The Project Gutenberg eBook of The 1999 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 1999 CIA World Factbook Author: United States. Central Intelligence Agency Release date: December 31, 2008 [eBook #27676] Most recently updated: January 4, 2021 Language: English Credits: Produced by Al Haines *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 1999 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK *** Produced by Al Haines The World Factbook 1999 In general, information available as of 1 January 1999 was used in the preparation of this edition. 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 is provided by the Bureau of the Census (Department of Commerce), Bureau of Labor Statistics (Department of Labor), Central Intelligence Agency, Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, Defense Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (Department of Defense), Department of State, Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior), Maritime Administration (Department of Transportation), National Imagery and Mapping Agency (Department of Defense), Antarctic Information Program (National Science Foundation), Naval Facilities Engineering Command (Department of Defense), Office of Insular Affairs (Department of the Interior), Office of Naval Intelligence (Department of Defense), US Board on Geographic Names (Department of the Interior), 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.: Office of Public Affairs Washington, DC 20505 Telephone: [1] (703) 482-0623 FAX: [1] (703) 482-1739 ===================================================================== Country Listings A Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Arctic Ocean Argentina Armenia Aruba Ashmore and Cartier Islands Atlantic Ocean Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas, The Bahrain Baker Island Bangladesh Barbados Bassas da India Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Clipperton Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Coral Sea Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic D Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Europa Island F Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern and Antarctic Lands G Gabon Gambia, The Gaza Strip Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Glorioso Islands Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City) Honduras Hong Kong Howland Island Hungary I Iceland India Indian Ocean Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Jan Mayen Japan Jarvis Island Jersey Johnston Atoll Jordan Juan de Nova Island K Kazakhstan Kenya Kingman Reef Kiribati Korea, North Korea, South Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Macau Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Man, Isle of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Navassa Island Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway O Oman P Pacific Ocean Pakistan Palau Palmyra Atoll Panama Papua New Guinea Paracel Islands Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Q Qatar R Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain Spratly Islands Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan entry follows Zimbabwe Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tromelin Island Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands W Wake Atoll Wallis and Futuna West Bank Western Sahara World Y Yemen Z Zaire (see Democratic Republic of the Congo) Zambia Zimbabwe Taiwan ===================================================================== Appendixes A. Abbreviations B. United Nations System C. International Organizations and Groups D. Selected International Environmental Agreements E. Weights and Measures F. Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes G. Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes H. Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names ===================================================================== Notes and Definitions In addition to the updating of information, the following changes have been made in this edition of The World Factbook. The name Wake Island has been officially changed to Wake Atoll. The Historical perspective and Current issues entries in the Introduction category have been combined into a new Background entry. It appears in only a few country profiles at this time. There are new entries on Population below poverty line, Household income or consumption by percentage share, Electricity--production by source (fossil fuel, hydro, nuclear, other), Electricity--exports, and Electricity--imports. A new reference map of Kosovo has been included and terrain has been added to most of the reference maps. 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 affects a nation's key socioeconomic issues. 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. Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. 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. Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. 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). Background: This entry usually highlights major historic events, current issues, 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. Birth rate: This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the 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. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Capital: This entry gives the location of the seat of government. 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 telephone, radio, 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. Also see the Terminology note. Currency: This entry identifies the national medium of exchange and its basic subunit. 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 data codes and Appendix G does the same thing for hydrographic data 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) codes, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) codes, and Internet codes for land entities. Data codes--hydrographic: This information is presented in Appendix G: Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes which includes the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) codes, Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC; now National Imagery and Mapping Agency or NIMA) codes, and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) codes for hydrographic entities. The US Government has not yet approved a standard for hydrographic data codes similar to the FIPS 10-4 standard for country data codes. Date of information: In general, information available as of 1 January 1999, was used in the preparation of this edition. 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 age distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the overall death rate, in spite of continued decline 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 particular nonindependent entity and an independent state. Dependent areas: This entry contains an alphabetical listing of all nonindependent entities associated in some way with a particular independent state. Diplomatic representation: The US Government has diplomatic relations with 184 independent states, 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 independent states 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 the foreign 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--donor: This entry refers to net official development assistance (ODA) from OECD nations to developing countries and multilateral organizations. ODA is defined as financial assistance that 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%. The entry does not cover other official flows (OOF) or private flows. Economic aid--recipient: This entry, which is subject to major problems of definition and statistical coverage, refers to the net inflow of Official Development Finance (ODF) to recipient countries. The figure includes assistance from the World Bank, the IMF, and other international organizations and from individual nation donors. Formal commitments of aid are included in the data. Omitted from the data are grants by private organizations. Aid comes in various forms including outright grants and loans. The entry thus is the difference between new inflows and repayments. 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--consumption: This entry consists of total electricity generated annually plus imports and minus exports, expressed in kilowatt hours. Electricity--exports: This entry is the total exported electricity in kilowatt hours. Electricity--imports: This entry is the total imported electricity in kilowatt hours. Electricity--production: This entry is the annual electricity generated expressed in kilowatt hours. Electricity--production by source: This entry indicates the percentage share of annual electricity production of each energy source. These are fossil fuel, hydro, nuclear, and other (solar, geothermal, and wind). Elevation extremes: This entry includes both the highest point and the lowest point. Entities: Some of the independent states, dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, and governments included in this publication are not independent, and others are not officially recognized by the US Government. "Independent state" refers to a people politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory. "Dependencies" and "areas of special sovereignty" refer to a broad category of political entities that are associated in some way with an independent state. "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 independent states, dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty, or other geographic entities. There are a total of 266 separate geographic entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows: INDEPENDENT STATES 191 Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe OTHER 1 Taiwa n DEPENDENCIES AND AREAS OF SPECIAL SOVEREIGNTY 6 Australia--Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island 1 China--Hong Kong 2 Denmark--Faroe Islands, Greenland 16 France--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 2 Netherlands--Aruba, Netherlands Antilles 3 New Zealand--Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau 3 Norway--Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard 1 Portugal--Macau 15 UK--Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands 14 US--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 Atoll 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 Tota l 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 normally includes the percent of total population. Exchange rates: This entry provides the official value of a country'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 top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. Cabinet includes the official name for this body of high-ranking advisers and the method for selection of 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 provides the total US dollar amount of exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. Exports--commodities: This entry provides a rank ordering of exported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Exports--partners: This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total 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 which 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 states 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 include a color flag at the beginning of the country profile. The flag graphics were produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time of preparation. The flags of independent states 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 the best available starting point for comparisons of economic strength and 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. 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 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 figures for the purpose of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity 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 alternate names, former names, political or geographical portions of larger entities, and the location of all US Foreign Service posts--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, following current practice, uses GDP rather than GNP to measure national production. However, the user must realize that in certain countries net remittances from citizens working abroad may be important to national well-being. 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 established 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. Household income or consumption by percentage share: Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons. 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. Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate). Imports: This entry provides the total US dollar amount of imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight)or f.o.b. (free on board) basis. Imports--commodities: This entry provides a rank ordering of imported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Imports--partners: This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Independence: For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved, and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as traditional founding date, date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. Also see the Terminology note. 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 in the same year. This rate is often used an indicator of the level of health in a country. Inflation rate (consumer prices): 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 one entry, Background. At present it appears in only a few country profiles, but will be added to others in the future. 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. Labor force--by occupation: This entry contains a rank ordering of component parts of the labor force 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, such as 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 those ships, and total GRT for those 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. A 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; it is 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. A 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. A 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. An 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. A merchant ship is a vessel that carries goods against payment of freight; it is commonly used to denote any nonmilitary ship but accurately restricted to commercial vessels only. A register is the record of a ship's ownership and nationality as listed with the maritime authorities of a country; also, it is 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 security 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) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. The figure should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies. 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 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 a reduction in 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. Personal Names--Capitalization: The Factbook capitalizes the surname or family name of individuals for the convenience of our users who are faced with a world of different cultures and naming conventions. An example would be President SADDAM Husayn of Iraq. Saddam is his name and Husayn is his father's name. He may be referred to as President SADDAM Husayn or President SADDAM, but not President Husayn. The need for capitalization, bold type, underlining, italics, or some other indicator of the individual's surname is apparent in the following examples: MAO Zedong, Fidel CASTRO Ruz, William Jefferson CLINTON, and TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah. By knowing the surname, a short form without all capital letters can be used with confidence as in President Saddam, President Castro, Chairman Mao, President Clinton, or Sultan Tunku Salahuddin. The same system of capitalization is extended to the names of leaders with surnames that are not commonly used such as Queen ELIZABETH II. Personal Names--Spelling: The romanization of personal names in the Factbook normally follows the same transliteration system used by the US Board on Geographic Names for spelling place names. At times, however, a foreign leader expressly indicates a preference for, or the media or official documents regularly use, a romanized spelling that differs from the transliteration derived from the US Government standard. In such cases, the Factbook uses the alternative spelling. Personal Names--Titles: The Factbook capitalizes any valid title (or short form of it) immediately preceding a person's name. A title standing alone is lowercased. Examples: President YEL'TSIN and President CLINTON are chiefs of state. In Russia, the president is chief of state and the premier is the head of the government, while in the US, the president is both chief of state and head of government. 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 significant 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. The total population presents one overall measure of the potential impact of the country on the world and within its region. Note: 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. These countries are Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Population below poverty line: National estimates of the percentage of the population lying below the poverty line are based on surveys of sub-groups, with the results weighted by the number of people in each group. Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations. For example, rich nations generally employ more generous standards of poverty than poor nations. 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. The growth rate is a factor in determining how great a burden would be imposed on a country by the changing needs of its people for infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid population growth can be seen as threatening by neighboring countries. Ports and harbors: This entry lists the major 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. Eventually it could cause unrest among young adult males who are unable to find partners. The sex ratio at birth for the World is 1.06 (1999 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: international access code + [1] (202) 939-xxxx, where [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, with each instrument having its own private radio frequency and 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. Comsat--Communications Satellite Corporation (US). 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, 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; it was initially started in Morocco in 1970 by the Arab Telecommunications Union (ATU) and was known at that time as the Middle East Mediterranean Telecommunications Network. microwave radio relay--transmission of long distance telephone calls and television programs by highly directional radio microwaves that are received and sent on from one booster station to another on an optical path. 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. shortwave--radio frequencies (from 1.605 to 30 MHz) that fall above the commercial broadcast band and are used for communication over long distances. 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. For example, the word Country in the Country name entry refers to a wide variety of dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, uninhabited islands, and other entities in addition to the traditional countries or independent states. Military is also used as an umbrella term for various civil defense, security, and defense activities in many entries. The Independence entry includes the usual colonial independence dates and former ruling states as well as other significant nationhood dates such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, or state succession that are not strictly independence dates. Dependent areas have the nature of their dependency status noted in this same entry. 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 ability of the families to feed and educate their children. Transnational Issues: This category includes only two entries at the present time --Disputes--international and Illicit drugs--that deal with current issues going beyond national boundaries. Transportation: This category includes the entries dealing with the means for movement of people and goods. 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 as 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 and 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 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. ===================================================================== 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, data 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. The three types of finished intelligence are: basic, current, and estimative. Basic intelligence provides the fundamental and factual reference material on a country or issue. Current intelligence reports on new developments. Estimative intelligence judges probable outcomes. The three are mutually supportive: basic intelligence is the foundation on which the other two are constructed; current intelligence continually updates the inventory of knowledge; and estimative intelligence revises overall interpretations of country and issue prospects for guidance of basic and current intelligence. The World Factbook, The President's Daily Brief, and the 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 leaders in Congress and the executive branch the need for integrating departmental reports to national policymakers. Detailed coordinated 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 to fulfill the needs of the US Government for an authoritative and coordinated appraisal 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 more comprehensive basic intelligence in the postwar world was well expressed in 1946 by George S. Pettee, a noted author on national security. He wrote in The Future of American Secret Intelligence (Infantry Journal Press, 1946, page 46) that world leadership in peace requires even 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 on 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 authorized the National Intelligence Survey (NIS) program as a peacetime replacement for the wartime JANIS program. Before adequate NIS country sections could be produced, government agencies had to develop more comprehensive gazetteers and better maps. 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 in 1973 except for the Factbook, map, and gazetteer components. 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 printed by GPO and the 1997 edition was reprinted by GPO. The year 1999 marks the 52nd anniversary of the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency and the 56th year of continuous basic intelligence support to the US Government by The World Factbook and its two predecessor programs ===================================================================== Purchasing Information The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) prepares The World Factbook in printed, CD-ROM, and Internet versions. US Government officials may obtain information about availability of the Factbook directly from their own organizations or through liaison channels to the CIA. Other users may obtain sales information about printed copies and CD-ROMs from the following: Superintendent of Documents P.O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 Telephone: [1] (202) 512-1800 FAX: [1] (202) 512-2250 http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/ National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Telephone: [1] (800) 553-6847 (only in the US); [1] (703) 605-6000 (for outside US) FAX: [1] (703) 605-6900 http://www.ntis.gov/ The Internet version may be accessed through the following World-Wide Web uniform resource locator (URL): http://www.cia.gov Electronic file preparation by Printing and Photography Group, Central Intelligence Agency. ===================================================================== @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 People Population: 25,824,882 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 5,640,841; female 5,422,460) 15-64 years: 54% (male 7,273,681; female 6,776,750) 65 years and over: 3% (male 374,666; female 336,484) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 3.95% (1999 est.) note: this rate reflects the continued return of refugees Birth rate: 41.93 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 17.02 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 14.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 140.55 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.33 years male: 47.82 years female: 46.82 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.94 children born/woman (1999 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Islamic State of Afghanistan; note--the self-proclaimed Taliban government refers to the country as Islamic Emirate 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 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 Shari'a (Islamic law) 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 stronghold in the ethnically diverse north 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 Afghanistan comprised of Jumbesh-i-Melli Islami (National Islamic other smaller parties are Hizbi Islami-Gulbuddin (Islamic Party) SAYYAF]; Harakat-Inqilab-i-Islami (Islamic Revolutionary Movement) GAILANI]; Hizbi Wahdat-Akbari faction (Islamic Unity Party) 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 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, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: note: embassy operations suspended 21 August 1997 chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York 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 note: the Taliban uses a plain white flag 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 two decades of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). During that conflict 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 20 years because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport. Much of the population continues 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. International aid can deal with only a fraction of the humanitarian problem, let alone promote economic development. Government efforts to encourage foreign investment have not worked. The economic situation did not improve in 1998. Numerical data are likely to be either unavailable or unreliable. GDP: purchasing power parity--$20 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: NA% GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$800 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 53% industry: 28.5% services: 18.5% (1990) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 240% (1996 est.) Labor force: 7.1 million Labor force--by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 67.8%, industry 10.2%, construction 6.3%, commerce 5%, 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--production: 540 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 35.19% hydro: 64.81% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 660 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) (1996) Electricity--imports: 120 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: wheat, fruits, nuts, karakul pelts; wool, mutton Exports: $80 million (1996 est.) Exports--commodities: fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems Exports--partners: FSU, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, India, UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic Imports: $150 million (1996 est.) Imports--commodities: food and petroleum products; most consumer goods Imports--partners: FSU, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Singapore, India, South Korea, Germany Debt--external: $2.3 billion (March 1991 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $214.6 million (1995); 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--4,750 (February 1999), 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 was fixed at 50.600 afghanis to the dollar until 1996, when it rose to 2,262.65 per dollar, and finally became fixed again at 3,000.00 per dollar on April 1996 Fiscal year: 21 March--20 March Communications Telephones: 31,200 (1983 est.) Telephone system: domestic: very limited telephone and telegraph service; in 1997, telecommunications links were established between Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Kabul through satellite and microwave systems international: satellite earth stations--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) linked only to Iran and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); commercial satellite telephone center in Ghazni Radio broadcast stations: AM 6 (5 are inactive), FM 1, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 1.67 million (1998 est.) Television broadcast stations: NA note: in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces; also, the government ran a central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 30 provinces; it is unknown if any of these stations currently operate Televisions: 100,000 (1998 est.) 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 (1996 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 Merchant marine: total: 1 container ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,982 GRT/14,101 DWT (1998 est.) Airports: 44 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 33 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 10 (1998 est.) Heliports: 3 (1998 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: 6,326,135 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,392,336 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 248,320 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes--international: 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 (cultivation in 1998--41,720 hectares, a 7% increase over 1997; potential production in 1998--1,350 metric tons) and a major source of hashish; increasing number of heroin-processing laboratories being set up in the country; major political factions in the country profit from drug trade ====================================================================== @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 (Golem Korab) 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) People Population: 3,364,571 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 568,642; female 530,088) 15-64 years: 61% (male 957,561; female 1,105,870) 65 years and over: 6% (male 84,280; female 118,130) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.05% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 20.74 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 7.35 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -2.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 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 (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 42.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69 years male: 65.92 years female: 72.33 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (1999 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: 93% male: NA% female: NA% (1997 est.) 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 Capital: Tirana Administrative divisions: 36 districts (rrethe, singular--rreth) and 1 municipality* (bashki); Berat, Bulqize, Delvine, Devoll (Bilisht), Diber (Peshkopi), Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Gramsh, Has (Krume), Kavaje, Kolonje (Erseke), Korce, Kruje, Kucove, Kukes, Lac, Lezhe, Librazhd, Lushnje, Malesi e Madhe (Koplik), Mallakaster (Ballsh), Mat (Burrel), Mirdite (Rreshen), Peqin, Permet, Pogradec, Puke, Sarande, Shkoder, Skrapar (Corovode), Tepelene, Tirane (Tirana), Tirane* (Tirana), Tropoje (Bajram Curri), Vlore note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1912) Constitution: a new constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998; note--the opposition Democratic Party boycotted the vote 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 Rexhep MEIDANI (since 24 July 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Pandeli MAJKO (since 2 October 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Rexhep MEIDANI elected president; People's Assembly vote by number--total votes 122, for 110, against 3, abstained 2, invalid 7 Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (155 seats; most members are elected by direct popular vote and some by proportional vote for four-year terms) elections: last held 29 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: percent of vote by party--PS 53.36%, PD 25.33%, PSD 2.5%, PBDNJ 2.78%, PBK 2.36%, PAD 2.85%, PR 2.25%, PLL 3.09%, PDK 1.00%, PBSD 0.84%; seats by party--PS 101, PD 27, PSD 8, PBDNJ 4, PBK 3, PAD 2, PR 2, PLL 2, PDK 1, PBSD 1, PUK 1, independents 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman of the Supreme Court is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term Political parties and leaders: Albanian Socialist Party or PS International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, 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, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Petrit BUSHATI chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marisa R. LINO embassy: Rruga Elbasanit 103, Tirana mailing address: American Embassy, Tirana, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-9510 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 population--triggered severe social unrest which led to more than 1,500 deaths, widespread destruction of property, and an 8% drop in GDP. The new government installed in July 1997 has taken strong measures to restore public order and to revive economic activity and trade. The economy continues to be bolstered 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. In 1998, Albania probably recovered most if not all of the 7% drop in GDP of 1997. GDP: purchasing power parity--$5 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 7% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,490 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 56% industry: 21% services: 23% (1997) Population below poverty line: 19.6% (1996 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 40% (1997 est.) Labor force: 1.692 million (1994 est.) (including 352,000 emigrant workers and 261,000 domestically unemployed) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture (nearly all private; but some state employed) 49.5%, private business sector 22.2%, state business sector 28.3% (including state-owned industry 7.8%); note--includes only those domestically employed Unemployment rate: 14% (October 1997) officially, but likely to be as high as 28% 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--production: 5.12 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 4.3% hydro: 95.