastline: 1,600 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 20 nm 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 Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro 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% permanent pastures: 23% forests and woodland: 43% other : 32% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 750 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau Environment - current issues: the overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification Geography - note: Cabinda is separated from rest of country by Congo (Kinshasa) @Angola:People Population: 10,548,847 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,393,009; female 2,327,186) 15-64 years: 52% (male 2,793,038; female 2,753,624) 65 years and over: 3% (male 131,720; female 150,270) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 3.06% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 44.11 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.24 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 3.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.88 male(s)/female total population : 1.02 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 135.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 47.32 years male: 45.12 years female: 49.64 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.27 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42% male : 56% female: 28% (1990 est.) @Angola:Government Country name: 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 Government type: transitional government, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system National 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) head of government: Prime Minister Fernando Jose de Franca Vieira Dias VAN DUNEM (since 8 June 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: President DOS SANTOS originally elected without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections in 28-29 September 1992, the last elections to be held, (next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president and answerable to the Assembly election results: 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 Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (223 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results : percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, others 12%; seats by party - NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao, judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS], is the ruling party and has been in power since 1975; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Jonas SAVIMBI], is the largest opposition party and engaged in years of armed resistance to the government note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but won few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly Political pressure groups and leaders: Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC 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, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio dos Santos FRANCA "N'dalu" chancery: 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 760, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX : [1] (202) 785-1258 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald K. STEINBERG embassy: No. 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne, Miramar, Luanda mailing address: C.P. 6484, Luanda; American Embassy, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 (pouch) telephone : [244] (2) 345-481, 346-418 FAX: [244] (2) 346-924 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) Economy Economy - 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 about 12% of GDP. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 50% to GDP. Notwithstanding the signing of a peace accord in November 1994, sporadic violence continues, millions of land mines remain, and many farmers are 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, arable land, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to observe the cease-fire, implement the peace agreement, and reform government policies. Despite the high inflation and political difficulties, total output grew an estimated 9% in 1996, largely due to increased oil production. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.3 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 56% services: 32% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1,700% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 2.783 million economically active by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry 15% (1985 est.) Unemployment rate: extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (1994 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; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles; Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 620,000 kW (1994) Electricity - production: 1.82 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 171 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish Exports: total value: $4 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: crude oil 90%, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton partners: US 70%, EU Imports: total value : $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: capital equipment (machinery and electrical equipment), vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles and clothing; substantial military supplies partners : Portugal, Brazil, US, France, Spain Debt - external: $12.5 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $451 million (1994) Currency: 1 new kwanza (NKz) = 100 lwei Exchange rates: new kwanza (NKz) per US$1 - 201,994 (November 1996), 900,000 (25 April 1995), 600,000 (10 January 1995), 90,000 (1 June 1994), 7,000 (16 December 1993), 3.884 (July 1993), 550 (April 1992) note: black market rates - new Kwanza (NKz) per US$1 - 1,900,000 (6 April 1995), 180,000 (1 June 1994), 50,000 (16 December 1993) Fiscal year: calendar year @Angola: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.) @Angola:Transportation Railways: total : 2,952 km limited trackage in use because of land mines still in place from the civil war) (1997 est.) 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 (1995 est.) Waterways: 1,295 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 179 km Ports and harbors: Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malogo, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo Merchant marine: total : 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 55,255 GRT/86,886 DWT ships by type: cargo 10, oil tanker 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 144 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 67 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m : 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 40 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 77 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 48 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,412,445 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,213,988 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 102,712 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.1 billion (1993) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 31% (1993) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for cocaine and heroin destined for Western Europe and other African states ______________________________________________________________________ ANGUILLA (dependent territory of the UK) @Anguilla: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: 91 sq km land : 91 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other : 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) Environment - current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA @Anguilla:People Population: 10,785 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 1,527; female 1,483) 15-64 years : 65% (male 3,563; female 3,407) 65 years and over: 7% (male 351; female 454) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 3.36% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 17.43 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.47 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 21.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 21.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.02 years male: 74.07 years female: 80.08 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan Ethnic groups: black Religions: Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12% Languages: English (official) Literacy: definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population : 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.) @Anguilla:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form : Anguilla Data code: AV Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK Government type: NA National 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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Alan HOOLE (since 1 November 1995) head of government: Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 March 1994) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; chief minister appointed by the governor from among the members of the House of Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct popular vote; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 March 1994 (next to be held March 1999) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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 or ANA [Osbourne FLEMING]; Anguilla United Party or AUP [Hubert HUGHES]; Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP [Victor BANKS] International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), ECLAC (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) 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 Economy Economy - overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on high-class tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Output growth had averaged about 7% in recent years, mainly as a result of a 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 - $52 million (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -4.3% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,400 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.6% (1995 est.) Labor force: total: 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: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes; sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, poultry; fishing (including lobster) Exports: total value : $1.3 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: lobster and salt partners : NA Imports: total value: $39.8 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: NA partners: NA Debt - external: $8.5 million (1995 est.) Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (February 1997; fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Anguilla: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: 1 Televisions: NA @Anguilla:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved : 40 km (1992 est.) Ports and harbors: Blowing Point, Road Bay Merchant marine: none Airports: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m : 1 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ ANTARCTICA @Antarctica:Geography Location: continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle Geographic coordinates: 90 00 S, 0 00 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 14 million sq km land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.) note : second-smallest continent (after Australia) Area - comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Land boundaries: 0 km note: see entry on International disputes Coastline: 17,968 km Maritime claims: none, but see entry on International disputes 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 Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other : 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) 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 Environment - current issues: in 1995 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 Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - 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 @Antarctica: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 @Antarctica:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form : Antarctica Data code: AY Government type: 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 Economy - overview: No economic activity at present except for fishing off the coast and small-scale tourism, both based abroad. @Antarctica: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 @Antarctica:Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage Airports: 42 landing facilities at different locations operated by 16 national governments party to the Treaty; one additional air facility operated by commercial (non-governmental) tourist organization; helicopter pads at 32 of these locations; runways at 10 locations are gravel, sea ice, glacier ice, or compacted snow surface suitable for wheeled fixed-wing aircraft; no paved runways; 17 locations have snow-surface skiways limited to use by ski-equipped planes - 1 skiway greater than 3,000 m, 19 runways/skiways 1,000 to 3,000 m, 2 runways/skiways less than 1,000 m, and 5 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 (1996 est.) Military Military - 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 Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary above); 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 ______________________________________________________________________ ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA @Antigua and Barbuda: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: 440 sq km land: 440 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC 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 Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands with some higher volcanic areas Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 9% forests and woodland: 11% other: 62% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts 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 Environment - 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 @Antigua and Barbuda:People Population: 63,739 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26% (male 8,514; female 8,221) 15-64 years: 68% (male 21,499; female 21,891) 65 years and over : 6% (male 1,571; female 2,043) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.44% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 17.27 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.98 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -6.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.93 years male : 68.58 years female: 73.4 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan Ethnic groups: black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian Religions: Anglican (predominant), other Protestant sects, some Roman Catholic Languages: English (official), local dialects Literacy: definition : age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 89% male: 90% female: 88% (1960 est.) @Antigua and Barbuda:Government Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda Data code: AC Government type: parliamentary democracy National 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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general chosen by the queen on the advice of the prime minister; prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve 5-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 8 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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 or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER], a coalition of three opposition political parties - the United National Democratic Party or UNDP; the Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM; and the Progressive Labor Movement or PLM Political pressure groups and leaders: Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or 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 the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - 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 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 - $446 million (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.7% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,800 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 3.5% industry: 19.3% services: 77.2% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 4% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 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: NA Electricity - capacity: 54,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock Exports: total value: $45 million (f.o.b., 1996 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: total value: $350.8 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil partners: US 27%, UK 16%, Canada 4%, OECS 3%, other 50% Debt - external: $435 million (1996 est.) Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (February 1997; fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Antigua and Barbuda: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.) @Antigua and Barbuda: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: 245 km (1995 est.) paved : NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: Saint John's Merchant marine: total: 419 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,965,180 GRT/2,637,644 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 285, chemical tanker 6, combination bulk 1, container 83, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 19 note : a flag of convenience registry: Germany owns 13 ships, Slovenia 3, Croatia 1, Cyprus 1, and US 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 3 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m : 2 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force (includes the Coast Guard) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: NA Military manpower - fit for military service: males: NA Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.4 million (FY90/91) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY90/91) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: considered 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; potentially more significant as a drug money-laundering center ______________________________________________________________________ ARCTIC OCEAN [Map of Arctic Ocean] @Arctic Ocean: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: 14.056 million sq km 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 Area - comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US; smallest of the world's four oceans (after Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean) Coastline: 45,389 km 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) Elevation extremes: 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) 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 Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage Environment - international agreements: party to : none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - 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 @Arctic Ocean: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 Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals. @Arctic Ocean:Communications Telephone system: international: no submarine cables @Arctic Ocean:Transportation Ports and harbors: 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 Military : Transnational Issues Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states); Svalbard is the focus of a maritime boundary dispute between Norway and Russia ______________________________________________________________________ ARGENTINA @Argentina: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: 2,766,890 sq km land: 2,736,690 sq km water : 30,200 sq km Area - comparative: 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 1% permanent pastures: 52% forests and woodland: 19% other: 19% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 17,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas and northeast; heavy flooding 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 Environment - 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 Geography - 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) @Argentina:People Population: 35,797,985 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 5,042,521; female 4,855,874) 15-64 years : 62% (male 11,133,884; female 11,155,104) 65 years and over: 10% (male 1,499,538; female 2,111,064) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.3% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 20.01 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 7.68 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.31 years male: 70.67 years female: 78.12 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine Ethnic groups: white 85%, mestizo, Amerindian, 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.2% male : 96.2% female: 96.2% (1995 est.) @Argentina:Government Country name: conventional long form : Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local long form: Republica Argentina local short form: Argentina Data code: AR Government type: republic National 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 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 : President Carlos Saul MENEM (since 8 July 1989); Vice President Carlos RUCKAUF (since 8 July 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Carlos Saul MENEM (since 8 July 1989); Vice President Carlos RUCKAUF (since 8 July 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 14 May 1995 (next to be held May 1999) election results : Carlos Saul MENEM reelected president; percent of vote - NA Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; three members appointed by each of the provincial legislatures, one-third of the members appointed every three years to a 9-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; one-half of the members elected every two years to four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held NA May 1995 (next to be held NA 1998); Chamber of Deputies - last held 14 May 1995; (next to be held NA October 1997) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PJ 38, others 34; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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 or PJ [Carlos Saul MENEM] (Peronist umbrella political organization); Radical Civic Union or UCR [Rodolfo TERRAGNO] (moderately left-of-center party); Union of the Democratic Center or UCD (conservative party); Dignity and Independence Political Party or MODIN [Aldo RICO] (right-wing party); Front for a Country in Solidarity or Frepaso (a four party coalition) [leader Carlos ALVAREZ]; several provincial parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Peronist-dominated labor movement; General Confederation of Labor or 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, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MTCR, NSG (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the 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 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171 consulate(s) general : Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James R. CHEEK has returned to Washington; replacement not yet appointed 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 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 Economy Economy - overview: Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, 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 50 years. Argentines have responded to price stability by repatriating capital and investing in domestic industry. Growth averaged more than 8% between 1991 and 1994, then fell to 4.6% in 1995, largely in reaction to the Mexican peso crisis. The economy grew at 4.4% in 1996, with the strongest growth occurring in the second half of the year. Unemployment increased slightly - to over 17% - and Buenos Aires was forced to renegotiate fiscal targets with the IMF. Although the economy is expected to grow by at least 5% in 1997, unemployment and fiscal concerns will continue to challenge the MENEM administration. GDP: purchasing power parity - $296.9 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.4% (1996) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,600 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 29% services: 64% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 0.1% (yearend 1996) Labor force: total: 14.5 million (1995 est.) by occupation : agriculture 12%, industry 31%, services 57% (1985 est.) Unemployment rate: 17.3% (October 1996) Budget: revenues: $50.3 billion expenditures : $51.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.2 billion (1995 est.) Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 20.207 million kW (1995) Electricity - production: 67.369 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,606 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets; livestock Exports: total value: $23.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities : meat, wheat, corn, oilseed, manufactures, fuels partners: Brazil 26.1%, US 8.5%, Chile 7.0%, Netherlands 5.7%, Italy 3.5% (1995) Imports: total value: $23.7 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, transport equipment, agricultural products partners: Brazil 20.8%, US 20.7%, Italy 6.3%, Germany 6.2%, France 5.2% (1995) Debt - external: $95 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 nuevo peso argentino = 100 centavos Exchange rates: pesos per US$1 - 0.99950 (January 1997), 0.99966 (1996), 0.99975 (1995), 0.99901 (1994), 0.99895 (1993), 0.99064 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Argentina:Communications Telephones: 4.6 million (1990) 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.) @Argentina: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 : 216,100 km paved: 61,589 km (including 600 km of expressways) unpaved : 154,511 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 11,000 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 4,090 km; petroleum products 2,900 km; natural gas 9,918 km Ports and harbors: Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario, Santa Fe, Ushuaia Merchant marine: total: 36 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 263,266 GRT/385,211 DWT ships by type: cargo 11, chemical tanker 1, container 2, oil tanker 14, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 6, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 1,202 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 598 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 55 914 to 1,523 m : 44 under 914 m: 469 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 604 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 59 914 to 1,523 m: 542 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic, Argentine Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Argentine Naval Prefecture (Coast Guard only), National Aeronautical Police Force Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 8,932,491 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 7,244,682 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 321,345 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4.6 billion (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 Illicit drugs: increasing use as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe and the US ______________________________________________________________________ ARMENIA Introduction Current issues: Armenia's leaders remain preoccupied by Armenia's nine-year old conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Although a cease-fire has been in effect since May 1994, the sides have not made substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. President TER-PETROSSIAN's latitude on the issue may be further constrained by his controversial reelection in September 1996. When supporters of the main opposition candidate stormed the parliament following the announcement of TER-PETROSSIAN's victory, MVD forces were called in to restore order. The subsequent political standoff between government and opposition supporters diminished in late 1996 as the government has gradually attempted reconciliation. Despite these political problems, the Armenian government has been pursuing its aggressive economic reform program, although implementation of its privatization program stalled in late 1996. @Armenia:Geography Location: Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 45 00 E Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States Area: total : 29,800 sq km land: 28,400 sq km water: 1,400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller 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) 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 Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 24% forests and woodland: 15% other: 41% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 2,870 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts Environment - current issues: soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; energy blockade, the result of conflict with Azerbaijan, has led to deforestation when citizens scavenged 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 Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Desertification Geography - note: landlocked @Armenia:People Population: 3,433,629 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 476,375; female 456,723) 15-64 years: 65% (male 1,088,103; female 1,134,649) 65 years and over: 8% (male 115,135; female 162,644) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: -0.33% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 13.59 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 8.6 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -8.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 40.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.9 years male: 62.69 years female: 71.32 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian Ethnic groups: 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 Armenia Religions: Armenian Orthodox 94% Languages: Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female : 98% (1989 est.) @Armenia:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Armenia conventional short form: Armenia local long form : Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun local short form: Hayastan former : Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic Data code: AM Government type: republic National capital: Yerevan Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (marzer, singular - marz) and 1 city* (k'aghak'ner, singular - k'aghak'); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan* Independence: 28 May 1918 (First Armenian Republic); 23 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Referendum Day, 21 September Constitution: adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state : President Levon Akopovich TER-PETROSSIAN (since NA October 1991); note - prior to becoming Armenia's first president, TER-PETROSSIAN was chairman of the Armenian Supreme Soviet since 4 August 1990 head of government: Prime Minister Robert KOCHARIAN (since 20 March 1997) cabinet : Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 22 September 1996 (next to be held NA September 2001); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Levon Akopovich TER-PETROSSIAN elected president; percent of vote - Levon Akopovich TER-PETROSSIAN 52%, Vazgen MANUKYAN 41% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Azgayin Zhoghov (190 seats; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 5 July 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Bloc 159 (ANM 63, DLP-Hanrapetutyun Bloc 6, Republic Party 4, CDU 3, Intellectual Armenia 3, Social Democratic Party 2, independents 78), SWM 8, ACP 7, NDU 5, NSDU 3, DLP 1, ARF 1, other 4, vacant 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Republic Bloc (Hanrapetoutioun): Armenian National Movement or ANM [Husik LAZARIAN, chairman]; Democratic Liberal Party [Orthosis GYONJIAN, chairman]; Republican Party [Ashot NAVARSARDIAN, chairman]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Azat ARSHAKIAN, chairman]; Intellectual Armenia [H. TOKMAJIAN]; Social Democratic (Hnchakian) Party [Yeghia NAJARIAN] opposition parties: Shamiram Women's Movement or SWM [Shoger MATEVOSIAN]; Armenian Communist Party or ACP [Sergey BADALYAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Davit VARDANIAN and Vasgen MANUKIAN]; Union of National Self-Determination or NSDU [Paruir HAIRIKIAN, chairman]; Democratic Liberal Party or DLP [Rouben MIRZAKHANIAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation or ARF [Rouben HAKOBIAN, chairman] International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, NAM (observer), OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ruben SHUGARIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 FAX : [1] (202) 319-2982 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter TOMSEN embassy: 18 Gen Bagramian, Yerevan mailing address : use embassy street address telephone: [374] (2) 151-144, 524-661 FAX: [374] (2) 151-550 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and gold Economy Economy - overview: Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine building tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet area. The privatization of industry has been at a much slower pace. Armenia is a food importer and its mineral deposits (gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the embargoes imposed by Azerbaijan and Turkey contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic program that has resulted in positive growth rates in 1995 and 1996. Armenia also managed to slash inflation and to privatize most small and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in recent years has been partially offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor, which in 1996 supplied about 40% of the country's energy needs, according to the Armenian Government. Moreover, Armenia is expanding its energy imports from Iran. GDP: purchasing power parity - $9.7 billion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,800 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 35% services : 30% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5.7% (1996 est.) Labor force: total : 1.6 million (1996) by occupation: industry and construction 23%, agriculture 38%, services 37%, other 2% Unemployment rate: 7.4% officially registered unemployed, but large numbers of underemployed (December 1996) Budget: revenues : $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: much of industry is shut down; metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, washing machines, chemicals, trucks, watches, instruments, microelectronics Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 2.77 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 6.3 billion kWh (1996) Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,462 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; vineyards near Yerevan are famous for brandy and other liqueurs; minor livestock sector Exports: total value : $273 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: gold and jewelry, aluminum, transport equipment, electrical equipment, scrap metal partners: Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, Georgia Imports: total value : $830 million (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: grain, other foods, fuel, other energy partners: Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, Georgia, US, EU Debt - external: $850 million (of which $75 million to Russia) (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: commitments (excluding Russia), $1,385 million ($675 million in disbursements) (1992-95) Currency: 1 dram = 100 luma (introduced new currency in November 1993) Exchange rates: dram per US$1 - 443 (December 1996), 401.8 (end December 1995), 406 (end December 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Armenia:Communications Telephones: 650,000 Telephone system: joint venture agreement to install fiber-optic cable and construct facilities for cellular telephone service is in the implementation phase domestic: NA international : international connections to other former Soviet republics are by landline or microwave radio relay and to other countries by satellite and by leased connection through the Moscow international gateway switch; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 3, shortwave NA (1991) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 note: 100% of population receives Armenian and Russian TV programs Televisions: NA @Armenia:Transportation Railways: total: 825 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 825 km 1.520-m gauge (1992) Highways: total : 7,720 km paved: 7,496 km unpaved: 224 km (1995 est.) Waterways: NA km Pipelines: natural gas 900 km (1991) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 11 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 907,579 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 722,715 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 30,942 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $75 million (1992) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; traditional demands on former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis mostly for domestic consumption; used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe and the US ______________________________________________________________________ ARUBA (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) @Aruba: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: 193 sq km land: 193 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 68.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m Natural resources: negligible; white sandy beaches Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 89% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA @Aruba:People Population: 68,031 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 22% (male 7,814; female 7,127) 15-64 years: 69% (male 22,544; female 24,656) 65 years and over: 9% (male 2,433; female 3,457) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.39% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 14.2 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.32 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -3.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.8 years male: 73.11 years female : 80.68 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban Ethnic groups: mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 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 @Aruba:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba Data code: AA Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles Government type: NA National capital: Oranjestad Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; 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), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Jan (Henny) H. EMAN (since 29 July 1994) and Deputy Prime Minister Glenbert F. CROES cabinet : Council of Ministers elected by the Staten elections: the queen is a constitutional monarch; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the queen; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for a four-year term; election last held 29 July 1994 (next to be held by July 1998) election results : Jan (Henny) H. EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA; Glenbert F. CROES elected deputy prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote and serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29 July 1994 (next to be held by NA July 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AVP 10, MEP 9, OLA 2 Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice Political parties and leaders: Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson ODUBER]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]; New Patriotic Party or PPN [Eddy WERLEMEN]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Democratic Action '86 or AD '86 [Arturo ODUBER]; Aruban Liberal Party or 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 the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 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 Economy Economy - 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 - $1.4 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $21,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 3.5% (1996) Labor force: NA by occupation: most employment is in the tourist industry (1996) 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: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: aloes; livestock; fishing Exports: total value: $1.3 billion (including oil re-exports) (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: mostly refined petroleum products partners: US 64%, EU Imports: total value: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: food, consumer goods, manufactures, petroleum products, crude oil for refining and reexport partners: US 8%, EU Debt - external: $669 million (December 1995) Economic aid: the Netherlands provided a 1996 aid package of $224 million to Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles, and Suriname 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 @Aruba: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.) @Aruba:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved : NA km unpaved: NA km note : most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior Ports and harbors: Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Merchant marine: total : 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,274 GRT/ 10,130 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 3 (1996 est.) Airports: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: drug money-laundering center and transit point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; added to the US list of major drug producing or drug transit countries in December 1996 ______________________________________________________________________ ASHMORE AND CARTIER ISLANDS Islands] (territory of Australia) @Ashmore and Cartier Islands: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: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island Area - comparative: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 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 Climate: tropical Terrain: low with sand and coral Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 @Ashmore and Cartier Islands:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are only seasonal caretakers @Ashmore and Cartier Islands:Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form : Ashmore and Cartier Islands Data code: AT Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Ministry for Sport, Territories, and Local Government National 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 the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Economy - overview: no economic activity @Ashmore and Cartier Islands:Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ ATLANTIC OCEAN [Map of Argentina] @Atlantic Ocean: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: 82.217 million sq km 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 Area - comparative: 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) Coastline: 111,866 km 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 Elevation extremes: 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 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 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 Environment - international agreements: party to : none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - 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 Atlantic Ocean @Atlantic Ocean: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 Economy - overview: The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, the dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea). @Atlantic Ocean:Communications Telephone system: international: numerous submarine cables with most between continental Europe and the UK, between North America and the UK, and in the Mediterranean; numerous direct links across Atlantic via satellite networks @Atlantic Ocean:Transportation Ports and harbors: Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden) Transportation - note: Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways Transnational Issues Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) ______________________________________________________________________ AUSTRALIA @Australia: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: 7,686,850 sq km land: 7,617,930 sq km water : 68,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US 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 Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 54% forests and woodland: 19% other : 21% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 21,070 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: cyclones along the coast; severe droughts 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 Environment - 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, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified : Desertification Geography - 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 @Australia:People Population: 18,438,824 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 2,018,363; female 1,921,252) 15-64 years: 66% (male 6,188,476; female 6,041,173) 65 years and over : 12% (male 987,092; female 1,282,468) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.96% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 13.73 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.89 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 2.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.64 years male : 76.69 years female: 82.74 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian Ethnic groups: Caucasian 95%, Asian 4%, aboriginal and other 1% Religions: Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3% Languages: English, native languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female : 100% (1980 est.) @Australia:Government Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia Data code: AS Government type: federal parliamentary state National 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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir William DEANE (since 16 February 1996) head of government : Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister Timothy Andrew FISCHER (since 11 March 1996) cabinet: Cabinet selected from among the members of Federal Parliament by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the queen; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general for a three-year term Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 from each of the six states and two from each of the two territories; one-half of the members elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (148 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve three-year terms; no state can have fewer than five representatives) elections: Senate - last held 2 March 1996 (next to be held NA 1999); House of Representatives - last held 2 March 1996 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal-National 37, Labor 29, Australian Democrats 8, Greens 1, independent 1; note - subsequent to the election, there has been a change in the distribution of seats; the new distribution is as follows - Liberal-National 37, Labor 28, Australian Democrats 7, Greens 2, independents 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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 Political pressure groups and leaders: 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, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andrew Sharp PEACOCK chancery : 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Genta Hawkins HOLMES 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 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 Economy Economy - overview: Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP above the 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 about 60% of the value of total exports, so that 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, but the economy has expanded at reasonably steady rates in recent years. In addition to high unemployment, 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 - $430.5 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.6% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $23,600 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.1% industry: 27.7% services: 69.2% (1994) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 3.1% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 8.4 million (December 1996) by occupation : finance and services 34%, public and community services 23%, wholesale and retail trade 20%, manufacturing and industry 17%, agriculture 6% (1987 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.5% (1996 est.) 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: 1.2% (1995) Electricity - capacity: 38.83 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 173 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 8,278 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry Exports: total value: $59.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities : coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment partners: Japan 24%, South Korea 8%, NZ 7%, US 7%, UK, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong (1994/95) Imports: total value : $59.7 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products partners: US 22%, Japan 17%, UK 6%, China 5%, NZ 5% (1994/95) Debt - external: $134 billion (June 1996) Economic aid: donor: ODA, $1.25 billion (FY95/96) Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.2835 (January 1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3668 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Australia: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.) @Australia: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 : 895,030 km paved: 345,482 km (including 1,330 km of expressways) unpaved: 549,548 km (1995 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 and harbors: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport, Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceton (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville Merchant marine: total: 69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,282,084 GRT/3,326,092 DWT ships by type : bulk 30, cargo 4, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 5, liquefied gas tanker 4, oil tanker 14, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, short-sea passenger 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 443 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 275 over 3,047 m : 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 106 914 to 1,523 m: 116 under 914 m : 31 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 168 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 146 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 4,863,007 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 4,200,090 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 127,508 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $7.9 billion (FY96/97) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.9% (FY96/97) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: territorial claim in Antarctica (Australian Antarctic Territory) 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 ______________________________________________________________________ AUSTRIA @Austria:Geography Location: Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia Geographic coordinates: 47 20 N, 13 20 E Map references: Europe Area: total : 83,850 sq km land: 82,730 sq km water : 1,120 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: total: 2,564 km border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 37 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330 km, Switzerland 164 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) 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 Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 24% forests and woodland: 39% other : 19% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA 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 Environment - 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, Tropical Timber 94 Geography - 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 @Austria:People Population: 8,132,505 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 717,989; female 681,897) 15-64 years: 68% (male 2,777,525; female 2,703,296) 65 years and over : 15% (male 464,802; female 786,996) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: -0.02% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 10.17 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 10.05 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.15 years male : 73.96 years female: 80.51 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Austrian(s) adjective: Austrian Ethnic groups: German 99.4%, Croatian 0.3%, Slovene 0.2%, other 0.1% Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 6%, other 9% Languages: German Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1974 est.) male: NA% female: NA% @Austria:Government Country name: conventional long form : Republic of Austria conventional short form: Austria local long form: Republik Oesterreich local short form: Oesterreich Data code: AU Government type: federal republic National capital: Vienna Administrative divisions: 9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten, Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien Independence: 1156 (from Bavaria) 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) head of government: Chancellor Viktor KLIMA (since 28 January 1997); Vice Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (since 22 April 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor elections : president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; presidential election last held 24 May 1992 (next to be held NA 1998); chancellor chosen by the president from the majority party in the National Council; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor election results: Thomas KLESTIL elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Thomas KLESTIL 57%, Rudolf STREICHER 43% Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (63 members; members represent each of the provinces on the basis of population, but with each province having at least three representatives) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Council - last held 17 December 1995 (next to be held Fall 1999) election results : National Council - percent of vote by party - SPOe 38.3%, OeVP 28.3%, FPOe 22.1%, Greens 4.6%, LF 5.3%, other 1.4%; seats by party - SPOe 71, OeVP 53, FPOe 40, Greens 9, LF 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Viktor KLIMA, chairman]; Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Wolfgang SCHUESSEL, chairman]; Freedom Movement or FPOe (formerly the Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Joerg HAIDER, chairman]; Communist Party or KPOe [Walter SILBERMAYER, chairman]; The Greens [Madeleine PETROVIC]; Liberal Forum or LF [Heide SCHMIDT] Political pressure groups and leaders: Federal Chamber of Trade and Commerce; Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist) or OeGB; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or OeVP representing business, labor, and farmers; OeVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; 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 (observer), NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Swanee G. HUNT embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091, Vienna mailing address: use embassy street address telephone : [43] (1) 313-39 FAX: [43] (1) 310-0682 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red Economy Economy - overview: Austria has a well-developed market economy with a sizable - but falling - proportion of nationalized industry, an extensive social safety net, 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. EU membership has had a positive impact on foreign investment and has helped to lower inflation. In April 1996, the government passed a two-year austerity budget - including cuts in social allowances, a freeze on civil servants' wages, and new energy and capital gains taxes - designed to bring the economy in line with the Maastricht criteria for membership in the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). EMU convergence has become a top priority for Austria. Despite Austria's generally favorable prospects, the economy faces a number of medium-term challenges; for example, fiscal tightening is constraining expected growth, and unemployment is expected to increase. GDP: purchasing power parity - $157.6 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $19,700 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 27% services : 70% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.8% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 3.648 million (1996) 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: 6.2% (December 1996) Budget: revenues: $61.2 billion expenditures: $71 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: food, iron and steel, machines, textiles, chemicals, electrical, paper and pulp, tourism, mining, motor vehicles Industrial production growth rate: 0.6% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 17.43 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 56.5 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 5,960 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: grains, fruit, potatoes, sugar beets; cattle, pigs, poultry; sawn wood Exports: total value: $55.5 billion (1996 est.) 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: total value : $65.8 billion (1996 est.) 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) Debt - external: $30.2 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: donor: ODA, $544 million (1993) Currency: 1 Austrian schilling (AS) = 100 groschen Exchange rates: Austrian schillings (AS) per US$1 - 11.302 (January 1997), 10.587 (1996), 10.081 (1995), 11.422 (1994), 11.632 (1993), 10.989 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Austria: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.) @Austria: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: 200,000 km paved: 200,000 km (including 1,596 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 446 km Pipelines: crude oil 554 km; petroleum products 171 km; natural gas 2,611 km Ports and harbors: Linz, Vienna Merchant marine: total: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 84,623 GRT/116,682 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 22, combination bulk 2, container 1, refrigerated cargo 2 (1996 est.) Airports: 55 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 51 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 41 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 914 to 1,523 m : 4 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army (includes Flying Division) Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,107,905 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,754,823 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 46,298 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.1 billion (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________ AZERBAIJAN Introduction Current issues: Azerbaijan continues to be plagued by an unresolved nine-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 Azerbaijani 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. @Azerbaijan: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: 86,600 sq km land: 86,100 sq km water: 500 sq km 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 Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maine 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) 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 5% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 11% other : 41% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 10,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: droughts; some lowland areas threatened by rising levels of the Caspian Sea 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 Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity Geography - note: landlocked @Azerbaijan:People Population: 7,797,476 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 1,302,759; female 1,247,868) 15-64 years: 61% (male 2,315,272; female 2,446,087) 65 years and over: 6% (male 186,699; female 298,791) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.78% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 22.89 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 9.32 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -5.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 80.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.52 years male : 59.27 years female: 67.99 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.77 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.) @Azerbaijan:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic National capital: Baku (Baki) Administrative divisions: 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika); Abseron 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, Yardimli 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) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since NA November 1996); First Deputy Prime Ministers Abbas ABBASOV (since NA), Samed SADYKOV (since NA), Vahid AKHMEDOV (since NA), Elchin EFENDIYEV (since NA) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; election last held 3 October 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Heydar ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote - Heydar ALIYEV 97% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 and 26 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ebulfez ELCIBEY, chairman]; Musavat Party [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; National Independence Party [Etibar MAMEDOV, chairman]; Social Democratic Party or 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 or 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] Political pressure groups and leaders: self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Sadval, Lezgin movement International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NACC, NAM (observer), OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV chancery: (temporary) Suite 700, 927 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 or P. O. Box 28790, Washington, DC 20038-8790 telephone : [1] (202) 842-0001 FAX: [1] (202) 842-0004 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard D. KAUZLARICH embassy: Azadliq Prospekti 83, Baku mailing address : use embassy street address telephone: [9] (9412) 96-03-35 FAX: [9] (9412) 96-04-69 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 Economy Economy - 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 are slowly being replaced. A major short-term obstacle to economic progress, including stepped up foreign investment, is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building up with the nations of Europe, Turkey, Iran and the UAE. GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.9 billion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994) GDP - real growth rate: 1.2% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,550 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry : 30% services: 44% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 20% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 2.789 million by occupation: agriculture and forestry 32%, industry and construction 26%, other 42% (1990) Unemployment rate: 1.1% includes officially registered unemployed; also large numbers of unregistered unemployed and underemployed workers (December 1996) Budget: revenues: $565 million expenditures: $682 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.) Industries: petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles Industrial production growth rate: -8% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 5.24 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 16.63 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 2,200 kWh (1996 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats Exports: total value : $700 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textiles, cotton partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey Imports: total value: $900 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities : machinery and parts, consumer durables, foodstuffs, textiles partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey Debt - external: $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 - 4,230 (November 1996), 4,375 (April 1996), 4,500 (April 1995), 4,168 (end of December 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Azerbaijan: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 is operational 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: 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 @Azerbaijan: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: 57,770 km paved: 54,188 km unpaved: 3,582 km (1995 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 1,130 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural gas 1,240 km Ports and harbors: Baku (Baki) Airports: 69 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 29 over 3,047 m : 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 40 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 33 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 1,982,747 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,596,087 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 69,524 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: 33.5 billion manats (1994); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; transshipment point for opiates to Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________ THE BAHAMAS @The Bahamas: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: 13,940 sq km land: 10,070 sq km water : 3,870 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,542 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation (measured from the archipelagic straight baselines) exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 32% other : 67% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood and wind damage Environment - current issues: coral reef decay Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain @The Bahamas:People Population: 275,941 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 39,280; female 38,755) 15-64 years: 66% (male 89,483; female 93,479) 65 years and over : 6% (male 6,209; female 8,735) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.41% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 21.47 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.45 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.75 years male: 70.36 years female : 77.2 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.36 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write but definition of literacy not available total population: 98.2% male: 98.5% female: 98% (1995 est.) @The Bahamas:Government Country name: conventional long form : Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas Data code: BF Government type: commonwealth National 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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Orville TURNQUEST (since 2 January 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM (since 19 August 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Frank WATSON (since December 1994) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the queen; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for a five-year term) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 March 1997 (next to be held by March 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FNM 34, PLP 6 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]; Free National Movement or 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, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arlington Griffith BUTLER 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sidney WILLIAMS embassy: Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; American Embassy, Nassau, P.O. Box 9009, Miami, FL 33159; Nassau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-3370 (pouch) telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 FAX: [1] (242) 328-7838 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side Economy Economy - 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 were expected to increase in 1996 due to storm damage to crops in Florida. Overall growth prospects in the short run 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: purchasing power parity - $18,700 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 3% industry: 6% services: 91% (1994) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.1% (1995) Labor force: total: 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: 267,000 kW (1993) Electricity - production: 874 million kWh (1993) Electricity - consumption per capita: 2,717 kWh (1993) Agriculture - products: citrus, vegetables; poultry Exports: total value: $267.5 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish, refined petroleum products partners: US 24%, Spain 14%, UK 7%, Norway 7%, France 6%, Italy 5% (1995 est.) Imports: total value : $1.17 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, crude oil, vehicles, electronics partners : US 29%, Finland 10%, Iran 10%, Denmark 8% Debt - external: $393 million (1995) Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1 - 1.00 (February 1997; fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @The Bahamas: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.) @The Bahamas:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,450 km paved: 1,406 km unpaved: 1,044 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau Merchant marine: total: 988 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,690,478 GRT/37,428,826 DWT ships by type: bulk 176, cargo 205, chemical tanker 41, combination bulk 7, combination ore/oil 23, container 56, liquefied gas tanker 21, oil tanker 184, passenger 47, refrigerated cargo 150, roll-on/roll-off cargo 53, short-sea passenger 11, vehicle carrier 14 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 46 countries among which are Norway 157, Greece 146, UK 128, US 69, Denmark 51, Sweden 34, Finland 32, Belgium 29, Japan 27, and Monaco 27; Bahamas owns 10 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 256,379 DWT that operate under Panamanian and Cypriot registry (1996 est.) Airports: 54 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 47 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 17 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: NA Military manpower - fit for military service: males : NA Military expenditures - dollar figure: $20 million (FY95/96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.8% (FY95/96) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; banking industry vulnerable to money-laundering ______________________________________________________________________ BAHRAIN @Bahrain: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 : 620 sq km land: 620 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment Elevation extremes: 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: 1% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 0% other: 92% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; dust storms 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 Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified : none of the selected agreements Geography - 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 @Bahrain:People Population: 603,318 (July 1997 est.) note: includes 221,182 non-nationals (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31% (male 94,330; female 91,532) 15-64 years: 66% (male 240,496; female 160,662) 65 years and over : 3% (male 8,375; female 7,923) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.18% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 23.01 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 3.27 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 2.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.5 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.32 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.63 years male: 72.1 years female : 77.24 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.04 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Ethnic groups: 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: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.2% male: 89.1% female: 79.4% (1995 est.) @Bahrain:Government Country name: conventional long form : State of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local long form: Dawlat al Bahrayn local short form: Al Bahrayn Data code: BA Government type: traditional monarchy National capital: Manama Administrative divisions: 12 municipalities (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); 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) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the amir elections: none; the amir is a traditional Arab monarch; prime minister 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 Political pressure groups and leaders: several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active; following the arrest of a popular Shi'a cleric, Shi'a activists have fomented unrest sporadically since late 1994, 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, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, 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 the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Muhammad ABD AL-GHAFFAR 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David M. RANSOM (scheduled to depart in June 1997) embassy : Building No. 979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Zinj District, Manama mailing address: FPO AE 09834-5100; International Mail Box 26431, Manama (International Mail) telephone: [973] 273-300 FAX : [973] 275-418 Flag description: red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist side Economy Economy - overview: In Bahrain, petroleum production and processing account for about 60% 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. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. 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 - $7.7 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $13,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 38% services: 61% (1995) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 0% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 140,000 by occupation: industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 3% (1982) note: 44.39% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.49 billion expenditures: $1.67 billion, including capital expenditures of $300 million (1995) Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (1995) Electricity - capacity: 1.05 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 4.28 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 7,102 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish Exports: total value: $4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities : petroleum and petroleum products 61%, aluminum 7% partners: India 22%, Japan 12%, Saudi Arabia 6%, US 6%, UAE 5% (1995) Imports: total value : $3.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: nonoil 63%, crude oil 37% partners: Saudi Arabia 40%, US 13%, UK 7%, Japan 5%, Switzerland 5% (1995) Debt - external: $3.2 billion (1995) 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 @Bahrain: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.) @Bahrain:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,740 km paved: 2,159 km unpaved: 581 km (1992 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32 km Ports and harbors: 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 (1996 est.) Airports: 3 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Internal Security Forces Military manpower - military age: 15 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 216,444 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 119,781 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $256 million (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 6.4% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Islands; maritime boundary with Qatar ______________________________________________________________________ BAKER ISLAND (territory of the US) @Baker Island: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: 1.4 sq km land: 1.4 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain: low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - 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 @Baker Island: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 @Baker Island:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island Data code: FQ Dependency status: 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 National capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Economy - overview: no economic activity @Baker Island:Transportation Ports and harbors: 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 Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ BANGLADESH @Bangladesh: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: 144,000 sq km land: 133,910 sq km water : 10,090 sq km Area - comparative: 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 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 Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Reng Tlang 957 m Natural resources: natural gas, arable land, timber Land use: arable land: 73% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures : 5% forests and woodland: 15% other: 5% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 31,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely flooded during the summer monsoon season 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 Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea @Bangladesh:People Population: 125,340,261 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38% (male 24,397,316; female 23,417,919) 15-64 years : 59% (male 37,758,378; female 35,715,343) 65 years and over: 3% (male 2,204,445; female 1,846,860) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.82% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 29.8 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 10.9 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 1.19 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 100 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.26 years male: 56.35 years female : 56.16 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.45 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladesh Ethnic groups: Bengali 98%, Biharis 250,000, tribals less than 1 million Religions: Muslim 88.3%, Hindu 10.5%, other 1.2% Languages: Bangla (official), English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 38.1% male: 49.4% female : 26.1% (1995 est.) @Bangladesh:Government Country name: conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh former : East Pakistan Data code: BG Government type: republic National 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 Shahabuddin AHMED (since 9 October 1996); note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise the elections head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina WAJED (since 23 June 1996) cabinet : Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 24 July 1996 (next to be held by NA October 2001); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results : Shahabuddin AHMED elected president without opposition; percent of National Parliament vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad (330 seats; 300 elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies, 30 seats reserved for women; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 June 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: percent of vote by party - AL 33.87%, BNP 30.87%; seats by party - AL 178, BNP 113, JP 33, JI 3, other 2, election still to be held 1; note - the elections of 12 June 1996 brought to power an Awami League government for the first time in twenty-one years; held under a neutral, caretaker administration, the elections were characterized by a peaceful, orderly process and massive voter turnout, ending a bitter two-year impasse between the former BNP and opposition parties that had paralyzed National Parliament and led to widespread street violence 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; Jamaat-E-Islami (JI), Motiur Rahman NIZAMI; Bangladesh Communist Party (BCP), Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, 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, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Khwaja Mohammad SHEHABUDDIN chancery: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone : [1] (202) 342-8372 through 8376 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David N. MERRILL embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 mailing address : G.P.O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 telephone: [880] (2) 884700 through 884722 FAX: [880] (2) 883-744 Flag description: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; green is the traditional color of Islam Economy Economy - 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 largely 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 slow implementation of economic reforms. Frequent strikes that crippled the economy in 1995 and early 1996 subsided after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina WAJED's Awami League government assumed power in mid-1996, allowing a return to normal economic activity. The current government has made some headway improving the climate for foreign investors and liberalizing the capital markets; for example, it has negotiated with foreign firms for oil and gas exploration, better countrywide distribution of cooking gas, and the construction of natural gas pipelines and power plants. Progress on other economic reforms has been halting because of opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups. GDP: purchasing power parity - $155.1 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.7% (1996) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,260 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 18% services: 51% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 4% (FY95/96) Labor force: total: 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: 35.9% (1996) Budget: revenues : $4.1 billion expenditures: $6 billion, including capital expenditures of $3 billion (FY95/96 est.) Industries: jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizer Industrial production growth rate: 5.7% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 2.98 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 10.01 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 76 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes; beef, milk, poultry Exports: total value: $3.9 billion (FY95/96 est.) commodities : garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood partners: Western Europe 42%, US 30%, Hong Kong 4%, Japan 3% (FY95/96 est.) Imports: total value: $6.8 billion (FY95/96 est.) commodities: capital goods, textiles, food, petroleum products partners: India 21%, China 10%, Western Europe 8%, Hong Kong 7%, Singapore 6% (FY95/96 est.) Debt - external: $17.1 billion (1996) Economic aid: recipient : $1.585 billion (FY95/96) Currency: 1 taka (Tk) = 100 poiska Exchange rates: taka (Tk) per US$1 - 42.450 (January 1997), 41.794 (1996), 40.278 (1995), 40.212 (1994), 39.567 (1993), 38.951 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Bangladesh: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.) @Bangladesh: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 : 168,513 km paved: 15,672 km unpaved: 152,841 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 5,150-8,046 km navigable waterways (includes 2,575-3,058 km main cargo routes) Pipelines: natural gas 1,220 km Ports and harbors: Chittagong, Dhaka, Chalna Port (Mongla) Merchant marine: total: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 323,057 GRT/464,090 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 32, oil tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1996 est.) Airports: 15 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m : 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Armed Police Reserve, Village Defense Parties, National Cadet Corps) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 32,797,816 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 19,406,790 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $481 million (FY95/96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.7% (FY95/96) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: a portion of the boundary with India in dispute; Bangladesh and India signed a treaty 12 December 1996 to share water from the Ganges Illicit drugs: transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries ______________________________________________________________________ BARBADOS @Barbados: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: 430 sq km land: 430 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas Land use: arable land: 37% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 5% forests and woodland : 12% other: 46% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity Geography - note: easternmost Caribbean island @Barbados:People Population: 258,756 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24% (male 31,025; female 30,197) 15-64 years: 66% (male 83,977; female 87,208) 65 years and over : 10% (male 10,002; female 16,347) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.12% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 15.35 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 8.25 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -5.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.6 years male : 71.84 years female: 77.43 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.88 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Barbadian(s) adjective: Barbadian Ethnic groups: black 80%, white 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: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97.4% male: 98% female: 96.8% (1995 est.) @Barbados:Government Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Barbados Data code: BB Government type: parliamentary democracy National 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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996) head of government : Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6 September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Billie MILLER (since 6 September 1994) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the queen; prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections : House of Assembly - last held 6 September 1994 (next to be held by January 1999) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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 or DLP [David THOMPSON]; Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Richard HAYNES] Political pressure groups and leaders: 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, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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] (246) 436-4950 FAX: [1] (246) 429-5246 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) Economy Economy - overview: Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but in recent years the production has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. The start of the Port Charles Marina project in Speightstown helped the tourism industry continue to expand in 1996. The industry generated $331.8 million by the end of June and was expected to double by the end of the year. Prime Minister Owen ARTHUR called for "prudent" financial management to ensure that economic growth would continue. As part of his plan, the Prime Minister introduced a controversial Value Added Tax (VAT) in an effort to reform the tax administration process. The VAT will be administered at 15% for most industries and 7% for the tourism industry. The government has also continued its efforts to promote regional integration initiatives, to reduce the unacceptably high unemployment rate, and to encourage direct foreign investment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.65 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,300 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.4% industry: 39.3% services: 54.3% (1994) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.8% (1995) Labor force: total: 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: 16.2% (1996) 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: 7.7% (1995) Electricity - capacity: 153,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 644 million kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 2,208 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, vegetables, cotton Exports: total value: $235 million (f.o.b., 1995) 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: total value: $763 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components partners: US 36%, UK 11%, Trinidad and Tobago 11%, Japan 3% Debt - external: $359 million (December 1996) 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 @Barbados: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.) @Barbados:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,610 km paved : 1,542 km unpaved: 68 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Bridgetown Merchant marine: total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 453,828 GRT/684,470 DWT ships by type : bulk 16, cargo 27, combination bulk 4, oil tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Barbados Defense Force (includes Ground Forces and Coast Guard), Royal Barbados Police Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 71,547 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 49,446 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for the US and Europe ______________________________________________________________________ BASSAS DA INDIA (possession of France) @Bassas da India: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: 0.2 sq km land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical Terrain: a volcanic rock 2.4 meters high Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land : 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all rock) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA @Bassas da India:People Population: uninhabited @Bassas da India:Government Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Bassas da India Data code: BS Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion National capital: none; administered by France from Reunion Independence: none (possession of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Economy - overview: no economic activity @Bassas da India:Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar ______________________________________________________________________ BELARUS @Belarus:Geography Location: Eastern Europe, east of Poland Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 28 00 E Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States Area: total: 207,600 sq km land: 207,600 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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) Climate: cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime Terrain: generally flat and contains much marshland Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 15% forests and woodland: 34% other: 21% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 1,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine Environment - 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 Geography - note: landlocked @Belarus:People Population: 10,412,219 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21% (male 1,092,760; female 1,047,992) 15-64 years : 66% (male 3,346,111; female 3,547,352) 65 years and over: 13% (male 452,267; female 925,737) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: -0.01% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 9.75 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 13.23 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 3.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.4 years male: 62.48 years female: 74.61 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.35 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Belarusian(s) adjective: Belarusian Ethnic groups: Byelorussian 77.9%, Russian 13.2%, Polish 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.9%, other 1.9% Religions: Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.) Languages: Byelorussian, Russian, other Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male : 99% female: 97% (1989 est.) @Belarus:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic National 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: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union); the Belarusian Supreme Soviet issued a proclamation of independence; on 17 July 1990 Belarus issued a declaration of sovereignty National holiday: Independence Day, 3 July (1990); note - date set by referendum of November 1996 Constitution: referendum of 27 November 1996 (declared illegitimate by the international community) adopted a new constitution massing power in the hands of the president; signed into law on 28 November 1996 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) head of government: Prime Minister Sergey LING (acting since NA November 1996, confirmed NA February 1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Pyotr PROKOPOVICH (since NA); Deputy Prime Ministers Vladimir GARKUN (since NA), Valeriy KOKAREV (since NA), Vladimir RUSAKEVICH (since NA), Vasyl DALGALYOV (since NA) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 24 June and 10 July 1994 (next to be held NA 2001 because of the additional two years provided by the November 1996 referendum); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO elected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 85%, Vyacheslav KEBICH 15% note: first presidential elections took place in June-July 1994 Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament established by the 28 November Constitution consists of the Council of the Republic (64 seats; the president appoints 8 and each oblast plus the Minsk city government elect 8) and the Chamber of Representatives (110 seats; note - present members came from the defunct Supreme Soviet) elections: last held May and November-December 1995 (two rounds, each with a run-off; next to be held NA 2000) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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; note - after the November 1996 referendum, seats for the Chamber of Representatives were filled by former Supreme Soviet members as follows: PKB 24, Agrarian 14, Party of Peoples Concord 5, LDPB 1, UPNAZ 1, Green World Party 1, Belarusian Social Sports Party 1, Ecological Party 1, Republican Party of Labor and Justice 1, independents 60; 58 of the 64 seats in the Council of the Republic have been appointed/elected Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president; Constitutional Court, half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives Political parties and leaders: Belarusian Communist Party or KPB [Yefrem SOKOLOV and Viktor CHIKIN, chairmen]; Agrarian Party [Aleksandr PAVLOV, chairman]; Civic Accord Bloc (United Civic Party) or CAB [Stanislav BOGDANKEVICH, chairman]; Party of People's Concord [Leonid SECHKO, chairman]; Party of All-Belarusian Unity and Concord or UPNAZ [Dmitriy BULAKOV, chairman]; Belarusian Social-Democrat Hramada or SDBP [Nikolai STATKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Anatol BARANKEVICH]; Green Party of Belarus [Nikolai KARTASH, chairman]; Republican Party of Labor and Justice [Anatol NETYLKIN, chairman]; Belarus Peasants or BSP [Yevgeniy LUGIN, chairman]; Belarusian Popular Front or NFB [Levon BARSHEVSKIY, acting chairman]; Belarusian Social Sports Party [Aleksandr ALEKSANDROVICH, chairman]; Ecological Party [Liudmila YELIZAROVA, chairman]; National Democratic Party of Belarus or NDPB [Viktor NAUMENKO, chairman]; United Democratic Party of Belarus or ADPB [Aleksandr DOBROVOLSKIY]; Belarusian Socialist Party or SPB [Vyacheslav KUZNETSOV]; Slavic Assembly or SAB [Nikolai SYARECHEV]; Liberal-Democratic Party or LDPB [Sergei GAIDUKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Christian-Democratic Unity or BKDZ [Petr SILKO]; Polish Democratic Union or PDZ [Konstantin TARASEVICH]; Party of Beer Lovers [Yuriy GONCHAR]; Party of Communists Belarusian or PKB [Sergei KALYAKIN and Vasiliy NOVIKOV, chairmen]; Belarusian Labor Party or BPP [Aleksandr BUKHVOSTOV] International organization participation: BIS, CCC, CEI, CIS, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador-designate Valeriy TSEPKALO chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604 FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - 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 in December 1991, 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 exchange rate policies and suspended Minsk's $300 million standby program in November 1995. The overvalued ruble 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 rose from 5%-20% to 20%-40%. In general, as of the beginning of 1997, Belarus has badly lagged in moving away from the old centrally planned policies of the former USSR. GDP: purchasing power parity - $51.9 billion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21% industry: 49% services: 30% (1991 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 33% (1996) Labor force: total: 4.731 million by occupation: industry and construction 36%, agriculture and forestry 19%, services 45% (1995) Unemployment rate: 3.1% officially registered unemployed (December 1996); large numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues : $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA 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: 3.2% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 7.21 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 23.7 billion kWh (1996) Electricity - consumption per capita: 2,553 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: grain, potatoes, vegetables; meat, milk Exports: total value: $5.2 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs partners: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany Imports: total value: $6.8 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: fuel, natural gas, industrial raw materials, textiles, sugar partners: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany Debt - external: $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 ruble (BR) Exchange rates: Belarusian rubles per US$1 - 16,613 (September monthly average 1996),15,500 (yearend 1996), 11,500 (yearend 1995), 10,600 (yearend 1994), 699 (yearend 1993), 15 (yearend 1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Belarus: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.) @Belarus:Transportation Railways: total: 5,488 km broad gauge: 5,488 km 1.520-m gauge (873 km electrified) (1993) Highways: total: 51,547 km paved: 50,825 km unpaved: 722 km (1995 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 and harbors: Mazyr Merchant marine: note: claims 5% of former Soviet fleet (1995 est.) Airports: 118 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m : 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 under 914 m: 11 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 82 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 62 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,659,236 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 2,083,696 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 77,496 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: 2.4 trillion rubles (1997); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: treaty with Lithuania defining the border awaits demarcation Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia and Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________ BELGIUM @Belgium: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 : 30,510 sq km land: 30,230 sq km water: 280 sq km Area - comparative: about the size of 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 21% other: 34% Irrigated land: 10 sq km including Luxembourg (1993 est.) Natural hazards: flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes 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 Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, 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, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Law of the Sea Geography - note: crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of both the EU and NATO @Belgium:People Population: 10,165,059 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 911,881; female 868,361) 15-64 years: 66% (male 3,385,319; female 3,318,940) 65 years and over : 17% (male 681,432; female 999,126) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.11% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 10.43 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 10.41 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 1.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.19 years male : 73.95 years female: 80.59 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian Ethnic groups: Fleming 55%, Walloon 33%, mixed or other 12% Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Languages: Flemish 56%, French 32%, German 1%, legally bilingual 11% Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA% @Belgium:Government Country name: conventional long form : Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie local short form: Belgique/Belgie Data code: BE Government type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch National 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 theoretically increased the number of provinces to 10 by splitting the province of Brabant into two new provinces, Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant, but this has not been confirmed by the US Government 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) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Luc DEHAENE (since 6 March 1992) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the king and approved by Parliament elections: none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime minister appointed by the king and then approved by Parliament Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Flemish, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected, 31 will be indirectly elected at a later date; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Flemish, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 May 1995 (next to be held by the end of 1999) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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 - percent of vote by party - 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 by party - 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 note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see Political parties and leaders Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie in Flemish, Cour de Cassation in French, judges are appointed for life by the Belgian monarch Political parties and leaders: Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP (Christian People's Party) [Marc VAN PEEL, president]; Francophone Christian Democrats or PSC (Social Christian Party) [Gerard DEPREZ, president]; Flemish Socialist Party or SP [Louis TOBBACK, president]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Philippe BUSQUIN, president]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Herman DE CROO, president]; Francophone Liberal Reformation Party or PRL [Louis MICHEL, president]; Francophone Democratic Front or FDF [Olivier MAINGAIN, president]; Volksunie or VU [Bert ANCIAUX, president]; Vlaams Blok or VB; National Front or FN [Frank VANHECKE, president]; AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [no president]; ECOLO (Francophone Greens) [no president]; other minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: 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, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNRWA, UNTAES, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 description: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France Economy Economy - overview: This highly developed 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, recovered with moderate 2.3% growth in 1994 and 1995, and fell off again to 1.4% in 1996, with continued substantial unemployment. 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 - $204.8 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $20,300 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 28% services : 70% (1994) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.1% (1996) Labor force: total: 4.126 million by occupation: services 69.7%, industry 27.7%, agriculture 2.6% (1992) Unemployment rate: 14% (1996 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: 3.4% (1995 est.) Electricity - capacity: 13.59 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 74.4 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 6,823 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk Exports: total value: $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: total value: $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) Debt - external: $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 - 33.067 (January 1997), 30.962 (1996), 29.480 (1995), 33.456 (1994), 34.597 (1993), 32.150 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Belgium: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.) @Belgium: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: 142,563 km paved: 142,563 km (including 1,667 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1995 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 and harbors: Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge Merchant marine: total: 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 102,363 GRT/152,951 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 7, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 10 (1996 est.) Airports: 42 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 39 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m : 21 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 2,559,951 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 2,122,673 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 63,005 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4.6 billion (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.7% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________ BELIZE @Belize: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 : 22,960 sq km land: 22,800 sq km water: 160 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller 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 Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February) Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Elevation extremes: 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: 1% permanent pastures: 2% forests and woodland: 92% other: 3% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal flooding (especially in south) Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - 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 @Belize:People Population: 224,663 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 48,921; female 47,057) 15-64 years: 54% (male 61,133; female 59,466) 65 years and over: 3% (male 3,965; female 4,121) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.42% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 31.91 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.61 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 33.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.75 years male: 66.8 years female: 70.81 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.99 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 14 and over has ever attended school total population: 70.3% male: 70.3% female: 70.3% (1991 est.) note : other sources list the literacy rate as high as 75% @Belize:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras Data code: BH Government type: parliamentary democracy National 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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993) head of government : Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993); Deputy Prime Minister Dean BARROW (since NA July 1993) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the queen; prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (8 members; members are appointed for five-year terms, five 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.) and the National Assembly (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held no later than September 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 13, UDP 15, NABR 1 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 or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW]; National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR [Philip GOLDSON] Political pressure groups and leaders: Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Assad SHOMAN]; United Workers Front 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, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James S. MURPHY 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George Charles BRUNO embassy : Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025 telephone: [501] (2) 77161 through 77163 FAX: [501] (2) 30802 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 Economy Economy - 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 20% 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 - $649 million (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,960 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 27% services : 53% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 6.4% (1996 est.) Labor force: total : 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: 15% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $140 million expenditures: $180 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY96/97 est.) Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (1990) Electricity - capacity: 34,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp Exports: total value: $204 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: sugar, citrus fruits, bananas, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood partners : US 38%, UK, other EU (1994) Imports: total value: $264 million (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, food, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals partners : US 53%, UK, other EU, Mexico (1994) Debt - external: $192 million (1996 est.) 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 @Belize:Communications Telephones: 29,000 (1996 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 8, shortwave 1 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 Televisions: 27,048 (1993 est.) @Belize:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,770 km paved: 521 km unpaved : 2,249 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable Ports and harbors: Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda Merchant marine: total: 166 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,592,846 GRT/1,087,555 DWT ships by type: bulk 17, cargo 117, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, container 6, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 13, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 35 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 24 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, and Volunteer Guard), Belize National Police Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 54,163 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 32,176 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 2,471 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $8.1 million (FY95/96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: border with Guatemala in dispute; talks to resolve the dispute are ongoing Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center ______________________________________________________________________ BENIN @Benin: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: 112,620 sq km land: 110,620 sq km water: 2,000 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Elevation extremes: 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: 13% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 31% other: 48% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter Environment - current issues: recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: no natural harbors @Benin:People Population: 5,902,178 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 1,420,335; female 1,411,160) 15-64 years: 50% (male 1,401,360; female 1,530,626) 65 years and over : 2% (male 60,704; female 77,993) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 3.31% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 46.28 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 13.14 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 102.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.15 years male: 51.15 years female: 55.21 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.56 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese Ethnic groups: 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: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37% male: 48.7% female: 25.8% (1995 est.) @Benin:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991 National 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: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (since 9 April 1996) acts as assistant to the president; a prime minister is not provided for in the constitution but was appointed by President KEREKOU with the permission of the constitutional court cabinet: Council of Ministers headed by the prime minister; all are appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18 March 1996 (next to be held March 2001) election results: Mathieu KEREKOU elected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 52.49%, Nicephore SOGLO 47.51% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 March 1995 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RB 20, PRD 19, FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 7, NCC 3, RDL-VIVOTEN 3, Communist Party 2, Alliance Chameleon 1, RDP 1, other 17 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle, Supreme Court or Cour Supreme, High Court of Justice Political parties and leaders: Alliance of the National Party for Democracy and Development or PNDD and the Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Pascal Chabi KAO]; Action for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Mathieu KEREKOU]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD and the National Union for Solidarity and Progress or UNSP [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Alliance Chameleon; Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Adekpedjon AKINDES]; Alliance for Social Democracy or ASD [Robert DOSSOU]; Assembly of Liberal Democrats for National Reconstruction or RDL [Severin ADJOVI]; Communist Party of Benin, [Pascal FATONDJI, First Secretary]; Our Common Cause or NCC [Albert TEVOEDJRE]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP; The Renaissance Party of Benin or RB [Nicephore SOGLO] note: as of February 1996, more than 80 political parties were officially recognized 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, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side Economy Economy - 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 1990-95, rose to 5.5% in 1996. Rapid population growth 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 has subsided gradually over the past two years, with 14.5% inflation in 1995 and a target of 4.5% inflation in 1996. Commercial and transport activities, which make up a large part 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 - $8.2 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,440 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 36.8% industry: 12.6% services : 50.6% (1993) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 14.5% (1995) Labor force: NA 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: 28,000 kW (1992) Electricity - production: 10 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 45 kWh (1994 est.) Agriculture - products: corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock Exports: total value : $300 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa partners: Brazil 18%, Portugal 14%, Morocco, Libya, France Imports: total value: $380 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities : foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate goods, capital goods, light consumer goods partners: France 27%, Thailand 9%, China, Hong Kong Debt - external: $1.6 billion (1994 est.) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) 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 @Benin: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.) @Benin:Transportation Railways: total: 578 km (single track) narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.) Highways: total: 8,460 km paved: 2,656 km unpaved: 5,804 km (1995 est.) Waterways: navigable along small sections, important only locally Ports and harbors: Cotonou, Porto-Novo Merchant marine: none Airports: 5 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 2 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 1,261,059 females age 15-49: 1,333,966 (1997 est.) note: both sexes are liable for military service Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 645,660 (1997 est.) females: 675,243 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 64,028 females: 63,056 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $33 million (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.2% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US ______________________________________________________________________ BERMUDA (dependent territory of the UK) @Bermuda: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 : 50 sq km land: 50 sq km water : 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops : NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: 20% other: 80% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes (June to November) Environment - current issues: asbestos disposal; water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified : NA Geography - note: consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some reclaimed land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995 @Bermuda:People Population: 62,569 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.75% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 14.92 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: NA male(s)/female Infant mortality rate: 13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.03 years male : 73.36 years female: 76.97 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian Ethnic groups: black 61%, white and other 39% Religions: Anglican 28%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) 12%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Methodist 5%, other 34% (1991) Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male : 98% female: 99% (1970 est.) @Bermuda:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form : Bermuda Data code: BD Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK Government type: NA National 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 UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor John MASEFIELD (since June 1997) head of government: Premier Pamela GORDON (since 25 March 1997); Deputy Premier Jerome DILL (since 1 September 1995) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; premier appointed by the governor Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998) election results : percent of vote by party - UBP 50%, PLP 46%, independents 4%; seats by party - UBP 22, PLP 18 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party or UBP [Pamela GORDON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH]; National Liberal Party or NLP [Charles JEFFERS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS] International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CCC, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Robert A. FARMER consulate(s) general: 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 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 Economy Economy - overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing financial services for international firms and luxury tourist facilities for 200,000 visitors annually. The tourist industry attracts 91% 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. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.8 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $29,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.5% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 34,133 by occupation: clerical 23%, services 23%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 16%, administrative and managerial 12%, sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1995) Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1995) Budget: revenues: $406.2 million expenditures : $405.9 million, including capital expenditures of $34.5 million (FY94/95 est.) Industries: tourism, finance, insurance, structural concrete products, paints, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 145,000 kW (1996) Electricity - production: 527,526,728 kWh (1996) Electricity - consumption per capita: 7,856 kWh (1996) Agriculture - products: bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products Exports: total value: $54 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: semitropical produce, light manufactures, reexports of pharmaceuticals partners : Netherlands 50%, Brazil 13%, Canada 6% (1996) Imports: total value: $550 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: miscellaneous manufactured articles, machinery and transport equipment, food and live animals, chemicals partners: US 73%, UK 5%, Canada 5% (1995 est.) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (February 1997; fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Bermuda: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: 3 Televisions: 57,000 (1992 est.) @Bermuda:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total : 225 km paved: 225 km unpaved : 0 km (1997 est.) note: in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that are privately owned Ports and harbors: Hamilton, Saint George Merchant marine: total: 76 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,416,667 GRT/5,163,435 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 1, container 15, liquefied gas tanker 14, oil tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 12, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1, livestock carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 11 countries among which are UK 26, Canada 12, US 9, Norway 7, Hong Kong 4, Nigeria 4, Sweden 4, Switzerland 2, Mexico 1, and Romania 1; Bermuda owns 48 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,911,678 DWT that operate under Australian, Bahamian, Hong Kong, Liberian, Panamanian and Singaporean registry (1996 est.) Airports: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ BHUTAN @Bhutan:Geography Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Geographic coordinates: 27 30 N, 90 30 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 47,000 sq km land: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 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) 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 Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures : 6% forests and woodland: 66% other: 26% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1993 est.) 