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 5.27 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) (1996) Electricity--imports: 150 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: wide range of temperate-zone crops and livestock Exports: $212 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: asphalt, metals and metallic ores, electricity, crude oil, vegetables, fruits, tobacco Exports--partners: Italy, Greece, Germany, Belgium, US Imports: $791 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: machinery, consumer goods, grains Imports--partners: Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Debt--external: $645 million (1996) Economic aid--recipient: $630 million (1997 pledged) Currency: 1 lek (L) = 100 qintars Exchange rates: leke (L) per US$1--139.93 (January 1999), 150.63 (1998), 148.93 (1997), 104.50 (1996), 92.70 (1995), 94.62 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 577,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 13 (1997) Televisions: 300,000 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 447 km (none electrified) standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 18,000 km paved: 5,400 km unpaved: 12,600 km (1996 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 28,394 GRT/41,429 DWT (1998 est.) Airports: 9 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 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: 763,949 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 622,013 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 32,954 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $60 million (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: the Albanian Government supports protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside of its borders but has downplayed them to further its primary foreign policy goal of regional cooperation; Albanian majority in Kosovo seeks independence from Serbian Republic; Albanians in The Former Yugoslav Republic of 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--to a far lesser extent--cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and rapidly expanding in Europe ====================================================================== @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) People Population: 31,133,486 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37% (male 5,911,910; female 5,696,538) 15-64 years: 59% (male 9,255,702; female 9,063,954) 65 years and over: 4% (male 559,570; female 645,812) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.1% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.52 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 43.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.24 years male: 68.07 years female: 70.46 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.27 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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: Interim Prime Minister Smail HAMDANI (since 15 December 1998); note--appointed as interim prime minister until April 1999 presidential elections 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 April 1999; note--ZEROUAL announced in September 1998 his intention to step down after early presidential elections); 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) 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--last held 5 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2001); elections for two-thirds of the Council of Nations--last held 25 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: National People's Assembly--percent of vote by party--NA%; seats by party--RND 156, MSP 69, FLN 62, Nahda Movement 34, FFS 20, RCD 19, PT 4, Republican Progressive Party 3, Union for Democracy and Freedoms 1, Liberal Social Party 1, independents 11; Council of Nations--percent of vote by party--NA%; seats by party--RND 80, FLN 10, FFS 4, MSP 2 (remaining 48 seats appointed by the president, party breakdown NA) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Islamic Salvation Front or FIS BENHAMOUDA, secretary general]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS 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, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron R. HUME embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers 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 52% of budget revenues, 25% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second largest gas exporter; 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. Burdened with a heavy foreign debt, Algiers concluded a one-year standby arrangement with the IMF in April 1994 and the following year signed onto a three-year extended fund facility which ended 30 April 1998. Progress on economic reform, a Paris Club debt rescheduling in 1995, and oil and gas sector expansion have contributed to a recovery since 1995. Investments in developing hydrocarbon resources have spurred growth, but the economy remains heavily dependent on volatile oil and gas revenues. The government has continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector in order to reduce high unemployment and improve living standards. GDP: purchasing power parity--$140.2 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 3.2% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,600 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 51% services: 37% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: 22.6% (1995 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1998 est.) Labor force: 7.8 million (1996 est.) Labor force--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: 30% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $14.4 billion expenditures: $15.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.4 million (1998 est.) Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing Industrial production growth rate: -4% (1997 est.) Electricity--production: 18.4 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 98.91% hydro: 1.09% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 18.13 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 490 million kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 220 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle Exports: $14 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Exports--commodities: petroleum and natural gas 97% Exports--partners: Italy 18.8%, US 14.8%, France 11.8%, Spain 8%, Germany 7.9% (1995 est.) Imports: $8.5 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Imports--commodities: capital goods, food and beverages, consumer goods Imports--partners: France 29%, Spain 10.5%, Italy 8.2%, US 8%, Germany 5.6% (1995 est.) Debt--external: $31.4 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $897.5 million (1994) Currency: 1 Algerian dinar (DA) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Algerian dinars (DA) per US$1--61.264 (January 1999), 58.739 (1998), 57.707 (1997), 54.749 (1996), 47.663 (1995), 35.059 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 1,381,342 (5,200 cellular telephone subscribers) (1997) Telephone system: domestic: good 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 23, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1998 est.) Radios: 3.5 million (1998 est.) Television broadcast stations: 18 (not including low-power stations) (1997) Televisions: 2 million (1998 est.) 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 608 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 933,672 GRT/1,094,104 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 (1998 est.) Airports: 137 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 51 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 86 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 40 under 914 m: 19 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 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: 8,237,682 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,046,931 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 359,592 (1999 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 ====================================================================== @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 People Population: 63,786 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39% (male 12,840; female 12,074) 15-64 years: 56% (male 17,933; female 18,035) 65 years and over: 5% (male 1,494; female 1,410) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.64% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 26.53 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 4.04 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 3.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.19 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.46 years male: 71.23 years female: 79.95 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.66 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Government type: NA Capital: Pago Pago Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western 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 William Jefferson CLINTON of the US (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: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; 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; 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 and serve four-year terms) elections: House of Representatives--last held NA November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2000); 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; election last held 3 November 1998 (next to be held 7 November 2000); results--Eni R. F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate for a sixth term Judicial branch: High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [leader 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: This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. 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. 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. Tourism, a developing sector, may be held back by the current financial difficulties in East Asia. GDP: purchasing power parity--$150 million (1995 est.) GDP--real growth rate: NA% GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,600 (1995 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 13,949 (1996) Labor force--by occupation: government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990) Unemployment rate: 12% (1991) Budget: revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants ) expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97) Industries: tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 105 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 105 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock Exports: $313 million (1996) Exports--commodities: canned tuna 93% Exports--partners: US 99.6% Imports: $471 million (1996) Imports--commodities: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% Imports--partners: US 62%, Japan 9%, NZ 7%, Australia 11%, Fiji 4%, other 7% Debt--external: $NA Economic aid--recipient: $NA; note?important financial support from the US Currency: 1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October--30 September 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 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 12,000 (1994 est.) 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: 4 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Military Military--note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @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 People Population: 65,939 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14% (male 4,880; female 4,527) 15-64 years: 73% (male 25,811; female 22,444) 65 years and over: 13% (male 4,196; female 4,081) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.24% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 10.27 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.46 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 17.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.46 years male: 80.55 years female: 86.55 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (1999 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 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 bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by officials called veguers Capital: Andorra la Vella Administrative divisions: 7 parishes (parroquies, singular--parroquia); Andorra, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Les Escaldes, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria Independence: 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) represented by Veguer Jean-Pierre COURTOIS (since NA); and Spanish Coprince Episcopal Monseigneur Joan MARTI Alanis (since 31 January 1971) represented by Veguer Francesc BADIA Battalla (since 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 NA 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 note: there are two other small parties International organization participation: CE, ECE, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN, UNESCO, WHO, 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to 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: (3493) 280-2227; FAX: (3493) 205-7705; note--Consul General Douglas R. SMITH 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% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: revenues: $138 million expenditures: $177 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993) Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), sheep, timber, tobacco, banking Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 140 million kWh (1992) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Electricity--consumption: NA kWh Electricity--exports: NA kWh Electricity--imports: NA kWh Agriculture--products: tobacco, rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep Exports: $47 million (f.o.b., 1995) Exports--commodities: electricity, tobacco products, furniture Exports--partners: France 49%, Spain 47% Imports: $1 billion (1995) Imports--commodities: consumer goods, food Imports--partners: France, Spain, US 4.2% Debt--external: $NA Economic aid--recipient: 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--5.65 (January 1999), 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994); Spanish pesetas (Ptas) per US$1--143.39 (January 1999), 149.40 (1998), 146.41 (1997), 126.66 (1996), 124.69 (1995), 133.96 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 10,000 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997) Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.) 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 ------ 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 economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 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: Biodiversity, Desertification, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: Climate Change Geography--note: Cabinda is separated from rest of country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo People Population: 11,177,537 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,545,006; female 2,473,732) 15-64 years: 52% (male 2,938,178; female 2,909,844) 65 years and over: 3% (male 143,074; female 167,703) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.84% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 43.11 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 16.35 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 1.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 129.19 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.39 years male: 46.08 years female: 50.82 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.12 children born/woman (1999 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% (1998 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% (1998 est.) 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 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); note--the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since January 1999); note--the president is both chief of state and head of government 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) election results: DOS SANTOS received 49.6% of the total vote, making a run-off election necessary between him and second-place finisher Jonas SAVIMBI; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 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--MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7 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 in power since 1975; National Union for the Total Independence of years of armed resistance before joining the current unity 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, 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: 1615 M Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne, Miramar, Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6484, Luanda; pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 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 because of more than 20 years of nearly continuous warfare. Despite its abundant natural resources, output per capita is among the world's lowest. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 45% 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--gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, arable land, and large oil deposits--Angola will need to implement the peace agreement and reform government policies. The increase in the pace of civil warfare in late 1998 dims economic prospects for 1999 especially if the oil sector were to be damaged. GDP: purchasing power parity--$11 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 0.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,000 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 53% services: 34% (1998 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 90% (1998 est.) Labor force: 5 million (1997 est.) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (1997 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--production: 1.86 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 24.73% hydro: 75.27% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 1.86 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish Exports: $3.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: crude oil 90%, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton (1998) Exports--partners: US 65%, EU, China (1997) Imports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles and clothing; substantial military goods Imports--partners: Portugal 21%, US 15%, France 14%, South Africa (1997) Debt--external: $13 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $493.1 million (1995) Currency: 1 kwanza (NKz) = 100 lwei Exchange rates: kwanza (NKz) per US$1--350,000 (February 1999), 392,824 (1998), 229,040 (1997), 128,029 (1996), 2,750 (1995), 59,515 (1994); note--readjusted Kwanzas per US$1,000 through 1994, per US$1 thereafter Fiscal year: calendar year 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 16, FM 8, shortwave 8 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 7 (1997) Televisions: 50,000 (1993 est.) 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: 76,626 km paved: 19,156 km unpaved: 57,470 km (1997 est.) Waterways: 1,295 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 179 km Ports and harbors: Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo Merchant marine: total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 48,384 GRT/78,357 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, oil tanker 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 252 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 32 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 220 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 100 under 914 m: 82 (1998 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: 2,544,203 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,280,377 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 111,168 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $1 billion (FY97/98) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 25% (FY97/98) 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 -------- 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: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% 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 People Population: 11,510 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 1,581; female 1,529) 15-64 years: 66% (male 3,874; female 3,695) 65 years and over: 7% (male 366; female 465) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 3.16% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 16.68 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 20.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.72 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.71 years male: 74.72 years female: 80.78 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (1999 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla Data code: AV Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: The Valley Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May Constitution: Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); 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 monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; 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 4 March 1999 (next to be held March 2004) 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 International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), ECLAC (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas 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 luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. The economy, and especially the tourism sector, suffered a setback in late 1995 due to the effects of Hurricane Luis in September but recovered in 1996. Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, contributed to economic growth in 1997-98. 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--$81 million (1997 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 6.5% (1997 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$7,300 (1997 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 16% services: 80% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.6% (1997) Labor force: 4,400 (1992) Labor force--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: $20.4 million expenditures: $23.3 million, including capital expenditures of $3.8 million (1997 est.) Industries: tourism, boat building, offshore financial services Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (1997 est.) Electricity--production: NA kWh Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Electricity--consumption: NA kWh Electricity--exports: NA kWh Electricity--imports: NA kWh Agriculture--products: pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes; sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, poultry; fish, lobsters Exports: $1.6 million (1997) Exports--commodities: lobster, fish, livestock, salt Exports--partners: NA Imports: $54.2 million (1997) Imports--commodities: NA Imports--partners: NA Debt--external: $8.5 million (1996) Economic aid--recipient: $3.5 million (1995) Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March 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 5, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 2,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: NA 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: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Military Military--note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @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 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light coming through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled antarctic marine plants 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 People Population: no indigenous inhabitants, but there are seasonally staffed research stations note: approximately 29 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, send personnel to perform seasonal (summer) and year-round research on the continent and in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing and supporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research are present in the waters of the treaty region; Summer (January) population--3,687 total; Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16, Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60, Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway 40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43, Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); Winter (July) population--964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China 33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10, Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99); year-round stations--42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 6, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (1998-99); Summer-only stations--32 total; Argentina 3, Australia 4, Bulgaria 1, Chile 7, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 3, NZ 1, Peru 1, Russia 3, Sweden 2, UK 5 (1998-99) in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research 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 22nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was in Norway in May 1998. At the end of 1998, there were 43 treaty member nations: 27 consultative and 16 acceding. Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 20 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), Bulgaria (1978) China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay (1985), and the US. Acceding (nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parentheses, are--Austria (1987), 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), Turkey (1995), 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--some 200 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; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; 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 prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research. 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 one 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, or see their website at www.nsf.gov. Economy Economy--overview: No economic activity is conducted at present, except for fishing off the coast and small-scale tourism, both based abroad. Antarctic fisheries in 1997-98 reported landing 92,456 metric tons. Unregulated fishing landed five to six times more than the regulated fishery, and allegedly illegal fishing in antarctic waters in 1998 resulted in the seizure (by France and Australia) of at least eight fishing ships. A total of 9,604 tourists visited in the 1997-98 summer, up from the 7,413 who visited the previous year. Nearly all of them were passengers on 13 commercial (nongovernmental) ships that made 92 trips during the summer. Around 200 tourists were on yachts or commercial aircraft. Most tourist trips lasted approximately two weeks. Communications Telephones: NA Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 2 (American Forces Antarctic Network), shortwave 1 (Argentina Antarctic Base de Egercito Esperanza) (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo) (1997) Televisions: NA Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage Airports: 17; 27 stations, operated by 16 national governments party to the Antarctic Treaty, have landing facilities for either helicopters and/or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial enterprises operate two additional air facilities; helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15 locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable for landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, 1 is greater than 3 km in length, 6 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 3 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 3 are less than 1 km in length, and 2 are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limited to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available at another 15 locations; of these, 4 are greater than 3 km in length, 3 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 2 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 2 are less than 1 km in length, and 4 are of unknown 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 nongovernmental operating organization required for landing (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 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 ------------------- 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: NEGL; 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, 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: none of the selected agreements People Population: 64,246 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26% (male 8,414; female 8,137) 15-64 years: 69% (male 21,936; female 22,227) 65 years and over: 5% (male 1,504; female 2,028) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.36% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 16.22 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.76 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -6.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 20.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.46 years male: 69.06 years female: 73.98 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (1999 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda Data code: AC Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Saint John's Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip Independence: 1 November 1981 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 November (1981) Constitution: 1 November 1981 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), 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 monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch 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 five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives--last held 9 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2004) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--ALP 12, UPP 4, 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 coalition of three opposition political parties--United National Democratic Party or UNDP, Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, and the Progressive Labor Movement or PLM Political pressure groups and leaders: Antigua Trades and Labor 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 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 accounting directly or indirectly for more than half of GDP. Increased tourist arrivals have 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--$503 million (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 6% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$7,900 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 12.5% services: 83.5% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.1% (1997) Labor force: 30,000 Labor force--by occupation: commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983) Unemployment rate: 9% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $122.6 million expenditures: $141.2 million, including capital expenditures of $17.3 million (1997 est.) Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1997 est.) Electricity--production: 95 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 95 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock Exports: $37.8 million (1997) Exports--commodities: petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, food and live animals 4%, machinery and transport equipment 17% Exports--partners: OECS 26%, Barbados 15%, Guyana 4%, Trinidad and Tobago 2%, US 0.3% Imports: $325.5 million (1997) Imports--commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil Imports--partners: US 27%, UK 16%, Canada 4%, OECS 3%, other 50% Debt--external: $240 million (1997 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $2.3 million (1995) Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March 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 0 (repeater transmitters for Deutsche Welle and BBC world broadcasts) (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Televisions: 28,000 (1993 est.) 