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 Environment - current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified : Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes @Bhutan:People Population: 1,865,191 (July 1997 est.) note: other estimates range as low as 600,000 Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 387,721; female 359,857) 15-64 years: 56% (male 536,797; female 507,551) 65 years and over: 4% (male 37,249; female 36,016) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.3% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 37.91 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 14.94 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 : 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 114 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 51.88 years male: 52.37 years female: 51.37 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.27 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Ethnic groups: 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: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1% (1995 est.) People - note: refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps @Bhutan:Government Country name: conventional long form : Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan Data code: BT Government type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India National 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: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972); note - the king is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972); note - the king is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) appointed by the king note: there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the king elections : none; the king is a hereditary monarch Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 12 represent religious bodies, and 33 are designated by the king to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: NA Judicial branch: the Supreme Court of Appeal is the king; High Court, judges appointed by the king Political parties and leaders: no legal parties Political pressure groups and leaders: 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 the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - 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 40% 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: 6.9% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $730 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 42% industry: 31% services : 27% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 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: 351,000 kW (1989) Electricity - production: 1.67 billion kWh (1994) note: exports electricity to India Electricity - consumption per capita: 79 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs Exports: total value: $70.9 million (f.o.b., FY94/95 est.) commodities: cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices partners: India 94%, Bangladesh Imports: total value: $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 Debt - external: $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 - 35.872 (January 1997), 35.433 (1996), 32.427 (1995), 31.374 (1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918 (1992); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Bhutan: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.) @Bhutan:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,210 km paved: 0 km unpaved : 2,210 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 455,556 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 243,156 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 18,290 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ BOLIVIA @Bolivia:Geography Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil Geographic coordinates: 17 00 S, 65 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,098,580 sq km land: 1,084,390 sq km water : 14,190 sq km Area - comparative: 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) 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 24% forests and woodland : 53% other: 21% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 1,750 sq km (1993 est.) 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) 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 Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection Geography - note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru @Bolivia:People Population: 7,669,868 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 1,543,641; female 1,511,579) 15-64 years: 56% (male 2,081,792; female 2,184,876) 65 years and over : 4% (male 158,409; female 189,571) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.04% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 32.14 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 10.18 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 65.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 60.34 years male: 57.46 years female : 63.38 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.18 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian Ethnic groups: Quechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 25%-30%, white 5%-15% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official) Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.1% male: 90.5% female: 76% (1995 est.) @Bolivia:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local long form: Republica de Bolivia local short form : Bolivia Data code: BL Government type: republic National 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; revised in August 1994 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 : President Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamente (since 6 August 1993); Vice President Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde (since 6 August 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamente (since 6 August 1993); Vice President Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde (since 6 August 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from a panel of candidates proposed by the Senate elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held June 1997); Constitutional reforms extend presidential and vice presidential terms to 5 years beginning in 1997 election results: Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA elected president; percent of vote - 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 Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held June 1997); Constitutional reforms extend congressional terms to 5 years beginning in 1997 election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MNR 17, ADN 4, MIR 4, CONDEPA 1, UCS 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MNR 52, UCS 20, ADN 17, MIR 17, CONDEPA 13, MBL 7, ARBOL 1, ASD 1, EJE 1, PDC 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 or MBL [Antonio ARANIBAR]; Patriotic Axis of Convergence or EJE-P [Ramiro BARRANECHEA]; April 9 Revolutionary Vanguard or VR-9 [Carlos SERRATE]; Alternative of Democratic Socialism or ASD [Jerjes JUSTINIANO]; Revolutionary Front of the Left or FRI [Oscar ZAMORA]; Bolivian Communist Party or PCB [Marcos DOMIC]; United Left or IU [Marcos DOMIC]; Assembly for the Sovereignty of the People or ASP [Evo MORALES]; Front of National Salvation or FSN [Manual MORALES Davila]; Socialist Party One or PS-1; Bolivian Socialist Falange or FSB; Socialist Unzaguista Movement or MAS Center-Left Parties: Movement of the Revolutionary or MIR [Jaime PAZ ZAMORA]; Christian Democrat or PDC [Benjamin MIGUEL]; New Youth Force [Alfonso SAAVEDRA Bruno] Center Party: Nationalist Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA] Center-Right Parties : Nationalist Democratic Action or ADN [Hugo BANZER]; New Republican Force or NFR [Manfred REYES VILLA] Populist Parties: Civic Solidarity Union or UCS [Johnny FERNANDEZ]; Conscience of the Fatherland or CONDEPA [Remedios LOZA Alvarado]; Solidarity and Democracy or SYD; Unity and Progress Movement or MUP [Ivo KULJIS]; Popular Patriotic Movement or MPP [Julio MANTILLA] Evangelical Party : Bolivian Renovating Alliance or ARBOL [Marcelo FERNANDEZ, Hugo VILLEGAS] Indigenous Parties: Tupac Katari Revolutionary Liberation Movement or MRTK-L [Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde]; Nationalist Katarista Movement or MKN [Fernando UNTOJA]; Front of Katarista Unity or FULKA [Genaro FLORES]; Katarismo National Unity or KND [Filepe KITTELSON] 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, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - 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 include the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico and the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) as well as the privatization of the state airline, phone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company. Furthermore, SANCHEZ DE LOZADA sponsored legislation creating private social security accounts for all adult Bolivians and capitalized these new accounts with the state's remaining 50% share in the privatized companies. GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.5 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.9% (1996) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 31% services : 52% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 8% (1996) Labor force: total: 2.3 million by occupation: agriculture NA%, services and utilities NA%, manufacturing, mining and construction NA% Unemployment rate: 18.8% (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: 4% (1995 est.) Electricity - capacity: 804,300 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 3.02 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 334 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber Exports: total value: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: metals 39%, natural gas 9%, soybeans 11%, jewelry 11%, wood 8% partners: US 26%, Argentina 17%, UK 15%, Peru 14% (1995) Imports: total value : $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: capital goods 48%, chemicals 11%, petroleum 5%, food 5% (1993 est.) partners: US 18%, Brazil 15%, Japan 13%, Argentina 8% (1995) Debt - external: $4.3 billion (November 1996) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $362 million (1993) Currency: 1 boliviano ($B) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: bolivianos ($B) per US$1 - 5.1720 (November 1996), 4.8003 (1995), 4.6205 (1994), 4.2651 (1993), 3.9005 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Bolivia: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.) @Bolivia: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: 55,487 km paved: 2,663 km (including 27 km of expressways) unpaved : 52,824 km (1995 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 and harbors: 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 (1996 est.) Airports: 941 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 693 over 3,047 m : 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 683 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 248 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 68 914 to 1,523 m: 178 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana), National Police Force (Policia Nacional de Bolivia) Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 1,811,952 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,178,259 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 80,606 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $145 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.9% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 Illicit drugs: world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Peru and Colombia) with an estimated 48,100 hectares under cultivation in 1996, a one percent decrease in overall cultivation of coca over 1995 levels; Bolivia, however, is the second-largest producer of coca leaf; even so, voluntary and forced eradication programs resulted in leaf production dropping from 85,000 metric tons in 1995 to 75,100 tons in 1996; 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 ______________________________________________________________________ BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Introduction Current issues: 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. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission is to deter renewed hostilities. SFOR will remain in place until June 1998. 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. The Federation, formed by the Muslims and Croats in March 1994, is one of two entities (the other being the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska) that comprise Bosnia and Herzegovina. @Bosnia and Herzegovina: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: 51,233 sq km land: 51,233 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 14% permanent crops : 5% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 39% other: 22% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent and destructive earthquakes 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 the 1992-95 civil strife Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Muslim-Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and a Serb Republic, The Republika Srpska [RS] (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority @Bosnia and Herzegovina:People Population: 3,222,584 (July 1997 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: 18% (male 301,637; female 284,694) 15-64 years: 70% (male 1,123,477; female 1,140,604) 65 years and over: 12% (male 145,711; female 226,461) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 5.09% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 8.29 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 13.88 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 56.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 37 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.42 years male : 54.58 years female: 64.59 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.09 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian Ethnic groups: Serb 40%, Muslim 38%, Croat 22% (est.) Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10% Languages: Serbo-Croatian (often called Bosnian) 99% Literacy: NA @Bosnia and Herzegovina:Government Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina local long form : none local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina Data code: BK Government type: emerging democracy National capital: Sarajevo Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative divisions approved by the US Government, but it has been reported that the Muslim/Croat Federation is comprised of 10 cantons called by either number or name - Goradzde (5), Livno (10), Middle Bosnia (6), Neretva (7), Posavina (2), Sarajevo (9), Tuzla Podrinje (3), Una Sana (1), West Herzegovina (8), Zenica Doboj (4) Independence: NA April 1992 (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Republika Srpska - "Republic Day", 9 January; Independence Day, 1 March; Bosnia - "Republic Day", 25 November Constitution: the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995, included a new constitution now in force Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal Executive branch: chief of state : Chairman of the Presidency Alija IZETBEGOVIC (since 14 September 1996); other members of the three-member rotating presidency: Kresimir ZUBAK (since 14 September 1996 - Croat) and Momcilo KRAJISNIK (since 14 September 1996 - Serb) head of government: Cochairman of the Council of Ministers Haris SILAJDZIC (since NA January 1997); Cochairman of the Council of Ministers Boro BOSIC (since NA January 1997) NA cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairmen note: president of the Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Vladimir SOLJIC (since March 1997); president of the Republika Srpska: Biljana PLAVSIC (since September 1996) elections: the three presidency members (one each Muslim, Croat, Serb) are elected by direct election (first election for a two-year term, thereafter for a four-year term); the president with the most votes becomes the chairman; election last held 14 September 1996 (next to be held September 1998); the cochairmen are nominated by the presidency election results: Alija IZETBEGOVIC elected chairman of the collective presidency with the highest number of votes; percent of vote - Alija IZETBEGOVIC received 80% of the Muslim vote to Haris SILAJDZIC's 14%; Kresimir ZUBAK received 88% of the Croat vote to Ivo KOMSIC's 11%; Momcilo KRAJISNIK received 68% of the Serb vote to Mladen IVANIC's 30% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the National House of Representatives or Vijece Opcina (42 seats - 14 Serb, 14 Croat, and 14 Muslim; members serve NA-year terms) and the House of Peoples or Vijece Gradanstvo (15 seats - 5 Muslim, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members serve NA-year terms) elections: National House of Representatives - elections last held 14 September 1996 (next to be held NA); note - the House of Peoples are elected by the Muslim-Croat Federation's 140-seat House of Representatives (two-thirds) and the Bosnian Serb Republic's 83-seat National Assembly (one-third) election results: National House of Representatives: two-thirds chosen from the Muslim-Croat Federation: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SDA 16, HDZ-BiH 7, Joint List of Social Democrats 3, Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2; one-third chosen from the Bosnian Serb Republic: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SDS 9, SDA 3, Democratic Patriotic Front/Union for Peace and Progress 2 note: the Muslim-Croat Federation has a House of Representatives with 140 seats: seats by party - SDA 80, HDZ-BiH 33, Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina 11, Joint List of Social Democrats 10, other 6; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly with 83 seats: seats by party - SDS 50, Democratic Patriotic Front/Union for Peace and Progress 10, Serb Radical Party 7, SDA 6, other 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Party of Democratic Action or SDA [Alija IZETBEGOVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union of BiH or HDZ-BiH [Bozo RAJIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Alexander BUHA, acting president]; Party for Bosnia [Haris SILAJDZIC]; Joint List of Social Democrats; Democratic Patriotic Front/Union for Peace and Progress; Civic Democratic Party or GDS [Ibrahim SPAHIC]; Croatian Peasants' Party of BiH or HSS [Stanko STISKOVIC]; Independent Serbian Democratic Party or NSDS [Milorad DODIK]; Liberal Bosniak Organization or LBO [Muhamed FILIPOVIC]; Liberal Party or LS [Rasim KADIC, president]; Muslim-Bosniac Organization or MBO [Adil ZULFIKARPASIC]; Republican Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina [Stjepan KLJUIC]; Serb Civic Council or SGV [Mirko PEJANOVIC]; Serb Consultative Council [Ljubomir BERBEROVIC]; Social Democratic Party or SDP (formerly the Democratic Party of Socialists or DSS) [Zlatko LAGUMOZIJA, president]; Socialist Party of Republika Srpska [Zivko RADISIC]; Union of Social Democrats or SSDB [Selim BESLAGIC]; United Left of the Bosnian Serb Republic or ULRS [Mile IVOSEVIC]; Yugoslav United Left or JUL [CAREVIC]; Social Liberal Party [Miodrag ZIVANOVIC]; Serb Radical Party [Miodrag RAKIC]; Serb Patriotic Party [Slavko ZUPLJANIN]; Serb Homeland Party; Party of Serbian Unity; Republik Srpska Independent Social Democrats [Branko DOKIC, president]; Serb Party of Posavina and Krajina [Predrag LAZAREVIC]; National Democratic Union [Fikret ABDIC] note : 82 parties are registered for the September 1997 municipal elections Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE (guest), CEI, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), OIC (observer), OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert BEECROFT embassy: 43 Ul. Djure Djakovica, Sarajevo mailing address: American Embassy Sarajevo, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7130 telephone: [387] (71) 445-700 FAX: [387] (71) 659-722 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 Government - note: Until declaring independence in spring 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina existed as a republic in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Bosnia was partitioned by fighting during 1992-95 and governed by competing ethnic factions. Bosnia's current governing structures were created by the Dayton Accords, the 1995 peace agreement which was officially signed in Paris on 14 December 1995 by Bosnian President IZETBEGOVIC, Croatian President TUDJMAN, and Serbian President MILOSEVIC. This agreement retained Bosnia's exterior border and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government - based on proportional representation similar to that which existed in the former socialist regime - is charged with conducting foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. The Dayton Accords also recognized a second tier of government, comprised of two entities - a joint Muslim-Croat Federation and the Bosnian Serb Republika Srpska (RS) - each presiding over roughly one-half the territory. These Federation and RS governments are charged with overseeing internal functions. As mandated by the Dayton Accords, the Bosnians on 14 September 1996 participated in the first post-war elections of national, entity, and cantonal leaders. The Bosnians have been slow to form and install new joint institutions. A new Federation cabinet was sworn in 18 December 1996 and the new Bosnian central government cabinet was confirmed on 3 January 1997. Economy Economy - 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 by perhaps 90% since 1990, unemployment to soar, and human misery to multiply. No reliable economic statistics for 1992-96 are available, although output almost certainly is well below $1,000 per head. In the Federation, unemployment remains in the 40%-50% range and inflation is low. By contrast, growth in the Republika Srpska in 1996 was flat and inflation surpassed 30%. The country receives substantial amounts of humanitarian aid from the international community. Wide regional differences in war damage and access to the outside world have resulted in substantial variations in living conditions among local areas. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.9 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: total: 1,026,254 by occupation: NA% Unemployment rate: officially about 70% but probably much lower, perhaps 40%-50% (1996 est.) 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: 3.991 million kW (1991) Electricity - production: 1.87 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 475 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock Exports: total value: $152 million (1995 est.) commodities: NA partners: NA Imports: total value : $1.1 billion (1995 est.) commodities: NA partners: NA Debt - external: $3.5 billion (yearend 1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $600 million (1996 est.) Currency: 1 dinar = 100 para; Croatian kuna used in Croat-held area; old and new Serbian dinars used in Serb-held area; the deutsche mark (DM) has supplanted local currencies throughout Bosnia Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year @Bosnia and Herzegovina: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 @Bosnia and Herzegovina:Transportation Railways: total: 1,021 km (electrified 795 km; operating as diesel or steam until grids are repaired) standard gauge: 1,021 km 1.435-m gauge (1995); note - some segments need repair and/or reconstruction Highways: total : 21,168 km paved: 11,436 km unpaved: 9,732 km (1991 est.) note: roads need maintenance and repair Waterways: NA km; Sava blocked by downed bridges Pipelines: crude oil 174 km; natural gas 90 km (1992); note - pipelines now disrupted Ports and harbors: Bosanski Brod (access to Ploce, Croatia) Merchant marine: none Airports: 24 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m : 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 865,763 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 696,202 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 23,771 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: disputes with Serbia over Serbian populated areas Illicit drugs: transit point for minor regional marijuana trafficking routes ______________________________________________________________________ BOTSWANA @Botswana:Geography Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 24 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 600,370 sq km land: 585,370 sq km water: 15,000 sq km Area - comparative: 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) Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Terrain: predominately flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest Elevation extremes: 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 : 1% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 47% other: 6% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility Environment - current issues: overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country @Botswana:People Population: 1,500,765 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% (male 319,920; female 312,104) 15-64 years: 54% (male 384,533; female 428,157) 65 years and over : 4% (male 21,949; female 34,102) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.48% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 32.65 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.9 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 54.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.52 years male: 43.52 years female: 45.55 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.14 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Ethnic groups: Batswana 95%, Kalanga, Basarwa, and Kgalagadi 4%, white 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50% Languages: English (official), Setswana Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 69.8% male: 80.5% female: 59.9% (1995 est.) @Botswana:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana former : Bechuanaland Data code: BC Government type: parliamentary republic National 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 : President Sir Ketumile MASIRE (since 13 July 1980); Vice President Festus MOGAE (since 9 March 1992); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Sir Ketumile MASIRE (since 13 July 1980); Vice President Festus MOGAE (since 9 March 1992); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections : president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 15 October 1994 (next to be held NA October 1999); vice president appointed by the president election results: Sir Ketumile MASIRE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (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) and the National Assembly (44 seats, 40 members are directly elected by popular vote and 4 appointed by the majority party; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - elections last held 15 October 1994 (next to be held October 1999) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - BDP 27, BNF 13 Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Sir Ketumile MASIRE]; Botswana Freedom Party or BFP [leader NA]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Kenneth KOMA]; Botswana People's Party or BPP [Knight MARIPE]; Independence Freedom Party or IFP [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, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Archibald Mooketsa MOGWE chancery: Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990, 4991 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Robert C. KRUEGER (14 June 1996) embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 353982 FAX: [267] 356947 Flag description: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center Economy Economy - overview: Agriculture still provides a livelihood for more than 80% of the population but supplies only about 50% of food needs and accounts for only 4% of GDP. Subsistence farming and cattle raising predominate. The sector is plagued by erratic rainfall and poor soils. Substantial mineral deposits were found in the 1970s and the mining sector grew from 25% of GDP in 1980 to 33% in 1995. The unemployment rate remains a problem at 21%. On the plus side is the substantial positive trade balance. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.6 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,100 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 43% services : 53% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 9.8% (1996 est.) Labor force: total : 428,000 (1992) by occupation: 220,000 formal sector employees, including 14,300 who 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 : $1.8 billion expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $613 million (FY95/96) Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (FY92/93) Electricity - capacity: 197,000 kW (1993) Electricity - production: 950 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 747 kWh (1993 est.) Agriculture - products: sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts (peanuts), beans, cowpeas, sunflower seed; livestock Exports: total value: $2.1 billion (f.o.b. 1995 est.) commodities: diamonds 71%, copper and nickel 5%, meat 3% partners: Europe 81%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 14%, Zimbabwe 3% Imports: total value: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, vehicles and transport equipment, textiles, petroleum products partners: Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 78%, Europe 8%, Zimbabwe 6% Debt - external: $691 million (1994) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $189 million (1993) Currency: 1 pula (P) = 100 thebe Exchange rates: pula (P) per US$1 - 3.6417 (January 1997), 3.3014 (1996), 2.7716 (1995), 2.6831 (1994), 2.4190 (1993), 2.1327 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Botswana: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.) @Botswana:Transportation Railways: total: 971 km narrow gauge: 971 km 1.067-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 11,800 km paved : 1,676 km unpaved: 10,124 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 80 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 34 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 9 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 22 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 46 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m : 43 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Botswana Defense Force (includes Army and Air Wing), Botswana National Police Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 343,929 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 180,692 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 17,632 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $199 million (FY93/94) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.2% (FY93/94) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: quadripoint with Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 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 ______________________________________________________________________ BOUVET ISLAND (territory of Norway) @Bouvet Island: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: 58 sq km land : 58 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29.6 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 4 nm Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 meters; coast is mostly inaccessible Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 780 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all ice) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: covered by glacial ice @Bouvet Island:People Population: uninhabited @Bouvet Island:Government Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Bouvet Island Data code: BV Dependency status: territory of Norway Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Economy Economy - overview: no economic activity; declared a nature reserve @Bouvet Island:Communications Communications - note: automatic meteorological station @Bouvet Island:Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ BRAZIL @Brazil:Geography Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 55 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 8,511,965 sq km land : 8,456,510 sq km water: 55,455 sq km note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US 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 Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt Elevation extremes: 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 : 5% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 22% forests and woodland: 58% other : 14% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 28,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south 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 Environment - 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, Tropical Timber 94 Geography - note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador @Brazil:People Population: 164,511,366 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 25,018,597; female 24,164,894) 15-64 years: 65% (male 53,217,683; female 54,215,461) 65 years and over : 5% (male 3,181,539; female 4,713,192) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.1% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 20.43 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 9.42 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 53.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 61.42 years male: 56.78 years female: 66.3 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian Ethnic groups: white (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish) 55%, mixed white and black 38%, black 6%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1% Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 70% Languages: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.3% male: 83.3% female : 83.2% (1995 est.) @Brazil:Government Country name: 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 Government type: federal republic National 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 : President Fernando Henrique CARDOSO (since 1 January 1995); Vice President Marco MACIEL (since 1 January 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Fernando Henrique CARDOSO (since 1 January 1995); Vice President Marco MACIEL (since 1 January 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 October 1994 (next to be held NA October 1998) election results: Fernando Henrique CARDOSO elected president; percent of vote - 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 Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; three members from each state or federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a four year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year period ) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Federal Senate - last held 3 October 1994 for two-thirds of Senate (next to be held October 1998 for one-third of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 3 October 1994 (next to be held October 1998) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - PMBD 28%, PFL 22%, PSDB 12%, PPR 7%, PDT 7%, PT 6%, PTB 6%, other 12%; seats by party - NA; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PMDB 21%, PFL 18%, PDT 7%, PSDB 12%, PPR 10%, PTB 6%, PT 10%, other 16%; seats by party - NA note: party totals since the fall of 1994 have changed considerably due to extensive party-switching Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal, judges are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate Political parties and leaders: Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Paes DE ANDRADE, president]; Liberal Front Party or PFL [Jose JORGE, president]; Workers' Party or PT [Jose DIRCEU, president]; Brazilian Workers' Party or PTB [Rodrigues PALMA, president]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Leonel BRIZOLA, president]; Brazilian Progressive Party or PPB [Espiridiao AMIN, president]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Artur DA TAVOLA, president]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Roberto FREIRE, president]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Joao AMAZONAS, chairman]; Liberal Party or PL [Alvaro VALLE, president]; Progressive Reform Party or PPR [Esperido AMIN, president] Political pressure groups and leaders: 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), BIS (pending member), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MTCR, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paulo Tarso FLECHA de LIMA chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general : Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: 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): Recife 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) Economy Economy - overview: Possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. Prior to the institution of a stabilization plan - the Plano Real (Real Plan) - in mid-1994, stratospheric inflation rates had disrupted economic activity and discouraged foreign investment. Since then, tight monetary policy has brought inflation under control - consumer prices increased by only 10% in 1996 compared to more than 1,000% in 1994. At the same time, GDP growth slowed from 5.7% in 1994 to 2.9% in 1996 due to tighter credit. The steadily appreciating currency has also encouraged imports, contributing to a growing trade deficit, and depressed export growth. Brazil's more stable economy allowed it to weather the fallout in 1995 from the Mexican peso crisis relatively well, and record levels of foreign investment have since flowed in, helping to swell official foreign exchange reserves to $60 billion in 1996; stock markets reflected this increased investor confidence, gaining 53% in dollar terms. President CARDOSO remains committed to further reducing inflation in 1997 and putting Brazil on track for expanded economic growth, but he faces several key challenges. Fiscal reforms requiring constitutional amendments are stalled in the Brazilian legislature; in their absence, the government is continuing to run deficits and has limited room to relax its interest and exchange rate policies much if it wants to keep inflation under control. High interest rates have made servicing domestic debt dramatically more burdensome for both public and private sector entities, contributing to federal and state budget problems and a surge in bankruptcies. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.022 trillion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,300 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 38% services: 49% (1995) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10% (1996) Labor force: total: 57 million (1989 est.) by occupation: services 42%, agriculture 31%, industry 27% Unemployment rate: 5.2% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $86 billion expenditures: $90 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995) 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: 59.036 million kW (1995) Electricity - production: 268.874 billion kWh (1995) note: imports some electricity from Paraguay Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,572 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef Exports: total value: $47.7 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: iron ore, soybean bran, orange juice, footwear, coffee, motor vehicle parts partners: EU 26%, Latin America 22%, US 23%, Argentina 11% (1995) Imports: total value: $53.3 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: crude oil, capital goods, chemical products, foodstuffs, coal partners : EU 26%, US 24%, Argentina 11%, Japan 5% (1995) Debt - external: $176 billion (December 1996) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $107 million (1993) Currency: 1 real (R$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: R$ per US$1 - 1.043 (January 1997), 1.005 (1996), 0.918 (1995), 0.639 (1994); CR$ per US$1 - 390.845 (January 1994), 88.449 (1993), 4.513 (1992) note: on 1 August 1993 the cruzeiro real (CR$), equal to 1,000 cruzeiros, was introduced; another new currency, the real (R$) was introduced on 1 July 1994, equal to 2,750 cruzeiro reais Fiscal year: calendar year @Brazil: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.) @Brazil: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: 1.939 million km paved: 178,388 km unpaved: 1,760,612 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 50,000 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 2,000 km; petroleum products 3,804 km; natural gas 1,095 km Ports and harbors: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos, Vitoria Merchant marine: total : 193 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,475,748 GRT/7,175,061 DWT ships by type: bulk 42, cargo 26, chemical tanker 10, combination ore/oil 11, container 13, liquefied gas tanker 11, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 62, passenger-cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11 note: Brazil owns 16 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,270,275 DWT that operate under Bahamian, Liberian, Panamanian, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines registry (1996 est.) Airports: 2,871 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1,658 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m : 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 125 914 to 1,523 m: 304 under 914 m: 1,205 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 1,213 1,524 to 2,437 m: 67 914 to 1,523 m: 1,146 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes Marines), Brazilian Air Force, Federal Police (paramilitary) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 45,876,084 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 30,843,947 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 1,756,732 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $6.736 billion (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: short section of the boundary with Paraguay, just west of Salto das Sete Quedas (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has not been precisely delimited; 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 Illicit drugs: limited illicit producer of cannabis, minor coca cultivation in the Amazon region, mostly used 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 ______________________________________________________________________ BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY Territory] (dependent territory of the UK) @British Indian Ocean Territory: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: 60 sq km land : 60 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 698 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: flat and low (up to four meters in elevation) Elevation extremes: lowest point : Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m Natural resources: coconuts, fish Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures : NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 100% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - 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 @British Indian Ocean Territory: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 @British Indian Ocean Territory:Government Country name: conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form : none abbreviation: BIOT Data code: IO Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London National capital: none Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner David Ross MACLENNAN (since NA 1994); Administrator Don CAIRNS (since NA); note - both reside in the UK cabinet: NA elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; commissioner and administrator appointed by the queen Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) 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 Economy Economy - 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 - capacity: NA kW note : electricity supplied by the US military Electricity - production: NA kWh note: electricity supplied by the US military Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh @British Indian Ocean Territory: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 @British Indian Ocean Territory: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 and harbors: Diego Garcia Airports: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes - international: the island of Diego Garcia is claimed by Mauritius ______________________________________________________________________ BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (dependent territory of the UK) @British Virgin Islands: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: 150 sq km land: 150 sq km water: 0 sq km note : includes the island of Anegada Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea : 3 nm Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 7% permanent pastures: 33% forests and woodland: 7% other : 33% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchment) Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico @British Virgin Islands:People Population: 13,368 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years : NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.32% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 20.13 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.03 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: NA male(s)/female Infant mortality rate: 18.99 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.83 years male: 70.99 years female: 74.8 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 97.8% (1991 est.) male: NA% female: NA% @British Virgin Islands:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI Data code: VI Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK Government type: NA National 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 UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor David MACKILLIGIN (since NA June 1995) head of government : Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May 1995; appointed after the death of former Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; chief minister appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of 9 electoral districts, 4 at large members; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 February 1995 (next to be held NA February 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VIP 6, CCM 2, UP 2, independents 3 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court Political parties and leaders: United Party or UP [Conrad MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]; Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [E. Walwyln BREWLEY]; Independent People's Movement or IPM [Omar HODGE and Allen O'NEAL] International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) 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) Economy Economy - 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 - $135 million (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,200 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 14% services: 83% (1989) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.5% (1990 est.) Labor force: total: 4,911 (1980) by occupation: tourism NA% Unemployment rate: 3% (1995) 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: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish Exports: total value: $3.4 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities : rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Imports: total value: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Debt - external: $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 @British Virgin Islands:Communications Telephones: 6,291 (1990 est.) Telephone system: worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: submarine cable to Bermuda Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1995) Radios: 9,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.) @British Virgin Islands:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 113 km (1995 est.) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: Road Town Merchant marine: none (1995 est.) Airports: 3 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m : 1 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ BRUNEI @Brunei: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: 5,770 sq km land : 5,270 sq km water: 500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 1% forests and woodland: 85% other: 12% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are very rare Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to : Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - 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 @Brunei:People Population: 307,616 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 52,239; female 50,025) 15-64 years: 63% (male 101,326; female 90,941) 65 years and over: 4% (male 7,207; female 5,878) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.5% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 25.2 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.13 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 4.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 23.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.54 years male: 70 years female: 73.16 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.37 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian Ethnic groups: 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: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.2% male: 92.6% female: 83.4% (1995 est.) @Brunei:Government Country name: conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei Data code: BX Government type: constitutional sultanate National 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: Sultan and Prime Minister His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji HASSANAL Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah (since 5 October 1967); note - the sultan is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji HASSANAL Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah (since 5 October 1967); note - the sultan is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the sultan; deals with executive matters note: there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the sultan) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the sultan) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the sultan) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the sultan is a traditional Islamic monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Masyuarat Megeri (a privy council that serves only in a consultative capacity; NA seats; members appointed by the sultan) elections: last held in March 1962 note: 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 three-year terms Political parties and leaders: Brunei United National Party (inactive), Anak HASANUDDIN, chairman; Brunei National Solidarity Party (the first legal political party and now banned), Mohamad HATTA bin Maji Zainal Abidin, secretary general; Brunei Peoples Party (banned), Sheik A. M. AZAHARI, leader; Brunei National Democratic Party or BNDP (deregistered), Haji Abdul LATIF bin Abdul Hamad, president International organization participation: APEC, ASEAN, C, CCC, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Pengiran Anak Dato Haji PUTEH chancery: Watergate, Suite 300, 3rd floor, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 342-0159 FAX: [1] (202) 342-0158 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Glen Robert RASE 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 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 Economy Economy - overview: This small, wealthy 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 perhaps half of GDP. Per capita GDP is among the highest in the Third World, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes food and housing. The government is beginning to show progress on its basic policy of diversifying the economy away from oil and gas. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.6 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $15,800 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 3% industry: 46% services: 51% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.5% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 119,000 (1993 est.); note - includes members of the Army by occupation: government 48%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4%, other 6% (1986 est.) note : 33% of labor force is foreign (1988) Unemployment rate: 4.8% (1994 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion expenditures : $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $768 million (1995 est.) Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1995 est.) Electricity - capacity: 344,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 1.24 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 4,003 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, cassava (tapioca), bananas; water buffalo, pigs Exports: total value : $2.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: crude oil, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products partners: Japan 50%, UK 19%, Thailand 10%, Singapore 9% (1994 est.) Imports: total value: $2 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities : machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals partners: Singapore 29%, UK 19%, US 13%, Malaysia 9%, Japan 5% (1994 est.) Debt - external: $0 Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 Bruneian dollar (B$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (B$) per US$1 - 1.4061 (January 1997), 1.4100 (1996), 1.4174 (1995), 1.5274 (1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992); note - the Bruneian dollar is at par with the Singapore dollar Fiscal year: calendar year @Brunei: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.) @Brunei:Transportation Railways: total: 13 km (private line) narrow gauge: 13 km 0.610-m gauge Highways: total: 1,120 km paved: 388 km unpaved : 732 km (1995) 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 and harbors: 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 (1996 est.) Airports: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.) Heliports: 3 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 85,327 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 49,466 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 3,014 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $312 million (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 6.2% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 ______________________________________________________________________ BULGARIA @Bulgaria: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 : 110,910 sq km land: 110,550 sq km water: 360 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast Elevation extremes: 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: 37% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 16% forests and woodland: 35% other: 10% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 12,370 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes, landslides 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 Environment - 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, Law of the Sea, 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 Geography - note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia @Bulgaria:People Population: 8,290,988 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 720,499; female 685,258) 15-64 years: 67% (male 2,769,288; female 2,823,431) 65 years and over: 16% (male 558,028; female 734,484) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: -0.63% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 8.05 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 13.38 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.65 years male: 68.06 years female: 75.44 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.14 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 99% female: 97% (1992 est.) @Bulgaria:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria Data code: BU Government type: emerging democracy National 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 Petar STOYANOV (since 22 January 1997); Vice President Todor KAVALDZHIEV (since 22 January 1997) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) Ivan Kostov (since 19 May 1997); Deputy Prime Ministers Aleksandur BOZHKOV (since 12 February 1997 Evgeniy BAKURDZHIEV (since 21 May 1997), Veselin METODIEV (since 21 May 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 October and 3 November 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) appointed by the president election results: Petar STOYANOV elected president; percent of vote - Petar STOYANOV 59.73% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie (240 seats; members are popularly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 April 1997 (next to be held NA 2001) election results : percent of vote by party - UDF 52%, BSP 22%, ANS 7%, Euro-left 5.5%, BBB 4.95%; seats by party - UDF 137, BSP 58, ANS 19, Euro-left 14, BBB 12 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 or BSP [Georgi PURVANOV, chairman]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF (an alliance of pro-Democratic parties) [Ivan KOSTOV]; Euro-left [Alexander TOMOV]; Alliance for National Salvation or ANS (coalition led mainly by Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]); Bulgarian Business Bloc or BBB [George GANCHEV] Political pressure groups and leaders: Democratic Alliance for the Republic or DAR; New Union for Democracy or NUD; Ecoglasnost; Podkrepa Labor Confederation; Fatherland Union; Bulgarian Communist Party or BCP; Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or KNSB; Bulgarian Agrarian National Union - United or BZNS; Bulgarian Democratic Center; "Nikola Petkov" Bulgarian Agrarian National Union; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Union of Macedonian Societies or IMRO-UMS; numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMOT, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the 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 consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Avis T. BOHLEN (22 July 1996) embassy : 1 Saborna Street, Sofia mailing address: Embassy Sofia, Department of State, Washington, DC 50521-5740 telephone: [359] (2) 980-52-41 through 48 FAX: [359] (2) 981-89-77 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) Economy Economy - overview: One of the poorest countries of central Europe, Bulgaria has slowly continued the process of moving from its old command economy towards a market-oriented economy. Slow advancement on economic reforms pitched the economy into crisis in 1996, marked by a banking system in turmoil, a depreciating currency, inflation of 311% and contracting production and foreign trade. Foreign exchange reserves dwindled to extremely low levels ($518 million), while dramatically hiked interest rates added to the domestic debt burden and stifled growth. GDP fell by 10% in 1996, after experiencing 2.6% growth in 1995. Privatization of state-owned industries stagnated, although the first auction of a mass privatization program was undertaken in late 1996. Lagging progress on structural reforms led to postponement of IMF disbursements under a $580 million standby loan agreed to in July. In November 1996, the IMF proposed a currency board as Bulgaria's best chance to restore confidence in the lev, eliminate discretionary spending, and avoid hyperinflation. The government has pledged to sell some of the country's most attractive state assets to the highest foreign bidders in 1997. The Bulgarian economy is projected to have another year of negative growth (minus 5%), and inflation near 700% in 1997, assuming introduction of a currency board in July of 1997. GDP: purchasing power parity - $39.9 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -10% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,630 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12.6% industry: 35.7% services: 51.7% (1994) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 311% (1996) Labor force: total: 3.57 million (1996 est.) by occupation : industry 41%, agriculture 18%, other 41% (1992) Unemployment rate: 12.5% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $3 billion expenditures : $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.) Industries: machine building and metal working, food processing, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, ferrous and nonferrous metals Industrial production growth rate: -6.5% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 12.09 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 36.07 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 4,491 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: grain, oilseed, vegetables, fruits, tobacco; livestock Exports: total value: $4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) 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% (1995) partners: OECD 50.0% (EU 37.2%); CIS and Central and Eastern Europe 32.4%; Arab countries 5.8%; other 11.8% (1995) Imports: total value: $4.1 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) 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% (1995) partners : OECD 45.5% (EU 38.1%); CIS and Central and Eastern European countries 41.1%; Arab countries 1.8%; other 11.6% (1995) Debt - external: $9.3 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: NA Currency: 1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki Exchange rates: leva (Lv) per US$1 - 483.4 (1996), 70.7 (1995), 54.2 (1994), 27.1 (1993), 23.3 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Bulgaria: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.) @Bulgaria:Transportation Railways: total : 4,292 km standard gauge: 4,047 km 1.435-m gauge (2,650 km electrified; 917 double track) other gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 36,777 km paved: 33,798 km (including 314 km of expressways) unpaved : 2,979 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 470 km (1987) Pipelines: crude oil 193 km; petroleum products 525 km; natural gas 1,400 km (1992) Ports and harbors: Burgas, Lom, Nesebur, Ruse, Varna, Vidin Merchant marine: total: 99 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,063,367 GRT/1,596,438 DWT ships by type: bulk 45, cargo 25, chemical tanker 4, container 2, oil tanker 12, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 1 note : Bulgaria owns an additional 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 151,855 DWT operating under the registries of Liberia and Malta (1996 est.) Airports: 355 (1994 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 116 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 under 914 m: 88 (1994 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 239 2,438 to 3,047 m : 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 226 (1994 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Troops, Internal Troops Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,052,731 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,711,729 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 62,908 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $418.6 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.0% to 2.5% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; significant producer of amphetamines, much of which are consumed in the Middle East ______________________________________________________________________ BURKINA FASO @Burkina Faso:Geography Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 2 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 274,200 sq km land : 273,800 sq km water: 400 sq km Area - comparative: 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) Climate: tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast Elevation extremes: 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: 13% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 22% forests and woodland: 50% other : 15% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 200 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts Environment - current issues: recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified : Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: landlocked @Burkina Faso:People Population: 10,891,159 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 2,636,509; female 2,602,984) 15-64 years : 49% (male 2,515,266; female 2,799,542) 65 years and over: 3% (male 146,267; female 190,591) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.45% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 46.43 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 20.33 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 116.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 42.29 years male: 42.45 years female : 42.12 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.72 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe Ethnic groups: 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: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 19.2% male: 29.5% female: 9.2% (1995 est.) @Burkina Faso:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Burkina Faso former: Upper Volta Data code: UV Government type: parliamentary National capital: Ouagadougou Administrative divisions: 30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houe, 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) head of government: Prime Minister Kadre' De'sire' OUE'DRAOGO (since 6 February 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 1 December 1991 (next to be held NA 1998); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature election results: Blaise COMPAORE elected president with 90.4% percent of the votes of those who voted (the abstention rate was 74.7%) Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of People's Deputies or Assemblee des Deputes Populaires (111 seats; members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms) elections : last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 97, PDP 6, RDA 2, ADF 2; note - 4 contested seats are to be filled in special election on 19 June 1997 by order of the Supreme Court note: the current law also provides for a second consultative chamber, which has not been formally constituted Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Appeals Court Political parties and leaders: Organization for People's Democracy - Labor Movement or ODP-MT (ruling party at time of 1992 elections but was subsumed, with about a dozen smaller parties, into the powerful CDP in February 1996); African Democratic Assembly or RDA [Gerard Kango OUEDRAOGO]; Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF [Herman YAMEOGO]; Burkinabe Socialist Bloc or BSB [Earnest Nongma OUEDRAOGO, president]; Burkinabe Environmentalist Party or UVDB; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Din Salif SAWADAGO] (the strongest party in the 1997 legislative elections); Front for Social Forces or FFS [Fide'le KIENTEGA]; National Convention of Progressive Patriots-Social Democratic Party or CNPP-PSD [Moussa BOLY] (not prominent in 1997); Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Joseph KI-ZERBO]; Party for Progress and Social Development or PPDS; Party for African Independence or PAI Political pressure groups and leaders: 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 the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Gaetan R. OUEDRAOGO chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577, 6895 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sharon P. WILKINSON (16 July 1996) embassy: Avenue Raoul Follerau, Ouagadougou mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou telephone: [226] 306723 through 306725 FAX : [226] 303890 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 Economy Economy - overview: One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has a high population density and a high population growth rate, few natural resources, and a fragile soil. Over 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture which is highly vulnerable to variations in rainfall. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc currency devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies, and exports and economic growth have increased. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $740 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 25% services: 44% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 7.8% (1995) 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: 1% (1994) Electricity - capacity: 121,000 kW (1991) Electricity - production: 320 million kWh (1991) Electricity - consumption per capita: 28 kWh (1992 est.) Agriculture - products: peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock Exports: total value : $298 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: cotton, gold, animal products partners: Cote d'Ivoire, France, Italy, Thailand Imports: total value: $500 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities : machinery, food products, petroleum partners: Cote d'Ivoire, France, Togo, Nigeria Debt - external: $1.1 billion (December 1994 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) 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 @Burkina Faso: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.) @Burkina Faso:Transportation Railways: total: 622 km (517 km from Ouagadougou to the Cote d'Ivoire border and 105 km from Ouagadougou to Kaya) narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.) Highways: total: 12,506 km paved : 2,001 km unpaved: 10,505 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 22 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m : 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 8 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, People's Militia Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,219,544 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,137,882 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $104 million (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 6.4% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ BURMA @Burma: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 : 678,500 sq km land: 657,740 sq km water: 20,760 sq km Area - comparative: 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 1% forests and woodland: 49% other: 34% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 10,680 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes @Burma:People Population: 46,821,943 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37% (male 8,743,108; female 8,410,224) 15-64 years: 59% (male 13,878,541; female 13,859,783) 65 years and over : 4% (male 873,670; female 1,056,617) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.81% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 29.54 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 11.41 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 78.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.62 years male: 54.89 years female: 58.45 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.76 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Burmese (singular and plural) adjective: Burmese Ethnic groups: 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: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.1% male: 88.7% female: 77.7% (1995 est.) @Burma:Government Country name: 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 Government type: military regime National 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: Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992); note - the prime minister is both the chief of state and head of government head of government : Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992); note - the prime minister is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: State Law and Order Restoration Council; military junta which assumed power 18 September 1988 elections: none; the prime minister assumed power upon resignation of the former prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never convened election results: percent of vote by party - NLD 82%; seats by party - 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, proregime), THAN AUNG, general secretary; National Unity Party (NUP, proregime), THA KYAW; National League for Democracy (NLD), AUNG SAN SUU KYI, general secretary; and eight minor legal parties Political pressure groups and leaders: National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), headed by Dr. 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, ASEAN (observer), 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, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador TIN WINN chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9044, 9045 FAX : [1] (202) 332-9046 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Kent M. WIEDEMANN embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521) mailing address : Box B, APO AP 96546 telephone: [95] (1) 282055, 282182 (operator assistance required) FAX: [95] (1) 280409 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 Economy Economy - overview: Burma has a mixed economy with private activity dominant in agriculture, light industry, and transport, and with substantial state-controlled activity, mainly in energy, heavy industry, and the rice trade. Government policy in the last eight years, 1989-96, 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 - $51.5 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,120 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 63% industry: 9% services : 28% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 30%-40% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 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 $3 billion (1995 est.) Industries: agricultural processing; textiles and footwear; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer Industrial production growth rate: 8.9% (FY94/95 est.) Electricity - capacity: 1.21 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 3.37 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 73 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: paddy rice, corn, oilseed, sugarcane, pulses; hardwood Exports: total value: $1.1 billion (1996 est.) commodities: rice, pulses and beans, teak, rubber, hardwood partners: Singapore, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan Imports: total value : $2 billion (1996 est.) commodities: machinery, transport equipment, construction materials, food products, consumer goods partners: Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Malaysia, Thailand Debt - external: $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 - 6.0600 (1997), 5.9176 (1996), 5.6670 (1995), 5.9749 (1994), 6.1570 (1993), 6.1045 (1992); unofficial - 160-170 (1996) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Burma: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.) @Burma:Transportation Railways: total : 3,569 km narrow gauge: 3,569 km 1.000-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 27,600 km paved: 3,340 km unpaved : 24,260 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 12,800 km; 3,200 km navigable by large commercial vessels Pipelines: crude oil 1,343 km; natural gas 330 km Ports and harbors: Bassein, Bhamo, Chauk, Mandalay, Moulmein, Myitkyina, Rangoon, Akyab (Sittwe), Tavoy Merchant marine: total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 657,498 GRT/901,418 DWT ships by type : bulk 16, cargo 18, chemical tanker 5, container 2, oil tanker 5, passenger-cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 1, vehicle carrier 2 (1996 est.) Airports: 73 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 54 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m : 9 under 914 m: 28 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 16 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 12,037,009 females age 15-49: 11,846,381 (1997 est.) note: both sexes liable for military service Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 6,434,452 (1997 est.) females: 6,317,112 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 480,893 females: 462,314 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $135 million (FY95/96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: world's largest illicit producer of opium (2,560 metric tons in 1996 - a 9% increase over 1995) and a minor producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; surrender of drug warlord KHUN SA's Mong Tai Army in January 1996 was hailed by Rangoon as a major counternarcotics success, but lack of serious government commitment and resources continue to hinder the overall antidrug effort; growing role in the production of methamphetamines for regional consumption ______________________________________________________________________ BURUNDI Introduction Current issues: in a number of waves since October 1993, hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled the ethnic violence between the Hutu and Tutsi factions in Burundi and crossed into Rwanda, Tanzania, and Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire; since October 1996, an estimated 92,000 Burundi Hutus who fled to Zaire have been forced to return to Burundi by Tutsi rebel forces in Zaire, leaving an estimated 35,000 still dispersed there; in Burundi, the ethnic violence between the Hutus and the Tutsis continued in 1996, causing an estimated additional 150,000 Burundi Hutus to flee to Tanzania, thus raising their numbers in that country to about 250,000 @Burundi:Geography Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 3 30 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 27,830 sq km land: 25,650 sq km water: 2,180 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,760 m); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; wet seasons from February to May and September to November, and dry seasons from June to August and December to January Terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains Elevation extremes: 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: 44% permanent crops: 9% permanent pastures : 36% forests and woodland: 3% other : 8% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 140 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: flooding, landslides 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 Environment - international agreements: party to: Endangered Species signed, but not ratified : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed @Burundi:People Population: 6,052,614 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 1,425,071; female 1,418,957) 15-64 years : 50% (male 1,490,426; female 1,558,362) 65 years and over: 3% (male 63,225; female 96,573) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.11% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 42.33 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 15.12 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -6.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) 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: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 100.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49 years male: 47.91 years female : 50.12 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.48 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundi Ethnic groups: Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.3% male: 49.3% female: 22.5% (1995 est.) @Burundi:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local long form: Republika y'u Burundi local short form : Burundi Data code: BY Government type: republic National 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 Pierre BUYOYA (interim president since 27 September 1996) note - former President NTIBANTUNGANYA was overthrown in a coup on 25 July 1996 and has taken refuge in the US ambassador's residence in Bujumbura; former Major (retired) Pierre BUYOYA has not been recognized as president of Burundi by the US or most other governments head of government: Prime Minister Pascal-Firmin NDIMIRA (since 31 July 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by prime minister elections : NA Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (81 seats; members are popularly elected on a proportional basis to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%; seats by party - (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 or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Charles MUKASI, president]; Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI, president]; Organization of the People of Burundi or RPB [Sylvestre SINDAYIGAYA]; Socialist Party of Burundi or PSB; People's Reconciliation Party or PRP [Mathias HITIMANA, leader]; opposition parties, legalized in March 1992, include Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA, Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development or RADDES [Cyrille SIGEJEJE, chairman], and Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA, leader] Political pressure groups and leaders: 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 the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Severin NTAHOMVUKIYE chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Morris N. HUGHES, Jr. (27 June l996) embassy : Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura telephone : [257] (2) 23454 FAX: [257] (2) 22926 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) Economy Economy - 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 continued to fall in 1996; foods, medicines, and electricity are in extremely short supply. An impoverished and disorganized government can hardly implement the needed reform programs. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -3.7% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 56% industry: 18% services: 26% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 40% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 1.9 million by occupation: agriculture 93.0%, government 4.0%, industry and commerce 1.5%, services 1.5% (1983 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $222 million expenditures: $258 million, including capital expenditures of $92 million (1995 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 (1991) Electricity - production: 105 million kWh (1991) note: imports some electricity from Democratic Republic of the Congo Electricity - consumption per capita: 18 kWh (1991 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); meat, milk, hides Exports: total value: $117 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: coffee 81%, tea, cotton, hides partners : EU 60%, US 7%, Asia 1% Imports: total value: $234 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: capital goods 26%, petroleum products, foodstuffs, consumer goods partners: EU 47%, Asia 25%, US 6% Debt - external: $1.1 billion (1995 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), 249.76 (1995), 252.66 (1994), 242.78 (1993), 208.30 (1992), 181.51 (1991) Fiscal year: calendar year @Burundi: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.) @Burundi:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 14,480 km paved : 1,028 km unpaved: 13,452 km (1995 est.) Waterways: Lake Tanganyika Ports and harbors: Bujumbura Airports: 3 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army (includes naval and air units), paramilitary Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 16 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,346,737 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 700,914 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 70,013 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $25 million (1993) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.6% (1993) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ CAMBODIA @Cambodia: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: 181,040 sq km land: 176,520 sq km water: 4,520 sq km Area - comparative: 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 13% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 11% forests and woodland: 66% other : 10% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 920 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts 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 Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Marine Life Conservation, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Geography - note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap @Cambodia:People Population: 11,163,861 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,573,135; female 2,497,776) 15-64 years : 52% (male 2,668,089; female 3,084,009) 65 years and over: 3% (male 144,001; female 196,851) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.72% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 42.63 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 15.39 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 106 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.25 years male: 48.79 years female : 51.79 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.81 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% Religions: Theravada Buddhism 95%, other 5% Languages: Khmer (official), French Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 35% male: 48% female : 22% (1990 est.) @Cambodia:Government Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea local short form: Kampuchea Data code: CB Government type: multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993 National capital: Phnom Penh Administrative divisions: 22 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (krong, singular and plural); Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb*, Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Phnum Penh, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev 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) head of government: power shared between First Prime Minister Prince Norodom RANARIDDH (since NA 1993) and Second Prime Minister HUN SEN (since NA 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the king elections : none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime ministers appointed by the king Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 23 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FUNCINPEC 58, CPP 51, BLDP 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 (BLDP), SON SANN faction; Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party (BLDP), IENG MOULY faction; Democratic Kampuchea (DK, also known as the Khmer Rouge), KHIEU SAMPHAN; Movement Pour La Liberation Nationale Khmere (MOLINAKA), PROM NEAKAREACH; Khmer Nation Party (KNP), SAM RAINSY International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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) 426811 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 Economy Economy - 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 1991-96. 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 - $7.7 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $710 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 51% industry: 14% services: 35% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5% (1996 est.) Labor force: 2.5 million to 3 million by occupation : agriculture 80% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $261 million expenditures: $496 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.) Industries: rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 7.9% (1993 est.) Electricity - capacity: 100,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 180 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 17 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables Exports: total value: $464 million (1996 est.) commodities: timber, rubber, soybeans, sesame partners : Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia Imports: total value: $1.4 billion (1996 est.) commodities: cigarettes, construction materials, petroleum products, machinery, motor vehicles partners : Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia Debt - external: $1.9 billion (1994) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA note: international donors pledged a total of $1.8 billion in 1995 and 1996 Currency: 1 new riel (CR) = 100 sen Exchange rates: riels (CR) per US$1 - 2,723.0 (January 1997), 2,624.1 (1996), 2,450.8 (1995), 2,545.3 (1994), 2,689.0 (1993), 1,266.6 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Cambodia: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 5, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 5 Televisions: 70,000 (1993 est.) @Cambodia:Transportation Railways: total: 603 km narrow gauge: 603 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total : 35,769 km paved: 2,683 km unpaved : 33,086 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 3,700 km navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m; 282 km navigable to craft drawing 1.8 m Ports and harbors: Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville), Kampot, Krong Kaoh Kong, Phnom Penh Merchant marine: total: 27 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 187,652 GRT/256,929 DWT ships by type : bulk 4, cargo 20, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 14 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 7 (1996 est.) Heliports: 2 (1996 est.) Military Military 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) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,418,916 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,348,065 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 97,361 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $160 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 Illicit drugs: transshipment country for Golden Triangle heroin en route to West; possibly becoming money-laundering center; high-level narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving government, military, and police; possible small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine production; large producer of cannabis for the international market ______________________________________________________________________ CAMEROON @Cameroon:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria Geographic coordinates: 6 00 N, 12 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 475,440 sq km land: 469,440 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total : 4,591 km border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 50 nm 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 Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 78% other : 3% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 210 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: recent volcanic activity with release of poisonous gases Environment - current issues: water-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa @Cameroon:People Population: 14,677,510 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 3,387,450; female 3,356,237) 15-64 years: 51% (male 3,712,809; female 3,736,245) 65 years and over: 3% (male 219,975; female 264,894) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.86% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 42.22 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 13.64 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 77.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.27 years male: 51.22 years female: 53.35 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.93 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian Ethnic groups: 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: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.4% male: 75% female: 52.1% (1995 est.) @Cameroon:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon conventional short form: Cameroon former: French Cameroon Data code: CM Government type: unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990) National 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) head of government: Prime Minister Peter Mafany MUSONGA (since 19 September 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections : president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA October 1997); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 40%, SDF candidate John FRU NDI 36%, UNDP candidate Bello Bouba MAIGARI 19%; note - election held amid widespread allegations of fraud Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature) elections: last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDPM 109, SDF 43, UNDP 13, UDC 5, UPC-K 1, MDR 1, MLJC I; note - 7 contested seats will be filled in an election at a time to be set by the Supreme Court Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM (government-controlled and the only party until legalization of opposition parties in 1990) [Paul BIYA, president] major opposition parties: Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou NDAM NJOYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA, leader]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA, chairman]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI, leader]; Union of Cameroonian Populations or UPC [Ndeh NTUMAZAH, leader] Political pressure groups and leaders: Alliance for Change or FAC; Cameroon Anglophone Movement or CAM International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, C, 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, UNITAR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA chancery : 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 through 8794 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles H. TWINING embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde mailing address : B. P. 817, Yaounde; Pouch American Embassy DOS, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 23-40-14, 23-05-12 FAX: [237] 23-07-53 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 Economy Economy - overview: Because of its offshore oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed 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. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade and recapitalize the nation's banks. Political instability, following suspect elections in 1992, has limited the effectiveness of aid programs. Currently, Cameroon receives only minimal assistance from the IMF and the World Bank. Although the 50% devaluation of the currency of 12 January 1994 improved the potential for export growth, mismanagement remains and is the main barrier to economic improvement. The devaluation led to a spurt in inflation to 48% in 1994, but it moderated in 1995-96. Progress toward privatization of remaining state industry remains slow. GDP: purchasing power parity - $17.5 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,230 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29% industry: 25% services: 46% (1996 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 6% (FY96/97 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $2.23 billion expenditures: $2.23 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97 est.) Industries: petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 630,000 kW (1994) Electricity - production: 2.71 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 186 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber Exports: total value: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, aluminum, cocoa beans, coffee, cotton partners: EU (particularly France) about 50%, African countries Imports: total value : $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: machines and electrical equipment, food, consumer goods, transport equipment, petroleum products partners: EU (France 42%, Germany), African countries, US 4% Debt - external: $8.2 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (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 @Cameroon: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 @Cameroon:Transportation Railways: total: 1,104 km narrow gauge: 1,104 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.) Highways: total: 34,300 km paved : 4,288 km unpaved: 30,012 km (1995) Waterways: 2,090 km; of decreasing importance Ports and harbors: Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko Merchant marine: total: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,122 GRT/33,509 DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 44 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m : 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 12 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m : 15 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,211,508 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 1,623,228 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 156,208 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $102 million (FY93/94) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 ______________________________________________________________________ CANADA @Canada: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: 9,976,140 sq km land: 9,220,970 sq km water: 755,170 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than US Land boundaries: total: 8,893 km border countries: 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 Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast Elevation extremes: 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: 5% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 3% forests and woodland: 54% other: 38% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 7,100 sq km (1993 est.) 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 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 Environment - 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, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea Geography - 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 @Canada:People Population: 30,337,334 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 3,101,968; female 2,957,927) 15-64 years: 68% (male 10,333,085; female 10,201,996) 65 years and over: 12% (male 1,583,643; female 2,158,715) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.13% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 12.4 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 7.23 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 6.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.73 male(s)/female total population : 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.96 years male: 75.61 years female: 82.48 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian Ethnic groups: British Isles origin 40%, French origin 27%, other European 20%, Amerindian 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% (1986 est.) male : NA% female: NA% @Canada:Government Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Canada Data code: CA Government type: confederation with parliamentary democracy National 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* note: the Northwest Territories will be split in two as of April 1999; the eastern section will be renamed Nunavut, the west is as yet unnamed Independence: 1 July 1867 (from UK) National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867) Constitution: 17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of the government was set up in the British North America Act of 1867; 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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Romeo LeBLANC (since 8 February 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November 1993) cabinet : Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the queen on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons is automatically designated by the governor general to become prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (a body whose members are appointed to serve until reaching 75 years of age by the governor general and selected on the advice of the prime minister; its normal limit is 104 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (295 seats; note - number of seats will rise to 301 at the time of the next election; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Commons - last held 25 October 1993 (next to be held by 3 November 1998) election results: percent of votes by party - Liberal Party 41%, Reform Party 19%, Tories 16%, Bloc Quebecois 14%, New Democratic Party 7%, other 3%; seats by party - Liberal Party 177, Bloc Quebecois 53, Reform Party 52, New Democratic Party 9, Progressive Conservative Party 2, independents 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party [Jean CHRETIEN]; Bloc Quebecois [Michel GAUTHIER (until March 1997)]; 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), CE (observer), 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, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the 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, and San Jose Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy : 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa mailing address: P. O. Box 866, 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 description: three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band Economy Economy - 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 - especially in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces - 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 - $721 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 31% services : 66% (1996) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.4% (1996) Labor force: total: 15.1 million (1996) by occupation : services 74%, manufacturing 15%, agriculture 3%, construction 5%, other 3% (1994) Unemployment rate: 9.7% (December 1996) Budget: revenues: $94.3 billion expenditures: $115.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.7 billion (FY95/96 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: 1.3% (1996) Electricity - capacity: 113.65 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 547.9 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 16,137 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: 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 Exports: total value: $195.4 billion (f.o.b., 1996 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: total value: $169.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996 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 Debt - external: $253 billion (1996) Economic aid: donor: ODA, $1.6 billion (1995) 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 - 1.3486 (January 1997), 1.3635 (1996), 1.37241 (1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Canada: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.) @Canada: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: 1.021 million km paved: 358,371 km (including 19,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 662,629 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 3,000 km, including Saint Lawrence Seaway Pipelines: crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km Ports and harbors: 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: 60 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 557,941 GRT/775,391 DWT ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, oil tanker 15, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 8, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 2 note: does not include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakes (1996 est.) Airports: 1,139 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 816 over 3,047 m: 17 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m : 138 914 to 1,523 m: 229 under 914 m: 417 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 323 1,524 to 2,437 m: 55 914 to 1,523 m: 268 (1996 est.) Heliports: 17 (1996 est.) Military Military 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) Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 8,160,914 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 7,007,901 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 208,138 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $9 billion (FY95/96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (FY95/96) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island); Saint Pierre and Miquelon is 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 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 ______________________________________________________________________ CAPE VERDE @Cape Verde: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: 4,030 sq km land: 4,030 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point : Pico 2,829 m Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzuolana (a siliceous volcanic ash used to produce hydraulic cement), limestone, kaolin, fish Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 0% other: 83% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active 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 species of birds and reptiles; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - 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 @Cape Verde:People Population: 393,943 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 91,409; female 89,810) 15-64 years: 48% (male 87,868; female 100,948) 65 years and over: 6% (male 9,594; female 14,214) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.54% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 35.45 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -12.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 49.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 70.04 years male: 66.76 years female: 73.42 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.2 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.6% male: 81.4% female: 63.8% (1995 est.) @Cape Verde:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic National 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) head of government : Prime Minister Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho VEIGA (since 13 January 1991) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister from among the members of the People's National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18 February 1996 (next to be held NA February 2001); prime minister nominated by the People's National Assembly and appointed by the president election results: Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro elected president; percent of vote - Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (independent) 80.1% Legislative branch: unicameral People's National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 17 December 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results : percent of vote by party - MPD 59%, PAICV 28%, PCD 6%; seats by party - MPD 50, PAICV 21, PCD 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia Political parties and leaders: Movement for Democracy or MPD [Prime Minister Carlos VEIGA, founder and chairman]; African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES, chairman]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD; Social Democratic Party or PSD [leader NA] 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 the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Lawrence Neal BENEDICT (17 June 1996) embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 61 56 16 FAX : [238] 61 13 55 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 Economy Economy - 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 almost 70% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GNP is only 14%, 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 1997 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. GDP: purchasing power parity - $472 million (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.7% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 14% industry: 17% services: 69% (1992 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 7.8% (1995) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA % Budget: revenues: $253.7 million expenditures: $276 million (FY96/97 est.) Industries: fish processing, salt mining, garments, ship repair, food and beverages Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 17,000 kW Electricity - production: 15 million kWh (1991) Electricity - consumption per capita: 39 kWh (1991 est.) Agriculture - products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish Exports: total value: $10 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: fish, bananas, fuels, basic manufactures partners: Netherlands, Portugal 50%, Angola, Spain, Singapore, UK Imports: total value : $211.8 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels partners : Portugal 45%, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Brazil, France, Cote d'Ivoire Debt - external: $170 million (1994) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 84.770 (December 1996), 82.591 (1996), 76.853 (1995), 81.891 (1994), 80.427 (1993), 68.018 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Cape Verde: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.) @Cape Verde:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total : 1,100 km paved: 858 km unpaved: 242 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal Merchant marine: total: 3 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,032 GRT/5,966 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 6 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP; includes Army and Navy), Security Service Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 78,622 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 44,870 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.4 million (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________ CAYMAN ISLANDS (dependent territory of the UK) @Cayman Islands: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 : 260 sq km land: 260 sq km water : 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 8% forests and woodland: 23% other: 69% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November) Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources, drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchment Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America @Cayman Islands:People Population: 36,153 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 4.25% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 14.24 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population : NA male(s)/female Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s) adjective : Caymanian Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.) @Cayman Islands:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands Data code: CJ Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK Government type: NA National 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 UK (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council John OWEN (since 15 September 1995) cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly) elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; the governor is appointed by the queen Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, 3 official members and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - National Team coalition 9, independents 6 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 the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) 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 Economy Economy - overview: With no direct taxation, the Islands are a thriving offshore financial center; 28,000 foreign companies do business with the 600 registered banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. 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 and again in 1996. 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 - $860 million (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $23,800 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.5% (1995 est.) Labor force: total: 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: 71,000 kW (1994) Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: 7,487 kWh (1994 est.) Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming Exports: total value : $10 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods partners : mostly US Imports: total value: $329 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan Debt - external: $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 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Cayman Islands: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: 1 (1995) Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.) @Cayman Islands:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 406 km paved: 304 km unpaved : 102 km Ports and harbors: Cayman Brac, George Town Merchant marine: total: 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 736,004 GRT/1,153,058 DWT ships by type : bulk 5, cargo 10, chemical tanker 2, container 4, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, vehicle carrier 1 note : a flag of convenience registry; Greece owns 7 ships, US 7, UK 5, India 1, Japan 1, Norway 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 1, and United Arab Emirates 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 3 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: vulnerable to drug money-laundering and drug transshipment ______________________________________________________________________ CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Introduction Current issues: in 1996 the Central African Republic experienced three mutinies by dissident elements of the armed forces which demanded back pay as well as political and military reforms; continuing violence in 1997 between the government and rebel military and civilian groups over pay issues, living conditions, and lack of opposition party representation in the government has destroyed many businesses in the capital, reducing tax revenues and exacerbating the government's problems in meeting expenses @Central African Republic:Geography Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 622,980 sq km land: 622,980 sq km water : 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total : 5,203 km border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 5% forests and woodland: 75% other: 17% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa @Central African Republic:People Population: 3,342,051 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 738,623; female 731,163) 15-64 years : 52% (male 858,386; female 894,695) 65 years and over: 4% (male 54,848; female 64,336) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.01% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 39.52 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.94 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 110.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.24 years male: 44.4 years female : 46.12 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.35 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60% male: 68.5% female: 52.4% (1995 est.) @Central African Republic:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic; National 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) head of government: Prime Minister Michel GBEZERA-BRIA (since January 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections : president elected by popular vote for a 6-year term; election last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held October 1999); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ange PATASSE elected president; percent of vote - PATASSE 52.45%, Abel GOUMBA 45.62% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (85 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held October 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MLPC 34, RDC 13, PLD 7, FPP 7, ADP 6, PSD 3, CN 3, MDREC 1, PRC 1, FC 1, MESAN 1, independents supporting David DACKO 6, independents 2 note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional Council or Conseil Economique et Regional; when they sit together they are called the Congress or Congres Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme, judges appointed by the president; Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Tchapka BREDE]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Central African Republican Party or PRC; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Movement for the Renaissance and Evolution of Central Africa or MDREC [Joseph BENDOUNGA]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of the president, Ange Felix PATASSE]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; National Convention or CN [David GALIAMBO]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch Derant LAKOUE]; Social Evolution Movement of Black Africa or MESAN [Prosper LAVODRAMA and Joseph NGBANGADIBO] International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - 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 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for nearly 54%. 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. The 50% devaluation of the currencies of 14 Francophone African nations on 12 January 1994 had mixed effects on the CAR's economy. Diamond, timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased, leading an estimated rise of GDP of 7% in 1994 and nearly 5% in 1995. Inflation, however, remains a problem. Moreover, ongoing violence between the government and rebel military and civilian groups over pay issues, living conditions, and opposition party political representation has destroyed many businesses in the capital, reducing tax revenues for the government, and delaying negotiations for an IMF financial aid agreement. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.8% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 50% industry: 14% services: 36% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 19.4% (1995) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $638 million expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $888 million (1994 est.) Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 40,000 kW (1991) Electricity - production: 95 million kWh (1991) Electricity - consumption per capita: 32 kWh (1991 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber Exports: total value: $181 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities : diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco partners: France 16%, Belgium-Luxembourg 40.1%, Italy, Japan, US, Spain, Iran, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo Imports: total value: $176 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products partners: France 37%, other EU countries, Japan 24%, Algeria, Cameroon, Namibia Debt - external: $890 million (1994 est.) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) 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 @Central African Republic: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.) @Central African Republic:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 23,810 km paved: 429 km unpaved: 23,381 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river Ports and harbors: Bangui, Nola Airports: 43 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 under 914 m: 8 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 10 914 to 1,523 m: 21 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Central African Army (includes Republican Guard), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Police Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 755,441 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 393,765 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $30 million (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.3% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ CHAD Introduction Historical perspective: After enduring decades of civil warfare among ethnic groups as well as invasions by Libya, Chad got started toward a more stable state with the seizure of the government in early December 1990 by former northern guerrilla leader Idress DEBY. His transitional government eventually suppressed armed rebellion in all quarters of the country, settled the territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorable to Chad, produced a democratic constitution which was ratified by popular referendum in March 1996, held multiparty national presidential elections in June and July 1996 (DEBY won with 67% of the vote), and held multiparty elections to the National Assembly in January and February 1997, in which Idress DEBY's party, Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS, won a majority of the seats. @Chad:Geography Location: Central Africa, south of Libya Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 19 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1.284 million sq km land: 1,259,200 sq km water: 24,800 sq km Area - comparative: 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) Climate: tropical in south, desert in north Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south Elevation extremes: 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: 3% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 36% forests and woodland: 26% other: 35% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 140 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Geography - note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel @Chad:People Population: 7,166,023 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 1,586,873; female 1,579,086) 15-64 years: 53% (male 1,854,645; female 1,931,519) 65 years and over: 3% (male 94,516; female 119,384) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.67% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 43.85 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.15 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 118.