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: 250 km (1996 est.) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: Saint John's Merchant marine: total: 517 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,706,126 GRT/3,542,664 DWT ships by type: bulk 21, cargo 338, chemical tanker 7, combination bulk 2, container 111, liquefied gas tanker 2, multifunctional large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 9, roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, vehicle carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry: Germany owns 10 ships, Slovenia 2, and Cyprus 2 (1998 est.) Airports: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force (includes Coast Guard) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none Illicit drugs: over the long-term, considered a relatively minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe and recently, a transshipment point for heroin from Europe to the US; potentially more significant as a drug-money-laundering center ====================================================================== @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 landmasses; 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 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. Communications Telephone system: international: no submarine cables 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 Transnational Issues Disputes--international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states); Svalbard is the focus of a maritime boundary dispute between Norway and Russia ====================================================================== @Argentina --------- Introduction Background: A part of the Spanish empire until independence in 1816, Argentina subsequently experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions. Meantime, thanks to rich natural resources and foreign investment, a modern agriculture and a diversified industry were gradually developed. After World War II, a long period of Peronist dictatorship was followed by rule by a military junta. Democratic elections finally came in 1983, but both the political and economic atmosphere remain susceptible to turmoil. 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 (located on Peninsula Valdes) 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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) People Population: 36,737,664 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 5,124,087; female 4,932,060) 15-64 years: 62% (male 11,457,399; female 11,469,346) 65 years and over: 11% (male 1,553,158; female 2,201,614) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.29% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 19.91 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 7.64 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.41 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.76 years male: 71.13 years female: 78.56 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.66 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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 NA October 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; formerly, three members appointed by each of the provincial legislatures; presently transitioning to one-third of the members being elected every two years to a six-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; one-half of the members elected every two years to four-year terms) elections: Senate--transition phase will continue through 2001 elections when all seats will be fully contested; winners will randomly draw to determine whether they will serve a two-year, four-year, or full six-year term; Chamber of Deputies--last held 26 October 1997 (next to be held NA October 1999) election results: Senate--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PJ 39, UCR 1, others 32; Chamber of Deputies--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PJ 119, UCR 69, Frepaso 36, other 33 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 NA]; Front for a Country in Solidarity or Frepaso (a four-party 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); Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); business organizations; students; the Roman Catholic Church; the Armed Forces International organization participation: AfDB, 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, MIPONUH, MTCR, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Diego Ramiro GUELAR chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: 4300 Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires mailing address: international mail: use street address; APO address: Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 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. However, when President Carlos MENEM took office in 1989, the country had piled up huge external debts, inflation had reached 200% per month, and output was plummeting. To combat the economic crisis, the government embarked on a path of trade liberalization, deregulation, and privatization. In 1991, it implemented radical monetary reforms which pegged the peso to the US dollar and limited the growth in the monetary base by law to the growth in reserves. Inflation fell sharply in subsequent years. The Mexican peso crisis produced capital flight, the loss of banking system deposits, and a severe, but short-lived, recession in 1995; a series of reforms to bolster the domestic banking system followed. Real GDP growth recovered strongly, reaching almost 9% in 1997. In 1998, increasing investor anxiety over Brazil, its largest trading partner, produced the highest domestic interest rates in more than three years and slowed growth to 4.3%. Despite the relatively high level of growth in recent years, double-digit unemployment rates have persisted, largely because of rigidities in Argentina's labor laws. GDP: purchasing power parity--$374 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 4.3% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$10,300 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 37% services: 56% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: 25.5% (1991 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (1998 est.) Labor force: 14 million (1997) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 12%, industry 31%, services 57% (1985 est.) Unemployment rate: 12% (October 1998) Budget: revenues: $56 billion expenditures: $60 billion, including capital expenditures of $4 billion (1998 est.) Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1998) Electricity--production: 64.669 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 45% hydro: 44.3% nuclear: 10.7% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 67.509 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 330 million kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 3.17 billion kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock Exports: $26 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: cereals, feed, motor vehicles, crude petroleum, steel manufactures Exports--partners: Brazil 31%, US 8%, Chile 7.0%, China 3%, Uruguay 3% (1997 est.) Imports: $32 billion (c.i.f., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts, organic chemicals, telecommunications equipment, plastics Imports--partners: Brazil 23%, US 20%, Italy 6%, Germany 5%, France 5% (1997) Debt--external: $133 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $2.833 billion (1995) Currency: 1 peso = 100 centavos Exchange rates: peso is pegged to the US dollar at an exchange rate of 1 peso = $1 Fiscal year: calendar year 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 260 (including 10 inactive stations), FM NA (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998 est.) Radios: 22.3 million (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 42 (in addition, there are 444 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 7.165 million (1991 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 37,830 km broad gauge: 23,992 km 1.676-m gauge (167 km electrified) standard gauge: 2,765 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 11,073 km 1.000-m gauge (26 km electrified) Highways: total: 208,350 km paved: 47,550 km (including 567 km of expressways) unpaved: 160,800 km (1998 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: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 233,856 GRT/363,335 DWT ships by type: cargo 10, container 1, oil tanker 13, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 1,374 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 141 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 58 914 to 1,523 m: 45 under 914 m: 7 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1,233 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 67 914 to 1,523 m: 621 under 914 m: 541 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes Naval Aviation, Marines, and Coast Guard), Argentine Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Aeronautical Police Force Military manpower--military age: 20 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 9,169,681 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 7,435,551 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 343,038 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $4.6 billion (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.4% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: short section of the southwestern boundary with Chile is indefinite--process to resolve boundary issues is underway; claims UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); claims UK-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; increasing money-laundering center ====================================================================== @Armenia ------- Introduction Background: Armenia was one of the 15 successor republics to the USSR in December 1991. Its leaders remain preoccupied by the long 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. In January 1998, differences between President TER-PETROSSIAN and members of his cabinet over the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process came to a head. With the prime minister, defense minister, and security minister arrayed against him, an isolated TER-PETROSSIAN resigned the presidency on 3 February 1998. Prime Minister Robert KOCHARIAN was elected president in March 1998. Concerns about Armenia's economic performance have continued since 1997 with a slowdown in growth and the serious impact of the 1998 financial crisis in Russia. 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: Armenian Highland 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 (Lake Sevan), 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: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography--note: landlocked People Population: 3,409,234 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25% (male 442,117; female 425,561) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,100,334; female 1,148,595) 65 years and over: 9% (male 122,170; female 170,457) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: -0.38% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 13.53 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 9.03 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -8.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 41.12 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.56 years male: 62.21 years female: 71.13 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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 1918-2 December 1920 (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 Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Armen DARBINYAN (since 10 April 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; special election last held 30 March 1998 (next election to be held March 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Robert KOCHARIAN elected president; percent of vote--Robert KOCHARIAN 59%, Karen DEMIRCHYAN 41% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (190 seats; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 July 1995 (next to be held in the spring of 1999) 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; note--seats by party change frequently Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Armenian National Movement or ANM International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rouben R. SHUGARIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael LEMMON embassy: 18 General Bagramian Avenue, Yerevan mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7020 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 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 agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration. 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 breakup of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union 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 1995-98. Armenia also managed to slash inflation and to privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in recent years have been largely offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. The Russian financial crisis generated concerns about Armenia's economic performance in 1998. Although inflation dropped to 10% and GDP grew about 6%, the industrial sector remained moribund. Much of Armenia's population remains heavily dependent on remittances from relatives abroad, and remittances from Russia fell off sharply in 1998. GDP: purchasing power parity--$9.2 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 6% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,700 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 30% services: 35% (1998 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (1998 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1998 est.) Labor force: 1.6 million (1997) Labor force--by occupation: manufacturing, mining, and construction 25%, agriculture 38%, services 37% Unemployment rate: 20% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $322 million expenditures: $424 million, including capital expenditures of $80 million (1998 est.) 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: NA% Electricity--production: 7.6 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 46.05% hydro: 26.32% nuclear: 27.63% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 7.6 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock Exports: $230 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: gold and jewelry, aluminum, transport equipment, electrical equipment, scrap metal Exports--partners: Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, Georgia Imports: $840 million (c.i.f., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: grain, other foods, fuel, other energy Imports--partners: Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, Georgia, US, EU Debt--external: $820 million (of which $75 million to Russia) (1997 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $245.5 million (1995) Currency: 1 dram = 100 luma Exchange rates: dram per US$1--535.62 (January 1999), 504.92 (1998), 490.85 (1997), 414.04 (1996), 405.91 (1995), 288.65 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 730,000 (1998 est.) Telephone system: the Ministry of Communications oversees the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications; the national operator is Armentel; the Greek Telecoms Company owns 90% of Armentel and will provide a $60 million eight-year loan; Armenia has about 4,000 Internet users on one satellite channel domestic: local--350,000 telephones are located in Yerevan; a fiber-optic loop provides digital service to 80,000 of Yerevan's customers; GSM cellular is available in Yerevan, as is paging; intercity--the former Soviet system provides service to 380,000 numbers mostly governmental international: Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe line through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave, land line, and satellite through the Moscow switch; 1 INTELSAT earth station Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 3 (in addition, programs are received by relay from Russia; 100% of the population receive Armenian and Russian TV programs) (1997) Televisions: NA 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: 8,580 km paved: 8,580 km unpaved: 0 km (1996 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 and Air Defense Aviation, Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops) Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 922,124 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 732,495 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 32,052 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $72.1 million (1999) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 4% (1999) 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; increasingly used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs--mostly opium and hashish--to Western Europe and the US via Iran, Central Asia, and Russia ====================================================================== @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: NEGL; 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 People Population: 68,675 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 7,724; female 7,106) 15-64 years: 69% (male 22,723; female 24,747) 65 years and over: 9% (male 2,623; female 3,752) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.55% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 13.28 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 6.48 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.84 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.04 years male: 73.33 years female: 80.94 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1999 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 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: parliamentary 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 monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for a four-year term; election last held 12 July 1997 (next to be held by December 2001) election results: inconclusive; no party won majority in December 1997 parliamentary elections; no new government formed as of May 1998 Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote and serve four-year terms) elections: last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held by NA December 2001) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--AVP 10, MEP 9, OLA 2 Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Electoral Movement Party or MEP International organization participation: Caricom (observer), 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: chief of mission: Consul General James L. WILLIAMS embassy: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao 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--$1.5 billion (1997 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 6% (1997) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$22,000 (1997 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1997) Labor force: NA Labor force--by occupation: most employment is in the tourist industry (1996) Unemployment rate: 0.6% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $345.3 million expenditures: $378.5 million, including capital expenditures of $107 million (1997 est.) Industries: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 470 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 470 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: aloes; livestock; fish Exports: $1.73 billion (including oil reexports)(1997) Exports--commodities: mostly refined petroleum products Exports--partners: US 64%, EU Imports: $2.12 billion (1997) Imports--commodities: food, consumer goods, manufactures, petroleum products, crude oil for refining and reexport Imports--partners: US 55.5%, Netherlands 12.3%, Japan 3.5% Debt--external: $285 million (1996) Economic aid--recipient: $26 million (1995); note?the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996 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 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 6, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 19,000 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 300 km paved: 130 km unpaved: 170 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: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,366 GRT/1,595 DWT (1998 est.) Airports: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.) 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 --------------------------- 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 People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are only seasonal caretakers 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 from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories 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 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 -------------- 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: in the Milwaukee Deep at 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 chokepoints 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 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). 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 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), Peiraiefs or 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 --------- Introduction Background: Australia became a British commonwealth in 1901. Blessed by rich natural resources, the country enjoyed rapid gains in herding, agriculture, and manufacturing and made a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Australia subsequently developed its minerals, metals, and fossil fuel markets, all of which have become key Australian exports. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. Sydney will host the 2000 summer Olympics. 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, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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 People Population: 18,783,551 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21% (male 2,023,569; female 1,926,901) 15-64 years: 66% (male 6,317,045; female 6,172,735) 65 years and over: 13% (male 1,022,485; female 1,320,816) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.9% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 13.21 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 2.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.11 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.14 years male: 77.22 years female: 83.23 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian Ethnic groups: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% Religions: Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11% Languages: English, native languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1980 est.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia Data code: AS Government type: democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign Capital: Canberra Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Dependent areas: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island Independence: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Constitution: 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901 Legal system: based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), 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 monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; 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 3 October 1998 (next to be held by October 2001); House of Representatives--last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held by October 2001) election results: Senate--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--Liberal-National 35, Labor 29, Australian Democrats 9, Greens 1, One Nation 1, independent 1; House of Representatives--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--Liberal-National 80, Labor 67, independent 1 Judicial branch: High Court, the Chief Justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general Political parties and leaders: 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: ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, 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, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, 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 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 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 at the level of the four dominant West European economies. Rich in natural resources, Australia is a major exporter of agricultural products, minerals, metals, and fossil fuels. Commodities account for 57% 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. Canberra's emphasis on reforms is a key factor behind the economy's resilience to the regional crisis and its stronger than expected growth rate that reached 4.5% last year. After a slow start in 1998, exports rebounded in the second half of the year because of a sharp currency depreciation and a redirection of sales to Europe, North America, and Latin America. GDP: purchasing power parity--$393.9 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 4.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$21,200 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 31% services: 65% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 24.8% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (1998) Labor force: 9.2 million (December 1997) Labor force--by occupation: services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.1% (1998) Budget: revenues: $90.73 billion expenditures: $89.04 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.) Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel Industrial production growth rate: 1.2% (1995) Electricity--production: 166.683 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 91.14% hydro: 8.84% nuclear: 0% other: 0.02% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 166.683 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry Exports: $56 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment Exports--partners: Japan 20%, ASEAN 16%, EU 10%, South Korea 9%, US 9%, NZ 8%, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China (1997) Imports: $61 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products Imports--partners: EU 25%, US 23%, Japan 13%, China, NZ (1997) Debt--external: $156 billion (June 1997) Economic aid--donor: ODA, $1.43 billion (FY97/98) Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.56 (February 1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3668 (1994) Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June Communications Telephones: 8.7 million (1987 est.) Telephone system: excellent 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 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (Australia's only shortwave station, Radio Australia, broadcasts to the world in seven languages, using 23 frequencies) (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 104 (64 of these stations are government-owned and 40 are commercial) (1997) Televisions: 9.2 million (1992 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 38,563 km (2,914 km electrified) 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 dual gauge: 172 km NA gauges Highways: total: 913,000 km paved: 353,331 km (including 13,630 km of expressways) unpaved: 559,669 km (1996 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 (Tasmania), Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville Merchant marine: total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,767,387 GRT/2,426,710 DWT ships by type: bulk 29, cargo 3, chemical tanker 4, container 4, liquefied gas tanker 4, oil tanker 8, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4 (1998 est.) Airports: 408 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 262 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 112 914 to 1,523 m: 120 under 914 m: 8 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 146 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 114 under 914 m: 13 (1998 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: 4,882,693 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 4,212,272 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 130,570 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $6.9 billion (FY97/98) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.9% (FY97/98) 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 ------- Introduction Background: Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. After the annexation to Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allied powers, Austria's 1955 State Treaty declared the country "permanently neutral" as a condition of the Soviet military withdrawal. The Soviet collapse relieved the external pressure to remain unaligned, but neutrality had evolved into a part of Austrian cultural identity, which has led to an ongoing public debate over whether Vienna legitimately can remain outside of European security structures. A wealthy country, Austria joined the European Union in 1995 and, like many EU members, is adjusting to the new European currency and struggling with high unemployment. Geography Location: Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia Geographic coordinates: 47 20 N, 13 20 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 83,858 sq km land: 82,738 sq km water: 1,120 sq km Area--comparative: slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: total: 2,562 km border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 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: 23% forests and woodland: 39% other: 20% (1996 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-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol 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 People Population: 8,139,299 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 702,261; female 666,310) 15-64 years: 68% (male 2,792,484; female 2,713,397) 65 years and over: 15% (male 478,071; female 786,776) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.09% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 9.62 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 10.04 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 1.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.48 years male: 74.31 years female: 80.82 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Austrian(s) adjective: Austrian Ethnic groups: German 99.4%, Croatian 0.3%, Slovene 0.2%, other 0.1% Religions: Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, other 17% Languages: German Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1974 est.) male: NA% female: NA% 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 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 19 April 1998 (next to be held in the spring of 2004); 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 reelected president; percent of vote--Thomas KLESTIL 63%, Gertraud KNOLL 14%, Heide SCHMIDT 11%, Richard LUGNER 10%, Karl NOWAK 2% Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (64 members; members represent each of the states on the basis of population, but with each state having at least three representatives; members serve a four- or six-year term) 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 in the fall of 1999) election results: National Council--percent of vote by party--SPOe 38.3%, OeVP 28.3%, FPOe 22.1%, LF 5.3%, Greens 4.6%, other 1.4%; seats by party--SPOe 71, OeVP 53, FPOe 40, LF 10, Greens 9 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 caucus floor leader and Alexander VAN DER BELLEN, party spokesman]; 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, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, 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, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNU, 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 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kathryn Walt HALL embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091, Vienna mailing address: use embassy street address Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red Economy Economy--overview: Austria has a well-developed market economy with a high standard of living. As a member of the European Monetary Union (EMU), Austria's economy is closely integrated with other EU member countries, especially with Germany. Austria's membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European market. Through privatization efforts, the 1996-98 budget consolidation programs, and austerity measures, Austria brought its total public sector deficit down to 2.5% of GDP in 1997 and public debt--at 66% of GDP in 1997--more or less in line with the 60% of GDP required by the EU's Maastricht criteria. Cuts mainly affect the civil service and Austria's generous social system, the two major causes of the government deficit. To meet increased competition from both EU and Central European countries, Austria will need to emphasize knowledge-based sectors of the economy and deregulate the service sector, particularly telecommunications and energy. The strong GDP growth of 1998 is expected to dwindle back to 2.3% in 1999, and observers caution that this projection may be revised downwards in view of the Asian and Brazilian crises and Germany's lower growth projection. GDP: purchasing power parity--$184.5 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 2.9% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$22,700 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 30.8% services: 67.8% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (1998) Labor force: 3.7 million (1998) Labor force--by occupation: services 67.7%, industry and crafts 29%, agriculture and forestry 0.7% (salaried employees, 1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 7% (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $50.4 billion expenditures: $55.