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.88 years male: 45.49 years female: 50.37 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.79 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian Ethnic groups: Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba), non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang, Moussei, Massa), nonindigenous 150,000 (of whom 1,000 are French) 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write in French or Arabic total population: 48.1% male : 62.1% female: 34.7% (1995 est.) @Chad:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Chad conventional short form: Chad local long form : Republique du Tchad local short form: Tchad Data code: CD Government type: republic National 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: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December 1990) head of government : Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA (since 9 April 1995); appointed by the president cabinet: Council of State appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the constitution provides for the election of a president by direct popular vote to serve a term of five years; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last held 2 June and 11 July 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: in the first round of voting none of the 15 candidates received the required 50% of the total vote; percent of vote, first round - Lt. Gen. Idress DEBY 47.8 %; percent of vote, second round - Lt. Gen. DEBY 69.1%, Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE 30.9%; President DEBY reappointed Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (125 seats; members serve four-year terms); replaces the Higher Transitional Council or the Conseil Superieur de Transition elections: National Assembly - last held in two rounds on 5 January and 23 February 1997, (next to be held NA 2001); in the first round of voting on 5 January 1997 some candidates won clear victories by receiving 50% or more of the vote; where that did not happen, the two highest scoring candidates stood for a second round of voting election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPS 65, URD 29, UNDR 15, RDP 3, others 13 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts Political parties and leaders: Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Maldom Bada ABBAS, chairman], originally in opposition but now the party in power and the party of the president; National Union for Development and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO, leader]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lal Mahamat CHOUA, leader]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE, leader]; note - in mid-1996 Chad had about 60 political parties, of which these are the most prominent in the new National Assembly Political pressure groups and leaders: 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, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David C. HALSTED 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 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 Economy Economy - overview: Unfavorable 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. About 85% 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 food 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 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; inflation fell to 9% in 1995 but it remains high compared with other Francophone countries. In one favorable development, Chad in December 1996 concluded an agreement with ESSO/Chad (EXXON) for drilling and extracting petroleum at Doba. Oil will be piped through Cameroon for export. GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.3 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.6% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 48% industry: 18% services : 34% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 9% (1995 est.) Labor force: NA by occupation : agriculture 85% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $136 million expenditures: $222 million, including capital expenditures of $107 million (1994 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 (1991) Electricity - production: 70 million kWh (1991) Electricity - consumption per capita: 14 kWh (1991 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels Exports: total value: $226 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: cotton, cattle, textiles, fish partners : Portugal 30%, Germany 18%, South Africa 16%, France 7% Imports: total value: $225 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrial goods 20%, petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; textiles; note - excludes military equipment partners: France 34%, Cameroon 24%, Nigeria 7%, US 6% Debt - external: $875 million (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA Francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) 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 @Chad: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.) @Chad:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 32,700 km paved: 262 km unpaved : 32,438 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 2,000 km navigable Ports and harbors: none Airports: 46 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m : 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 10 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 17 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), Republican Guard, Police Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,603,194 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 830,777 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 65,906 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $74 million (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 11.1% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: demarcation of international boundaries in the 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 ______________________________________________________________________ CHILE @Chile: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 : 756,950 sq km land: 748,800 sq km water: 8,150 sq km note: includes Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) and Isla Sala y Gomez Area - comparative: slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana 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 Climate: temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east Elevation extremes: 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: 5% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 18% forests and woodland: 22% other : 55% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 12,650 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation contributing to loss of biodiversity; soil erosion; desertification Environment - 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 Geography - 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 @Chile:People Population: 14,508,158 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 2,057,633; female 2,031,588) 15-64 years: 65% (male 4,684,158; female 4,734,170) 65 years and over: 7% (male 416,047; female 584,562) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.18% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 17.53 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.73 years male: 71.5 years female: 77.95 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.17 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean Ethnic groups: white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2% Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.2% male : 95.4% female: 95% (1995 est.) @Chile:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile Data code: CI Government type: republic National 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: President Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government : President Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle elected president; percent of vote - Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (PDC) 58%, Arturo ALESSANDRI 24.4%, other 17.6% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (46 seats, 38 elected by popular vote; members serve eight-year terms - one half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : Senate - last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1997); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1997) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - 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 by party - 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; note - subsequent to the election, the Radical Party (PR) became the Radical Social Democratic Party (PRSD) 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 or CPD consists mainly of: Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Enrique KRAUSS]; Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA]; Party for Democracy or PPD [Sergio BITAR]; Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Anselmo SULE]; Union for the Progress of Chile or UPP consists mainly of three parties: National Renewal or RN [Alberto ESPINA]; Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Jovino NOVOA]; Center Center Union or UCC [Francisco Javier ERRAZURIZ] Political pressure groups and leaders: revitalized university student federations at all major universities; labor - United Labor Central or 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, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John BIEHL Del Rios chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746 FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general : Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gabriel GUERRA-MONDRAGON embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Santiago mailing address : APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710 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 Economy Economy - overview: Chile has a prosperous, essentially free market economy. Civilian governments - which took over from the military in March 1990 - have continued to reduce the government's role in the economy while shifting the emphasis of public spending toward social programs. Growth in real GDP averaged more than 6.5% in 1991-1996, and inflation is nearing a 40-year low. Chile's currency and foreign reserves also are strong, as sustained foreign capital inflows - driven in part by state privatizations - have more than offset occasional current account deficits and public debt buybacks. President FREI, who took office in March 1994, has placed improving Chile's education system and developing foreign export markets at the top of his economic agenda. Despite this progress, the Chilean economy remains largely dependent on a few sectors - particularly copper mining, fishing, and forestry. Success in meeting the government's goal of sustained annual economic growth of 5% depends largely on world prices for these commodities, continued foreign investor confidence, and the government's ability to maintain a conservative fiscal stance. In 1996, Chile became an associate member of Mercosur and concluded a Free Trade Agreement with Canada. GDP: purchasing power parity - $120.6 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,400 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 8% industry: 33% services: 59% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 6.7% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 5.5 million (1996 est.) 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: 6.5% (1996 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: 4.8% (1995) Electricity - capacity: 5.964 million kW (1995) Electricity - production: 27.908 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,662 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; timber; 1991 fish catch of 6.6 million metric tons Exports: total value: $15.2 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: copper 37%, other metals and minerals 8.2%, wood products 7.1%, fish and fishmeal 9.8%, fruits 8.4% (1994) partners: EU 25%, US 15%, Asia 34%, Latin America 20% (1995 est.) Imports: total value : $16.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials 15.4%, petroleum 10%, foodstuffs 5.7% (1994) partners: EU 18%, US 25%, Asia 16%, Latin America 26% (1995 est.) Debt - external: $22.3 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $50.3 million (1996 est.) Currency: 1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 423.79 (January 1997), 412.27(1996), 396.78 (1995), 420.08 (1994), 404.35 (1993), 362.59 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Chile: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 179, FM 614, shortwave 11 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 11 Televisions: 2.85 million (1992 est.) @Chile: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 : 79,750 km paved: 11,006 km unpaved: 68,744 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 725 km Pipelines: crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas 320 km Ports and harbors: Antofagasta, Arica, Chanaral, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso Merchant marine: total: 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 520,710 GRT/865,867 DWT ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 8, chemical tanker 4, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 4, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, vehicle carrier 2 (1996 est.) Airports: 343 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 259 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m : 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 214 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 84 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 71 (1996 est.) Military Military 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 Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,867,676 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 2,874,235 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 125,586 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.8 billion (1997); note - includes earnings from CODELCO Company; may exclude costs of pensions and internal security Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.5% (1997) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 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 ______________________________________________________________________ CHINA (also see separate Taiwan entry) @China: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: 9,596,960 sq km land : 9,326,410 sq km water: 270,550 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller 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: contiguous zone : 24 nm continental shelf: claim to shallow areas of East China Sea and Yellow Sea territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 43% forests and woodland: 14% other : 33% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 498,720 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts 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 1949 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified : Desertification Geography - note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US) @China:People Population: 1,221,591,778 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 26% (male 166,319,939; female 150,125,798) 15-64 years: 68% (male 427,340,489; female 393,914,502) 65 years and over: 6% (male 36,201,623; female 41,689,427) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.93% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 16.52 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.87 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : 1.11 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 37.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.98 years male: 68.61 years female: 71.5 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 81.5% male: 89.9% female: 72.7% (1995 est.) @China:Government Country name: 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 Government type: Communist state National 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) head of government: Premier LI Peng (acting premier since 24 November 1987, premier since 9 April 1988); 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) cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress (NPC) elections: president and vice president elected by the National People's Congress for five-year terms; election last held 27 March 1993 (next to be held NA March 1998); premier and vice premiers nominated by the president, confirmed by the National People's Congress election results: JIANG Zemin elected by the Eighth National People's Congress; percent of National People's Congress vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,977 seats; members indirectly elected at county or xian level to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA March 1993 (next to be held NA March 1998) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - NA 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 Political pressure groups and leaders: no meaningful political opposition groups exist International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, BIS (pending member), CCC, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), Mekong Group, MINURSO, NAM (observer), PCA, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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) 6532-3831 FAX : [86] (10) 6532-6422 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang 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 Economy Economy - 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 quadrupling of GDP since 1978. 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 helped spur output of both domestic and export goods. 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 1992-96 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 1995-96 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 corruption 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 and many of which have been losing the ability to pay full wages and pensions. From 60 to 100 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time low-paying 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 maintaining growth in living standards. Another long-term threat 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. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development; furthermore, the regime gives insufficient priority to agricultural research. The next few years will witness increasing tensions between a highly centralized political system and an increasingly decentralized economic system. Rapid economic growth likely will continue but at a declining rate. GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.39 trillion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1995 with use of official Chinese growth figure for 1996; the result may overstate China's GDP by as much as 25%) GDP - real growth rate: 9.7% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,800 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 49% services : 31% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10% (1996 est.) Labor force: total : 614.7 million (1994) by occupation: agriculture and forestry 54%, industry and commerce 26%, construction and mining 7%, social services 6%, other 7% (1994) Unemployment rate: officially 3% in urban areas; probably 8%-10%; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas (1996 est.) 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% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 210 million kW (1995) Electricity - production: 859 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 684 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, other fibers, oilseed; pork and other livestock products; fish Exports: total value : $151.07 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: clothing, miscellaneous consumer goods, fabrics, footwear, toys, electrical machinery and switchgear (1995) partners: Hong Kong, Japan, US, South Korea, Germany, Singapore (1995) Imports: total value : $138.83 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: plastics, fabrics, telecommunications equipment, electrical machinery and switchgear, transistors, other industrial machinery (1995) partners: Japan, US, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Germany, Russia (1995) Debt - external: $92 billion (1994 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $1.977 billion (1993) Currency: 1 yuan (¥) = 10 jiao Exchange rates: yuan (¥) per US$1 - 8.2963 (January 1997), 8.3142 (1996), 8.3514 (1995), 8.6187 (1994), 5.7620 (1993), 5.5146 (1992) 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 @China: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 to 100 million by 1996; 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 @China:Transportation Railways: total : 62,500 km (including 5,400 km of provincial "local" rails) standard gauge: 58,900 km 1.435-m gauge (9,700 km electrified; 18,100 km double track) narrow gauge: 3,600 km 0.750-m gauge local industrial lines (1996 est.) Highways: total: 1.117 million km paved: 239,500 km unpaved: 877,500 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 138,600 km; about 110,600 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 9,700 km; petroleum products 1,100 km; natural gas 6,200 km (1990) Ports and harbors: Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Lianyungang, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shantou, Tianjin, Xiamen, Yantain, Zhanjiang Merchant marine: total: 1,736 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,749,069 GRT/25,196,607 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 325, cargo 883, chemical tanker 16, combination bulk 11, container 109, liquefied gas tanker 9, multifunction large-load carrier 6, oil tanker 232, passenger 6, passenger-cargo 47, refrigerated cargo 24, roll-on/roll-off cargo 22, short-sea passenger 43, specialized tanker 1 note: China owns an additional 270 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,754,413 DWT operating under the registries of Panama, Hong Kong, Malta, Liberia, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Marshall Islands, and Singapore (1996 est.) Airports: 206 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 192 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 65 1,524 to 2,437 m: 90 914 to 1,523 m : 13 under 914 m: 6 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m : 1 (1996 est.) Military Military 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) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 356,848,321 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 196,780,527 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 9,872,055 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: the officially announced but suspect figure is 70.2 billion yuan (1995 est.); note - conversion of the defense budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem ______________________________________________________________________ CHRISTMAS ISLAND (territory of Australia) @Christmas Island: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: 135 sq km land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m Natural resources: phosphate Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland : NA% other: 100% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean @Christmas Island:People Population: 743 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: -8.98% (1997 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 total population : 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 groups: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population Religions: Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991) Languages: English @Christmas Island:Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form : Christmas Island Data code: KT Dependency status: territory of Australia Government type: NA National 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 and Australian law Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government : Administrator (vacant); Official Secretary Merrilyn CHILVERS (since NA) is serving as acting administrator elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) elections: last held NA December 1996 (next to be held NA December 1997) election results : percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Economy - overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1990, the mine was reopened by private operators. Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $45 million casino on Christmas Island. GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: total: NA by occupation: tourism 400 people, mining 100 people 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: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: NA Exports: $NA commodities: phosphate partners: Australia, NZ Imports: $NA commodities : consumer goods partners: principally Australia Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.2735 (January 1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704, (1993), 1.3600 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Christmas Island:Communications Telephones: NA Telephone system: domestic: NA international : NA note: external telephone and telex services are provided by INTELSAT satellite Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: 500 (1992) Television broadcast stations: 1 Televisions: 350 (1992) @Christmas Island:Transportation Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines Highways: total: NA km paved : NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: Flying Fish Cove Merchant marine: none Airports: 1 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ CLIPPERTON ISLAND (possession of France) @Clipperton Island: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: 7 sq km land : 7 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical, humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October Terrain: coral atoll Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point : Rocher Clipperton 29 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all coral) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: subject to tornadoes Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified : NA Geography - note: reef about 8 km in circumference @Clipperton Island:People Population: uninhabited @Clipperton Island:Government Country name: 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 Dependency status: possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Economy - overview: The only economic activity is a tuna fishing station. @Clipperton Island:Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS (territory of Australia) @Cocos (Keeling) Islands: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: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note : includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island Area - comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2.6 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone : 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point : Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land : NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other : 100% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the year Environment - current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified : NA Geography - note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation @Cocos (Keeling) Islands:People Population: 617 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.98% (1997 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 total population: 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 groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.) Languages: English, Malay @Cocos (Keeling) Islands:Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Data code: CK Dependency status: territory of Australia Government type: NA National 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 UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government : Administrator (acting) Jarl ANDERSSON (since NA) cabinet: NA elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (NA seats) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none International organization participation: WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Economy - 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: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry : NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: NA note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage worker operations; tourism employs others Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures : $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: copra products and tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Exports: $NA commodities: copra partners: Australia Imports: $NA commodities: foodstuffs partners: Australia Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.2835 (January 1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Cocos (Keeling) Islands:Communications Telephones: NA Telephone system: domestic: NA international: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere 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 @Cocos (Keeling) Islands:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total : NA km paved: NA km unpaved : NA km Ports and harbors: none; lagoon anchorage only Merchant marine: none Airports: 1 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ COLOMBIA @Colombia: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 : 1,138,910 sq km land: 1,038,700 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana 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 Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains Elevation extremes: 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: 1% permanent pastures : 39% forests and woodland: 48% other: 8% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 5,300 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions Environment - 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, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Geography - note: only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea @Colombia:People Population: 37,418,290 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 31% (male 5,959,141; female 5,816,751) 15-64 years: 64% (male 11,756,893; female 12,146,103) 65 years and over: 5% (male 769,724; female 969,678) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.61% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 20.78 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 4.62 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.14 years male: 70.28 years female : 76.09 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.31 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 91.2% female: 91.4% (1995 est.) @Colombia:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form : Colombia Data code: CO Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure National capital: Bogota Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, 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, Santa Fe de Bogota*, 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 : President Ernesto SAMPER Pizano (since 7 August 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ernesto SAMPER Pizano (since 7 August 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections : president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 May 1994 (next to be held May 1998); vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term in a new procedure that replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents by newly elected presidents election results : Ernesto SAMPER Pizano elected president; percent of vote - no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote, therefore, a run-off election to select a president from the two leading candidates was held 19 June 1994; percent of vote - 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; percent of vote - NA Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (161 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held March 1998); House of Representatives - last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held March 1998) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Party 59, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF) 31, other 12; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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 or PL [Emilio LEBOLO Castellanos]; Conservative Party or PC [Fabio VALENCIA Cossio]; New Democratic Force or NDF [Andres PASTRANA Arango]; Democratic Alliance M-19 or 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); National Salvation Movement or MSN [Dr. Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado] Political pressure groups and leaders: two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC; and National Liberation Army or ELN 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, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, 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 the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Carlos ESGUERRA Portocarrero 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - 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 Latin 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 rapid expansion of the oil sector, progress in the construction and financial service industries, and an influx of foreign capital. Direct foreign investment, especially in the oil industry, is rising at a rapid rate. In 1996, oil overtook coffee as Colombia's main export. Non-petroleum economic growth slowed, however, due mostly to high interest rates - the result of high government spending and a tight monetary policy - and a real appreciation of the exchange rate. Business confidence was also damaged by a political crisis stemming from allegations President SAMPER solicited contributions from drug traffickers during the 1994 campaign. The slowdown in the growth of labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing has caused unemployment to rise to 11.5% by the end of 1996 and interfered with President SAMPER'S plans to lower the country's poverty rate, which has remained at about 40% despite the expanding economy. GDP: purchasing power parity - $201.4 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.1% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,400 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 20% industry: 27% services: 53% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 21.6% (1996) Labor force: total: 12 million (1990) by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990) Unemployment rate: 11.5% (yearend 1996) Budget: revenues: $27 billion expenditures: $30 billion including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1995 est.) Electricity - capacity: 10,583,700 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 45.361 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 963 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp farming Exports: total value: $10.3 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers partners : US 39%, EC 25.7%, Japan 2.9%, Venezuela 8.5% (1992) Imports: total value: $12.4 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products partners : US 36%, EC 18%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 6.5%, Japan 8.7% (1992) Debt - external: $16.5 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $30 million (1993) Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 1,027.87 (January 1997), 1,036.69 (1996), 912.83 (1995), 844.84 (1994), 863.06 (1993), 759.28 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Colombia: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.) @Colombia: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: 106,600 km paved: 12,685 km unpaved : 93,915 km (1995 est.) 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 and harbors: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo Merchant marine: total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 72,388 GRT/97,576 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 6, container 1, multi-function large load carrier 2, oil tanker 3 (1996 est.) Airports: 913 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 606 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m : 32 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 527 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 307 2,438 to 3,047 m : 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 272 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 10,285,806 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 6,909,846 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 348,802 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2 billion (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.8% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 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 ______________________________________________________________________ COMOROS Introduction Historical perspective: Comoros has had difficulty in achieving political stability, having endured 18 coups or attempted coups since receiving independence from France in 1975. @Comoros: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 : 2,170 sq km land: 2,170 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kartala 2,360 m Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 35% permanent crops: 10% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland : 18% other: 30% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: cyclones and tsunamis possible during rainy season (December to April); Mount Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano Environment - current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Desertification Geography - note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel @Comoros:People Population: 528,893 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% (male 112,404; female 111,936) 15-64 years: 55% (male 142,604; female 146,382) 65 years and over : 3% (male 7,432; female 8,135) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 3.09% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 40.75 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 9.82 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 87.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.88 years male : 57.52 years female: 62.32 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.54 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.3% male: 64.2% female: 50.4% (1995 est.) @Comoros:Government Country name: 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 Government type: independent republic National 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) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed ABDOU (since 27 December 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; election last held 16 March 1996 (next to be held NA March 2001); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim elected president; share of vote - 64% Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (15 seats; members selected by regional councils for six-year terms) and a Federal Assembly or Assemblee Federale (43 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : last held 1 and 8 December 1996 (next to be held NA December 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RND 39, RND candidate running as independent 1, FNJ 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme), two members are appointed by the president, two members are elected by the Federal Assembly, one by the Council of each island, and former presidents of the republic Political parties and leaders: Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND [Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim], party of the government; Front National pour la Justice or FNJ, Islamic party in opposition note: under a new constitution ratified in October 1996, a two party system was established; President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim called for all parties to dissolve and join him in creating the RND; the Constitution stipulates that only parties that win six seats in the Federal Assembly (two from each island) are permitted to be in opposition, but if no party accomplishes that the second most successful party will be in opposition; in the elections of December 1996 the FNJ appeared to qualify as opposition 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, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) Charge d'Affaires ad interim Mahmoud M. ABOUD (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 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros 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 Economy Economy - overview: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate 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 nearly 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 the bulk 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, to promote tourism, 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 (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -2.3% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $650 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 39% industry: 13% services : 48% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 7.1% (1995 est.) Labor force: total : 140,000 (1982) by occupation: agriculture 80%, government 3% Unemployment rate: NA% 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 (1991) Electricity - production: 25 million kWh (1991) Electricity - consumption per capita: 52 kWh (1991 est.) Agriculture - products: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) Exports: total value: $11.2 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra partners: France 54%, Germany 18%, US 18% Imports: total value: $40.9 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment partners: France 60%, South Africa 10%, Kenya 5%, Singapore 4% Debt - external: $189 million (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 406.27 (January 1997), 383.66 (1996), 374.36 (1995), 416.40 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) 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 @Comoros: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.) @Comoros:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 875 km paved: 669 km unpaved : 206 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Fomboni, Moroni, Mutsamudu Merchant marine: none Airports: 4 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Comoran Security Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 125,378 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 74,836 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: claims French-administered Mayotte ______________________________________________________________________ CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE Republic of the] @Congo, Democratic Republic of the:Geography Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,345,410 sq km land: 2,267,600 sq km water : 77,810 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less 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, Republic of the 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland: 77% other: 13% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts in south; volcanic activity Environment - current issues: poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees who arrived in mid-1994 were responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching in the eastern part of the country (most of those refugees were repatriated in November and December 1996) Environment - 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, Environmental Modification, Tropical Timber 94 Geography - 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 @Congo, Democratic Republic of the:People Population: 47,440,362 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 48% (male 11,418,713; female 11,378,403) 15-64 years: 49% (male 11,412,269; female 11,980,993) 65 years and over: 3% (male 541,435; female 708,549) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.34% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 47.66 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 16.61 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -7.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) note: in 1994, about a million refugees fled into Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire, to escape the fighting between the Hutus and the Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi; the outbreak of widespread fighting between rebels and government forces in October 1996 spurred about 720,000 refugees to return to Rwanda in late 1996 and early 1997; additionally, Democratic Republic of the Congo 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: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 105.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.03 years male: 45.16 years female: 48.95 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.58 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Ethnic groups: over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write in French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba total population: 77.3% male: 86.6% female: 67.7% (1995 est.) @Congo, Democratic Republic of the:Government Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo local short form: none former : Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire Data code: CG Government type: republic with a strong presidential system National 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; transitional constitution promulgated in April 1994; new draft constitution approved by Transitional Parliament in October 1996, subject to ratification by popular referendum scheduled for February 1997; draft constitution provides for multiparty elections by July 1997 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: Gen. Laurent-DESIRE KABILA (since 17 May 1997); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: Gen. Laurent-DESIRE KABILA (since 17 May 1997); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet : National Executive Council normally appointed by mutual agreement of the president and the prime minister; note - Gen. KABILA's cabinet was appointed by him and has no prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 29 July 1984 (next was to be held in May 1997); prime minister elected by the High Council of the Republic; note - the term of the former government expired in 1991, elections were not held, and MOBUTU continued in office until his government was militarily defeated by Gen. Laurent-DESIRE KABILA on 17 May 1997 election results: MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga reelected president in 1984 without opposition note: Marshal MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga was president from 24 November 1965 until forced into exile on 17 May 1997 when his government was overturned in a coup by Gen. Laurent-DESIRE KABILA, who immediately assumed sole governing authority Legislative branch: unicameral parliament consisting of the combined High Council of the Republic and the Parliament of the Transition (739 seats) elections: the country's first multi-party presidential and legislative elections had been scheduled for May 1997 but were not held; instead the MOBUTO government was overthrown and control of the governing apparatus was seized by Gen. Laurent-DESIRE KABILA Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: sole legal party until January 1991 - Popular Movement of the Revolution or MPR; other parties include Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba]; Democratic Social Christian Party or PDSC; Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans or UFER; Unified Lumumbast Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union of Independent Democrats or 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, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, 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 the US: chief of mission : Charge d'Affaires ad interim Etienne B. J. K. MUKENDI chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691 FAX: [1] (202) 686-3631 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 description: light blue with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six small yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side Economy Economy - overview: The economy of Democratic Republic of the Congo has continued to disintegrate, although former Prime Minister KENGO had had some success in slowing the rate of economic decline. While meaningful economic figures are difficult to come by, the high rate of inflation, chronic large government deficits, and plunging mineral production have made it one of the world's poorest countries. 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. During the bitter civil strive of 1996-97 most individuals and families have hung on grimly through subsistence farming and petty trade. The new KABILA government will be hard pressed to meet its financial obligations to the IMF or to put in place the financial measures advocated by it. Improved political stability would boost the country'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: -0.7% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $400 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 59% industry: 15% services: 26% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 542% (1995) Labor force: total: 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 $99 million (1996 est.) Industries: mining, mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, diamonds Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - capacity: 2.83 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 5.48 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 87 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products Exports: total value : $1.47 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt, crude oil partners: Belgium, US, France, Germany, Italy, UK, Japan, South Africa Imports: total value: $1.25 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities : consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels partners: Belgium, South Africa, US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK Debt - external: $13.8 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 zaire (Z) = 100 makuta Exchange rates: new zaires (Z) per US$1 - 83,764 (October 1996), 7,024 (1995), 1,194 (1994), 3 (1993); zaire (Z) per US$1 - 645,549 (1992) note: on 22 October 1993 the new zaire, equal to 3,000,000 old zaires, was introduced Fiscal year: calendar year @Congo, Democratic Republic of the: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.) @Congo, Democratic Republic of the: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: 2,500 km unpaved: 142,500 km (1993 est.) Waterways: 15,000 km including the Congo, its tributaries, and unconnected lakes Pipelines: petroleum products 390 km Ports and harbors: Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka Merchant marine: none Airports: 216 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 104 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m : 80 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 112 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 94 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, paramilitary Civil Guard, Special Presidential Division Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 10,232,612 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 5,213,941 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $46 million (1990) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (1990) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Democratic Republic of the Congo-Tanzania-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it has been informally reported that the indefinite section of the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Zambia boundary has been settled; long section with Republic of the Congo along the Congo river is indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption ______________________________________________________________________ CONGO, REPUBLIC OF THE @Congo, Republic of the: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: 342,000 sq km land: 341,500 sq km water: 500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total: 5,504 km border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km Coastline: 169 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 29% forests and woodland: 62% other: 9% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: seasonal flooding Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea Geography - note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them @Congo, Republic of the:People Population: 2,583,198 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 557,996; female 552,022) 15-64 years: 54% (male 677,313; female 707,569) 65 years and over: 3% (male 35,573; female 52,725) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.15% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 38.79 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.3 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 : 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 106.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 45.73 years male: 44.24 years female: 47.27 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.06 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Ethnic groups: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.9% male: 83.1% female : 67.2% (1995 est.) @Congo, Republic of the:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Congo conventional short form: none local long form : Republique du Congo local short form: none former: Congo/Brazzaville, Congo Data code: CF Government type: republic National 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) head of government: Prime Minister David Charles GANAO (since 2 September 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections : president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 16 August 1992 (next was to be held 27 July 1997 but armed clashes between political parties in early July seemed likely to delay it); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Pascal LISSOUBA elected president; percent of vote - Pascal LISSOUBA 61% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (125 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (60 seats; members are elected by local and regional councils to serve six-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 3 October 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); Senate - last held November 1996 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UPADS 64, URD/PCT 58, others 3; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UPADS 23, MCDDI 14, RDD 8, RDPS 5, PCT 2, others 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: the most important of the many political parties are Congolese Labor Party or PCT [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Association for Democracy and Development or RDD [Joachim Yhombi OPANGO, president]; Association for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Bernard KOLELAS, leader]; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Pascal LISSOUBA, leader]; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [David Charles GANAO, leader]; Union for Democratic Renewal or URD; Union for Development and Social Progress or UDPS [Jean-Michael BOKAMBA-YANGOUMA, leader] Political pressure groups and leaders: Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC; Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dieudonne Antoine GANGA chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500 FAX : [1] (202) 726-1860 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador J. Aubrey HOOKS (10 June 1996) embassy: Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville mailing address: B. P. 1015, Brazzaville telephone: [242] 83 20 70 FAX: [242] 83 63 38 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 Economy Economy - overview: The 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 the government 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 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 but inflation has subsided since. Recent efforts to implement economic reforms have begun to show progress; the government and the IMF signed an aid agreement in mid-1996. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.9 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.9% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,960 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.4% industry: 35.2% services: 53.4% (1993) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 3% (1996 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $870 million expenditures: $970 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: petroleum extraction, cement kilning, lumbering, brewing, sugar milling, palm oil, soap, cigarette making Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 165,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 440 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 223 kWh (1994 est.) Agriculture - products: cassava (tapioca) accounts for 90% of food output, sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products Exports: total value: $952 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: crude oil 90%, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds partners: Belgium-Luxembourg 24.3%, Taiwan 20.2%, US 14.9%, Italy 14.8% (1995 est.) Imports: total value: $559 million (f.o.b. 1994) commodities : intermediate manufactures, capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, petroleum products partners: France 31.2%, Netherlands 24.6%, Italy 11.4%, US 6.9% (1995 est.) Debt - external: $5.3 billion (1996) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) 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 @Congo, Republic of the:Communications Telephones: 18,000 (1983 est.) Telephone system: services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; inter-city lines frequently out of order 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.) @Congo, Republic of the:Transportation Railways: total: 795 km (includes 285 km private track) narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (1995 est.) Highways: total: 12,760 km paved: 1,238 km unpaved : 11,522 km (1995 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 and harbors: Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire Merchant marine: total : 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,218 GRT/4,100 DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 34 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m : 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 9 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m : 14 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Police Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 601,771 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 306,757 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 26,081 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $110 million (1993) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.8% (1993) Military - note: under the terms of a 1994 peace agreement, which ended two years of civil strife, members of militias who supported the three main political parties are being integrated into the military forces Transnational Issues Disputes - international: long segment of boundary with Democratic Republic of the Congo along the Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made) ______________________________________________________________________ COOK ISLANDS (free association with New Zealand) @Cook Islands: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: 240 sq km land: 240 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 1.3 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 Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land : 9% permanent crops: 13% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other : 78% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons (November to March) Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: NA @Cook Islands:People Population: 19,776 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.08% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 22.7 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -6.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: NA male(s)/female Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years male: 69.2 years female: 73.1 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.22 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander Ethnic groups: 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 are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church) Languages: English (official), Maori Literacy: NA @Cook Islands:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form : Cook Islands Data code: CW Dependency status: 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 Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy National 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: based on New Zealand law and English common law Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult Executive branch: chief of state : Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Darryl DUNN (since NA 1994), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1 February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1 February 1989) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; the queen's representative is appointed by the queen; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats usually becomes prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 March 1994 (next to be held by NA 1999) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing in free association with 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 Economy Economy - overview: Like other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to a fruit-processing plant and several clothing factories. Trade deficits are made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, largely from New Zealand. In 1996, the government declared bankruptcy, citing a $120 million public debt. Efforts to exploit tourism potential and expanding the mining and fishing industries have not been enough to adequately deal with the financial crisis. In an effort to stem further erosion of the tenuous economic situation, the government slashed public service salaries by 50%, condensed the number of government ministries from 52 to 22, reduced the number of civil servants by more than half, began selling government assets, and closed all overseas diplomatic posts except for the one in New Zealand. GDP: purchasing power parity - $57 million (1993 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,000 (1993 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 6% services: 77% (FY90/91) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5.8% (1994) Labor force: total: 6,601 (1993) 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: 7,500 kW (1990) Electricity - production: 20 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, bananas, yams, taro, coffee Exports: total value: $3.9 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: copra, fresh and canned citrus fruit, clothing, coffee, fish partners: NZ 80%, Japan, Hong Kong Imports: total value : $67 million (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber partners: NZ 49%, Italy, Australia Debt - external: $160 million (1994) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $1.275 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.); $5.4 million in budget support and $3.2 million in project and training aid from New Zealand, the country's largest source of aid (FY95/96) Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.4247 (January 1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Cook Islands: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 achieve good coverage on the island of Rarotonga Televisions: 3,500 (1995 est.) @Cook Islands:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 187 km paved: 35 km unpaved: 152 km (1980 est.) Ports and harbors: Avarua, Avatiu Merchant marine: total : 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,464 GRT/2,181 DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 7 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ CORAL SEA ISLANDS (territory of Australia) @Coral Sea Islands:Geography Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: less than 3 sq km land: less than 3 sq km water : 0 sq km note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 1 million sq km, with the Willis Islets the most important Area - comparative: NA Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,095 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) Elevation extremes: lowest point : Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land : 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: occasional, tropical cyclones Environment - current issues: no permanent fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: important nesting area for birds and turtles @Coral Sea Islands:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of four at the meteorological station @Coral Sea Islands:Government Country name: conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands Data code: CR Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered by the Ministry for Sport, Territories, and Local Government National capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia Independence: none (territory of Australia) Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Executive branch: administered by the Minister for the Arts, Sport, the Environments and Territories of Australia Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Economy - overview: no economic activity @Coral Sea Islands:Communications Communications - note: there are automatic weather relay stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland @Coral Sea Islands:Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ COSTA RICA @Costa Rica: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: 51,100 sq km land: 50,660 sq km water : 440 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia 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 Climate: tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November) Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point : Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m Natural resources: hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops : 5% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 31% other: 12% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season; active volcanoes Environment - current issues: deforestation, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching; soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Marine Life Conservation @Costa Rica:People Population: 3,534,174 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (male 617,256; female 587,566) 15-64 years: 61% (male 1,090,414; female 1,065,273) 65 years and over : 5% (male 80,304; female 93,361) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 23.35 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 4.15 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.82 years male : 73.41 years female: 78.36 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.85 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican Ethnic groups: white (including mestizo) 96%, black 2%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.8% male: 94.7% female: 95% (1995 est.) @Costa Rica:Government Country name: 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 Government type: democratic republic National 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 : 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); note - president is both the chief of state and head of government 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); note - president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 6 February 1994 (next to be held NA February 1998) election results : Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen elected president; percent of vote - Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 49.7%, Miquel Angel RODRIGUEZ (PUSC) 47.5% Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 6 February 1994 (next to be held NA February 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 28, PUSC 25, 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 or PLN [Rolando ARAYA]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Rafael Angel CALDERON Fournier]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ]; National Agrarian Party or PAN; People's Party of Costa Rica or PPC [Lenin CHACON Vargas]; Agricultural Union Party or PUAC [Juan Guillermo BRENES Castillo]; Democratic Force Party or FD [Isaac Felipe AZOFEIFA Bolanos]; People United [Humberto VARGAS Carbonell]; Patriotic Front Party; New Democratic Party or PDN [Rodrigo GUTIERREZ)] Political pressure groups and leaders: Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; Free Costa Rica Movement or MCRL (rightwing militants); National Association of Educators or ANDE; Federation of Public Service Workers or 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, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the 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, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Tampa consulate(s): Austin Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - overview: Costa Rica's basically stable and progressive economy depends especially on tourism and the export of bananas, coffee, and other agricultural products. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put in place. Recent trends, however, have been disappointing. Economic growth slipped from 4.3% in 1994 to 2.5% in 1995, and to 0.9% in 1996. Inflation rose to 22.5% in 1995 from 13.5% in 1994, then dropped back to 13.9% in 1996. Unemployment appears moderate at little more than 5% but substantial underemployment continues. Furthermore, substantial government deficits have undermined efforts to maintain the quality of social services. The government thus faces a formidable set of problems: to curb inflation, reduce the deficit, encourage domestic savings, and improve public sector efficiency while increasing the role of the private sector, all this in harmony with IMF agreements. GDP: purchasing power parity - $19 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.9% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,500 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (1995) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 13.9% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 868,300 by occupation: industry and commerce 35.1%, government and services 33%, agriculture 27%, other 4.9% (1985 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.5% (1996 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: 1,113,900 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 5.138 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,330 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber (depletion of forest resources has resulted in declining timber output) Exports: total value: $3.82 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: coffee, bananas, textiles, sugar partners: US, Germany, Italy, Guatemala, El Salvador, Netherlands, UK, France Imports: total value: $3.857 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities : raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum partners: US, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Germany Debt - external: $3.2 billion (October 1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1 - 219.29 (December 1996), 207.69 (1996), 179.73 (1995), 157.07 (1994), 142.17 (1993), 134.51 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Costa Rica: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.) @Costa Rica: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 : 35,600 km paved: 5,945 km unpaved: 29,655 km (1995 est.) Waterways: about 730 km, seasonally navigable Pipelines: petroleum products 176 km Ports and harbors: Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas Merchant marine: none Airports: 143 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 115 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m : 1 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 96 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 28 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Coast Guard, Air Section, Ministry of Public Security Force (Fuerza Publica) note - during 1996, the Ministry of Public Security reorganized and eliminated the Civil Guard, Rural Assistance Guard, and Frontier Guards as separate entities; they are now under the Ministry and operate on a geographic command basis performing ground security, law enforcement, counternarcotics, and national security (border patrol) functions; the Constitution prohibits armed forces Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 940,666 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 631,426 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 34,422 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $55 million (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots ______________________________________________________________________ COTE D'IVOIRE @Cote d'Ivoire: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: 322,460 sq km land: 318,000 sq km water: 4,460 sq km Area - comparative: 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 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 Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops : 4% permanent pastures: 41% forests and woodland: 22% other: 25% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 680 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible 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 Environment - 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, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Desertification @Cote d'Ivoire:People Population: 14,986,218 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 47% (male 3,537,190; female 3,496,749) 15-64 years: 51% (male 3,927,687; female 3,700,468) 65 years and over: 2% (male 165,544; female 158,580) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.35% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 42.43 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.11 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 99.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.81 years male : 43.63 years female: 46.03 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.06 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Ivorian(s) adjective: Ivorian Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 49.9% female: 30% (1995 est.) @Cote d'Ivoire:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 National 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); note - succeeded to the presidency following the death of President Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY, who had served continuously since November 1960 head of government: Prime Minister Daniel Kablan DUNCAN (since 10 December 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 22 October 1995 (next to be held October 2000); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Henri Konan BEDIE elected president; percent of vote - Henri Konan BEDIE 96% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (175 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: elections last held 27 November 1995 (next to be held November 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDCI 150, RDR 13, FPI 12 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of the Cote d'Ivoire or PDCI [Henri Konan BEDIE]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Djeny KOBINA]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent GBAGBO]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Ivorian Socialist Party or 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, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Koffi Moise KOUMOUE-KOFFI chancery: 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - 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, it is still largely dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly 85% of the population. 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, limited 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 8% by 1996, in part as the economy adjusted to the devaluation. Moreover, government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump in growth rates - 6.5% in GDP in 1996. GDP: purchasing power parity - $23.9 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,620 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 20% services : 49% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 8% (1996 est.) Labor force: NA 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: 9% (first half of 1996) Electricity - capacity: 1.17 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 1.86 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 118 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar; cotton, rubber; timber Exports: total value: $3.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: cocoa 36%, coffee 22%; tropical woods 4%, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, cotton, fish partners : France 18%, Germany 11%, Italy 8%, Burkina Faso, Mali, US, UK, Netherlands Imports: total value : $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: food, consumer goods; capital goods, fuel, transport equipment partners: France 32%, Nigeria 20%, US 6.7%, Germany, Italy, Ghana Debt - external: $16.7 billion (1994) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $552 million (1993) Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) 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 @Cote d'Ivoire: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.) @Cote d'Ivoire:Transportation Railways: total : 660 km narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge; 25 km double track (1995 est.) 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 and harbors: Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro Merchant marine: total : 1 oil tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,200 GRT/2,181 DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 34 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m : 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 10 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 11 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,478,429 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,811,508 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 164,364 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $140 million (1993) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (1993) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; minor transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and occasionally to the US ______________________________________________________________________ CROATIA @Croatia: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: 56,538 sq km land : 56,410 sq km water: 128 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 2,197 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 670 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 territorial sea: 12 nm 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 21% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures : 20% forests and woodland: 38% other: 19% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent and destructive earthquakes 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 Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification Geography - note: controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits @Croatia:People Population: 4,664,710 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 417,181; female 395,430) 15-64 years: 68% (male 1,590,334; female 1,593,470) 65 years and over: 14% (male 253,201; female 415,094) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.17% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 10.63 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 11.2 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 2.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.61 male(s)/female total population : 0.94 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 73.49 years male: 70.16 years female: 77.03 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.56 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Croat(s) adjective: Croatian Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 97% male: 99% female: 95% (1991 est.) @Croatia:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Croatia conventional short form: Croatia local long form: Republika Hrvatska local short form: Hrvatska Data code: HR Government type: presidential/parliamentary democracy National 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) head of government: Prime Minister Zlatko MATESA (since NA November 1995); 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-HODAK (since November 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 4 August 1992 (next to be held 15 June 1997); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: President Franjo TUDJMAN reelected; percent of vote - Franjo TUDJMAN 56%, Dobroslav PARAGA 5% Legislative branch: bicameral Assembly or Sabor consists of the House of Districts or Zupanijski Dom (68 seats - 63 directly elected by popular vote, 5 presidentially appointed; members serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives or the Zastupnicki Dom (127 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: House of Districts - last held 13 April 1997 (next to be held NA 2001); House of Representatives - last held 29 October 1995 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: House of Districts - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - HDZ 42, HDZ/HSS 11, HSS 2, IDS 2, SDP/PGS/HNS 2, SDP/HNS 2, HSLS/HSS/HNS 1, HSLS 1; note - in some districts certain parties ran as coalitions, while in others they ran alone; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - HDZ 45.23%, HSS/IDS/HNS/HKDU/SBHS 18.26%, HSLS 11.55%, SDP 8.93%, HSP 5.01%; seats by party - 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 House of Representatives; Constitutional Court, judges appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the House of Representatives Political parties and leaders: Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Franjo TUDJMAN, president]; Croatian Democratic Independents or HND [Stjepan MESIC, president]; Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Vlado GOTOVAC, president]; Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Ivica RACAN]; Croatian Party of Rights or HSP [Ante DAPIC]; Croatian Peasants' Party or HSS [Zlatko TOMCIC]; Croatian People's Party or HNS [Radimir CACIC, president]; Serbian National Party or SNS [Milan DJUKIC]; Action of the Social Democrats of Croatia or ASH [Silvija DEGEN]; Croatian Christian Democratic Union or HKDU [Marko VASELICA, president]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JACKOVIC]; Slanvonsko-Baranja Croatian Party or SBHS; Primorje Gorski Kotar Alliance Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter W. GALBRAITH embassy: Andrije Hebranga 2, Zagreb mailing address: US Embassy, Zagreb, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5080 telephone: [385] (1) 455-55-00 FAX : [385] (1) 455-85-85 Flag description: red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) Economy Economy - 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; 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. 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 - partially macroeconomic stabilization policies - and it has normalized relations with its creditors. Yet it still is struggling with privatization of large state enterprises and with bank reform. The draft 1997 budget boosts expenditures on the repair and upgrading of infrastructure. In 1996, the substantial trade deficit was partially offset by increased earnings from tourism. GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.4 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,300 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 30% services : 59% (1994) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 4% (1996 est.) Labor force: total : 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: 13% (yearend 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; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 0% (1995) Electricity - capacity: 3.59 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 8.03 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 2,208 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, vegetables; livestock breeding, dairy farming Exports: total value : $4.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995) 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%, Italy 21%, Slovenia 18% (1994) Imports: total value: $7.6 billion (c.i.f., 1995) 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 21%, Italy 19%, Slovenia 10% (1994) Debt - external: $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 lipas Exchange rates: Croatian kuna per US$1 - 5.681 (January 1997), 5.434 (1996), 5.230 (1995), 5.996 (1994), 3.577 (1993) Fiscal year: calendar year @Croatia: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.) @Croatia:Transportation Railways: total: 1,907 km standard gauge : 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (769 km electrified) note: some lines inoperative or not in use; disrupted by territorial dispute (1997) Highways: total: 26,929 km paved: 21,947 km (including 302 km of expressways) unpaved: 4,982 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 785 km perennially navigable; Sava blocked by downed bridges Pipelines: crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas 310 km (1992); note - under repair following territorial dispute Ports and harbors: Dubrovnik, Omisalj, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split, Zadar Merchant marine: total : 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 449,619 GRT/645,328 DWT ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 29, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, container 4, multi-function large load carrier 3, oil tanker 1, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, short-sea passenger 4 note: Croatia owns an additional 105 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,875,941 DWT operating under the registries of Malta, Liberia, Cyprus, Panama, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1996 est.) Airports: 68 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 60 over 3,047 m : 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m : 47 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (1996 est.) Heliports: 2 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Frontier Guard, Home Guard Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,190,814 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 946,063 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 35,464 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.56 billion (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 10% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Eastern Slavonia, which was held by ethnic Serbs during the ethnic conflict, is currently being overseen by the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia; reintegration of Eastern Slavonia into Croatia will occur in 1997; Croatia and Italy have not resolved a bilateral issue dating from WWII over property and ethnic minority rights; maritime border dispute with Slovenia over direct access to the sea in the Adriatic; the border issue is currently under negotiation; Serbia and Montenegro is disputing Croatia's claim to the Prevlaka Peninsula in southern Croatia because it controls the entrance to Kotor Bay in Montenegro; Prevlaka is currently under observation by the UN military observer mission in Prevlaka (UNMOP) Illicit drugs: transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe; a minor transit point for maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________ CUBA @Cuba: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: 110,860 sq km land: 110,860 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 29 km border countries: 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 24% permanent crops: 7% permanent pastures : 27% forests and woodland: 24% other: 18% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 9,100 sq km (1993 est.) 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 Environment - current issues: pollution of Havana Bay; overhunting threatens wildlife populations; deforestation Environment - 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 Geography - note: largest country in Caribbean @Cuba:People Population: 10,999,041 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 1,255,844; female 1,190,860) 15-64 years: 69% (male 3,770,154; female 3,753,094) 65 years and over: 9% (male 483,858; female 545,231) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.42% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 13.21 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 7.42 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 : 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 75.2 years male: 72.83 years female: 77.71 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.54 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban Ethnic groups: 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: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.7% male: 96.2% female: 95.3% (1995 est.) @Cuba:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cuba conventional short form: Cuba local long form: Republica de Cuba local short form: Cuba Data code: CU Government type: Communist state National 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: 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); 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); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government 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); 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); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State, appointed by the National Assembly note: there is also a Council of State whose members are elected by the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly; election last held 15 March 1993 (next to be held NA) election results : Fidel CASTRO Ruz elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA; Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (589 seats, elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 24 February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - NA 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 or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary] International organization participation: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, 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 the 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, 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8609, 8610, and 8615 Diplomatic representation from the US: none; note - the US does have an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Michael G. KOZAK; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M, Vedado Seccion, Havana; telephone: 33-3551 through 3559 and 33-3543 through 3547 (operator assistance required); FAX: 33-3700; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland 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 Economy Economy - overview: The state plays the primary role in the economy and controls practically all foreign trade. The government has undertaken several reforms in recent years to stem excess liquidity, increase labor incentives, and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. The liberalized agricultural markets introduced in October 1994, at which state and private farmers sell above-quota production at unrestricted prices, have broadened legal consumption alternatives and reduced black market prices. Government efforts to lower subsidies to unprofitable enterprises and to shrink the money supply caused the peso's black market value to move from a peak of 120 to the dollar in the summer of 1994 to a low of 18-20 to the dollar in late September before climbing to 20-21 at the end of 1996. New taxes helped drive down the number of legally registered self-employed workers from 208,000 in January 1996 to 180,000 by December. Havana announced in 1995 that GDP declined by 35% during 1989-1993, the result of lost Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. The drop in GDP apparently halted in 1994, when Cuba reported a 0.7% growth. Government officials claimed that GDP increased by 2.5% in 1995 and 7.8% in 1996. Export earnings rose an estimated 40% in 1996 to $2.1 billion, largely on the strength of increased sugar shipments to Russia and higher nickel production through a joint venture with a Canadian firm. With the economic recovery, imports rose for the second straight year, growing by an estimated 26% to $3.5 billion. Living standards for the average Cuban, however, have not improved significantly. GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.2 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.8% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,480 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 31% services: 62% (1996 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: total : 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: 4.082 million kW (1995) Electricity - production: 11.189 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 822 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes and other tubers, beans; livestock Exports: total value: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: sugar, nickel, tobacco, shellfish, medical products, citrus, coffee partners : Canada 23%, Russia 21% China 7% (1996 est.) Imports: total value: $3.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities : petroleum, food, machinery, chemicals partners: Russia 14%, Spain 13%, Mexico 11% (1996 est.) Debt - external: $10.5 billion (convertible currency, 1996); another $20 billion owed to Russia (1996) 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 @Cuba:Communications Telephones: 229,000 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 1 Radios: 2.14 million (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 58 Televisions: 2.5 million (1993 est.) @Cuba: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 : 27,100 km paved: 15,122 km unpaved: 11,978 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 240 km Ports and harbors: Cienfuegos, Havana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Santiago de Cuba Merchant marine: total : 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 113,092 GRT/162,029 DWT ships by type: cargo 11, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 6 note: Cuba owns an additional 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 548,170 DWT operating under the registries of Panama, Cyprus, Malta, Belize, and Mauritius (1996 est.) Airports: 162 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 130 over 3,047 m : 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 92 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 31 (1996 est.) Military Military 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); Border Guards (TGF), which are controlled by the Interior Ministry Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,053,716 females age 15-49: 3,007,277 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 1,896,023 (1997 est.) females: 1,861,886 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 61,934 females: 58,648 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: roughly 4% (1995 est.) Military - note: Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993 Transnational Issues Disputes - international: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease Illicit drugs: lesser transshipment point for cocaine bound for the US ______________________________________________________________________ CYPRUS @Cyprus: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: 9,250 sq km (note - 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish area) land: 9,240 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.6 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 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 12% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 13% other : 70% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 390 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: moderate earthquake activity Environment - current issues: water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall; sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifier); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, 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: Climate Change @Cyprus:People Population: 752,808 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25% (male 96,924; female 91,833) 15-64 years: 65% (male 244,821; female 241,580) 65 years and over: 10% (male 33,858; female 43,792) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.08% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 15.04 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 7.58 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 3.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.77 male(s)/female total population : 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.54 years male: 74.38 years female: 78.81 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.17 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94% male: 98% female: 91% (1987 est.) @Cyprus:Government Country name: conventional long form : Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus note: the Turkish area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) Data code: CY Government type: 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 National 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 13 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: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot head of government: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held NA February 1998) election results : Glafcos CLERIDES elected president; percent of vote - Glafcos CLERIDES 50.3%, Yeoryios VASSILIOU 49.7% note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of the Turkish area since 13 February 1975 (president elected by popular vote for a five-year term); 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%; Dervis EROGLU has been "prime minister" of the Turkish area since 16 August 1996; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish area Legislative branch: unicameral - Greek area: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats of which only 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); Turkish area: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Greek area: last held 26 May 1996 (next to be held May 2001); Turkish area: last held 12 December 1993 (next to be held December 1998) election results : Greek area: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - DISY 34.5%, AKEL (Communist) 33.0%, DIKO 16.4%, EDEK 8.1%, KED 3.7%, others 4.1%; seats by party - DISY 20, AKEL (Communist) 19, DIKO 10, EDEK 5, KED 2; Turkish area: Assembly of the Republic - percent of vote by party - UBP 29.9%, DP 29.2%, CTP 24.2% TKP 13.3%, others 3.4%; seats by party - UBP (conservative) 17, DP 15, CTP 13, TKP 5 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 or AKEL (Communist Party) [Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Ioannis MATSIS]; Democratic Party or DIKO [Spyros KYPRIANOU]; United Democratic Union of Cyprus or EDEK [Vassos LYSSARIDIS]; Liberal Party or KP [Nikolaos ROLANDIS]; Free Democrats Movement or KED [Yeoryios VASSILIOU]; New Horizons [Nikolaos KOUTSOU, secretary general]; Ecologists [Yeoryios PERDHIKIS]; Turkish area: National Unity Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Communal Liberation Party or TKP [Mustafa AKINCI]; Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Mehmet ALI TALAT]; Free Democratic Party or HDP [Ismet KOTAK]; Nationalist Justice Party or MAP [Zorlu TORE]; Unity and Sovereignty Party or BEP [Arif Salih KIRDAG]; Democratic Party or DP [Serdar DENKTASH]; the HDP, MAP, and VP merged under the label National Struggle Unity Party (MMBP) to compete in the 12 December 1993 legislative election Political pressure groups and leaders: Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled); Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, 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 the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andreas NIKOLAIDES chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone : [1] (202) 462-5772 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 consulate(s) general: New York note: representative of the Turkish area in the US is Namik KORHAN, office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC, telephone [1] (202) 887-6198 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Kenneth C. BRILL (26 June 1996) embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, Nicosia mailing address : P. O. Box 4536, Nicosia, Cyprus telephone: [357] (2) 476100 FAX: [357] (2) 465944 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 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 Economy - overview: The Greek Cypriot economy is small and prosperous, but highly susceptible to external shocks. Industry contributes 23% to GDP and employs 25% of the labor force, while the service sector contributes 72% to GDP and employs 62% of the labor force. Erratic growth rates in the 1990s reflect the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals (caused by fluctuations in political and economic conditions in Western Europe and the Middle East) and the need for structural changes in the economy. One bright spot has been the low rate of inflation. In 1996 Cyprus fully satisfied all the Maastricht convergence criteria. 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. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to nearly every sector. In January 1997, Turkey signed a $250 million economic cooperation accord with the Turkish Cypriot area to support tourism, education, and industry. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.8 billion (Greek area: purchasing power parity - $8,300,000,000; Turkish area: purchasing power parity - $536,000,000) (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (Greek area: 4%; Turkish area: 0.5%) (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,800 (Greek area: purchasing power parity - $13,700; Turkish area: purchasing power parity - $3,950) (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: Greek area: agriculture 5.3%; industry 22.7%; services 72% (1996 est.); Turkish area: agriculture 11.4%; industry 22.9%; services 65.7% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: Greek area: 3.3% (1996 est.); Turkish area: 86% (1996 est.) Labor force: total : Greek area: 299,700 by occupation: services 62%, industry 25%, agriculture 13% (1995) total: Turkish area: 76,500 by occupation: services 66%, industry 11%, agriculture 23% (1995) Unemployment rate: Greek area: 2.3% (1996 est.); Turkish area: 3.6% (1995 est.) Budget: revenues: Greek area - $2.9 billion, Turkish area - $149 million expenditures: Greek area - $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $453 million, Turkish area - $304 million, including capital expenditures of $20 million (1996) Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products Industrial production growth rate: Greek area: -4% (1996); Turkish area: 2.6% (1992) Electricity - capacity: 690,000 kW 000 kW Electricity - production: 2.5 billion kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: 3,380 kWh (1995) Agriculture - products: potatoes, citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables Exports: total value: Greek area: $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1996); commodities: citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes partners: Russia 17%, UK 11%, Greece 6%, Germany 5% total value: Turkish area: $71 million (f.o.b., 1996); commodities: citrus, potatoes, textiles partners : UK 35%, Turkey 30% Imports: total value: Greek area: $4 billion (f.o.b., 1996); commodities: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed grains, machinery partners: US 16%, UK 11%, Italy 9%, Germany 7%, Greece 7%, Japan 6% total value : Turkish area: $330 million (f.o.b., 1996); commodities: food, minerals, chemicals, machinery partners: Turkey 53%, UK 13% Debt - external: Greek area: $1.8 billion (1996) Economic aid: Greek area: recipient - $700 million with amount declining in recent years (1974-96 est.); Turkish area: recipient - $400 million from Turkey (1977-96 est.) Currency: 1 Cypriot pound (£C) = 100 cents; 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus Exchange rates: Cypriot pounds per US1$ - 0.4816 (January 1997), 0.4663 (1996), 0.4522 (1995), 0.4915 (1994), 0.4970 (1993), 0.4502 (1992); Turkish liras (TL) per US$1 - 112,019 (January 1997), 81,405 (1996), 45,845.1 (1995), 29,608.7 (1994), 10,984.6 (1993), 6,872.4 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Cyprus:Communications Telephones: Greek area: 367,000 (1996 est.); Turkish area: 80,000 (1996 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 4, FM 36, shortwave 1, Turkish area: AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0 Radios: Greek area: 500,000 (1996 est.); Turkish area: 130,000 (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: Greek area: 8 (repeaters 34); Turkish area: 2 Televisions: Greek area: 300,000 (1996 est.); Turkish area: 90,000 (1996 est.) @Cyprus:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: Greek area: 10,150 km; Turkish area: 2,350 km paved : Greek area: 5,781 km; Turkish area: 1,370 km unpaved: Greek area: 4,369 km; Turkish area: 980 km Ports and harbors: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos Bay Merchant marine: total : 1,520 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,234,821 GRT/40,170,562 DWT ships by type: bulk 486, cargo 562, chemical tanker 26, combination bulk 50, combination ore/oil 19, container 119, liquefied gas tanker 3, oil tanker 142, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 50, roll-on/roll-off cargo 32, short-sea passenger 17, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 2 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 49 countries among which are Greece 723, Germany 172, Russia 45, Netherlands 32, Japan 30, Belgium 26, Cuba 26, Latvia 17, UK 15, and US 14; Cyprus owns 71 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,491,740 DWT that operate under the registries of Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Hong Kong, Liberia, Malta, Panama, Syria, and UK (1996 est.) Airports: 15 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 1 (1996 est.) Heliports: 4 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Greek area: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includes air and naval elements); Hellenic Forces Regiment on Cyprus (ELDYK); Greek Cypriot Police;, Turkish area: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (TCSF), Turkish Forces Regiment on Cyprus (KTKA), Turkish mainland army units Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 192,593 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 132,412 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 6,038 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $405 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.4% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 Illicit drugs: transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well ______________________________________________________________________ CZECH REPUBLIC @Czech Republic:Geography Location: Central Europe, southeast of Germany Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 15 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 78,703 sq km land: 78,645 sq km water: 58 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 1,881 km border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 41% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 11% forests and woodland: 34% other: 12% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 240 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA 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 Environment - 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, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol Geography - 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 @Czech Republic:People Population: 10,298,324 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 930,874; female 886,444) 15-64 years : 69% (male 3,542,900; female 3,539,351) 65 years and over: 13% (male 535,049; female 863,706) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: -0.13% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 8.84 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 11.02 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.86 years male: 70.49 years female: 77.42 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.17 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech note: 300,000 Slovaks declared themselves Czech citizens in 1994 Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age NA and over can read and write total population: 99% (est.) male: NA% female : NA% @Czech Republic:Government Country name: conventional long form: Czech Republic conventional short form: Czech Republic local long form: Ceska Republika local short form: Ceska Republika Data code: EZ Government type: parliamentary democracy National 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) head of government : Prime Minister Vaclav KLAUS (since NA June 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers Ivan KOCARNIK (since NA June 1992), Josef LUX (since NA June 1992), Josef ZIELENIEC (since NA June 1992) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections : president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 26 January 1993 (next to be held NA January 1998); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaclav HAVEL elected president; percent of parliamentary vote - NA Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve staggered two-, four-, and six-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Snemovna Poslancu (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : Senate - last held 15-16 and 22-23 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 1998 - to replace/re-elect 20 senators serving two-year terms); Chamber of Deputies - last held 31 May-1 June 1996 (next to be held NA May 2000) election results : Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - governing coalition (ODS 32, KDU-CSL 13, ODA 7), opposition (CSSD 25, KCSM 2, DEU 1, independent 1); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - governing coalition (ODS 68, KDU-CSL 18, ODA 13), opposition (CSSD 61, KCSM 22, SPR-RSC 18) 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 or ODS [Vaclav KLAUS, chairman]; Civic Democratic Alliance or ODA [Michael ZANTOVSKY, chairman]; Christian Democratic Union-Czech People's Party or KDU-CSL [Josef LUX, chairman] opposition: Czech Social Democrats or CSSD - left opposition [Milos ZEMAN, chairman]; Communist Party or KSCM - left opposition [Miroslav GREBENICEK, chairman]; Assembly for the Republic or SPR-RSC - extreme right radical [Miroslav SLADEK, chairman]; Democratic Union or DEU [Ratibor MAJZLIK, chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: 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, Inmarsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NACC, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alexander VONDRA chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 274-9101, 9102 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540 consulate(s) general : Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jenonne R. WALKER embassy : Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1 mailing address: Unit 1330, APO AE 09213 telephone: [420] (2) 5732-0663 FAX: [420] (2) 5732-0920 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) Economy Economy - overview: Western observers view the Czech Republic as one of the most politically and economically stable post-Communist states. Its key macroeconomic indicators are, in the aggregate, the best in the region, and public opinion polls show strong support for reform. The country emerged from recession in 1994 with 2.6% growth and reached about 5% growth in both 1995 and 1996 while keeping a balanced budget and reorienting exports to the EU. Inflation and unemployment of 8.7% and 3.3% respectively in 1996 are among the lowest in the region. 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 in private hands or is partially privatized. The Czech Republic appears to be the East European frontrunner in economic integration with the West; for example, in 1996 it began to strengthen its bankruptcy law and to improve the transparency of stock market operations. It was the first post-Communist member of the OECD and is expected to be in the next group of new EU members. Its solid economic performance has led Standard and Poor's to upgrade the country's sovereign credit rating to "A" and has attracted over $6.7 billion in direct foreign investment to Czech industry between 1990 and September 1996 - one quarter from the US. Prague's biggest macroeconomic concerns now are mounting trade and current account deficits. In addition, the Czech economy still faces transition problems. The government continues to exert too much direct and indirect influence on the privatized economy, and the management of privatized firms sometimes is ineffective. Insufficient regulation and lack of public information in the capital markets and the banking system, combined with a shortage of experienced financial analysts, limit the ability to distribute new credit efficiently. The judicial system also has trouble speedily processing bankruptcy cases. Prague has promised to overhaul its bankruptcy law and improve stock market and bank operations, but it will take years to ensure compliance. Prague forecasts a balanced budget, 4.5% GDP growth, 3.3% unemployment and 7.5% to 8% inflation for 1997. GDP: purchasing power parity - $114.3 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,100 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 43% services : 53% (1996 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 8.7% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 5.107 million (1996) by occupation: industry 33.1%, agriculture 6.9%, construction 9.1%, transport and communications 7.2%, services 43.7% (1994) Unemployment rate: 3.3% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $18.4 billion expenditures: $18.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.) Industries: fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery and equipment, coal, motor vehicles, glass, armaments Industrial production growth rate: 6.4% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 13.85 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 55.38 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 4,712 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products Exports: total value: $21.9 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: manufactured goods 32.4%, machinery and transport equipment 26.3%, chemicals 10.4%, raw materials and fuel 11.3% (1995) partners : EU 55.1%, Eastern Europe, excluding Slovakia, and CIS countries 16.9%, Slovakia 16.2%, developing countries 6.6%, EFTA 1.8% (1995) Imports: total value: $27.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 35.6%, manufactured goods 17.9%, chemicals 13.2%, raw materials and fuels 14.4% (1994) partners : EU 56.4%, Eastern Europe, excluding Slovakia, and CIS countries 15.7%, Slovakia 13.1%, developing countries 6.0%, EFTA 2.5% (1995) Debt - external: $17.1 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $27 million (1993) Currency: 1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru Exchange rates: koruny (Kcs) per US$1 - 27.516 (January 1997), 27.145 (1996), 26.541 (1995), 28.785 (1994), 29.153 (1993), 28.26 (1992) note: values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rates Fiscal year: calendar year @Czech Republic: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 @Czech Republic:Transportation Railways: total: 9,441 km standard gauge : 9,345 km 1.435-m standard gauge (2641 km electrified at three voltages) narrow gauge: 96 km two narrow gauges (1995) Highways: total: 124,770 km paved: 16,719 km (including 414 km of expressways) unpaved : 108,051 km (1995 est.) Waterways: NA km; the Elbe (Labe) is the principal river Pipelines: natural gas 5,400 km Ports and harbors: Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 80,117 GRT/134,890 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 116 (1994 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 29 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 87 over 3,047 m : 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m : 41 (1994 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad Units Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,715,759 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 2,068,143 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 84,516 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.22 billion (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.2% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Liechtenstein claims restitution for 1,600 sq km 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; individual Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World War II; unresolved property issues with Slovakia over redistribution of property of the former Czechoslovak federal government Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; domestic consumption - especially of locally produced synthetic drugs - on the rise ______________________________________________________________________ DENMARK @Denmark: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: 43,094 sq km land: 42,394 sq km water: 700 sq km note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark, but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 68 km border countries : Germany 68 km Coastline: 7,314 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 4 nm continental shelf : 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea : 3 nm Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m highest point: Ejer Bavnehoj 173 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, stone, gravel and sand Land use: arable land: 60% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 5% forests and woodland: 10% other: 25% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 4,350 sq km (1993 est.) 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 Environment - current issues: air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea Geography - note: controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in Copenhagen @Denmark:People Population: 5,305,048 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 18% (male 487,731; female 463,444) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,801,904; female 1,754,435) 65 years and over: 15% (male 330,143; female 467,391) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.59% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 12.78 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 11.22 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 4.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.1 years male: 73.44 years female: 78.9 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1980 est.) male : NA% female: NA% @Denmark:Government Country name: conventional long form : Kingdom of Denmark conventional short form: Denmark local long form: Kongeriget Danmark local short form: Danmark Data code: DA Government type: constitutional monarchy National 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 : there is one other city, Fredericksberg, mentioned by some sources, but the US government has not recognized it as a first-order administrative division; 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 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the queen (born 26 May 1968) head of government: Prime Minister Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN (since 25 January 1993) cabinet : Cabinet appointed by the queen elections: none; the queen is a constitutional monarch; prime minister appointed by the queen Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Folketing (179 seats; members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 21 September 1994 (next to be held not later than September 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 34.6%, Liberals 23.3%, Conservatives 15.0%, Socialist People's Party 7.3%, Progress Party 6.4%, Social Liberals 4.6%, Unity List 3.1%, Center Democrats 2.8%, Christian People's Party 1.8%; seats by party - Social Democrats 63, Liberals 44, Conservatives 28, Socialist People's Party 13, Progress Party 11, Social Liberals 8, Unity List 6, Center Democrats 5, independent 1; note - Progress Party split up in spring of 1995: Progress Party retained 7 seats, Danish People's Party 4 seats 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 [Kirsten JAKOBSEN]; Center Democratic Party [Mimi JAKOBSEN]; Social Liberal Party [Marianne JELVED]; Unity Party [none]; Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD] 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, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Edward E. ELSON embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] (31) 42 31 44 FAX : [45] (35) 43 02 23 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 Economy Economy - overview: This thoroughly modern market 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 a net exporter of food. The 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. The coalition also vows to maintain a stable currency. The coalition has lowered marginal income taxes while maintaining overall tax revenues; boosted industrial competitiveness through labor market and tax reforms and increased research and development funds; and improved welfare services for the neediest while cutting paperwork and delays. Prime Minister RASMUSSEN's reforms 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). Denmark is, in fact, one of the few EU countries likely to fit into the EMU on time. GDP: purchasing power parity - $118.2 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $22,700 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 27% services: 69% (1995) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.1% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 2,895,950 by occupation: private services 40%, government services 30%, manufacturing and mining 19%, construction 6%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5% (1995) Unemployment rate: 8.2% (November 1996) Budget: revenues: $62.1 billion expenditures: $66.