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industries: construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism (1997) Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1998 est.) Electricity--production: 52.15 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 34.4% hydro: 65.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1997) Electricity--consumption: 56.1 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--exports: 9.8 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--imports: 9 billion kWh (1997) Agriculture--products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber Exports: $62.5 billion (1998) Exports--commodities: vehicles, machinery and equipment, paper and paperboard, metal goods, iron and steel, telecommunication equipment, textiles, medical and pharmaceutical products (1997) Exports--partners: EU 62% (Germany 35.1%, Italy 8.3%), Central and Eastern Europe 17.6% (Hungary 4.9%), Japan 1.3%, US 3.7% (1997) Imports: $65.8 billion (1998) Imports--commodities: vehicles, machinery and equipment, apparel, metal goods, oil and oil products, office and data-processing machinery, medical and pharmaceutical products, telecommunication equipment, textiles (1997) Imports--partners: EU 68.9% (Germany 41.7%, Italy 8%), Central and Eastern Europe 11% (Hungary 3.1%), Asia 7.1% (Japan 2.2%), US 5.4% (1997) Debt--external: $24.33 billion (1997) Economic aid--donor: ODA, $513 million (1997); of which, bilateral $298 million, multilateral $215 million Currency: 1 Austrian schilling (AS) = 100 groschen Exchange rates: Austrian schillings (AS) per US$1--11.86 (January 1999), 12.379 (1998), 12.204 (1997), 10.587 (1996), 10.081 (1995), 11.422 (1994) note: on 9 January 1999, the European Union introduced a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in some member countries at the rate of 0.8597 euros per US$ and a fixed rate of 13.7603 Austrian shillings per euro; the euro will replace the local currency in consenting countries for all transactions in 2002 Fiscal year: calendar year 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 1, FM 61 (several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (Austria's single shortwave station, Radio Austria International, transmits its programs to the world in six languages using 12 frequencies and six communication satellite relays) (1998) Radios: 70% of all households had radiosaccoding to the 1993 census Television broadcast stations: 51 (in addition, there are 920 repeaters) (1998) Televisions: 2,418,584 (1984 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 5,849 km (there is also 594 km of private tracks) standard gauge: 5,470 km 1.435-m gauge (3,418 km electrified) narrow gauge: 379 km 1.000-m and 0.760-m gauge (84 km electrified) (1997) Highways: 129,061 km paved: 129,061 km (including 1,613 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1997 est.) Waterways: 358 km (1997) Pipelines: crude oil 777 km; natural gas 840 km (1997) Ports and harbors: Linz, Vienna, Enns, Krems Merchant marine: total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 67,066 GRT/95,693 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 18, combination bulk 2, container 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 55 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 22 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: 12 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 33 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 29 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Army (includes Flying Division) Military manpower--military age: 19 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 2,091,902 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,735,469 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 48,872 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $1.8 billion (1999 est.) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 0.82% (1999 est.) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe ====================================================================== @Azerbaijan ---------- Introduction Background: In 1806, Azerbaijan, a region of Turkic Muslim people, was conquered by the Russians. In 1918, Azerbaijan declared independence from Russia, but was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920. It again declared its independence in 1991, following the collapse of the USSR. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region is still unresolved after 10 years and Baku has yet to settle disputes with its neighbors over oil rights in the Caspian Sea. During the war, Karabakh Armenians declared independence and seized almost 20% of the country's territory, creating some 750,000 Azerbaijani refugees in the process. Both sides have generally observed a Russian-mediated cease-fire in place since May 1994. 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 Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (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 Yasaqligi (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, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity Geography--note: landlocked People Population: 7,908,224 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 1,292,018; female 1,240,745) 15-64 years: 61% (male 2,361,792; female 2,496,721) 65 years and over: 7% (male 202,755; female 314,193) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.63% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 21.58 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 9.5 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -5.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 82.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.08 years male: 58.76 years female: 67.63 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.67 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani Ethnic groups: Azeri 90%, Dagestani Peoples 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 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; percentages for 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.) 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 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, Ali Bayramli 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 26 November 1996) 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 11 October 1998 (next to be held October 2003); 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 76% 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--NAP and allies 115, APF 4, PNIA 3, Musavat Party 1, vacant 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: New Azerbaijan Party or NAP ELCHIBEY, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan 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, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO embassy: Azadliq Prospekt 83, Baku 370007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7050 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 Caucasian states. It resembles the Central Asian states in its majority Muslim population, high structural unemployment, and low standard of living. The economy's most prominent products are oil, cotton, and natural gas. Production from the Caspian oil field declined through 1997 but registered an increase in 1998. Negotiation of more than a dozen production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $30 billion to oil field development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former 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 Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building up with Turkey, Iran, the UAE, and the nations of Europe. A serious long-term challenge is the maintenance of the competitiveness of non-oil exports in world markets. GDP: purchasing power parity--$12.9 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 10% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,640 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -7.6% (1998 est.) Labor force: 2.9 million (1997) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture and forestry 32%, industry and construction 15%, services 53% (1997) Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.) 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: NA% Electricity--production: 16.035 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 90.55% hydro: 9.45% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 16.8 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--exports: 600 million kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 745 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats Exports: $781 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Exports--commodities: oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textiles, cotton Exports--partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey Imports: $794 million (c.i.f., 1997 est.) Imports--commodities: machinery and parts, consumer durables, foodstuffs, textiles Imports--partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey Debt--external: $100 million (of which $75 million to Russia) Economic aid--recipient: ODA, $113 million (1996) Currency: manat=100 gopiks Exchange rates: manats per US$1--3,865.00 (November 1998), 3,985.38 (1997), 4,301.26 (1996), 4,413.54 (1995), 1,570.23 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 1.414 million (1998) Telephone system: Azerbaijani telecommunications fall under the Ministry of Communications; Azerbaijan's telephone system is a combination of old Soviet era technology used by Azerbaijani citizens and small- to medium-size commercial establishments, and modern cellular phones used by an increasing middle class, large commercial ventures, international companies, and most government officials; the average citizen waits on a 200,000-person list for telephone service; Internet and E-mail service are available in Baku domestic: local--the majority of telephones are in Baku or other industrial centers; intercity--about 700 villages still do not have public phone service; all long distance service must use Azertel's (Ministry of Communications) lines; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its separated enclave to Nakhichevan international: the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite service between Baku and Turkey provides access to 200 countries; additional satellite providers supply services between Baku and specific countries; Azerbaijan is a signator of the Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber-Optic Line (TAE); their lines are not laid but the Turkish satellite and a microwave between Azerbaijan and Iran can provide Azerbaijan worldwide access through this system Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (Azerbaijan's single shortwave station transmits its programs to the Middle East in eight languages) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2; note--the Ministry of Communications is the monopoly broadcaster and rebroadcaster of television in Azerbaijan; Azerbaijani, Russian, Armenian, Iranian, British broadcasting companies, Voice of America, and other European channels are available via satellite; television is broadcast to Nakhichevan by satellite Televisions: NA 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) Merchant marine: total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 251,404 GRT/ 306,264 DWT ships by type: cargo 12, oil tanker 42, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.) 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: 2,041,863 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,639,144 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 73,486 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $121 million (1999) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.6% (1999) 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, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; transshipment point for opiates via Iran, Central Asia, and Russia to Western Europe ====================================================================== @Bahamas, The ------------ 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 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, on Cat Island 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; solid waste disposal Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography--note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain People Population: 283,705 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 39,271; female 38,740) 15-64 years: 67% (male 92,830; female 96,814) 65 years and over: 6% (male 6,696; female 9,354) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.36% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 20.58 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.43 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.38 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.25 years male: 70.94 years female: 77.64 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.31 children born/woman (1999 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 total population: 98.2% male: 98.5% female: 98% (1995 est.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas Data code: BF Government type: commonwealth Capital: Nassau Administrative divisions: 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nicholls Town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 10 July (1973) Constitution: 10 July 1973 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), 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 monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; 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 35, PLP 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Progressive Liberal Party or PLP 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, OPCW, 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 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arthur SCHECHTER embassy: Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: local or express mail address: P.O. Box N-8197, Nassau; stateside address: American Embassy Nassau, P.O. Box 599009, Miami, FL 33159-9009; pouch address: Nassau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-3370 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 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs 40% of the archipelago's labor force. Moderate growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences led to an increase of the country's GDP by an estimated 4% in 1998. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute less than 10% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. 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 visitors. GDP: purchasing power parity--$5.63 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$20,100 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 5% services: 92% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.4% (1997) Labor force: 148,000 (1996) Labor force--by occupation: government 30%, tourism 40%, business services 10%, agriculture 5% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: 9% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $766 million expenditures: $845 million, including capital expenditures of $97 million (FY97/98) Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt production, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 1 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 1 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: citrus, vegetables; poultry Exports: $300 million (1998) Exports--commodities: pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish, refined petroleum products Exports--partners: US 24.5%, EU (excluding UK) 23.9%, UK 12.6%, Singapore 5.6% (1997) Imports: $1.37 billion (1998) Imports--commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, crude oil, vehicles, electronics Imports--partners: US 34.9%, EU 24.3%, Japan 15.5%, Russia 6.3% (1997) Debt--external: $381.7 million (1997) Economic aid--recipient: $9.8 million (1995) Currency: 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1--1.000 (fixed rate pegged to the dollar) Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June Communications Telephones: 200,000 (1997 est.) Telephone system: domestic: 91,183 telephone subscribers; 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 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 200,000 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 60,000 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,693 km paved: 1,546 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1997 est.) Ports and harbors: Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau Merchant marine: total: 1,079 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 26,631,924 GRT/41,196,326 DWT ships by type: bulk 209, cargo 241, chemical tanker 43, combination bulk 13, combination ore/oil 22, container 61, liquefied gas tanker 34, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 170, passenger 62, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 140, roll-on/roll-off cargo 48, short-sea passenger 12, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 19 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 49 countries among which are Norway 177, Greece 141, UK 113, US 61, Denmark 39, Finland 27, Japan 25, Sweden 24, France 22, and Italy 22 (1998 est.) Airports: 62 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 33 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 21 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force Military expenditures--dollar figure: $20 million (FY95/96) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA% 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 ------- 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, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands 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 People Population: 629,090 (July 1999 est.) note: includes 227,801 non-nationals (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31% (male 97,316; female 94,708) 15-64 years: 67% (male 249,594; female 169,337) 65 years and over: 2% (male 9,241; female 8,894) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 21.86 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 3.24 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 1.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.47 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.3 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.81 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.32 years male: 72.75 years female: 77.96 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.97 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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: National 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 HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born NA 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 19 January 1970) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch 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, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Muhammad ABD AL-GHAFFAR Abdallah chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG embassy: Building No. 979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 3119, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; International Mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama 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--$8.2 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: -2% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$13,100 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 46% services: 53% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.2% (1996 est.) Labor force: 150,000 (1997 est.) note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.) Labor force--by occupation: industry, commerce, and service 79%, government 20%, agriculture 1% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 budget) Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (1995) Electricity--production: 4.7 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 4.7 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish Exports: $4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1997) Exports--commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 61%, aluminum 7% Exports--partners: India 18%, Japan 11%, Saudi Arabia 8%, South Korea 7%, UAE 5% (1997) Imports: $4.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997) Imports--commodities: nonoil 59%, crude oil 41% Imports--partners: Saudi Arabia 45%, US 10%, UK 6%, Japan 5%, Germany 4% (1997) Debt--external: $2 billion (1997) Economic aid--recipient: $48.4 million (1995) Currency: 1 Bahraini dinar (BD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Bahraini dinars (BD) per US$1--0.3760 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 (1998) Radios: 320,000 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1997) Televisions: 270,000 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 3,103 km paved: 2,374 km unpaved: 729 km (1997 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32 km Ports and harbors: Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah Merchant marine: total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 228,273 GRT/304,654 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 3, container 2, oil tanker 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force Military manpower--military age: 15 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 220,670 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 121,451 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: NA Military expenditures--dollar figure: $276.9 million (1994) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 4.5% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Islands and maritime boundary dispute with Qatar currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ====================================================================== @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 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 from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island Data code: FQ Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Legal system: NA Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Economy--overview: no economic activity 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, completely covered with vegetation and unusable 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 ---------- 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: Keokradong 1,230 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 People Population: 127,117,967 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38% (male 24,516,722; female 23,346,904) 15-64 years: 59% (male 38,441,064; female 36,586,743) 65 years and over: 3% (male 2,303,613; female 1,922,921) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.59% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 25.2 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 8.5 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -0.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 69.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.6 years male: 60.73 years female: 60.46 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.86 children born/woman (1999 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh former: East Pakistan Data code: BG Government type: republic Capital: Dhaka Administrative divisions: 5 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi note: there may be one additional division named 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 or International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Khwaja Mohammad SHEHABUDDIN chancery: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John C. HOLZMAN embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 mailing address: G.P.O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 Flag description: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, 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. The 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. Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wajed's Awami League 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. Severe floods, lasting from July to October 1998, endangered the livelihoods of more than 20 million people. Foodgrain production fell by 4 million tons, forcing Dhaka to triple its normal foodgrain imports and placing severe pressure on Bangladesh's balance of payments. The floods increased the country's reliance on large-scale international aid. So far the East Asian financial crisis has not had major impact on the economy. GDP: purchasing power parity--$175.5 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,380 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 17% services: 53% (1997) Population below poverty line: 35.6% (1995-96 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 23.7% (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1998) Labor force: 56 million note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, and Oman (1996) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 25%, industry and mining 10% (1996) Unemployment rate: 35.2% (1996) Budget: revenues: $3.8 billion expenditures: $5.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Industries: jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizer Industrial production growth rate: 3.6% (1997) Electricity--production: 11.5 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 97.35% hydro: 2.65% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 11.3 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes; beef, milk, poultry Exports: $4.4 billion (1997) Exports--commodities: garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood Exports--partners: Western Europe 42%, US 30%, Hong Kong 4%, Japan 3% (FY95/96 est.) Imports: $7.1 billion (1997) Imports--commodities: capital goods, textiles, food, petroleum products Imports--partners: India 21%, China 10%, Western Europe 8%, Hong Kong 7%, Singapore 6% (FY95/96 est.) Debt--external: $16.7 billion (1997) Economic aid--recipient: $1.475 billion (FY96/97) Currency: 1 taka (Tk) = 100 poisha Exchange rates: taka (Tk) per US$1--48.500 (January 1999), 46.906 (1998), 43.892 (1997), 41.794 (1996), 40.278 (1995), 40.212 (1994) Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June 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 12, FM 12, shortwave 2 (one of Bangladesh's two shortwave stations, Bangladesh Betar or Radio Bangladesh, transmits its programs to the world in six languages on four frequencies) (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 11 (1997) Televisions: 350,000 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 2,745 km broad gauge: 923 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (1998 est.) Highways: total: 204,022 km paved: 25,095 km unpaved: 178,927 km (1996 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, Mongla Port Merchant marine: total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 315,855 GRT/453,002 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 33, oil tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1998 est.) Airports: 16 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 15 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: 7 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Village Defense Parties, National Cadet Corps) Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 33,374,195 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 19,772,013 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $559 million (FY96/97) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.8% (FY96/97) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: a portion of the boundary with India is indefinite; dispute with India over South Talpatty/New Moore Island Illicit drugs: transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries ====================================================================== @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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity Geography--note: easternmost Caribbean island People Population: 259,191 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 30,132; female 29,359) 15-64 years: 67% (male 85,437; female 88,131) 65 years and over: 10% (male 9,862; female 16,270) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.04% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 14.46 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 8.16 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -5.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.74 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.98 years male: 72.22 years female: 77.81 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (1999 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%, other 12% Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97.4% male: 98% female: 96.8% (1995 est.) Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados Data code: BB Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Bridgetown Administrative divisions: 11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas note: the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status Independence: 30 November 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 November (1966) Constitution: 30 November 1966 Legal system: English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), 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 monarch is hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the monarch; 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 20 January 1999 (next to be held by January 2004) election results: House of Assembly--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--BLP 26, DLP 2 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 Political pressure groups and leaders: Barbados Workers Union 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 consulate(s) general: Coral Gables (Florida), Miami, and New York consulate(s): Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador E. William CROTTY embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown mailing address: P.O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055 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 production in recent years has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. The start of the Port Charles Marina project in Speightstown helped the tourism industry continue to expand in 1996-98. Offshore finance and informatics are important foreign exchange earners, and there is also a light manufacturing sector. The government continues its efforts to reduce the unacceptably high unemployment rate, encourage direct foreign investment, and privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. GDP: purchasing power parity--$2.9 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 3% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$11,200 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 15% services: 79% (1996) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1997) Labor force: 136,000 (1998 est.) Labor force--by occupation: services 75%, industry 15%, agriculture 10% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 12% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $725.5 million expenditures: $750.6 million, including capital expenditures of $126.3 million (FY97/98 est.) Industries: tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export Industrial production growth rate: 0.8% (1996) Electricity--production: 600 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 600 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: sugarcane, vegetables, cotton Exports: $280 million (1997) Exports--commodities: sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components, clothing Exports--partners: Caricom 34.8%, US 18.4%, UK 16.6%, Canada 4.4% (1996) Imports: $982 million (1997) Imports--commodities: consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components Imports--partners: US 40.5%, Caricom 14.7%, UK 8.4%, Canada 5% (1996) Debt--external: $581.4 million (1996) Economic aid--recipient: $9.1 million (1995) Currency: 1 Barbadian dollar (Bds$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Barbadian dollars (Bds$) per US$1--2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the dollar) Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March 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 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (in addition, there are two cable channels) (1997) Televisions: 69,350 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,650 km paved: 1,582 km unpaved: 68 km (1998 est.) Ports and harbors: Bridgetown, Speightstown (Port Charles Marina) Merchant marine: total: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 641,550 GRT/1,087,042 DWT ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 26, combination bulk 1, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 2 countries: Canada owns 2 ships, Hong Kong 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1998 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: 72,111 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 49,600 (1999 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 --------------- 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 m high Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 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 People Population: uninhabited 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 Legal system: NA Diplomatic representation in the US: none (possession of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (possession of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Economy--overview: no economic activity 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 ------- Introduction Background: For centuries Byelorussia has been fought over, devastated, and partitioned among Russia, Poland, Lithuania, and, in World Wars I and II, Germany. After seven decades as a Soviet republic, the newly named Belarus declared its independence in August 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. On 25 December 1998, Russian President Boris YEL'TSIN and Belarusian President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO signed several agreements intended to provide greater political, economic, and social integration while preserving both states' sovereignty. 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 People Population: 10,401,784 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (male 1,027,974; female 985,342) 15-64 years: 67% (male 3,390,552; female 3,591,245) 65 years and over: 14% (male 463,369; female 943,302) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: -0.09% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 9.7 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 13.71 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 3.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.88 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.39 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.13 years male: 62.04 years female: 74.52 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.32 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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 (Belarusian Supreme Soviet declaration of independence from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note--date set by referendum of 24 November 1996; represents Minsk liberation from German occupation Constitution: 30 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 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 18 November 1996, confirmed 19 February 1997); First Deputy Prime Ministers Petr PROKOPOVICH (since 23 December 1996) and Vasiliy DOLGOLEV (since 2 December 1998); Deputy Prime Ministers Valeriy KOKOREV (since 23 August 1994), Vladimir ZAMETALIN (since 15 July 1997), Ural LATYPOV (since 30 December 1997), Gennadiy NOVITSKIY (since 11 February 1997), Leonid KOZIK (since 4 February 1997), Aleksandr POPKOV (since 10 November 1998) 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; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should be in 1999, however LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via the November 1996 referendum); prime minister and deputy prime ministers 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 or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; eight appointed by the president and 56 indirectly elected by deputies of local councils for four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Pretsaviteley (110 seats; note--present members came from the former Supreme Soviet which LUKASHENKO disbanded in November 1996) elections: last held May and November-December 1995 (two rounds, each with a run-off; disbanded after the November 1996 referendum; next to be held NA) election results: 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 61; 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: Party of Communists Belarusian or chairman]; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic International organization participation: CCC, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires CHEREPANSKY chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel V. SPECKHARD (recalled to Washington in June 1998; Charge d'Affaires Randall LE COCQ) embassy: Starovilenskaya #46-220002, Minsk mailing address: use embassy street address 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 the Belarusian national ornament in red Economy Economy--overview: Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism". In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO re-imposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprise. This produced a climate hostile to private business, inhibiting domestic and foreign investment. The Government of Belarus has artificially revived economic output since mid-1996 by pursuing a policy of rapid credit expansion. In a vain attempt to keep the rapidly rising inflation in check, the government placed strict price controls on food and consumer products, which resulted in food shortages. Long lines for dairy products, chicken, and pork became common in the closing months of 1998. With the goal of slowing down the devaluation of the Belarusian ruble, LUKASHENKO in 1997 introduced a new, complex system of legal buying/selling hard currencies. The new "command" system proved to be totally unworkable and resulted in galloping devaluation. In addition to the burdens imposed on businesses by high inflation and an artificial currency regime, businesses have also been subject to pressure on the part of central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, and retroactive application of new business regulations prohibiting practices that had been legal. A further economic problem is the sizable trade deficit. GDP: purchasing power parity--$53.7 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 7% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$5,200 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 43% services: 37% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: 77% (1997 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.9% highest 10%: 19.4% (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 182% (1998) Labor force: 4.3 million (1998) Labor force--by occupation: industry and construction 40%, agriculture and forestry 19%, services 41% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.3% officially registered unemployed (December 1998); large number of underemployed workers Budget: revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1997 est.) Industries: tractors, metal-cutting machine tools, off-highway dump trucks up to 110-metric-ton load capacity, wheel-type earth movers for construction and mining, eight-wheel-drive, high-flotation trucks with cargo capacity of 25 metric tons for use in tundra and roadless areas, equipment for animal husbandry and livestock feeding, motorcycles, television sets, chemical fibers, fertilizer, linen fabric, wool fabric, radios, refrigerators, other consumer goods Industrial production growth rate: 11% (1998 est.) Electricity--production: 26.1 billion kWh (1998) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 99.92% hydro: 0.08% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1997) Electricity--consumption: 33.7 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--exports: 2.7 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--imports: 10.3 billion kWh (1997) Agriculture--products: grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk Exports: $7 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs Exports--partners: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany Imports: $8.5 billion (c.i.f., 1998) Imports--commodities: fuel, natural gas, industrial raw materials, textiles, sugar, foodstuffs Imports--partners: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany Debt--external: $1.03 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $194.3 million (1995) Currency: Belarusian rubel (BR) Exchange rates: Belarusian rubels per US$1--139,000 (25 January 1999 official Belarusian exchange rate), 46,080 (2nd qtr 1998), 25,964 (1997), 15,500 (yearend 1996), 11,500 (yearend 1995), 10,600 (yearend 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 2.55 million (October 1998) Telephone system: the Ministry of Telecommunications controls all telecommunications through its carrier (a joint stock company) Beltelcom which is a monopoly domestic: local--Minsk has a digital metropolitan network and a cellular NMT-450 network; waiting lists for telephones are long; local service outside Minsk is neglected and poor; intercity--Belarus has a partly developed fiber-optic backbone system presently serving at least 13 major cities (1998); Belarus's fiber optics form synchronous digital hierarchy rings through other countries' systems; an inadequate analog system remains operational international: Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber-Optic Line (TAE) and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); three fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus due to this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat and Intersputnik earth stations Radio broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 Radios: 3.17 million (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 17 (1997); note--Belarus has a state-run television broadcasting network; independent local television stations exist Televisions: 9,686,854 (1996) Transportation Railways: total: 5,563 km broad gauge: 5,563 km 1.520-m gauge (894 km electrified) Highways: total: 53,407 km paved: 52,446 km unpaved: 961 km (1997 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 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: 2,700,034 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,115,121 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 79,905 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $100 million (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe ====================================================================== @Belgium ------- Introduction Background: Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. In the half century following, it has prospered as a small, modern, technologically advanced European state and member of the European Union. Its unique political circumstance is the long-standing differences between the wealthier Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the poorer French-speaking Walloons of the south, differences that are becoming increasingly acute. 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: the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, intense animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have impeded progress in tackling environmental challenges Environment--international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, 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 signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol 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 People Population: 10,182,034 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 895,987; female 853,494) 15-64 years: 66% (male 3,389,572; female 3,318,266) 65 years and over: 17% (male 703,933; female 1,020,782) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.06% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 9.98 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 10.43 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.53 years male: 74.31 years female: 80.9 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (1999 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% 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 Capital: Brussels Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular--province; Flemish: provincien, singular--provincie); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams Brabant, West-Vlaanderen note: the Brussels Capitol Region is not included within the 10 provinces Independence: 4 October 1830 (from the Netherlands) National holiday: National Day, 21 July (ascension of King LEOPOLD I 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); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Luc DEHAENE (since 6 March 1992) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch 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 by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; 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 popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies--last held 21 May 1995 (next to be held in June 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 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, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, 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, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alexis REYN chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paul CEJAS embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 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 Wallonia. 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. Belgium's public debt fell from 127% of GDP in 1996 to 122% of GDP in 1998 and the government is trying to control its expenditures to bring the figure more into line with other industrialized countries. Belgium became a charter member of the European Monetary Union (EMU) in January 1999. GDP: purchasing power parity--$236 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 2.8% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$23,400 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 1.9% industry: 27.2% services: 70.9% (1996) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 20.2% (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (1998 est.) Labor force: 4.283 million (1997) Labor force--by occupation: services 69.7%, industry 27.7%, agriculture 2.6% (1992) Unemployment rate: 12% (1998 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: 9.7% (1995) Electricity--production: 71.066 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 41.73% hydro: 0.33% nuclear: 57.93% other: 0.01% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 75.266 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 5.4 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 9.6 billion kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk Exports: $145.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds, petroleum products Exports--partners: EU 67.2% (Germany 19%), US 5.8% (1994) Imports: $137.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs Imports--partners: EU 75% (Germany 22.1%), US 5% (1997) Debt--external: $22.3 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid--donor: ODA, $1 billion (1995) Currency: 1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Belgian francs (BF) per US$1--34.77 (January 1999), 36.229 (1998), 35.774 (1997), 30.962 (1996), 29.480 (1995), 33.456 (1994) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Union introduced a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in some member countries at the rate of 0.8597 euros per US$ and a fixed rate of 40.3399 Belgian francs per euro; the euro will replace the local currency in consenting countries for all transactions in 2002 Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 5.691 million (1992 est.); 1.7 million cellular telephone subscribers (1998) 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 5, FM 77, shortwave 1 (Belgium's single shortwave station, Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal, transmits its programs internationally in Dutch, English, French, and German, using 21 shortwave frequencies) Radios: 100,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 24 (in addition, there are Dutch programs on cable, TV-5 Europe by satellite relay, and American Forces Network by relay from Germany) (1997) Televisions: 3,315,662 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 3,380 km (2,459 km electrified; 2,563 km double track) standard gauge: 3,380 km 1.435-m gauge (1996) Highways: total: 143,175 km paved: 143,175 km (including 1,674 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1996 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: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 35,668 GRT/56,412 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 8, chemical tanker 8, oil tanker 6 (1998 est.) Airports: 42 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 16 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 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: 2,537,544 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,098,883 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 64,180 (1999 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 ------ 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; Hurricane Mitch damage Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertication, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, 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 People Population: 235,789 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% (male 49,991; female 48,074) 15-64 years: 55% (male 65,507; female 63,796) 65 years and over: 3% (male 4,129; female 4,292) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.42% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 30.22 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.39 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -0.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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 (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 31.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.2 years male: 67.23 years female: 71.26 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.74 children born/woman (1999 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% Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras Data code: BH Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Belmopan Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Constitution: 21 September 1981 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Said MUSA (since 2 August 1998); 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 monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (eight 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 1 August 1998 (next to be held NA August 2003) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PUP 26, UDP 3 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 GOLDSON] Political pressure groups and leaders: Society for the Promotion 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 Schofield MURPHY chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carolyn CURIEL embassy: Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025 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 greater importance. Sugar, the chief crop, accounts for nearly half of exports, while the banana industry is the country's largest employer. The government's tough austerity program in 1997 resulted in an economic slowdown that continued in 1998. The trade deficit has been growing, mostly as a result of low export prices for sugar and bananas. The new government faces important challenges to economic stability. Rapid action to improve tax collection has been promised, but a lack of progress in reigning in spending could bring the exchange rate under pressure. GDP: purchasing power parity--$700 million (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 0.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,000 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 22% services: 56% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.5% (1998 est.) Labor force: 71,000 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1997 est.) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 30%, services 16%, government 15.4%, commerce 11.2%, manufacturing 10.3% Unemployment rate: 13% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $140 million expenditures: $142 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY97/98 est.) Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction Industrial production growth rate: 0.2% (1996 est.) Electricity--production: 145 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 145 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp Exports: $95.3 million (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: sugar 46%, bananas 26%, citrus fruits, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood Exports--partners: US 45%, UK 30%, Mexico 3%, Canada 3% (1997) Imports: $149.7 million (c.i.f., 1998) Imports--commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals Imports--partners: US 52%, Mexico 13%, UK 5% (1997) Debt--external: $288 million (1996) Economic aid--recipient: $23.4 million (1995) Currency: 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1--2.0000 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March 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 1 (Voice of America relay station), FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Televisions: 27,048 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,248 km paved: 427 km unpaved: 1,821 km (1996 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: 403 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,740,325 GRT/2,511,709 DWT ships by type: bulk 34, cargo 259, chemical tanker 5, container 9, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 58, passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 21, roll-on/roll-off cargo 8, short-sea/passenger 3, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 7 countries: Cuba 2, Cyprus 1, Greece 1, Singapore 2, UAE 12, UK 1, and US 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 44 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 30 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Belize Defense Force (includes Ground Forces, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard), Belize National Police Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 58,201 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 34,531 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 2,619 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $15 million (FY97/98) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2% (FY97/98) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: border with Guatemala in dispute Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center ====================================================================== @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: Mont Sokbaro 658 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, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography--note: no natural harbors People Population: 6,305,567 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 1,510,703; female 1,501,437) 15-64 years: 50% (male 1,511,114; female 1,637,155) 65 years and over: 2% (male 62,459; female 82,699) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 3.3% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 45.37 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 12.4 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 97.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.08 years male: 51.98 years female: 56.24 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.4 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 Capital: Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou note: six additional provinces have been reported but not confirmed; they are Alibori, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, and Plateau; moreover, the term "province" may have been changed to "department" Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1990) Constitution: 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 cabinet: Council of Ministers 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 NA 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 28 March 1999) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PRB 20, PRD 19, FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 7, NCC 3, RDL-VIVOTEN 3, PCB 2, AC 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 for Civic Renewal or ARC Sylvain AKINDES]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD and KINA]; Liberal Democrats' Rally for National Reconstruction-Vivoten note: as of December 1998, more than 110 political parties were officially recognized; among them are Benin Renaissance Party or PRB, Our Common Cause or NCC, Cameleon Alliance or AC, Rally for Democracy and Pan-Africanism or RDP 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, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MINURCA, MIPONUH, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert C. FELDER embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: B. P. 2012, Cotonou 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 has averaged a sound 4% in 1990-95 and 5% in 1996-98. Rapid population growth has offset much of this growth in output. Inflation has subsided over the past three years. Commercial and transport activities, which make up a large part of GDP, are vulnerable to developments in Nigeria, particularly fuel shortages. Support by the Paris Club and official bilateral creditors has eased the external debt situation in recent years. The government, still burdened with money-losing state enterprises and a bloated civil service, has been gradually implementing a World Bank supported structural adjustment program since 1991. GDP: purchasing power parity--$7.6 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 4.4% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,300 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 34% industry: 14% services: 52% (1997) Population below poverty line: 33% (1995 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (1998 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $299 million expenditures: $445 million, including capital expenditures of $14 million (1995 est.) Industries: textiles, cigarettes; beverages, food; construction materials, petroleum Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 6 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 251 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 245 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock Exports: $250 million (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa Exports--partners: Brazil 18%, Portugal 11%, Morocco 10%, Libya 6%, France (1997) Imports: $314 million (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate goods, capital goods, light consumer goods Imports--partners: France 21%, UK 9%, Thailand 9%, Hong Kong 8%, China (1997) Debt--external: $1.6 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $281.2 million (1995) Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1--566.36 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 38,354 (6,286 cellular telephone subscribers) (1998 est.) Telephone system: domestic: fair system of open wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections international: satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998 est.) Radios: 400,000 (1998 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2 (one privately owned) (1997) Televisions: 30,000 (1998 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 578 km (single track) narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.) Highways: total: 6,787 km paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,430 km (1996 est.) Waterways: navigable along small sections, important only locally Ports and harbors: Cotonou, Porto-Novo Merchant marine: none Airports: 5 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 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: 1,363,878 females age 15-49: 1,425,987 (1999 est.) note: both sexes are liable for military service Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 697,715 females age 15-49: 722,323 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 67,622 females: 67,238 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $27 million (1996) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.2% (1996) 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 ------- 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: 6% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 94% (1997 est.) note: developed (55%) and rural/open space (39%) comprise 94% of Bermudian land area Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes (June to November) Environment--current issues: asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space 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 land, reclaimed and otherwise, was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995 People Population: 62,472 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 6,174; female 6,023) 15-64 years: 70% (male 21,479; female 22,041) 65 years and over: 10% (male 2,897; female 3,858) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.72% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 11.83 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 7.27 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 2.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.27 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.97 years male: 75.19 years female: 78.83 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (1999 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 (official), Portuguese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (1970 est.) Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda Data code: BD Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: Hamilton Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick Independence: none (overseas 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 (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Thorold MASEFIELD (since NA June 1997) head of government: Premier Jennifer SMITH (since 10 November 1998) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; 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 9 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2003) election results: percent of vote by party--PLP 54%, UBP 44%, NLP 1%, independents 1%; seats by party--PLP 26, UBP 14 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party or UBP Political pressure groups and leaders: Bermuda Industrial Union International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CCC, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas 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 20520-5300 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 360,000 visitors annually. The tourist industry, which accounts for an estimated 28% of GDP, attracts 84% 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 fears of scaring away foreign firms. GDP: purchasing power parity--$1.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 3% (1997 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$30,000 (1997 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1997) Labor force: 35,296 (1997) Labor force--by occupation: clerical 23%, services 22%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 12%, sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1996) Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1995) Budget: revenues: $504.6 million expenditures: $537 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (FY97/98) Industries: tourism, finance, insurance, structural concrete products, paints, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 480 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 480 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products Exports: $57 million (1997) Exports--commodities: reexports of pharmaceuticals Exports--partners: Netherlands 50%, Brazil 13%, Canada 6% (1996) Imports: $617 million (1997) Imports--commodities: miscellaneous manufactured articles, machinery and transport equipment, food and live animals, chemicals Imports--partners: US 73%, UK 5%, Canada 4% (1996 est.) Debt--external: $NA Economic aid--recipient: $27.9 million (1995) Currency: 1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1--1.0000 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March Communications Telephones: 54,000 (1991 est.) Telephone system: domestic: modern, fully automatic telephone system international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations--3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 0 Radios: 78,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1997) Televisions: 57,000 (1992 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 225 km paved: 225 km unpaved: 0 km (1997 est.) note: in addition, there are 232 km of paved and unpaved roads that are privately owned Ports and harbors: Hamilton, Saint George Merchant marine: total: 97 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,647,576 GRT/7,612,686 DWT ships by type: bulk 18, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 20, liquefied gas tanker 7, oil tanker 27, refrigerated cargo 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 2 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 11 countries among which are UK 24, Canada 12, Hong Kong 11, US 11, Nigeria 4, Sweden 4, Norway 3, and Switzerland 2 (1998 est.) Airports: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 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 ------ 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: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 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 People Population: 1,951,965 (July 1999 est.) note: other estimates range as low as 600,000 Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 405,745; female 376,738) 15-64 years: 56% (male 561,754; female 530,420) 65 years and over: 4% (male 39,251; female 38,057) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.25% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 36.76 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 14.26 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 1.07 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 109.33 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.75 years male: 53.19 years female: 52.29 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.16 children born/woman (1999 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 91,000 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps Government Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan Data code: BT Government type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India Capital: Thimphu Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India) National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king) Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights note: Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections Executive branch: chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972); note--the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972); note--the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) appointed by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly note: there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch 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 monarch; High Court, judges appointed by the monarch Political parties and leaders: no legal parties Political pressure groups and leaders: United Front for Democracy (exiled); 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, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note--Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York 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 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. The Bhutanese Government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs in Bhutan are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. GDP: purchasing power parity--$1.9 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 6.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,000 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 38% industry: 38% services: 24% (1997) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (1997 est.) Labor force: NA note: massive lack of skilled labor Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $146 million expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 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: 9.3% (1996 est.) Electricity--production: 1.717 billion kWh (1996) note: exports electricity to India Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 0.41% hydro: 99.59% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 246 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 1.475 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 4 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs Exports: $99 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Exports--commodities: cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices Exports--partners: India 94%, Bangladesh Imports: $131 million (c.i.f., 1997 est.) Imports--commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice Imports--partners: India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US Debt--external: $87 million (1996) Economic aid--recipient: $73.8 million (1995) Currency: 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note--Indian currency is also legal tender Exchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1--42.508 (January 1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997), 35.433 (1996), 32.427 (1995), 31.374 (1994); note--the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June 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 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 23,000 (1989 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997) Televisions: 200 (1985 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 3,285 km paved: 1,994 km unpaved: 1,291 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia, Royal Police Force Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 477,944 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 254,992 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 19,424 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes--international: with Nepal over 91,000 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal ====================================================================== @Bolivia ------- Introduction Background: Bolivia broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Its subsequent history has been marked by a seemingly endless series of coups, counter-coups, and abrupt changes in leaders and policies. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but the leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, strikes, and drug dealing. Current issues include encouraging and negotiating the terms for foreign investment; strengthening the educational system; continuing the privatization program; pursuing judicial reform and an anti-corruption campaign. 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: Nevado Sajama 6,542 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 signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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 People Population: 7,982,850 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39% (male 1,573,391; female 1,540,123) 15-64 years: 56% (male 2,199,077; female 2,307,490) 65 years and over: 5% (male 164,213; female 198,556) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.96% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 30.72 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 9.61 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 62.02 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.43 years male: 58.51 years female: 64.51 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.93 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian Ethnic groups: Quechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, white 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.) 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 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 Hugo BANZER Suarez (since 6 August 1997); Vice President Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez (since 6 August 1997); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hugo BANZER Suarez (since 6 August 1997); Vice President Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez (since 6 August 1997); 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 five-year terms; election last held 1 June 1997 (next to be held June 2002) election results: Hugo BANZER Suarez elected president; percent of vote--Hugo BANZER Suarez (ADN) 22%; Jaime PAZ Zamora (MIR) 17%, Juan Carlos DURAN (MNR) 18%, Ivo KULJIS (UCS) 16%, Remedios LOZA (CONDEPA) 17%; no candidate received a majority of the popular vote; Hugo BANZER Suarez won a congressional runoff election on 5 August 1997 after forming a "megacoalition" with MIR, UCS, CONDEPA, NFR and PDC 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 five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies--last held 1 June 1997 (next to be held June 2002) election results: Chamber of Senators--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--ADN 11, MIR 7, MNR 4, CONDEPA 3, UCS 2; Chamber of Deputies--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--ADN 32, MNR 26, MIR 23, UCS 21, CONDEPA 19, MBL 5, IU 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges appointed for a 10-year term by National Congress Political parties and leaders: Center-Left Parties: Movement of the Revolutionary Left or MIR SANCHEZ DE LOZADA] FERNANDEZ, Hugo VILLEGAS] Indigenous Parties: Tupac Katari Revolutionary Liberation Movement International organization participation: CAN, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marcelo PEREZ Monasterios chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donna Jean HRINAK embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 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 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. President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (1993-1997) vowed to advance the market-oriented economic reforms he helped launch as PAZ Estenssoro's planning minister. His successes included 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, telephone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company. Hugo BANZER Suarez has tried to further improve the country's investment climate with an anticorruption campaign. With the scheduled completion of a $2 billion natural gas pipeline to Brazil in 1999, Bolivia hopes to become an energy hub in the region. GDP: purchasing power parity--$23.4 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 4.7% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,000 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 26% services: 57% (1995 est.) Population below poverty line: 66% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.7% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.4% (1998 est.) Labor force: 2.5 million Labor force--by occupation: agriculture NA%, services and utilities NA%, manufacturing, mining and construction NA% Unemployment rate: 11.4% (1997) with widespread underemployment Budget: revenues: $2.7 billion expenditures: $2.7 billion (1998) Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1995 est.) Electricity--production: 2.95 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 40.68% hydro: 59.32% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 2.948 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 2 million kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber Exports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: metals 34%, natural gas 9.4%, soybeans 8.4%, jewelry 11%, wood 6.9% Exports--partners: US 22%, UK 9.3%, Colombia 8.7%, Peru 7.4%, Argentina 7.2% Imports: $1.7 billion (c.i.f. 1998) Imports--commodities: capital goods 48%, chemicals 11%, petroleum 5%, food 5% (1993 est.) Imports--partners: US 20%, Japan 13%, Brazil 12, Chile 7.5% (1996) Debt--external: $4.1 billion (1998) Economic aid--recipient: $588 million (1997) Currency: 1 boliviano ($B) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: bolivianos ($B) per US$1--5.6491 (January 1999), 5.5101 (1998), 5.2543 (1997), 5.0746 (1996), 4.8003 (1995), 4.6205 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 177, FM 68, shortwave 112 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 48 (1997) Televisions: 500,000 (1993 est.) 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: 52,216 km paved: 2,872 km (including 27 km of expressways) unpaved: 49,344 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: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 34,948 GRT/58,472 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 5 (1998 est.) Airports: 1,130 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1,118 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 70 914 to 1,523 m: 224 under 914 m: 821 (1998 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: 1,908,454 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,241,311 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 84,481 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $154 million (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.8% (1998) 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 46,900 hectares under cultivation in 1997, a 2.5% decrease in overall cultivation of coca from 1996 levels; Bolivia, however, is the second-largest producer of coca leaf; even so, farmer abandonment and voluntary and forced eradication programs resulted in leaf production dropping from 75,100 metric tons in 1996 to 73,000 tons in 1997, a 3% decrease from 1996; government considers all but 12,000 hectares illicit; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to the US and other international drug markets; alternative crop program aims to reduce illicit coca cultivation ====================================================================== @Bosnia and Herzegovina ---------------------- Introduction Background: 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 then by Bosnian President IZETBEGOVIC, Croatian President TUDJMAN, and Serbian President MILOSEVIC, divides Bosnia and Herzegovina roughly equally between the Muslim/Croat Federation and the Republika Srpska 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 remains in place. 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. 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. 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 the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority People Population: 3,482,495 (July 1999 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: 17% (male 310,430; female 294,298) 15-64 years: 71% (male 1,221,791; female 1,240,097) 65 years and over: 12% (male 166,876; female 249,003) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 3.2% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 9.36 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 10.81 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 33.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.98 years male: 62.55 years female: 71.71 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.21 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian Ethnic groups: Serb 40%, Muslim 38%, Croat 22% (est.); note--the Croats claim they now make up only 17% of the total population Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10% Languages: Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian Literacy: NA 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 Capital: Sarajevo Administrative divisions: there are two first-order administrative divisions--the Muslim/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note--the status of Brcko in north eastern Bosnia is to be determined by arbitration Independence: NA April 1992 (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Republika Srpska--"Republic Day," 9 January; Independence Day, 1 March; Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina--"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 Zivko RADISIC (since 13 October 1998--Serb); other members of the three-member rotating (every 8 months) presidency: Ante JELAVIC (since NA September 1998--Croat) and Alija IZETBEGOVIC (since 14 March 1996--Muslim) head of government: Cochairman of the Council of Ministers Haris SILAJDZIC (since NA January 1997); Cochairman of the Council of Ministers Suetozar MIHAJLOVIC (since 3 February 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairmen note: President of the Muslim/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ivo ANDRIC-LUZANIC (since 1 January 1999); Vice President is Ejup GANIC; note--president and vice president rotate every 3 months; President of the Republika Srpska: Nikola POPLASEN (since 29 October 1998) elections: the three-person presidency members (one Muslim, one Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term; the president with the most votes becomes the chairman unless he was the incumbent chairman at the time of the election; election last held 12-13 September 1998 (next to be held September 2002); the cochairmen of the Council of Ministers are appointed by the presidency election results: percent of vote--Zivko RADISIC with 52% of the Serb vote was elected chairman of the collective presidency for the first 8 months; Ante JELAVIC with 52% of the Croat vote will follow RADISIC in the rotation; Alija IZEBEGOVIC with 87% of the Muslim vote won the highest number of votes in the election but was ineligible to serve consecutive terms as chairman 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 elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) and the House of Peoples or Vijece Gradanstvo (15 seats--5 Muslim, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Muslim/Croat Federation's House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve two-year terms) elections: National House of Representatives--elections last held 12-13 September 1998 (next to be held in the fall 2000); House of Peoples--last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: National House of Representatives--percent of vote by party/coalition--NA; seats by party/coalition--KCD 17, HDZ-BiH 6, SDP 4, Sloga 4, SDS 4, SDBIH 2, SRS-RS 2, DNZ 1, NHI 1, RSRS 1; House of Peoples--percent of vote by party/coalition--NA; seats by party/coalition--NA note: the Muslim/Croat Federation has a House of Representatives (140 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve NA year terms); elections last held NA (next to be held NA); percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party/coalition--KCD 68, HDZ-BiH 28, SDP 19, SDBIH 6, NHI 4, DNZ 3, DSP 2, BPS 2, HSP 2, SPRS 2, BSP 1, KC 1, BOSS 1, HSS 1; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve NA year terms); elections last held NA (next to be held NA); percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party/coalition--SDS 19, KCD 15, SNS 12, SRS-RS 11, SPRS 10, SNSD 6, RSRS 3, SKRS 2, SDP 2, KKO 1, HDZ-BiH 1, NHI 1 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, consists of nine members: four members are selected by the Muslim/Croat Federation's House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human Rights Political parties and leaders: Bosnian Party of Rights or BSP IZETBEGOVIC; includes SDA, SBH, GDS, LS]; Croatian Democratic Union BIH or SDP (formerly the Democratic Party of Socialists or DSS) note: note--SDP and SDBIH announced a merger in 1999 Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE (guest), CEI, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dragan BOZANIC chancery: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard D. KAUZLARICH embassy: Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo mailing address: use street address Flag description: a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle Government--note: Until declaring independence in spring 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina existed as a republic in the former 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 Agreement, the 1995 peace agreement which was officially signed in Paris on 14 December 1995 by then Bosnian President IZETBEGOVIC, Croatian President TUDJMAN, and then 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 Agreement 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. The Federation and RS governments are charged with overseeing internal functions. 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 80% from 1990 to 1995, unemployment to soar, and human misery to multiply. With an uneasy peace in place, output has recovered in 1996-98 at high percentage rates on a low base, but remains far below the 1990 level. Key achievements in 1998 included approval of privatization legislation, the introduction of a national currency--the convertible mark, agreement with the Paris Club to reschedule official debt, and the conclusion of a Standby Agreement with the IMF. Economic data are of limited use because, although both entities issue figures, national-level statistics are not available. Moreover, official data do not capture the large share of activity that occurs on the black market. The country receives substantial amounts of reconstruction assistance and 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 and individual families. In 1999, Bosnia's major goals are to implement privatization and make progress in fiscal reform and management. In addition, Bosnia will have to prepare for an era of declining assistance from the international community. GDP: purchasing power parity--$5.8 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 30% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,720 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 23% services: 58% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 1,026,254 Labor force--by occupation: NA% Unemployment rate: 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: 35% (1998 est.) Electricity--production: 2.3 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 34.78% hydro: 65.22% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 2.504 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 182 million kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 386 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock Exports: $152 million (1995 est.) Exports--commodities: NA Exports--partners: NA Imports: $1.1 billion (1995 est.) Imports--commodities: NA Imports--partners: NA Debt--external: $3.5 billion (yearend 1995 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $1.2 billion (1997 pledged) Currency: 1 convertible marka (KM) = 100 convertible pfenniga Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year 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 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 840,000 Television broadcast stations: 21 (1997) Televisions: 1,012,094 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 still need repair and/or reconstruction Highways: total: 21,846 km paved: 11,425 km unpaved: 10,421 km (1996 est.) note: roads need maintenance and repair Waterways: NA km; large sections of Sava blocked by downed bridges, silt, and debris Pipelines: crude oil 174 km; natural gas 90 km (1992); note--pipelines now disrupted Ports and harbors: Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava none of which are fully operational), Orasje Merchant marine: none Airports: 25 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 8 (1998 est.) Heliports: 3 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Federation Army or VF (composed of both Croatian and Bosnian Muslim elements), Army of the Serb Republic (composed of Bosnian Serb elements); note--within both of these forces air and air defense are subordinate commands Military manpower--military age: 19 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 951,541 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 764,992 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 28,438 (1999 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: minor transit point for marijuana and opiate trafficking routes to Western Europe ====================================================================== @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: predominantly 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 Hills 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, Hazardous Wastes, 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 People Population: 1,464,167 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% (male 310,578; female 303,495) 15-64 years: 54% (male 379,836; female 416,073) 65 years and over: 4% (male 20,224; female 33,961) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.05% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 31.46 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 21 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 59.08 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 39.89 years male: 39.42 years female: 40.37 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.91 children born/woman (1999 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland Data code: BC Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: Gaborone Administrative divisions: 10 districts and four town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Ngamiland, North-East, Selebi-Pikwe*, 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: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Festus MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since NA April 1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Festus MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since NA April 1998); 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 note: President MASIRE resigned on 31 March 1998; Vice President MOGAE assumed the presidency pending elections to be held in 1999; on 2 April 1998, Festus MOGAE, then president, designated Seretse Ian KHAMA to be vice president 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 NA 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 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, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Archibald Mooketsa MOGWE chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert C. KRUEGER embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: P. O. Box 90, Gaborone 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. Diamond mining and tourism also are important to the economy. 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 35% in 1997. Unemployment officially is 21% but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. GDP: purchasing power parity--$5.25 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 3% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,600 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 45% (including 35% mining) services: 51% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1997 est.) Labor force: 235,000 formal sector employees (1995) Labor force--by occupation: 100,000 public sector; 135,000 private sector, including 14,300 who are employed in various mines in South Africa; most others engaged in cattle raising and subsistence agriculture (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: 20-40% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.6 billion expenditures: $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $560 million (FY96/97) Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (FY92/93) Electricity--production: 990 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 1.675 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 685 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts (peanuts), beans, cowpeas, sunflower seed; livestock Exports: $2.25 billion (f.o.b. 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: diamonds 76%, copper, nickel 4%, meat (1997) Exports--partners: EU 74%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 21%, Zimbabwe 3% (1996) Imports: $2.43 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: foodstuffs, vehicles and transport equipment, textiles, petroleum products Imports--partners: Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 78%, Europe 8%, Zimbabwe 6% (1996) Debt--external: $610 million (1997) Economic aid--recipient: $73 million (1995) Currency: 1 pula (P) = 100 thebe Exchange rates: pulas (P) per US$1--4.5725 (January 1999), 4.2258 (1998), 3.6508 (1997), 3.3242 (1996), 2.7722 (1995), 2.6846 (1994) Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March Communications Telephones: 19,109 (1985 est.) Telephone system: sparse system domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations international: microwave radio relay links to Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 15, shortwave 5 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997) Televisions: 13,800 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 971 km narrow gauge: 971 km 1.067-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 18,482 km paved: 4,343 km unpaved: 14,139 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 92 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 12 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 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 80 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 57 under 914 m: 21 (1998 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: 344,587 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 182,279 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 18,654 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $61 million (FY99/00) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY99/00) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: quadripoint with Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Namibia over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River is presently at the ICJ; at least one other island in Linyanti River is contested ====================================================================== @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 m; 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 People Population: uninhabited Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bouvet Island Data code: BV Dependency status: territory of Norway; administered from Oslo Legal system: NA Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Norway) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Norway) Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Economy Economy--overview: no economic activity; declared a nature reserve Communications Communications--note: automatic meteorological station Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Military--note: defense is the responsibility of Norway Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @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, 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: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography--note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador People Population: 171,853,126 (July 1999 est.) note: Brazil took a census in August 1996 which reported a population of 157,079,573; that figure was about 5% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for 1991; the Factbook's demographic statistics for Brazil do not take into consideration the results of the1996 census since the full results have not been released for analysis Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 26,059,687; female 25,095,236) 15-64 years: 65% (male 55,037,161; female 56,727,196) 65 years and over: 5% (male 3,626,893; female 5,306,953) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.16% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 20.42 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 8.79 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 35.37 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.06 years male: 59.35 years female: 69.01 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.28 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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 4 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002) election results: Fernando Henrique CARDOSO reelected president; percent of vote--53% 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 4 October 1998 for one-third of Senate (next to be held NA October 2002 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies--last held 4 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002) election results: Federal Senate--percent of vote by party--NA%; seats by party--PMDB 27, PFL 20, PSDB 16, PT 7, PPB 5; Chamber of Deputies--percent of vote by party--NA%; seats by party--PFL 106, PSDB 99, PMDB 82, PPB 60, PT 58 Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal, 11 judges are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate Political parties and leaders: Brazilian Democratic Movement Political pressure groups and leaders: left wing of the Catholic Church, Landless Worker's Movement, and labor unions allied to leftist Workers' Party are critical of government's social and economic policies International organization participation: AfDB, BIS, 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, MONUA, MTCR, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rubens Antonio BARBOSA chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate J. Brian ATWOOD embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Brasilia, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900 Brazil mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 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 2% in 1998 compared to more than 1,000% in 1994. At the same time, GDP growth slowed from 5.7% in 1994 to about 3.0% in 1997 due to tighter credit. The Real Plan faced its strongest challenge in 1998, as the world financial crisis caused investors to more closely examine the country's structural weaknesses. The most severe spillover for Brazil--after Russia's debt default in August 1998--created unrelenting pressure on the currency which forced the country to hike annual interest rates to 50%. Approximately $30 billion in capital left the country in August and September. After crafting a fiscal adjustment program and pledging progress on structural reform, Brazil received a $41.5 billion IMF-led international support program in November 1998. Capital continued to leach out of the country, and investors, concerned about the rising mountain of debt and currency widely-viewed as overvalued, stayed on the sidelines. In January 1999, Brazil made an abrupt shift of course in exchange rate policy, abandoning the strong currency anti-inflation anchor of the Real Plan. On 13 January 1999, Central Bank officials announced a one-time 8% devaluation of the real, and on 15 January 1999, the currency was declared to be freely floating. President CARDOSO remains committed to limiting inflation and weathering the financial crisis through austerity and sacrifice as the country rides out a deep recession. He hopes the country will resume economic growth in the second half of 1999, so that he can once again focus on his longer-term goal of reducing poverty and income inequality. CARDOSO still hopes to address mandated revenue sharing with the states and cumbersome procedures to amend the constitution before the end of his second term. GDP: purchasing power parity--$1.0352 trillion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 0.5% (1998) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,100 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 36% services: 50% (1997) Population below poverty line: 17.4% (1990 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 47.9% (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1998) Labor force: 57 million (1989 est.) Labor force--by occupation: services 42%, agriculture 31%, industry 27% Unemployment rate: 8.5% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $151 billion expenditures: $149 billion, including capital expenditures of $36 billion (1998) Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1997 est.) Electricity--production: 291.63 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 4.38% hydro: 92.09% nuclear: 0.8% other: 2.73% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 323.215 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 8 million kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 37.5 billion kWh (1996) note: imported electricity from Paraguay Agriculture--products: coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef Exports: $51 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: iron ore, soybean bran, orange juice, footwear, coffee, motor vehicle parts Exports--partners: EU 28%, Latin America (excluding Argentina) 23%, US 20%, Argentina 12% (1996) Imports: $57.6 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: crude oil, capital goods, chemical products, foodstuffs, coal Imports--partners: EU 26%, US 22%, Argentina 13%, Japan 5% (1996) Debt--external: $258.1 billion (December 1998) Economic aid--recipient: $1.012 billion (1995) Currency: 1 real (R$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: reals (R$) per US$1--1.501 (January 1999), 1.161 (1998), 1.078 (1997), 1.005 (1996), 0.918 (1995), 0.639 (1994); CR$ per US$1--390.845 (January 1994) note: the real (R$) was introduced on 1 July 1994, equal to 2,750 cruzeiro reais; from October 1994 through 14 January 1999, the official rate was determined by a managed float; since 15 January 1999, the official rate floats independently with respect to the US$ Fiscal year: calendar year 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 1,627, FM 251, shortwave 114 (of which 91 are associated with AM stations) (1998) Radios: 60 million (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 138 (1997) Televisions: 30 million (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 28,862 km (1,187 km electrified) broad gauge: 4,123 km 1.600-m gauge narrow gauge: 24,390 km 1.000-m gauge; 13 km 0.760-m gauge dual gauge: 336 km 1.000-m and 1.600-m gauges (three rails) Highways: total: 1.98 million km paved: 184,140 km unpaved: 1,795,860 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 50,000 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 2,980 km; petroleum products 4,762 km; natural gas 4,246 km (1998) Ports and harbors: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos, Vitoria Merchant marine: total: 179 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,132,037 GRT/6,642,442 DWT ships by type: bulk 35, cargo 28, chemical tanker 6, combination ore/oil 10, container 10, liquefied gas tanker 10, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 61, passenger-cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11, short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 3,265 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 514 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 134 914 to 1,523 m: 325 under 914 m: 31 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 2,751 1,524 to 2,437 m: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 1,312 under 914 m: 1,366 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes naval air and marines), Brazilian Air Force, Federal Police (paramilitary) Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 47,230,426 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 31,723,597 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 1,841,858 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $14.7 billion (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.9% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: 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, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for the US and Europe; increasingly used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia ====================================================================== @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: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% 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: archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: approximately 3,000 native inhabitants, known as the Chagosians or Ilois, were evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK-US military facilities; now there are UK and US military personnel and civilian contractors living on the island Government Country name: conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none abbreviation: BIOT Data code: IO Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London Legal system: NA Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (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 monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas 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--production: NA kWh note: electricity supplied by the US military Electricity--consumption: NA kWh Communications Telephones: NA Telephone system: facilities for military needs only domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: NA Transportation 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 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military--note: defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016 Transnational Issues Disputes--international: the Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius and Seychelles ====================================================================== @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 People Population: 19,156 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21% (male 2,012; female 1,965) 15-64 years: 74% (male 7,300; female 6,896) 65 years and over: 5% (male 539; female 444) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.37% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 15.92 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 4.65 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 12.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.21 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 22.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.13 years male: 74.37 years female: 75.92 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (1999 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% Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI Data code: VI Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: Road Town Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas 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 (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 monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; 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, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four 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, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal; (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Political parties and leaders: United Party or UP [Conrad International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas 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 the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. An estimated 250,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 1997. 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 traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as its currency since 1959. GDP: purchasing power parity--$183 million (1997 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 4.7% (1997) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$10,000 (1997 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 1.4% services: 97.6% (1991-95 average) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1997) Labor force: 4,911 (1980) Labor force--by occupation: tourism NA% Unemployment rate: 3% (1995) Budget: revenues: $121.5 million expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1985) Electricity--production: 42 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 42 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish Exports: $23.9 million (1996) Exports--commodities: rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand Exports--partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Imports: $121.5 million (1996) Imports--commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery Imports--partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Debt--external: $34.8 million (1996) Economic aid--recipient: $2.6 million (1995) Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March Communications Telephones: 6,291 (1990 est.) Telephone system: worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: submarine cable to Bermuda Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 9,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (in addition, there is one cable company) (1997) Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 113 km (1995 est.) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: Road Town Merchant marine: none Airports: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military--note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @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: seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Environment--international agreements: party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution 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 People Population: 322,982 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 54,154; female 51,766) 15-64 years: 63% (male 106,492; female 95,921) 65 years and over: 4% (male 7,945; female 6,704) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.38% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 24.69 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.21 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 4.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.19 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 22.83 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.84 years male: 70.35 years female: 73.42 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.33 children born/woman (1999 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei Data code: BX Government type: constitutional sultanate Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan Administrative divisions: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular--daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong Independence: 1 January 1984 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 23 February (1984) Constitution: 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) Legal system: based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas 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 monarch 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 monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters note: there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the monarch is hereditary 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 monarch) elections: last held in March 1962 note: in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body by decree of the monarch; 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 monarch for three-year terms Political parties and leaders: Brunei Solidarity National Party president]; the PPKB is the only legal political party in Brunei; it was registered in 1985, but became largely inactive after 1988; it has less than 200 registered party members; other parties include Brunei People's Party or PRB (banned in 1962) and Brunei National Democratic Party (registered in May 1985, deregistered by the Brunei Government in 1988) International organization participation: APEC, ASEAN, C, CCC, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pengiran Anak Dato Haji PUTEH Ibni Mohammad Alam chancery: Watergate, Suite 300, 3rd floor, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 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: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96534-0001 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 over half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, 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. Because of low world oil prices and the Asian crisis, growth in 1999 is expected to be moderate. GDP: purchasing power parity--$5.4 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: -1% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$17,000 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1997 est.) Labor force: 144,000 (1995 est.); note--includes foreign workers and military personnel note: temporary residents make up 41% of labor force (1991) Labor force--by occupation: government 48%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4%, other 6% (1986 est.) 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: 4% (1997 est.) Electricity--production: 1.48 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 1.48 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: rice, cassava (tapioca), bananas; water buffalo Exports: $2.62 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) Exports--commodities: crude oil, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products Exports--partners: ASEAN 31%, Japan 27%, South Korea 26%, UK, Taiwan (1996 est.) Imports: $2.65 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) Imports--commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals Imports--partners: Singapore 29%, UK 19%, US 13%, Malaysia 9%, Japan 5% (1994 est.) Debt--external: $0 Economic aid--recipient: $4.3 million (1995) Currency: 1 Bruneian dollar (B$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (B$) per US$1--1.6781 (January 1999), 1.6736 (1998), 1.4848 (1997), 1.4100 (1996), 1.4174 (1995), 1.5274 (1994); note--the Bruneian dollar is at par with the Singapore dollar Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 90,000 (1997 est.) Telephone system: service throughout country is excellent; international service good to Europe, US, and East Asia domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations--2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 284,000 (1995 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Televisions: 173,000 (1995 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 13 km (private line) narrow gauge: 13 km 0.610-m gauge Highways: total: 1,150 km paved: 399 km unpaved: 751 km (1996 est.) 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 (1998 est.) Airports: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.) Heliports: 3 (1998 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: 88,628 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 51,270 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 3,078 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $343 million (1997) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 6% (1997) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: possibly involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands, but has not publicly claimed the island ====================================================================== @Bulgaria -------- Introduction Background: A Slavic state, Bulgaria achieved independence in 1908 after 500 years of Ottoman rule. Bulgaria fought on the losing side in both World Wars. After World War II it fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. Communist domination ended in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, and Bulgaria began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy. In addition to the problems of structural economic reform, particularly privatization, Bulgaria faces the serious issues of keeping inflation under control and unemployment, combatting corruption, and curbing black-market and mafia-style crime. 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, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography--note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia People Population: 8,194,772 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16% (male 674,643; female 641,943) 15-64 years: 68% (male 2,744,634; female 2,800,816) 65 years and over: 16% (male 570,766; female 761,970) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: -0.52% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 8.71 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 13.2 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.37 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.27 years male: 68.72 years female: 76.03 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.23 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian Ethnic groups: Bulgarian 85%, Turk 9%, other 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria Data code: BU Government type: republic 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: civil law and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal 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) nominated by the president; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister election results: Petar STOYANOV elected president; percent of vote--Petar STOYANOV 59.73% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote 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 nine-year terms Political parties and leaders: Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP (coalition led mainly by Movement for Rights and Freedoms or DPS cochairmen] Political pressure groups and leaders: Democratic Alliance for the Republic or DAR; New Union for Democracy or NUD; Podkrepa Labor Confederation; Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Bulgarian Agrarian National Union--United or BZNS; Bulgarian Democratic Center; "Nikola Petkov" Bulgarian Agrarian National Union; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or IMRO; agrarian movement; numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUA, NAM (guest), NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Philip DIMITROV chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Avis T. BOHLEN embassy: 1 Saborna Street, Sofia mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5740 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: In April 1997, the current ruling Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) government won pre-term parliamentary elections and introduced an IMF currency board system which succeeded in stabilizing the economy. The triple digit inflation of 1996 and 1997 has given way to an official consumer price increase of 1% in 1998. Following declines in GDP in both 1996 and 1997, the economy grew an officially estimated 4% in 1998. In September 1998, the IMF approved a three-year Extended Fund Facility, which provides credits worth approximately $864 million, designed to support Bulgaria's reform efforts. The government's structural reform program includes: (a) privatization and, where appropriate, liquidation of state-owned enterprises (SOEs); (b) liberalization of agricultural policies, including creating conditions for the development of a land market; (c) reform of the country's social insurance programs; and, (d) reforms to strengthen contract enforcement and fight crime and corruption. GDP: purchasing power parity--$33.6 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,100 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: 29% services: 45% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 24.7% (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (1998 est.) Labor force: 3.57 million (1996 est.) Labor force--by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: 12.2% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $4.1 billion expenditures: $3.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industries: machine building and metal working, food processing, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, ferrous and nonferrous metals Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 41.575 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 51.17% hydro: 6.1% nuclear: 42.73% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 41.08 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 2.045 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 1.55 billion kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: grain, oilseed, vegetables, fruits, tobacco; livestock Exports: $4.5 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: machinery and equipment; metals, minerals, and fuels; chemicals and plastics; food, textiles (1997) Exports--partners: Italy 12%, Germany 10%, Turkey, Greece, Russia (1997) Imports: $4.6 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: fuels, minerals, and raw materials; machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; food, textiles (1997) Imports--partners: Russia 28%, Germany 11%, Italy, Greece, US (1997) Debt--external: $9.3 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $NA Currency: 1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki Exchange rates: leva (Lv) per US$1--1,685.10 (January 1999), 1,760.36 (1998), 1,681.88 (1997), 177.89 (1996), 67.17 (1995), 54.13 (1994) note: the official rate is pegged to the euro as of 1 January 1999 Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 2,773,293 (1993 est.) Telephone system: almost two-thirds of the lines are residential 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 24, FM 93, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 33 (in addition, there are two relays of Russian program OK-1 and two relays of TV-5 Europe) (1997) Televisions: 2.1 million (May 1990 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 4,292 km standard gauge: 4,047 km 1.435-m gauge (2,650 km electrified; 917 km double track) narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 36,724 km paved: 33,786 km (including 314 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,938 km (1997 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: 89 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,005,092 GRT/1,508,614 DWT ships by type: bulk 44, cargo 20, chemical tanker 4, container 2, oil tanker 8, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 61 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 56 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 25 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (1998 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: 2,028,930 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,693,597 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 59,887 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $226.8 million (1997) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.2% (1997) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: twenty bilateral agreements remain unsigned in a dispute over Bulgarian nonrecognition of Macedonian as a language distinct from Bulgarian 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 ------------ 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: Mouhoun (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 People Population: 11,575,898 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 2,792,895; female 2,759,072) 15-64 years: 49% (male 2,700,253; female 2,978,168) 65 years and over: 3% (male 147,017; female 198,493) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.7% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 45.84 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 17.56 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -1.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 107.19 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.89 years male: 44.97 years female: 46.84 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.56 children born/woman (1999 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Burkina Faso former: Upper Volta Data code: UV Government type: parliamentary 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 note: a new electoral code was approved by the National Assembly in January 1997; the number of administrative provinces was increased from 30 to 45 (Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komandjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koupelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Naumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Samentenga, Sanguie, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondomo, 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: universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Captain Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Kadre Desire OUEDRAOGO (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; the number of terms which a president may serve is not limited; election last held 15 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president with 88% percent of the vote, with 56% of voter turnout Legislative branch: bicameral; consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee des Deputes Populaires (ADP) (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the purely consultative Chamber of Representations or Chambre des Representants (120 seats; members are appointed to serve three-year terms) elections: National Assembly election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--CDP 101, PDP 6, RDA 2, ADF 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Appeals Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Nongma OUEDRAOGO, president]; Burkinabe Environmentalist Party or Political pressure groups and leaders: watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or HBDHP; Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL; Group of 14 February 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, MINURCA, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gaetan Rimwangulya OUEDRAOGO chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sharon P. WILKINSON embassy: Avenue Raoul Follerau, Ouagadougou mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 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, few natural resources, and a fragile soil. About 85% of the population is engaged in (mainly 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. Maintenance of its macroeconomic progress in 1999-2000 depends on continued low inflation, reduction in the trade deficit, and reforms designed to encourage private investment. GDP: purchasing power parity--$11.6 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 6% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,000 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 25% services: 40% (1997) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1998 est.) Labor force: 4.679 million (persons 10 years old and over, according to a sample survey taken in 1991) note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry, commerce, services, government (1998) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $277 million expenditures: $492 million, including capital expenditures of $233 million (1995 est.) Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (1995) Electricity--production: 220 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 63.64% hydro: 36.36% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 220 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock Exports: $400 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Exports--commodities: cotton, animal products, gold Exports--partners: Cote d'Ivoire, France, Italy, Mali Imports: $700 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Imports--commodities: machinery, food products, petroleum Imports--partners: Cote d'Ivoire, France, Togo, Nigeria Debt--external: $715 million (December 1996) Economic aid--recipient: $484.1 million (1995) Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--560.01 (December 1998), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 17, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 49,000 (1991 est.) 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: 33 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 16 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, People's Militia Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 2,399,724 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,230,713 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $66 million (1996) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @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, Desertification, 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 People Population: 48,081,302 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 8,883,099; female 8,542,087) 15-64 years: 60% (male 14,343,888; female 14,293,233) 65 years and over: 4% (male 906,517; female 1,112,478) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.61% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 28.48 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 12.39 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 76.25 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.74 years male: 53.24 years female: 56.32 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.63 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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 Peace and Development 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 Peace and Development Council Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992); note--the prime minister is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: State Peace and Development Council (SPDC); military junta, so named 15 November 1997, which initially assumed power 18 September 1988 under the name State Law and Order Restoration Council; the SPDC oversees the cabinet 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--NA%; 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: National Unity Party or NUP SHWE, chairman, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, general secretary]; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (proregime, a social eight minor legal parties Political pressure groups and leaders: National Coalition 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 or KIA; United Wa State Army or UWSA; Karen National Union or KNU; several Shan factions; All Burma Student Democratic Front or ABSDF International organization participation: AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, 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 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 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 10 years, 1989-98, 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. The short-term outlook is for continued sluggish growth because of internal unrest, minimal foreign investment, and the large trade deficit. GDP: purchasing power parity--$56.1 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 1.1% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,200 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 59% industry: 11% services: 30% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% (1998 est.) Labor force: 18.8 million (FY95/96 est.) Labor force--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: $7.9 billion expenditures: $12.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.7 billion (FY96/97) Industries: agricultural processing; textiles and footwear; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer Industrial production growth rate: 9.2% (FY95/96 est.) Electricity--production: 3.75 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 61.33% hydro: 38.67% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 3.75 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: paddy rice, corn, oilseed, sugarcane, pulses; hardwood Exports: $940 million (1997) Exports--commodities: pulses and beans, teak, rice, rubber, hardwood Exports--partners: India 17%, Singapore 14%, China 11%, Thailand 9%, Japan 4% (1997) Imports: $2.2 billion (1997) Imports--commodities: machinery, transport equipment, construction materials, food products Imports--partners: Singapore 30%, Japan 17%, China 10%, Thailand 10%, Malaysia 7% (1997) Debt--external: $4.3 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $156.9 million (1995) Currency: 1 kyat (K) = 100 pyas Exchange rates: kyats (K) per US$1--6.1163 (January 1999), 6.3432 (1998), 6.2418 (1997), 5.9176 (1996), 5.6670 (1995), 5.9749 (1994); unofficial--310-350 (1998) Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March 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 3, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 (1998 est.) Televisions: 88,000 (1992 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 3,740 km narrow gauge: 3,740 km 1.000-m gauge (1997) Highways: total: 28,200 km paved: 3,440 km unpaved: 24,760 km (1996 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: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 464,478 GRT/695,923 DWT ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 20, container 2, oil tanker 3, passenger-cargo 2 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 2 countries: Japan owns 2 ships, US 3 (1998 est.) Airports: 80 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 69 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 32 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 12,475,987 females age 15-49: 12,224,947 (1999 est.) note: both sexes liable for military service Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 6,660,309 females age 15-49: 6,510,730 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 496,912 females: 477,803 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $3.904 billion (FY97/98) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.1% (FY97/98) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: sporadic conflict with Thailand over alignment of border Illicit drugs: world's largest producer of illicit opium (cultivation in 1998--130,300 hectares, a 16% decline from 1997; potential production--1,750 metric tons, down 26% due to drought and the first eradication effort since the current government took power in 1987) 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 continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; growing role in the production of methamphetamines for regional consumption ====================================================================== @Burundi ------- Introduction Background: Since the end of the Belgian trusteeship in 1962, Burundi has suffered from ethnic uprisings, coups, and other societal dislocations. In a series of waves since October 1993, hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled the ethnic violence between the Hutu and Tutsi factions in Burundi and have crossed into Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo or DROC). Since October 1996, an estimated 120,000 Burundian Hutu refugees from the DROC have been compelled to return to Burundi because of insecurity in the region. Continuing ethnic violence with the Tutsi has caused additional Hutu to flee to Tanzania, thus raising their numbers in the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps in that country to about 260,000. Burundian troops have joined armies from Rwanda and Uganda and Congolese Tutsi in trying to overthrow DROC President KABILA and restore security to their borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 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 2,670 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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Geography--note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed People Population: 5,735,937 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 1,349,995; female 1,345,201) 15-64 years: 50% (male 1,392,880; female 1,479,835) 65 years and over: 3% (male 69,748; female 98,278) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 3.54% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 41.27 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 17.23 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 11.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 99.36 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.44 years male: 43.54 years female: 47.41 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.33 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 Capital: Bujumbura Administrative divisions: 15 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi note: there may be a new province named Mwaro Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Constitution: 13 March 1992; provided for establishment of a plural political system; supplanted on 6 June 1998 by a Transitional Constitution which enlarged the National Assembly and created two vice presidents 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 and officially sworn in on 11 June 1998) is chief of state and head of government and is assisted by First Vice President Frederic BAMVUGINYUMVIRA (since NA) and Second Vice President Mathias SINAMENYA (since NA); note--former President NTIBANTUNGANYA was overthrown in a coup on 25 July 1996 head of government: President Pierre BUYOYA is both chief of state and head of government; assisted by First Vice President Frederic BAMVUGINYUMVIRA (since NA) and Second Vice President Mathias SINAMENYA (since NA) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president elections: NA Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (81 seats; note--new Transitional Constitution calls for 121 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in 1998, but suspended by presidential decree in 1996) election results: percent of vote by party--FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%; seats by party--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 note: opposition parties, legalized in March 1992, include Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA; Rally for Democracy and BAGAZA] 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, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas NDIKUMANA chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Morris N. HUGHES, Jr. embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura 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 with a poorly developed manufacturing sector. 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. Since October 1993 the nation has suffered from massive ethnic-based violence which has resulted in the death of perhaps 250,000 persons and the displacement of about 800,000 others. Foods, medicines, and electricity remain in short supply. GDP: purchasing power parity--$4.1 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 4.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$740 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 58% industry: 18% services: 24% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: 36.2% (1990 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17% (1998 est.) Labor force: 1.9 million Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 93%, government 4%, industry and commerce 1.5%, services 1.5% (1983 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $165 million, including capital expenditures of $42.6 million (1998 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--production: 122 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 1.64% hydro: 98.36% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 152 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 30 million kWh (1996) note: imports some electricity from Democratic Republic of the Congo Agriculture--products: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides Exports: $49 million (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: coffee, tea, cotton, hides Exports--partners: UK, Germany, Benelux, Switzerland (1997) Imports: $102 million f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports--partners: Benelux, France, Germany, Japan (1997) Debt--external: $1.1 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $286.1 million (1995) Currency: 1 Burundi franc (FBu) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Burundi francs (FBu) per US$1--508 (January 1999), 477.77 (1998), 352.35 (1997), 302.75 (1996), 249.76 (1995), 252.66 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Televisions: 4,500 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 14,480 km paved: 1,028 km unpaved: 13,452 km (1996 est.) Waterways: Lake Tanganyika Ports and harbors: Bujumbura Airports: 4 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (1998 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: 1,260,909 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 658,115 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 73,271 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $25 million (1993) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.6% (1993) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @Cambodia -------- Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos 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: illegal 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); soil erosion; in rural areas, a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; toxic waste delivery from Taiwan sparked unrest in Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) in December 1998 Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Geography--note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap People Population: 11,626,520 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,667,768; female 2,587,590) 15-64 years: 52% (male 2,821,772; female 3,197,604) 65 years and over: 3% (male 143,016; female 208,770) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.49% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 41.05 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 16.2 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 105.06 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.24 years male: 46.81 years female: 49.75 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.81 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 Capital: Phnom Penh Administrative divisions: 20 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 3 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural); Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb*, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Phnum Penh*, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu* (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev note: there may be a new municipality called Pailin Independence: 9 November 1953 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November (1953) Constitution: promulgated 21 September 1993 Legal system: primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law in recent years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King Norodom SIHANOUK (reinstated 24 September 1993) head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 30 November 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch after a vote of confidence by the National Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (122 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party--CPP 41%, FUNCINPEC 32%, SRP 14%, other 13%; seats by party--CPP 64, FUNCINPEC 43, SRP 15 note: pursuant to the coalition agreement signed in November 1998, a Senate is being created and the legislature will thus become bicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Council of the Magistracy, provided for in the constitution, was formed in December 1997; a Supreme Court and lower courts exercise judicial authority Political parties and leaders: National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OPCW, 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 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 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: After four years of solid macroeconomic performance, Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997-98 due to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting. Foreign investment fell off, and tourism has declined from 1996 levels. Also, in 1998 the main harvest was hit by drought. The long-term development of the economy after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. Human resource levels in the population are low, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside. The almost total lack of basic infrastructure in the countryside will continue to hinder development. Recurring political instability and corruption within government discourage foreign investment and delay foreign aid. Even so, growth may resume in 1999 at, say, 2%. GDP: purchasing power parity--$7.8 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 0% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$700 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 51% industry: 15% services: 34% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1998 est.) Labor force: 2.5 million to 3 million Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 80% (1997 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% (1995 est.) Electricity--production: 195 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 61.54% hydro: 38.46% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 195 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables Exports: $736 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Exports--commodities: timber, garments, rubber, soybeans, sesame Exports--partners: Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, US Imports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Imports--commodities: cigarettes, gold, construction materials, petroleum products, machinery, motor vehicles Imports--partners: Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand Debt--external: $2.2 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $569.8 million (1995) Currency: 1 new riel (CR) = 100 sen Exchange rates: riels (CR) per US$1--3,772.0 (January 1999), 3,744.4 (1998), 2,946.3 (1997), 2,624.1 (1996), 2,450.8 (1995), 2,545.3 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 7,000 (1981 est.) Telephone system: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; rural areas have little telephone service domestic: NA international: adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station--1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 3, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 government-operated station and four commercial stations broadcasting to Phnom Penh and major provincial cities via relay (1998) Televisions: 800,000 (1996 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 603 km narrow gauge: 603 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 35,769 km paved: 4,165 km unpaved: 31,604 km (1997 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: 141 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 598,867 GRT/841,240 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 16, cargo 108, container 4, livestock carrier 2, multifunctional large-load carrier 1, oil tankers 1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 8 countries: Aruba 1, Cyprus 7, Egypt 1, South Korea 1, Malta 1, Panama 1, Russia 5, Singapore 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 20 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 (1998 est.) Heliports: 3 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF)--created in 1993 by the merger of the Cambodian People's Armed Forces and the two noncommunist resistance armies note: there are also resistance forces comprised of the Khmer Rouge (also known as the National United Army or NUA) and a separate royalist resistance movement Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 2,562,112 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,428,523 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 119,839 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $85.3 million (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.4% (1998) 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 are indefinite; maritime boundary with Thailand not clearly defined Illicit drugs: transshipment site for Golden Triangle heroin; possible money laundering; narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; possible small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine production; large producer of cannabis for the international market ====================================================================== @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 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Geography--note: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa People Population: 15,456,092 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 3,562,553; female 3,528,778) 15-64 years: 51% (male 3,907,946; female 3,943,035) 65 years and over: 3% (male 231,521; female 282,259) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.79% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 41.84 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 13.95 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population; note--there may be some migration but figures are not available 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: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 75.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.32 years male: 49.75 years female: 52.94 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.8 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 in 1990) Capital: Yaounde Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest Independence: 1 January 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French administration) National holiday: National Day, 20 May (1972) Constitution: 20 May 1972 Legal system: based on French civil law system, with common law influence; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) head of government: Prime Minister Peter Mafany MUSONGE (since 19 September 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 12 October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote--Paul BIYA 93%; note--supporters of the opposition candidates boycotted the elections, making a comparison of vote shares relatively meaningless 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 1; note--7 contested seats will be filled in an election at a time to be set by the Supreme Court note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called Senate, which the government proposed to establish in 1998 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 major opposition parties: Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC Frederick KODOG]; Union of Cameroonian Democratic Forces or UFOC Political pressure groups and leaders: Alliance for Change or general] 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, OPCW, 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John M. YATES embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde mailing address: B. P. 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 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 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 a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. 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. The government, however, has failed to press forward vigorously with these programs. The latest enhanced structural adjustment agreement was signed in October 1997; the parties hope this will prove more successful, yet government mismanagement and corruption remain problems. Inflation has been brought back under control. Progress toward privatization of remaining state industry may support economic growth in 1999-2000. GDP: purchasing power parity--$29.6 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,000 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 42% industry: 22% services: 36% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (1984 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1998 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 30% (1998 est.) 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--production: 2.73 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 2.93% hydro: 97.07% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 2.73 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton Exports--partners: Italy 25%, Spain 20%, France 16%, Netherlands 7% (1997 est.) Imports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: machines and electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food Imports--partners: France 25%, Nigeria 8%, US 8%, Germany 6% (1997 est.) Debt--external: $8.7 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $606.1 million (1995); note?France signed two loan agreements totaling $55 million in September 1997, and the Paris Club agreed in October 1997 to reduce the official debt by 50% and to reschedule it on favorable terms with a consolidation of payments due through 2000 Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--575 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994) Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June 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 8, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 6 million (1998 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1998) Televisions: 15,000 (1998) 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 est.) Waterways: 2,090 km; of decreasing importance Ports and harbors: Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko Airports: 52 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 11 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: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 12 (1998 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: 3,388,643 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,716,285 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 165,670 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $155 million (FY98/99) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY98/99) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: delimitation of international boundaries in the 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 around the Bakasi Peninsula and Lake Chad is currently before the International Court of Justice ====================================================================== @Canada ------ Introduction Background: A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, from 1867 on Canada has enjoyed de facto independence while retaining, even to the present day, certain formal ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Its paramount political problem continues to be the relationship of the province of Quebec, with its French-speaking residents and unique culture, to the remainder of the country. 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 the 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-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, 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-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation 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 160 km of the US/Canada border People Population: 31,006,347 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 3,105,944; female 2,960,171) 15-64 years: 68% (male 10,587,553; female 10,461,455) 65 years and over: 12% (male 1,652,044; female 2,239,180) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.06% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 11.86 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 7.26 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 5.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.47 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.37 years male: 76.12 years female: 82.79 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1999 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% Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada Data code: CA Government type: federation with parliamentary democracy Capital: Ottawa Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* 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 (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Romeo Le BLANC (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 monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; 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 (301 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Commons--last held 2 June 1997 (next to be held by NA June 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--Liberal Party 38%, Reform Party 19%, Tories 19%, Bloc Quebecois 11%, New Democratic Party 11%, other 2%; seats by party--Liberal Party 155, Reform Party 60, Bloc Quebecois 44, New Democratic Party 21, Progressive Conservative Party 20, independents 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party [Jean CHRETIEN]; International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, 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, MINURCA, MIPONUH, MTCR, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, 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 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle consulate(s): Miami, Princeton, San Francisco, and San Jose Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gordon D. GIFFIN embassy: 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430 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 its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. 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. Real rates of growth have averaged nearly 3.0% since 1993. Unemployment is falling and government budget surpluses are being partially devoted to reducing the large public sector debt. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which included Mexico) have touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant Canada can anticipate solid economic prospects in the future. The continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas is raising the possibility of a split in the federation, making foreign investors somewhat edgy. GDP: purchasing power parity--$688.3 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 3% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$22,400 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 31% services: 66% (1998) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 23.8% (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (1998) Labor force: 15.8 million (1998) Labor force--by occupation: services 75%, manufacturing 16%, construction 5%, agriculture 3%, other 1% (1997) Unemployment rate: 7.8% (December 1998) Budget: revenues: $121.3 billion expenditures: $112.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.7 billion (1998) Industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas Industrial production growth rate: 0.8% (1998 est.) Electricity--production: 549.162 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 20.34% hydro: 63.59% nuclear: 16.05% other: 0.02% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 511.586 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 45.28 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 7.705 billion kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish Exports: $210.7 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: motor vehicles and parts, newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, telecommunications equipment Exports--partners: US 81%, Japan 4%, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China (1997) Imports: $202.7 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: machinery and equipment, crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods Imports--partners: US 76%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea (1997) Debt--external: $253 billion (1996) Economic aid--donor: ODA, $2.1 billion (1995) Currency: 1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1--1.5192 (January 1999), 1.4835 (1998), 1.3846 (1997), 1.3635 (1996), 1.3724 (1995), 1.3656 (1994) Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March 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 334, FM 35, shortwave 7 (one of the shortwave stations, Radio Canada International, has six transmitters, 48 frequencies, and broadcasts in seven languages; the transmissions are relayed by repeaters in Europe and Asia) (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 80 (in addition, there are many repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 11.53 million (1983 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 67,773 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: 67,773 km 1.435-m gauge (183 km electrified) (1996) Highways: total: 912,200 km paved: 246,400 km (including 16,600 km of expressways) unpaved: 665,800 km (1996 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, Hamilton, Montreal, New Westminster, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), St. John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Sydney, Trois-Rivieres, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor Merchant marine: total: 109 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,489,110 GRT/2,205,274 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 56, cargo 11, chemical tanker 5, combination bulk 2, oil tanker 16, passenger 3, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1 note: does not include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakes (1998 est.) Airports: 1,395 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 515 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 154 914 to 1,523 m: 238 under 914 m: 91 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 880 1,524 to 2,437 m: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 353 under 914 m: 454 (1998 est.) Heliports: 16 (1998 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: 8,243,859 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 7,061,937 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 210,884 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $7.1 billion (FY97/98) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY97/98) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island) 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 ---------- 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: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island) 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 People Population: 405,748 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 92,721; female 91,083) 15-64 years: 49% (male 92,658; female 104,264) 65 years and over: 6% (male 9,936; female 15,086) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.44% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 33.49 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 6.78 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -12.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 45.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.96 years male: 67.66 years female: 74.36 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.95 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Religions: Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of creole 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.) 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 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 note: there may be a new administrative structure of 16 districts (Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Nicolau, Sao Filipe, 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: derived from the legal system of Portugal 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 president on the recommendation of the prime minister from among the members of the 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 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 National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (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 Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS International organization participation: ACCT, 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, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ferdinand Amilcar Spencer LOPES chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s) general: Boston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lawrence Neal BENEDICT embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia 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, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. 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 GDP in 1995 was only 8%, of which fishing accounts for 1.5%. 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 foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances constitute a supplement to GDP of more than 20%. 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 1999 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. GDP: purchasing power parity--$581 million (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 7% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,450 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 18% services: 74% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (1998) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA % Budget: revenues: $188 million expenditures: $228 million, including capital expenditures of $116 million (1996) Industries: food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair, Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 40 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 40 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish Exports: $43 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Exports--commodities: shoes, garments, fish, bananas, hides, Exports--partners: Portugal, Germany, Spain, France, UK, Malaysia Imports: $215 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Imports--commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels Imports--partners: Portugal 25%, Netherlands, France, UK, Spain, US Debt--external: $220 million (1998) Economic aid--recipient: $111.3 million (1995) Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1--96.400 (November 1998), 99.41 (1998), 93.177 (1997), 82.591 (1996), 76.853 (1995), 81.891 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 22,900 (1995 est.) Telephone system: domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system with both analog and digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarine fiber-optic cable system which was scheduled for completion in 1998 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 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997 est.) Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,100 km paved: 858 km unpaved: 242 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,620 GRT/13,920 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 6 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Armed Forces (AF) (includes all armed force elements, both