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.) Industries: food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture, and other wood products, shipbuilding Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (1996) Electricity - capacity: 9.458 million kW 000 kW Electricity - production: 34.6 billion kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: 6,411 kWh (1995) Agriculture - products: grain, potatoes, rape, sugar beets; meat, dairy products; fish Exports: total value: $47.6 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and instruments 25%, meat and meat products, fuels, dairy products, ships, fish, chemicals partners : Germany 22.5%, Sweden 9.7%, UK 7.9%, Norway 5.9%, France 5.4%, Netherlands 4.4%, US 4.0% (1995) Imports: total value: $42.4 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum 25%, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, textiles, paper partners : Germany 21.7%, Sweden 11.7%, Netherlands 7.0%, UK 6.6%, France 5.2%, Norway 4.9%, US 4.7%, Japan 3.5%, FSU 1.7% (1995) Debt - external: $44 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: donor: ODA, $1.34 billion (1993) Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.117 (January 1997), 5.799 (1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Denmark:Communications Telephones: 4.025 million (1995 est.), of which 822,000 are mobile telephones Telephone system: excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, four cellular radio communications systems international: 18 submarine optical fiber cables linking Denmark with Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, UK, Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Canada; satellite earth stations - 6 Intelsat; 10 Eutelsat; 1 Orion; 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for world-wide Inmarsat access Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 50 (1996 est.) Televisions: 3 million (1996 est.) @Denmark: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 : 71,420 km paved: 71,420 km (including 830 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 417 km Pipelines: crude oil 110 km; petroleum products 578 km; natural gas 700 km Ports and harbors: Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Grenaa, Koge, Odense, Struer Merchant marine: total: 328 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,180,729 GRT/7,400,870 DWT ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 114, chemical tanker 20, container 68, liquefied gas tanker 25, livestock carrier 6, oil tanker 29, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 16, roll-on/roll-off cargo 24, 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 (1996 est.) Airports: 109 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 102 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m : 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 77 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Home Guard Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,333,279 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 1,146,099 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 33,532 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.9 billion (1997 est.) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (1997 est.) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Iceland, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area) ______________________________________________________________________ DJIBOUTI @Djibouti: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: 22,000 sq km land: 21,980 sq km water : 20 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller 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 Climate: desert; torrid, dry Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Asal -155 m highest point : Mousa Alli 2,028 m Natural resources: geothermal areas Land use: arable land : NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: 9% forests and woodland: 0% other: 91% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Desertification Geography - note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland @Djibouti:People Population: 434,116 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 92,920; female 92,584) 15-64 years: 55% (male 125,547; female 112,140) 65 years and over: 2% (male 5,624; female 5,301) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.51% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 42.16 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 14.98 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -12.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 104.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.61 years male: 48.65 years female: 52.63 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.01 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Ethnic groups: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5% Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 46.2% male : 60.3% female: 32.7% (1995 est.) @Djibouti:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland Data code: DJ Government type: republic National 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) head of government: Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30 September 1978) cabinet : Council of Ministers responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote to a six-year term; election last held 7 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: President HASSAN GOULED reelected; percent of vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members are elected to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 18 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1997) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - RPP 65; note - RPP (the ruling party) dominated Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: ruling party : People's Progress Assembly or RPP [Hassan GOULED Aptidon] other parties: Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Mohamed Jama ELABE]; Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh] Political pressure groups and leaders: Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy or FRUD, and affiliates; Movement for Unity and Democracy or MUD International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Terri ROBL 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 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 Economy Economy - 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 40% to 50% 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). Faced with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in arrears on long term external debt and has been struggling to meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors. GDP: purchasing power parity - $500 million (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -3.1% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,200 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 3% industry: 21% services: 76% (1993 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 4.9% (1995 est.) Labor force: total: 282,000 by occupation: agriculture 75%, industry 11%, services 14% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 40%-50% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $150 million expenditures: $181 million, including capital expenditures of $34 million (1995 est.) Industries: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and mineral-water bottling Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 115,000 kW (1991) Electricity - production: 200 million kWh (1991) Electricity - consumption per capita: 577 kWh (1991) Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels Exports: total value: $184 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: hides and skins, coffee (in transit) (1995) partners: Somalia 42%, Ethiopia 35%, Yemen 7% (1995 est.) Imports: total value: $384 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products (1995) partners : Thailand 15%, France 13%, Ethiopia 8%, Saudi Arabia 6% (1995 est.) Debt - external: $267 million (1995 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 @Djibouti: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 Jiddah, Suez, Sicily, Marseilles, Colombo, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; MEDARABTEL regional microwave radio relay telephone network Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 Televisions: 17,000 (1993 est.) @Djibouti:Transportation Railways: total: 97 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) narrow gauge: 97 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 2,890 km paved: 364 km unpaved: 2,526 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Djibouti Merchant marine: total : 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 11 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m : 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m : 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force), National Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite), National Police Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 103,569 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 60,751 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $26 million (1989) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ DOMINICA @Dominica: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: 750 sq km land: 750 sq km water : 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly 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 Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m Natural resources: timber Land use: arable land : 9% permanent crops: 13% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 67% other : 8% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements @Dominica:People Population: 66,633 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 9,287; female 9,115) 15-64 years: 63% (male 21,364; female 20,617) 65 years and over : 9% (male 2,569; female 3,681) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: -1.26% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 17.72 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -24.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.6 years male: 74.74 years female : 80.6 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic groups: black, Carib Amerindian 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: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 94% male: 94% female: 94% (1970 est.) @Dominica:Government Country name: conventional long form : Commonwealth of Dominica conventional short form: Dominica Data code: DO Government type: parliamentary democracy National 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) head of government: Prime Minister Edison C. JAMES (since 12 June 1995) cabinet : Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998); prime minister appointed by the president election results : Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9 appointed senators, 21 elected by popular vote representatives; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 June 1995; byelections held 13 August 1996 (next to be held by October 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UWP 12, DLP 5, DFP 4 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 or DFP [Charles SAVERIN]; Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Rosie DOUGLAS]; United Workers Party or UWP [Edison JAMES] Political pressure groups and leaders: Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party) International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward I. WATTY (non-resident) chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781 FAX : [1] (202) 364-6791 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the Ambassador to Dominica resides in Bridgetown (Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica 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) Economy Economy - overview: The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions, notably tropical storms. Agriculture, primarily bananas, accounts for 26% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Development of the tourist industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline, lack of beaches, 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 government is attempting to develop an offshore financial industry in order to diversify the island's production base. GDP: purchasing power parity - $208 million (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.7% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,500 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: NA% services : NA% (1995) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.2% (1996 est.) Labor force: total : 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: 15,000 kW (1994) Electricity - production: 52 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 479 kWh (1994 est.) Agriculture - products: bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts; forestry and fisheries potential not exploited Exports: total value : $40 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: bananas 70%, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges partners: UK 55%, Caricom countries, Italy, US Imports: total value: $122 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities : manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals partners: US 25%, Caricom, UK, Japan, Canada Debt - external: $110 million (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (February 1997; fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Dominica: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.) @Dominica:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 765 km paved: 385 km unpaved: 380 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Portsmouth, Roseau Merchant marine: none Airports: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Special Service Unit, Coast Guard) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: NA Military manpower - fit for military service: males: NA Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer ______________________________________________________________________ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC @Dominican Republic: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: 48,730 sq km land: 48,380 sq km water : 350 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire Land boundaries: total : 275 km border countries: 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 Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 9% permanent pastures : 43% forests and woodland: 12% other: 15% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 2,300 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: occasional hurricanes (July to October) Environment - current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Law of the Sea Geography - note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti) @Dominican Republic:People Population: 7,868,731 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 1,423,626; female 1,371,309) 15-64 years: 60% (male 2,404,042; female 2,334,119) 65 years and over : 4% (male 160,270; female 175,365) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.65% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 26.87 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.81 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -4.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 46 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.39 years male : 67.21 years female: 71.69 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.1 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic groups: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.1% male: 82% female : 82.2% (1995 est.) @Dominican Republic:Government Country name: conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: none local long form : Republica Dominicana local short form: none Data code: DR Government type: republic National 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: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 1996); Vice President Jaime David FERNANDEZ Mirabal (since 16 August 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government : President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 1996); Vice President Jaime David FERNANDEZ Mirabal (since 16 August 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term; election last held 16 May 1996; runoff election held 30 June 1996 (next to be held 16 May 2000) election results: President FERNANDEZ elected to his first term; percent of vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ (PLD) 51.25%, Jose Francisco PENA Gomez (PRD) 48.75% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 30 May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRSC 15, PLD 1, PRD 14; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 13, PRSC 50, PRD 57 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are elected by a Council made up of legislative and executive members with the president presiding Political parties and leaders: major parties: Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo]; Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Lidio CADET]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Jose Franciso PENA Gomez]; Independent Revolutionary Party or PRI minor parties: National Veterans and Civilian Party or PNVC [Juan Rene BEAUCHAMPS Javier]; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic or PLRD [Andres Van Der HORST]; Democratic Quisqueyan Party or PQD [Elias WESSIN Chavez]; National Progressive Force or FNP [Marino VINICIO Castillo]; Popular Christian Party or PPC [Rogelio DELGADO Bogaert]; Dominican Communist Party or PCD [Narciso ISA Conde]; Dominican Workers' Party or PTD [Ivan RODRIGUEZ]; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union or UPA [Ignacio RODRIGUEZ Chiappini]; Alliance for Democracy Party or APD [Maximilano Rabelais PUIG Miller, Nelsida MARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA]; Democratic Union or UD [Fernando ALVAREZ Bogaert] note: in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to form the Dominican Leftist Front or FID; however, they still retain individual party structures Political pressure groups and leaders: Collective of Popular Organizations or COP International organization participation: ACP, Caricom (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo VEGA Boyrie chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280, 6281 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) Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - overview: Economic reforms launched in late 1994 contributed to exchange rate stabilization, reduced inflation, and strong GDP growth in 1995-96. In 1996, there was increased mineral and petroleum exploration, and a new investment law that allows for repatriation of capital dividends has drawn more investment to the island. Upon coming to power in August 1996, President FERNANDEZ nevertheless inherited a trouble-ridden economy hampered by a pressured peso, a large external debt, nearly bankrupt state-owned enterprises, and a manufacturing sector hindered by daily power outages. In December, FERNANDEZ presented a bold economic reform package - including such reforms as the devaluation of the peso, income tax cuts, a 50% increase in sales taxes, reduced import tariffs, and increased gasoline prices - in an attempt to create a market-oriented economy that can compete internationally. The legislature, however, has been slow to act on several of the economic measures. GDP: purchasing power parity - $29.8 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.3% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,670 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 32% services: 55% (1995) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 12.5% (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% (1996 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: 2,450,400 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 6.506 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 613 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, meat, eggs Exports: total value: $3.1 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa partners : US 45%, EU 34%, Canada, Japan, Puerto Rico (1995) Imports: total value: $5.3 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals partners: US 44%, EU 16%, Venezuela 11%, Netherlands Antilles, Mexico, Japan (1995) Debt - external: $3.6 billion (1997) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $21 million (1993) Currency: 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 14.206 (January 1997), 13.775 (1996), 13.597 (1995), 13.160 (1994), 12.676 (1993), 12.774 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Dominican Republic: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.) @Dominican Republic: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 : 12,300 km paved: 6,064 km unpaved: 6,236 km (1995 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km Ports and harbors: 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 (1996 est.) Airports: 31 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 15 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m : 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,081,709 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 1,310,534 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 79,860 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $116 million (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US through Puerto Rico ______________________________________________________________________ ECUADOR @Ecuador: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 : 283,560 sq km land: 276,840 sq km water: 6,720 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Nevada 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 Climate: tropical along coast becoming cooler inland Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 18% forests and woodland: 56% other: 15% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 5,560 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes Environment - 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 signed, but not ratified : none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world @Ecuador:People Population: 12,105,124 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37% (male 2,252,260; female 2,174,004) 15-64 years: 59% (male 3,529,606; female 3,619,002) 65 years and over : 4% (male 248,105; female 282,147) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.93% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 24.04 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.28 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 33.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.44 years male: 68.83 years female: 74.17 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.87 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and Spanish) 55%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish 10%, black 10% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.1% male: 92% female: 88.2% (1995 est.) @Ecuador:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form : Ecuador Data code: EC Government type: republic National 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: President Fabian ALARCON Rivera (since 11 February 1997); Vice President Rosalia ARTEAGA Serrano de Cordova (since 10 August 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Fabian ALARCON Rivera (since 11 February 1997); Vice President Rosalia ARTEAGA Serrano de Cordova (since 10 August 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government note : in an unusual, out of cycle change in executive power, Congress on 11 February 1997 elected then Congress President ALARCON to be Interim President until August 1998 after ousting former President BUCARAM because of "mental incapacity;" ARTEAGA remained vice president cabinet : Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 19 May 1996; runoff election held 7 July 1996; note - because of the February 1997 unusual change in executive power, the next presidential elections will take place in 1998 election results : runoff election; percent of vote - Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz 54%, Jaime NEBOT 46%; note - in February 1997, Congress elected ALARCON to be Interim President until August 1998, with 57 of 82 Congressmen voting in favor of him Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (82 seats; 12 members are popularly elected at large nationally to serve four-year terms; 70 members are popularly elected by province for two-year terms) elections : last held 19 May 1996 (next to be held 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSC 27, PRE 19, DP 12, P-NP 8, ID 4, FRA 3, MPD 2, PCE 2, CFP 1, independents and other 4; note - defections by members of congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are elected by Congress Political parties and leaders: Center-Right parties: Social Christian Party or PSC [Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president]; Ecuadorian Conservative Party or PCE [Freddy BRAVO] Center-Left parties: Democratic Left or ID [Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos, leader]; Popular Democracy or DP [Jamil MAHUAD, leader]; Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director] Populist parties: Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP [Averroes BUCARAM, leader]; Popular Revolutionary Action or APRE [Frank VARGAS Passos, leader]; Pachakutik-New Country or P-NP [Freddy EHLERS] Far-Left parties: Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Juan Jose CASTELLO, leader] International organization participation: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Fernando FLORES 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, Philadelphia, and San Francisco consulate(s): Newark Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie ALEXANDER embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre and Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: APO AA 34039 telephone : [593] (2) 562-890 FAX: [593] (2) 502-052 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil 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 Economy Economy - overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. As an exporter of primary products such as oil, bananas, and shrimp, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. Growth has been uneven in recent years as the government has repeatedly initiated ill-conceived fiscal stabilization measures. The populist government of Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz proposed a major currency reform in 1996, but popular discontent with new austerity measures and rampant official corruption undermined his government's position. Congress replaced BUCARAM with Fabian ALARCON in February 1997. ALARCON has adopted a minimalist economic program that puts off major decisions until the next elected government takes office in August 1998. Ecuador has joined the Word Trade Organization in 1996, but has failed to comply with many of its accession commitments. Growth slowed to 2.0% in 1996, due to a lack of investment caused by political uncertainty and high domestic interest rates. GDP: purchasing power parity - $47 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,100 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 13% industry: 38% services: 49% (1996 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 26% (1996) Labor force: total: 3.4 million by occupation: agriculture 29%, manufacturing 18%, commerce 15%, services and other activities 38% (1990) Unemployment rate: 8.5% with widespread underemployment (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $3.6 billion (1997) expenditures: $3.6 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: 3.3% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 2.754 million kW (1996) Electricity - production: 9.27 billion kWh (1996) Electricity - consumption per capita: 600 kWh (1996) Agriculture - products: bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc, plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp Exports: total value: $4.9 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: petroleum 37%, bananas 20%, shrimp 13%, cocoa 2%, coffee 3% partners : US 39%, Latin America 25%, EU countries 22%, Asia 12% Imports: total value: $3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: transport equipment, consumer goods, vehicles, machinery, chemicals partners: US 32%, EU 19%, Latin America 35%, Asia 11% Debt - external: $12.6 billion (1996) 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 - 3,674.9 (January 1997), 3,189.5 (1996), 2,564.5 (1995), 2,196.7 (1994), 1,919.1 (1993), 1,534.0 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Ecuador: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.) @Ecuador:Transportation Railways: total: 965 km (single track) narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge Highways: total : 43,106 km paved: 7,932 km unpaved: 35,174 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 1,500 km Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km Ports and harbors: Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, San Lorenzo Merchant marine: total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 117,401 GRT/179,142 DWT ships by type: container 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 14, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 179 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 143 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m : 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 111 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 33 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 3,077,812 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 2,079,537 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 125,185 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $390.2 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.1% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: three sections of the boundary with Peru are in dispute 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 ______________________________________________________________________ EGYPT @Egypt: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: 1,001,450 sq km land : 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Elevation extremes: 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: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other : 98% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 32,460 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides, volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms 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 Environment - 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, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - 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 @Egypt:People Population: 64,824,466 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 12,080,281; female 11,556,970) 15-64 years: 60% (male 19,616,790; female 19,228,163) 65 years and over: 4% (male 1,050,540; female 1,291,722) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.89% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 27.82 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 8.56 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 71 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.75 years male: 59.8 years female: 63.8 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.4% male: 63.6% female: 38.8% (1995 est.) @Egypt:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic National 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 (since 14 October 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Kamal Ahmed El-GANZOURI (since 4 January 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections : president nominated by the People's Assembly for a six-year term, the nomination must then be validated by a national, popular referendum; national referendum last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1999); prime minister appointed by the president election results: national referendum validated President MUBARAK's nomination by the People's Assembly to a third term Legislative branch: bicameral system consists of the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) and the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura - which functions only in a consultative role (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve NA-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - last held 29 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); Advisory Council - last held 7 June 1995 (next to be held NA) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NDP 72%, independents 25%, opposition 3%; seats by party - NDP 317, independents 114, NWP 6, NPUG 5, Nasserist Arab Democratic Party 1, Liberals 1; Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NDP 99%, independents 1%; 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 'ABDAL-'AL note: formation of political parties must be approved by government Political pressure groups and leaders: 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 two years 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, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNRWA, UNTAES, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward S. WALKER, Jr. embassy: (North Gate) 8, Kamel El-Din Salah Street, Garden City, Cairo mailing address: Unit 64900, APO AE 09839-4900 telephone : [20] (2) 3557371 FAX: [20] (2) 3572000 branch office: Alexandria 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 Economy Economy - overview: By the end of the 1980s Egypt - hit by the collapse of the world oil market and servicing a foreign debt totaling about $50 billion - faced crises in virtually all economic sectors. Problems of low productivity and poor economic management were compounded by the adverse social effects of large population growth rates, high inflation, and massive urban overcrowding. In the face of these pressures, in 1991, Egypt undertook wide-ranging macroeconomic stabilization and structural reform measures. This reform effort has been supported by three successive IMF arrangements, the last of which was concluded in October 1996. Egypt's reform efforts - and its participation in the Gulf war coalition - also led to massive debt relief under the Paris Club arrangements. Egypt's foreign debt fell to about $31 billion at yearend 1996. Although the pace of reform has been uneven and slower than envisaged under the IMF programs, substantial progress has been made in improving macroeconomic performance - budget deficits have been slashed while foreign reserves in 1996 were at an all-time high - and in moving toward a more decentralized, market-oriented economy. Egypt was able to capitalize on its progress during the third Middle East/North Africa economic conference which it hosted in November 1996. Egypt's President MUBARAK told reporters that Egypt had concluded deals worth $10 billion in investment during the conference, 20 times the country's estimated total direct foreign investment for the 1995/96 fiscal year. According to press reports, Egypt and foreign investors agreed on nine megaprojects, including the export of liquefied natural gas from Egypt to Turkey, estimated at $2 billion to $4 billion. Egypt has a broad-based inventory of geographic, human, and physical assets which in a liberalized market environment could spur rapid, sustainable growth into the next century. But rapid population growth continues to cast a shadow over economic prospects. GDP: purchasing power parity - $183.9 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.9% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,900 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16% industry : 34% services: 50% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 7.3% (1996) Labor force: total: 17.4 million (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 40%, services, including government 38%, industry 22% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.4% (FY95/96 official estimate) Budget: revenues: $17.4 billion expenditures: $18.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.5 billion (FY95/96) Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction, cement, metals Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 13.04 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 47.89 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 723 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; annual fish catch about 140,000 metric tons Exports: total value : $4.6 billion (f.o.b., FY95/96 est.) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals partners: EU, US, Japan Imports: total value: $13.8 billion (c.i.f., FY95/96 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, durable consumer goods, capital goods partners: US, EU, Japan Debt - external: $31 billion (yearend 1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $1.713 billion (1993) Currency: 1 Egyptian pound (£E) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (£E) per US$1 - 3.4 (November 1994), 3.369 (November 1993), 3.345 (November 1992); market rate - 3.3900 (January 1997), 3.3880 (1996), 3.3900 (1995), 3.3910 (1994), 3.3718 (1993), 3.3386 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Egypt: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.) @Egypt:Transportation Railways: total: 4,751 km standard gauge: 4,751 km 1,435-m gauge (42 km electrified; 951 km double track) Highways: total: 50,000 km paved: 15,000 km unpaved : 35,000 km (1990 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 and harbors: Alexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, Bur Safajah, Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez Merchant marine: total: 156 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,151,960 GRT/1,771,863 DWT ships by type: bulk 21, cargo 65, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 14, passenger 35, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 16, short-sea passenger 3 (1996 est.) Airports: 81 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 73 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m : 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 10 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1996 est.) Heliports: 2 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 16,942,953 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 10,987,037 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 672,197 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.28 billion (FY95/96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 8.2% (FY95/96) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundary creating the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km 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 ______________________________________________________________________ EL SALVADOR @El Salvador: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: 21,040 sq km land: 20,720 sq km water: 320 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April) Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 29% forests and woodland : 5% other: 31% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes Environment - 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 Geography - note: smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea @El Salvador:People Population: 5,661,827 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38% (male 1,084,198; female 1,038,248) 15-64 years: 57% (male 1,538,609; female 1,709,756) 65 years and over : 5% (male 133,038; female 157,978) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.6% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 27.22 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.44 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -4.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 30.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.27 years male : 65.89 years female: 72.81 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.13 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran Ethnic groups: mestizo 94%, Amerindian 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 Amerindians) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.5% male : 73.5% female: 69.8% (1995 est.) @El Salvador:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic National 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 : President Armando CALDERON Sol (since 1 June 1994); Vice President Enrique BORGO Bustamante (since 1 June 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Armando CALDERON Sol (since 1 June 1994); Vice President Enrique BORGO Bustamante (since 1 June 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 20 March 1994, with a run-off election held 24 April 1994 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results: Armando CALDERON Sol elected president; percent of vote - 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 and the results were as follows - Armando CALDERON SOL (ARENA) 68.35%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 31.65% Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections : last held 16 March 1997 (next to be held NA March 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - ARENA 35.4%, FMLN 34.3%, PCN 8.1%, PDC 7.9%, CD 3.8%, PRSC 3.4%, PLD 3.2%, MU 2.1%, PD 1.0%, other 0.8%; seats by party - ARENA 28, FMLN 27, PCN 11, PDC 9, PRSC 3, CD 2, PLD 2, MU 1, PD 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly Political parties and leaders: National Republican Alliance or ARENA [Gloria SALGUERO Gross, president]; Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Salvador SANCHEZ Ceren (aka Leonel GONZALEZ), general coordinator]; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Ronal UMANA, secretary general]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ Zepeda, secretary general]; Democratic Convergence or CD [Ruben ZAMORA, secretary general]; Unity Movement Party or MU [Jorge MARTINEZ Menendez, president]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Kirio Waldo SALGADO, founder]; Democratic Party or PD (breakaway from FMLN) [Joaquin VILLALOBOS, founder, Ana Guadalupe MARTINEZ, leader]; Social Christian Renovation Party or PRSC (breakaway from PDC) [Abraham RODRIGUEZ, founder] Political pressure groups and leaders: labor organizations - Salvadoran Communal Union or UCS (peasant association); General Confederation of Workers or CGT (moderate); United Workers Front or FUT; business organizations - Productive Alliance or AP (conservative); National Federation of Salvadoran Small Businessmen or 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 the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Anne PATTERSON 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 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 Economy Economy - 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 - $12.2 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,080 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry : 27% services: 59% (1995) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 7.4% (1996) Labor force: total: 2.2 million (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1% Unemployment rate: 7.6% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues : $1.75 billion expenditures: $1.82 billion, including capital expenditures of $317 million (1997 est.) Industries: food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals Industrial production growth rate: 7.6% (1993) Electricity - capacity: 900,000 kW (1996) Electricity - production: 3.32 billion kWh (1996) Electricity - consumption per capita: 580 kWh (1996 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products; shrimp Exports: total value: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: coffee, sugarcane; shrimp; textiles, chemicals partners: US, Guatemala, Germany, Costa Rica, Honduras Imports: total value: $3.2 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities : raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods partners: US, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Japan Debt - external: $2.54 billion (yearend 1996) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $763 million (1996) 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 (end of period) - 8.755 (January 1997), 8.755 (1996), 8.755 (1995), 8.750 (1994), 8.670 (1993), 9.170 (1992), 8.080 (1991) note: as of 1 June 1990, the rate is based on the average of the buying and selling rates, set on a weekly basis, for official receipts and payments, imports of petroleum, and coffee exports; prior to that date, a system of floating was in effect Fiscal year: calendar year @El Salvador:Communications Telephones: 300,000 (1996 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 18, FM 80, shortwave 2 Radios: 1 million (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 11 (1996 est.) Televisions: 600,000 (1996 est.) @El Salvador: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: 12,320 km paved: 1,712 km (including 110 km of expressways) unpaved : 10,608 km (1995 est.) Waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable Ports and harbors: Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, La Union, Puerto El Triunfo Merchant marine: none Airports: 72 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 52 over 3,047 m : 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 48 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 20 914 to 1,523 m: 20 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,330,498 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 844,314 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 64,530 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $101 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.9% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; marijuana produced for local consumption ______________________________________________________________________ EQUATORIAL GUINEA @Equatorial Guinea:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon Geographic coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 28,050 sq km land: 28,050 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller 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 Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Elevation extremes: 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 : 5% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 46% other: 41% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: violent windstorms Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea Geography - note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated @Equatorial Guinea:People Population: 442,516 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 95,636; female 95,090) 15-64 years : 53% (male 111,801; female 123,257) 65 years and over: 4% (male 7,407; female 9,325) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.57% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 39.33 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 13.67 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 95.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.46 years male: 51.2 years female: 55.8 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.11 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 78.5% male: 89.6% female: 68.1% (1995 est.) @Equatorial Guinea:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic in transition to multiparty democracy National 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) head of government: Prime Minister Serafin Seriche DOUGAN (since April 1996); Vice Prime Minister Francisco Javier Ndongo MBENGONO (since April 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote to a seven-year term; election last held 25 February 1996 (next to be held NA February 2003) election results : President OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected without opposition; percent of popular vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral House of Peoples Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (80 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 November 1993 (next to be held November 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 68, CSD 6, UDS 5, CLD 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal Political parties and leaders: ruling party: Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE [Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO] opposition parties: Convergence for Social Democracy or CSD [Santiago Obama Ndong, president]; Democratic Social Union or UDS [Camelo MODU, general secretary]; Liberal Democratic Convention or CLD [Alfonso Nsue MIFUMU, president]; Liberal Party or PL [Santos PASCUAL]; National Democratic Union or UDENA [Jose MECHEBA Ikaka, president]; Party of the Social Democratic Coalition or PCSD [Buenaventura Moswi M'Asumu, general coordinater]; Party of Progress or PP [Severo MOTO Nsa, president]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Casiano Masi Edu]; Popular Union or UP [Juan BITUI, president]; Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo Moto NSA, president]; Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP [Antonio-Ebang Mbele Abang, president]; Social Democratic and Popular Convergence or CSDP [Secundino Oyono Agueng Ada, general secretary]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Benjamin-Gabriel Balingha Balinga Alene, general secretary]; Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea or PSGE [Tomas MICHEBE Fernandez, general secretary] International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Pastor Micha ONDO BILE chancery: Suite 405, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone : [1] (202) 393-0525 FAX: [1] (202) 393-0348 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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) Economy Economy - overview: Farming, forestry, and fishing account for about half of GDP. 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 and has contributed to Equatorial Guinea's strong growth rates in the early 1990s. The country responded favorably to the devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994. GDP: purchasing power parity - $328 million (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 11.2% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 50% industry: 14% services: 36% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10.9% (1995 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $27 million expenditures: $34.1 million, including capital expenditures of $11.2 million (1994) Industries: fishing, sawmilling Industrial production growth rate: 7.4% (1994 est.) Electricity - capacity: 23,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts, manioc; livestock; timber Exports: total value : $83.5 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: timber, petroleum, cocoa partners: US 34%, Japan 16%, Spain 15%, China 12%, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria Imports: total value: $52.3 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities : petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery partners: Spain 51%, Cameroon 21%, France 6%, US 4% Debt - external: $252 million (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) 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 @Equatorial Guinea: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.) @Equatorial Guinea:Transportation Railways: total : 0 km Highways: total: 2,820 km paved : 0 km unpaved: 2,820 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Bata, Luba, Malabo Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,997 GRT/7,105 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 3 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 (1996 est.) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Rapid Intervention Force, National Police Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 95,788 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 48,696 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.5 million (FY93/94) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay ______________________________________________________________________ ERITREA Introduction Historical perspective: on 29 May 1991, ISAIAS Afworke, secretary general of the Peoples' Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), which then served 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 referendum resulted in a landslide vote for independence which was proclaimed on 27 April 1993 @Eritrea: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 : 121,320 sq km land: 121,320 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 1,630 km border countries: Djibouti 113 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km Coastline: 2,234 km total; mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km Maritime claims: NA 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 12% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 48% forests and woodland: 20% other : 19% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 280 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - 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 @Eritrea:People Population: 3,589,687 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 781,169; female 770,497) 15-64 years: 54% (male 963,542; female 966,083) 65 years and over: 3% (male 55,811; female 52,585) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 6.35% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 43.96 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 15.26 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 34.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) note: it is estimated that between 200,000 and 350,000 Eritrean refugees were still living in Sudan in mid-1997 Sex ratio: at birth : 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population : 1.01 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 117.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.61 years male: 48.85 years female : 52.42 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.47 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean Ethnic groups: 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 @Eritrea:Government Country name: conventional long form: State of Eritrea conventional short form: Eritrea local long form : Hagere Ertra local short form: Ertra former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia Data code: ER Government type: transitional government note : following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the Peoples' Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the transitional legislature pending the promulgation of a constitution and popular elections National capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera) Administrative divisions: 8 provinces (singular - awraja); Akele Guzay, Barka, Denkel, Hamasen, Sahil, Semhar, Senhit, Seraye note: in May 1995 the National Assembly adopted a resolution stating that the administrative structure of Eritrea, which had been established by former colonial powers, would consist of only six provinces when the new constitution, then being drafted, would go into effect sometime in 1998; the new provinces, which have not been recommended by the US Board on Geographic Names for recognition by the US government, pending acceptable definition of the boundaries, are: Anseba, Debub, Debubawi, Gash-Barka, Maakel, and Semanawi Keyih Bahri 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 1998 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 1998, will follow the example set in the referendum of 1993 and extend suffrage to all persons 18 years of age or older Executive branch: chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority note: the president is head of the State Council and National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly; election last held 8 June 1993 (next to be held NA 1997) election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; term limits not established pending new constitution) elections: 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 or PFDJ, the only party recognized by the government [ISAIAS Afworki, PETROS Solomon] Political pressure groups and leaders: Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ; Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean Liberation Front - United Organization or ELF-UO [Mohammed Said NAWUD]; Eritrean Liberation Front - Revolutionary Council or ELF-RC [Ahmed NASSER] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador AMDEMICHAEL Berhane Khasai chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone : [1] (202) 319-1991 FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador John HICKS embassy: Franklin D. Roosevelt St., Asmara mailing address: P.O. Box 211, Asmara telephone: [291] (1) 120004 FAX : [291] (1) 127584 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 Economy Economy - overview: With independence from Ethiopia on 27 April 1993, Eritrea faced the bitter economic problems of a small, desperately poor African country. Most of the population must continue to depend on subsistence farming. Domestic output (GDP) is substantially augmented by worker remittances from abroad. Government revenues come from custom duties and income and sales taxes. Road construction is a top domestic priority. Shortages persist in housing, education, and health care. 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. Ethiopia is largely dependent on Eritrean ports for its foreign commerce. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.9% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $570 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 18% services : 63% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 8% (1995 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $214 million expenditures: $397 million, including capital expenditures of $78 million (1995 est.) Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 73,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: sorghum, lentils, vegetables, maize, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal (for making rope); livestock (including goats); fish Exports: total value: $81 million (1995 est.) commodities: livestock, sorghum, textiles partners: Ethiopia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UK, US, Yemen Imports: total value : $404 million (1995 est.) commodities: processed goods, machinery, petroleum products partners: Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Italy, United Arab Emirates Debt - external: $162 million (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents; at present, Ethiopian currency used; note - new Eritrean currency, the nakfa, to be circulated in 1997 Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 (end of the period) - 6.4260 (December 1996), 6.4260 (1996), 6.3200 (1995), 5.9500 (1994), 5.000 (fixed rate 1992-93); note - following independence from Ethiopia, Eritrea continued to use Ethiopian currency note: since May 1993, the birr market rate has been determined in an interbank market supported by weekly wholesale auction; prior to that date, the official rate was pegged to US$1 = 5.000 birr Fiscal year: calendar year @Eritrea: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 @Eritrea:Transportation Railways: total: 307 km narrow gauge: 307 km 0.950-m gauge (1995 est.) note: nonoperational since 1978 except for an about 5 km stretch 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) Highways: total: 3,930 km paved: 841 km unpaved : 3,089 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Assab (Aseb), Massawa (Mits'iwa) Merchant marine: total : 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,573 GRT/13,593 DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 14 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 10 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: NA Military manpower - fit for military service: males: NA Military expenditures - dollar figure: $40 million (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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 ______________________________________________________________________ ESTONIA @Estonia: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 : 45,226 sq km land: 43,211 sq km water: 2,015 sq km note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined Land boundaries: total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km Coastline: 3,794 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: limits to be fixed in coordination with neighboring states territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers Terrain: marshy, lowlands Elevation extremes: lowest point : Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m Natural resources: shale oil (kukersite), peat, phosphorite, amber, cambrian blue clay Land use: arable land : 27% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland: 48% other : 18% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 110 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: flooding occurs frequently in the spring 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; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas are heavily affected by organic waste; coastal sea water is polluted in many locations Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified : none of the selected agreements @Estonia:People Population: 1,436,558 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (male 141,814; female 136,895) 15-64 years: 67% (male 460,067; female 495,935) 65 years and over: 14% (male 65,302; female 136,545) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: -1.14% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 9.04 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 14.08 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -6.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.38 years male : 62.39 years female: 74.67 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.29 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethnic groups: Estonian 64.2%, Russian 28.7%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Byelorussian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.9% (1995) Religions: Evangelical Lutheran, others include Baptist, Methodist, 7th Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, 7th Day Baptist, Judaism Languages: Estonian (official), Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, other Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male : 100% female: 100% (1989 est.) @Estonia:Government Country name: 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 Government type: republic National 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: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following 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) head of government: Prime Minister Tiit VAHI (acting since NA March 1995; confirmed 17 April 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if he or she does not secure two-thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held August-September 1996 (next to be held fall 2001); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament election results: Lennart MERI elected president by an electoral assembly after Parliament was unable to break a deadlock between MERI and RUUTEL; percent of electoral assembly vote - Lennert MERI 61%, Arnold RUUTEL 39% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : last held 5 March 1995 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: percent of vote by party - 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 by party - 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 or KMU [Tiit VAHI, chairman] made up of 4 parties: Coalition Party, Country People's Party/Farmer's Assembly, Rural Union, and Pensioners' and Families' League; Reform Party-Liberals or RE [Siim KALLAS, chairman]; Center Party or K [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Union of Pro Patria or Fatherland League (Isamaa) [Toivo JURGENSON, chairman]; National Independence Party or ERSP [Kelam TUNNE, chairman]; 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 Party of Estonia [Nikolai MASPANOV, chairman]; Moderates or 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]; Republican Conservative [Vootele HANSEN]; Development/Progressive Party [Andra VEIDEMANN, chairwoman], note - party was created by defectors from Center Party in late spring 1996, now holds 6 or 7 seats in Parliament International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lauri LEPIK chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Lawrence P. TAYLOR embassy: Kentmanni 20, Tallinn EE 0001 mailing address: American Embassy, Tallinn; PSC 78, Box T; APO AE 09723 telephone: [372] (6) 312-021 FAX: [372] (6) 312-025 Flag description: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white Economy Economy - 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 2% in 1995-96. Following four years of decline, Estonia's GDP grew at 3% in 1995 and 1996. Despite these positive economic indicators, the current account deficit is widening. The resident IMF representative in Estonia has been worried since early 1996 about a rising public sector deficit boosted by local government spending. Small- and medium-scale privatization is essentially complete, and large-scale privatization is progressing gradually. In 1996, Estonia's national airline was privatized; in 1997 Estonia plans to privatize large infrastructure, i.e., Eesti Energia, Tallinn Port, Estonian Telecom, and Oil Shale. Estonia has successfully reoriented its 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 - $8.1 billion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,560 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 37% services : 53% (1993 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 23% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 750,000 (1992) by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1990) Unemployment rate: 5% (1996 official 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: 3% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 3.29 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 8.6 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 4,005 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: potatoes, fruits, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish Exports: total value: $2 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: textiles 16%, food products 16%, machinery and equipment 16%, metals 9% (1995) partners: Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Latvia (1995) Imports: total value : $3.1 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: machinery and equipment 29%, foodstuffs 14%, minerals 13%, textiles 13%, metals 12% (1995) partners: Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany (1995) Debt - external: $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 - 12.6 (January 1997), 12.410 (December 1996), 12.034 (1996), 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 @Estonia:Communications Telephones: 400,000 (1994 est.) 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: 3 commercial broadcast stations, 1 government broadcast station (1994) Radios: 710,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1993) note: provide Estonian programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first and second programs Televisions: 600,000 (1993 est.) @Estonia: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: 14,992 km paved: 8,096 km (including 65 km of expressways) unpaved : 6,896 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 500 km perennially navigable Pipelines: natural gas 420 km (1992) Ports and harbors: Haapsalu, Narva, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn Merchant marine: total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 364,492 GRT/478,441 DWT ships by type : bulk 7, cargo 31, container 4, oil tanker 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 4 (1996 est.) Airports: 22 (1994 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1994 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.) Military Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy/Coast Guard, Air and Air Defense Force (not officially sanctioned), Maritime Border Guard, Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 353,616 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 277,489 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 10,396 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $35 million (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical border agreement in December 1996, which Estonia is prepared to sign and ratify in January 1997; Estonia had claimed over 2,000 sq km territory in the Narva and Pechory regions in Russia - based on boundary established under the 1920 Peace Treaty of Tartu Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus, and cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia ______________________________________________________________________ ETHIOPIA Introduction Historical perspective: 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 @Ethiopia:Geography Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,127,127 sq km land: 1,119,683 sq km water: 7,444 sq km Area - comparative: 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) Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 40% forests and woodland: 25% other: 22% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 1,900 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - 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 Geography - note: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993 @Ethiopia:People Population: 58,732,577 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 46% (male 13,492,323; female 13,444,656) 15-64 years: 51% (male 15,167,806; female 15,020,499) 65 years and over: 3% (male 745,554; female 861,739) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.67% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 45.59 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.56 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 1997; entry into Ethiopia of Sudanese and Somalis fleeing the fighting in their own countries is also continuing in 1997 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: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 121.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.62 years male : 45.48 years female: 47.8 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.94 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian Ethnic groups: 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 3%-8% Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga, Somali, Arabic, English (major foreign language taught in schools) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.5% male: 45.5% female : 25.3% (1995 est.) @Ethiopia:Government Country name: conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia conventional short form: Ethiopia local long form: YeItyop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik local short form: YeItyop'iya abbreviation: FDRE Data code: ET Government type: federal republic National 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 22 August 1995) head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August 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 elections : president elected by the Council of People's Representatives for a six-year term; election last held June 1995 (next to be held NA 2001); prime minister designated by the party in power following legislative elections election results: NEGASSO Gidada elected president; percent of vote by the Council of People's Representatives - NA Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Council of the Federation or upper chamber (117 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the Council of People's Representatives or lower chamber (548 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms); note - the upper chamber represents the ethnic interests of the regional governments elections: regional and national popular elections were held in May and June 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) and the Federal Parliamentary Assembly assumed legislative power on 21 August 1995 election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - NA; note - EPRDF won nearly all seats Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the national legislature Political parties and leaders: Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front or EPRDF [MELES Zenawi] Political pressure groups and leaders: Oromo Liberation Front or 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 the 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David H. SHINN (17 June 1996) embassy : Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] (1) 550666 FAX: [251] (1) 552191 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 Economy Economy - overview: Ethiopia continues to face difficult economic problems as one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Its economy is based on agriculture, which accounts for more than 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 - $24.8 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.7% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $430 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 57% industry: 10% services: 33% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10% (1995 est.) Labor force: total: 18 million by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $1 billion expenditures: $1.48 billion, including capital expenditures of $415 million (FY96/97) Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 630,000 kW (1991) Electricity - production: 1.27 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 23 kWh (1994 est.) Agriculture - products: cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, other vegetables; hides, cattle, sheep, goats Exports: total value : $423 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: coffee, leather products, gold (1995) partners: Germany 18%, Japan 13%, Djibouti 10%, Saudi Arabia 8% (1993) Imports: total value: $1.15 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals (1995) partners : Saudi Arabia 13.3%, Italy 11.6%, US 10.2%, Germany 9.1%, Japan (1993) Debt - external: $4.3 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $367 million (FY95/96) Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 (end of period) - 6.4260 (December 1996), 6.4260 (1996), 6.3200 (1995), 5.9500 (1994), 5.0000 (fixed rate 1992-93); fixed at 2.070 before 1992 note: since May 1993, the birr market rate has been determined in an interbank market supported by weekly wholesale auction; prior to that date, the official rate was pegged to US$1 = 5.000 birr Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July @Ethiopia: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.) @Ethiopia:Transportation Railways: total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 28,360 km paved : 4,254 km unpaved: 24,106 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: 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 60,081 GRT/84,686 DWT ships by type: cargo 7, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3 (1996 est.) Airports: 59 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 13 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 1 under 914 m: 6 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 46 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 31 (1996 est.) Military Military 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 Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 13,257,668 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 6,889,800 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 605,030 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $110 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: most of the southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden 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 ______________________________________________________________________ EUROPA ISLAND (possession of France) @Europa Island: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: 28 sq km land: 28 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.16 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 Climate: tropical Terrain: NA Elevation extremes: lowest point : Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 24 m Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures : NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: wildlife sanctuary @Europa Island:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small military garrison @Europa Island:Government Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Europa Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Europa Data code: EU Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion National capital: none; administered by France from Reunion Independence: none (possession of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Economy - overview: no economic activity @Europa Island:Communications Communications - note: 1 meteorological station @Europa Island:Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar ______________________________________________________________________ FALKLAND ISLANDS (ISLAS MALVINAS) (Islas Malvinas)] (dependent territory of the UK) @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):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: 12,170 sq km land: 12,170 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm 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 Elevation extremes: lowest point : Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m Natural resources: fish, wildlife Land use: arable land : 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 99% forests and woodland: 0% other : 1% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):People Population: 2,432 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 2.43% (1997 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 total population : 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 groups: British Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: English @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):Government Country name: conventional long form : Colony of the Falkland Islands conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Data code: FA Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK Government type: NA National 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) head of government: Governor Richard RALPH (since 29 January 1996) cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats, 8 elected; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA October 1993 (next was to be held NA October 1998) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is non-resident Political parties and leaders: NA International organization participation: ICFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) 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 Economy Economy - 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: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: total: 1,100 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding) Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage Budget: revenues: $53.4 million expenditures: $53.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994-95 est.) Industries: wool and fish processing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep farming, small dairy herds Exports: total value: $7.6 million (1995) commodities: wool, hides, meat partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1992) Imports: total value : $24.7 million (1995) commodities: food, clothing, timber, and machinery partners : UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1992) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: UK, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments totaled $18 million (1993-94) Currency: 1 Falkland pound (£F) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Falkland pound (£F) per US$1 - 0.6023 (January 1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):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: 1 (government operated) Radios: 1,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (government operated) Televisions: NA @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 510 km paved: 30 km unpaved : 480 km Ports and harbors: Stanley Merchant marine: none Airports: 5 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes - international: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina ______________________________________________________________________ FAROE ISLANDS (part of the Danish realm) @Faroe Islands: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: 1,399 sq km land: 1,399 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) Area - comparative: eight times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,117 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Elevation extremes: lowest point : Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m Natural resources: fish, whales Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 94% (1996) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands @Faroe Islands:People Population: 39,873 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 25% (male 4,960; female 4,812) 15-64 years: 60% (male 12,913; female 11,117) 65 years and over: 15% (male 2,708; female 3,363) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: -6.36% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 11.46 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 9.05 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -38.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.37 years male: 75.41 years female : 81.32 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.37 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Ethnic groups: Scandinavian Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Literacy: NA note: similar to Denmark proper @Faroe Islands:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form : none local short form: Foroyar Data code: FO Dependency status: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark Government type: NA National 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), represented by High Commissioner Ms. Vibeke LARSEN, chief administrative officer (since mid-1995) head of government : Prime Minister Edmund JOENSEN (since 15 September 1994) cabinet: Landsstyri elected by the Faroese Parliament elections: the queen is a constitutional monarch; high commissioner appointed by the queen; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held NA 1994 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: Edmund JOENSEN elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 23.4% Legislative branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 July 1994 (next to be held by NA July 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - Unionist Party 23.4%, People's Party 16.0%, Social Democrats 15.4%, Republicans 13.7%, Workers' Party 9.5%, Christian People 6.3%, Center Party 5.8%, Home Rule Party 5.6%; seats by party - Unionist Party 8, People's Party 6, Social Democrats 5, Republicans 4, Workers' Party 3, Christian People 2, Center Party 2, Home Rule Party 2 note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 21 September 1994 (next to be held by September 1998); results - percent of vote by party - Unionist Party 22.5%, People's Party 21.7%; seats by party - Unionist Party 1, People's Party 1 Judicial branch: none Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Workers' Party [Alis JACOBSEN]; Home Rule Party [Helena Dam A NEYSTABO]; Unionist Party [Edmund JOENSEN]; Republican Party [Heini O. HEINESEN]; Center Party [Tordur NICLASEN]; Christian People's Party [Niels Pauli DANIELSEN]; People's Party [Arnfinn KALLSBERG] International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) 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) Economy Economy - overview: The Faroese economy in 1995 and 1996 saw a noticeable upturn after several years of decline brought on by a drop in fish catches and declining prices and by over-spending by the Faroese Home Rule Government (FHRG). In the early 1990s, property values plummeted, and the FHRG had to bail out and merge the two largest Faroese banks. Fishing is now improving; wage costs are increasing; the FHRG's budget is almost in balance; and the large foreign debt has come down significantly. Nevertheless, the total dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the reduction in the foreign debt is at the cost of low investment. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may lay the basis for an eventual economic rebound. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living comparable to the Danes and other Scandinavians. GDP: purchasing power parity - $800 million (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $16,300 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 16% services : 64% (1996 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.8% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 20,345 (1995 est.) by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and commerce Unemployment rate: 11% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues : $467 million expenditures: $468 million, including capital expenditures of $11 million (1996 est.) Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, construction, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 91,000 kW 000 kW Electricity - production: 175.4 million kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: 4,043 kWh (1995) Agriculture - products: milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon farming; fish Exports: total value: $362 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities : fish and fish products 92%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment (ships) partners: Denmark 22.2%, UK 25.8%, Germany 9.7%, France 8.3%, Norway 6.2%, US 2.0% Imports: total value: $315.6 (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 17.0%, consumer goods 33%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 26.9%, fuels 11.4%, fish and salt 6.7% partners : Denmark 34.5%, Norway 15.9%, UK 8.4% Germany 7.8%, Sweden 5.8%, US 1.5% Debt - external: $767 million (1995 est.) Economic aid: receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $150 million (1995) Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.117 (January 1997), 5.799 (1966), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Faroe Islands:Communications Telephones: 26,000 of which about 3,500 are mobile telephones (1996) Telephone system: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization to be completed in 1998 international: satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 optical fiber submarine cable linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1 (repeaters 13), shortwave 0 Radios: 11,800 (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 45) Televisions: 11,600 (1996 est.) @Faroe Islands:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 458 km paved: 450 km unpaved: 8 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjordhur Merchant marine: total : 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,979 GRT/14,531 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: no organized native military forces; only a small Police Force and Coast Guard are maintained Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ FIJI @Fiji: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: 18,270 sq km land: 18,270 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin Elevation extremes: 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 : 10% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 10% forests and woodland: 65% other : 11% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion Environment - 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 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited @Fiji:People Population: 792,441 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (male 140,685; female 135,044) 15-64 years: 62% (male 246,128; female 246,001) 65 years and over : 3% (male 11,620; female 12,963) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.28% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 23.12 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.3 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -4.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66 years male: 63.66 years female : 68.46 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.78 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 91.6% male: 93.8% female: 89.3% (1995 est.) @Fiji:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Fiji conventional short form : Fiji Data code: FJ Government type: republic note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987 National 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 completed 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); 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) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament note : there is also a Presidential Council that advises the president on matters of national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs which consists of the highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system elections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term; prime minister appointed by the president election results : Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA elected president; percent of Great Council of Chiefs vote - NA Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (34 seats; 24 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 9 for Indians and others, and 1 for the island of Rotuma; members appointed by the president to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (70 seats; 37 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 27 for ethnic Indians, and 6 for independents and others; members elected by popular vote on a communal basis to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 18-25 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 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, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNTAES, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ratu Napolioni MASIREWA chancery: Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320 FAX : [1] (202) 337-1996 consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 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 Economy Economy - overview: Fiji, 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. 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 - $5.1 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,500 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21% industry: 18% services: 61% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 3% (1997 est.) Labor force: total: 235,000 by occupation: subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15% (1987) Unemployment rate: 6% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $540.65 million expenditures : $742.65 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, clothing, lumber, small cottage industries Industrial production growth rate: 2.9% (1995) Electricity - capacity: 200,000 kW (1993) Electricity - production: 510 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 660 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish catch 13,796 tons (1991) Exports: total value : $607 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: sugar 32%, clothing, gold, processed fish, lumber partners: EU 26%, Australia 15%, other Pacific island countries 11%, Japan 6% Imports: total value: $864 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, consumer goods, chemicals partners: Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EU 6%, US 6% Debt - external: $333.8 million (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $14.35 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.); $3.5 million from New Zealand (FY95/96) Currency: 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.4000 (January 1997), 1.4033 (1996), 1.4063 (1995), 1.4641 (1994), 1.5418 (1993), 1.5030 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Fiji: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.) @Fiji: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: 3,370 km paved: 1,655 km unpaved : 1,715 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges Ports and harbors: Labasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, Suva Merchant marine: total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,800 GRT/18,034 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 2, oil tanker 1, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1996 est.) Airports: 21 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 1 under 914 m: 15 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; includes army, navy, and a small air wing) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 210,048 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 115,766 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 8,986 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $32 million (1997) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5% (1997) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ FINLAND @Finland: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: 337,030 sq km land: 305,470 sq km water: 31,560 sq km Area - comparative: 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: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm) 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 Elevation extremes: 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: NA% permanent pastures : 0% forests and woodland: 76% other : 16% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 640 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA 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 Environment - 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, Desertification, 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, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified : Air Pollution-Sulphur 94 Geography - note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain @Finland:People Population: 5,137,269 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 19% (male 493,427; female 473,166) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,729,996; female 1,694,111) 65 years and over: 14% (male 280,231; female 466,338) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.26% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 11.75 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 9.62 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.97 years male: 73.41 years female: 80.68 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish Ethnic groups: Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Lapp 0.11%, Gypsy 0.12%, Tatar 0.02% 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA% @Finland:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form : Suomen Tasavalta local short form: Suomi Data code: FI Government type: republic National 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 Russia) 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) head of government : Prime Minister Paavo LIPPONEN (since 13 April 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sauli NIINISTO (since 13 April 1995) cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 31 January-6 February 1994 (next to be held NA January 2000); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: Martti AHTISAARI elected president; percent of vote - Martti AHTISAARI 54%, Elisabeth REHN 46% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 March 1995 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results : percent of vote by party - 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 by party - 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 or 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 or EPV; Young Finns [Risto PENTTILA] Political pressure groups and leaders: 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, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC (observer), NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Jaakko Tapani 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Derek N. SHEARER embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14A, FIN-00140, Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 171931 FAX : [358] (9) 174681 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) Economy Economy - 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 has come back from the recession of 1990-92, which had 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 Finns voted in an October 1994 referendum to enter the EU, and Finland officially joined the Union on 1 January 1995. Attempts to cut the unacceptably high rate of unemployment and increasing integration with Western Europe will dominate the economic picture over the next few years. GDP: purchasing power parity - $97.1 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $19,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 7% industry: 37% services: 56% (1994) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 0.7% (1996) Labor force: total: 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: 16.6% (1996) Budget: revenues: $25.9 billion expenditures: $35 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.) Industries: metal products, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 7.4% (1995) Electricity - capacity: 14.14 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 60.5 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 12,373 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; annual fish catch about 160,000 metric tons Exports: total value: $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: total value : $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) Debt - external: $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 - 4.7765 (January 1997), 4.5936 (1996), 4.3667 (1995), 5.2235 (1994), 5.7123 (1993), 4.4794 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Finland:Communications Telephones: 2.5 million (1995 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: 1.92 million (1995 est.) @Finland: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: 77,722 km paved: 48,965 km (including 394 km of expressways) unpaved: 28,757 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 km suitable for steamers Pipelines: natural gas 580 km Ports and harbors: Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku, Uusikaupunki, Varkaus Merchant marine: total : 94 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,066,918 GRT/1,091,309 DWT ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 22, chemical tanker 5, oil tanker 12, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 31, short-sea passenger 12, vehicle carrier 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 156 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 151 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m : 91 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (includes Sea Guard) Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 1,298,576 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,068,503 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 32,985 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.9 billion (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for Latin American cocaine for the West European market ______________________________________________________________________ FRANCE @France: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: 547,030 sq km land : 545,630 sq km water: 1,400 sq km note: includes only metropolitan France, but excludes the overseas administrative divisions Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Colorado 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 Maritime claims: contiguous zone : 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean) territorial sea: 12 nm 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 Elevation extremes: 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: 33% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures : 20% forests and woodland: 27% other : 18% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 16,300 sq km (1995 est.) Natural hazards: flooding Environment - current issues: some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff Environment - 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, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Desertification Geography - note: largest West European nation; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral @France:People Population: 58,609,285 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (male 5,712,739; female 5,449,139) 15-64 years : 65% (male 19,178,683; female 19,126,672) 65 years and over: 16% (male 3,687,216; female 5,454,836) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.35% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 11.98 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 9.08 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.38 years male: 74.44 years female: 82.53 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1980 est.) @France:Government Country name: conventional long form: French Republic conventional short form: France local long form : Republique Francaise local short form: France Data code: FR Government type: republic National 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 is subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the overseas 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) head of government: Prime Minister Lionel JOSPIN (since 3 June 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 23 April and 7 May 1995 (next to be held by May 2002); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Jacques CHIRAC elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC 52.64%, Lionel JOSPIN 47.36% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (321 seats - 296 for metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve nine-year terms; elected by thirds every three years) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; members are elected under a single-member majoritarian system to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 24 September 1995 (next to be held September 1998); National Assembly - last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held NA May 2002) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 94, UDF 127, PS 75, PCF 15, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS 245, RPR 140, UDF 109, PCF 37, PRS 13, Ecologists 8, MDC 7, LDI-MPF 1, FN 1, various left 9, various right 7 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeals or 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 or RPR [Alain JUPPE, president]; Union for French Democracy or UDF (coalition of PR, FD, RAD, PPDF) [Francois LEOTARD]; Republican Party or PR [Francois LEOTARD]; Democratic Force or FD [Francois BAYROU]; Socialist Party or PS [Lionel JOSPIN]; Radical Party or RRRS [Andre ROSSINOT, Aymeri de MONTESQUIEU]; Communist Party or PCF [Robert HUE]; National Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; The Greens [Dominique VOYNET]; Generation Ecology or GE [Brice LALONDE]; Citizens Movement or MDC [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT]; National Center of Independents and Peasants or CNIP [Jean-Antoine GIANSILY]; Radical Socialist Party or PRS; Movement for France or LDI-MPF Political pressure groups and leaders: Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) or CGT, nearly 2.4 million members (claimed); Socialist-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail) or CFDT, about 800,000 members (est.); independent labor union or Force Ouvriere, 1 million members (est.); independent white-collar union or Confederation Generale des Cadres, 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of French Employers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais) or 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, IHO, 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, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Francois V. BUJON DE L'ESTANG chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000 FAX : [1] (202) 944-6166 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela C. HARRIMAN (died in office 2 February 1997) 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 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 Economy Economy - overview: One of the four West European trillion-dollar economies, the French economy features considerable state control over its capitalistic market system. In running important industrial segments (railways, airlines, electricity, telecommunications), administering 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 but at only 1.3% in 1996. Persistently high unemployment still poses a major problem for the government, as will the need to cut back on government spending to keep the economy internationally competitive and enable France to qualify for European Economic and Monetary Union, slated to introduce a common European currency in January 1999. The government also has laid plans to sell off much of its stake in the telecommunications and defense industries in 1997 as part of its bid to make domestic companies more competitive with foreign rivals. However, the socialist victory at the polls in June 1997 casts doubt on France's future policy toward economic union and privatization of domestic economic activity. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.22 trillion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.3% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $20,900 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.4% industry: 26.5% services: 71.1% (1994) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.7% (1996) Labor force: total : 25.5 million by occupation: services 69%, industry 26%, agriculture 5% (1995) Unemployment rate: 12.7% (1966) Budget: revenues: $250 billion expenditures: $300 billion, including capital expenditures of $34 billion (1996 est.) Industries: steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 0.6% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 102.94 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 492.7 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 6,278 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: 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 Exports: total value: $275 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles and clothing partners: Germany 17%, Italy 9%, UK 9%, Spain 8%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8%, US 6%, Netherlands 4.5%, Japan 2%, Russia 0.7% (1996) Imports: total value: $255.5 billion f.o.b., 1996) commodities: crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, iron and steel products partners: Germany 17%, Italy 10%, US 8%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8%, UK 8%, Spain 7%, Netherlands 5%, Japan 3%, Russia 1.5% (1996) Debt - external: $117.6 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: donor : ODA, $7.915 billion (1993) Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4169 (January 1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @France: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.) @France:Transportation Railways: total: 34,123 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 : 599 km 1.000-m gauge note: does not include 33 tourist railroads, totaling 469 km, many being of very narrow gauge (1995) Highways: total: 1,512,700 km paved : 812,700 km (including 9,140 km of expressways) unpaved: 700,000 km (1995 est.) 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 and harbors: Bordeaux, Boulogne, Cherbourg, Dijon, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Havre, Lyon, Marseille, Mullhouse, Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Saint Nazaire, Saint Malo, Strasbourg Merchant marine: total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,038,151 GRT/1,441,498 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 3, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 1, container 7, liquefied gas tanker 3, multi-function large load carrier 1, oil tanker 13, passenger 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 1 note: France also maintains a captive register for French-owned ships in the Kerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) (1996 est.) Airports: 460 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 382 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 91 914 to 1,523 m : 73 under 914 m: 179 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 78 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m : 75 (1996 est.) Heliports: 3 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army (includes Marines), Navy (includes Naval Air), Air Force (includes Air Defense, National Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 14,800,821 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 12,315,337 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 394,362 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $47.7 billion (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.5% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: 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; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); Saint Pierre and Miquelon is 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; claims Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia Illicit drugs: transshipment point for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin ______________________________________________________________________ FRENCH GUIANA (overseas department of France) @French Guiana: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: 91,000 sq km land: 89,150 sq km water: 1,850 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Elevation extremes: 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: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 83% other : 17% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: mostly an unsettled wilderness @French Guiana:People Population: 156,946 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 32% (male 25,267; female 24,146) 15-64 years: 63% (male 54,051; female 45,489) 65 years and over: 5% (male 4,014; female 3,979) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 3.62% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 24.19 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 4.56 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 16.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 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 : 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 76.06 years male: 72.84 years female : 79.45 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.38 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: French Guianese (singular and plural) adjective: French Guianese Ethnic groups: black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10% Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: French Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83% male: 84% female: 82% (1982 est.) @French Guiana:Government Country name: conventional long form: Department of Guiana conventional short form: French Guiana local long form: none local short form : Guyane Data code: FG Dependency status: overseas department of France Government type: NA National 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 (since NA) head of government: President of the General Council Stephan PHINERA (since NA March 1994) cabinet : NA elections: representative of the French Government appointed by the president of France on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and Regional Councils are appointed by the members of those councils, who vote on party lines Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held NA March 1994 (next to be held NA 2000); Regional Council - last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSG 8, FDP 4, RPR 1, other left 2, other right 2, other 2; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSG 16, FDG 10, RPR 2, independents 3 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FDG 1; 2 seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held 25 May-1 June 1997 - special election); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 1, independent (left) 1 Judicial branch: Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana) Political parties and leaders: Guianese Socialist Party or PSG [Leone MICHOTTE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jean BART] (may be a subset of PSG); Nationalist Popular Party of Guyana (Parti Nationaliste Populaire Guiana) or PNPG [Jose DORCY]; Union of Social Democrats (Union des Socialistes Democates) or USD [Leon BERTRAND] (umbrella group of RPR and UDF); Rally for the Republic or RPR [Leon BERTRAND]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [R. CHOW-CHINE]; Guyana Democratic Front or FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Walwari Committee [Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON]; Action Democrate Guiana or ADG [Andre LECANTE]; Forces de Progres or FDP International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas department of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Economy - 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: purchasing power parity - $6,000 (1993 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.5% (1992) Labor force: total: 46,300 (1993) by occupation: services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980) Unemployment rate: 24.1% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues : $180 million expenditures: $350 million, including capital expenditures of $95 million (1994) Industries: construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 228,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 185 million kWh (1993 est.) Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: rice, corn, manioc, cocoa, vegetables, bananas, sugar; cattle, pigs, poultry Exports: total value: $80 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence partners: France 52%, Spain 15%, US 5% (1992) Imports: total value: $610 million (c.i.f., 1994) commodities : food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods, petroleum partners: France 77%, Germany 11%, US 5% (1992) Debt - external: $1.2 billion (1988) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4169 (January 1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @French Guiana: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.) @French Guiana: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 and harbors: Cayenne, Degrad des Cannes, Saint-Laurent du Maroni Merchant marine: none Airports: 10 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 44,799 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 29,033 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) Illicit drugs: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe ______________________________________________________________________ FRENCH POLYNESIA (overseas territory of France) @French Polynesia: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: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) land: 3,660 sq km water: 507 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical, but moderate Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Elevation extremes: 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: 6% permanent pastures : 5% forests and woodland: 31% other: 57% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - 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 @French Polynesia:People Population: 233,488 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (male 39,958; female 38,492) 15-64 years : 62% (male 75,450; female 69,441) 65 years and over: 4% (male 5,063; female 5,084) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.89% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 23.27 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 4.95 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.17 years male: 69.81 years female : 74.65 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.77 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Ethnic groups: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16% Languages: French (official), Tahitian (official) Literacy: definition: age 14 and over can read and write, but definition of literacy not available total population: 98% male : 98% female: 98% (1977 est.) @French Polynesia:Government Country name: 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 Dependency status: overseas territory of France since 1946 Government type: NA National 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 Dominique BUR (since NA) 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 elections: high commissioner appointed by the president of France on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 May 1996 (next to be held NA March 2001) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 22, Polynesian Liberation Front 10, New Fatherland Party 5, other 4 note : one seat was elected to the French Senate on 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held 25 May-1 June 1997 - special election); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif 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]; Polynesian Liberation Front (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; 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 the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) 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 Economy Economy - 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: purchasing power parity - $8,000 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (1992 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.5% (1994) Labor force: total: 118,744 (of which 70,044 are employed) (1988) by occupation : agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues: $713 million expenditures : $1.36 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994) Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: 320 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,409 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products Exports: total value: $245 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities : cultured pearls 53.8%, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat (1992) partners: France 33%, US 8.5% (1994) Imports: total value: $967 million (c.i.f., 1994) commodities : fuels, foodstuffs, equipment partners: France 44.7%, US 13.9% (1994) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 98.48 (January 1997), 93.00 (1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.94 (1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year @French Polynesia: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.) @French Polynesia:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total : 792 km paved: 792 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa Merchant marine: total : 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 32,127 GRT/53,710 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 41 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 15 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 914 to 1,523 m : 6 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: French Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ FRENCH SOUTHERN AND ANTARCTIC LANDS and Antarctic Lands] (overseas territory of France) @French Southern and Antarctic Lands:Geography Location: South of 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: 7,781 sq km land: 7,781 sq km water: 0 sq km 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 Area - comparative: slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,232 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen only territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures : 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: remote location in the southern Indian Ocean @French Southern and Antarctic Lands:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there were 134 (1996) mostly researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to summer (January) @French Southern and Antarctic Lands:Government Country name: 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 Dependency status: overseas territory of France since 1955; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic National 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 description: the flag of France is used Economy Economy - 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: $24.5 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996) @French Southern and Antarctic Lands: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 @French Southern and Antarctic Lands:Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: total: 73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,535,552 GRT/4,382,987 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 7, chemical tanker 7, container 11, liquefied gas tanker 5, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11, specialized tanker 1 note: a subset of the French register allowing French-owned ships to operate under more liberal taxation and manning regulations than permissible under the main French register (1996 est.) Airports: none Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputes - international: "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US ______________________________________________________________________ GABON @Gabon:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 267,670 sq km land: 257,670 sq km water: 10,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: total: 2,551 km border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the 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 Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 18% forests and woodland: 77% other: 3% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation; poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea @Gabon:People Population: 1,190,159 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (male 199,730; female 199,369) 15-64 years: 61% (male 368,086; female 359,086) 65 years and over : 5% (male 31,475; female 32,413) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.47% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 28.11 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 13.39 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 87.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.05 years male: 53.13 years female : 50.06 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.85 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese Ethnic groups: Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou, Bateke), other Africans and Europeans 154,000, including 6,000 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality Religions: Christian 55%-75%, Muslim less than 1%, animist Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.2% male: 73.7% female : 53.3% (1995 est.) @Gabon:Government Country name: conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local long form: Republique Gabonaise local short form: Gabon Data code: GB Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990) National 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: Independence Day, 17 August (1960) (Gabon granted full independence from France) 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) head of government : Prime Minister Paulin OBAME Nguema (since 9 December 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Omar BONGO reelected; percent of vote - Omar BONGO 51% Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of a Senate (91 seats) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats); members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms elections : National Assembly - last held in December 1996 (next to be held in December 2001); Senate - last held 12 January 1997 (next to be held in January 2002) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 100, Morena-Bucherons/RNB 8, PUP 3, CLR 3, FAR 1, UPG 1, USG 2, PGP 2; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 51, RNB 17, PGP 4, ADERA 3, RDP 1, others 15 note: the provision of the constitution for the establishment of a senate was implemented in the 12 January 1997 elections Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal (2); Court of State Security; County Courts Political parties and leaders: Action Forum for Renewal or FAR [Leon MBOU-YEMBI, secretary general]; Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG, former sole party [Simplice Guedet MANZELA, secretary general]; Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE, president]; Gabonese People's Union or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU]; Gabonese Socialist Union or USG [Dr. Serge Mba BEKALE]; National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks or Morena-Bucherons/RNB [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; ADERA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief o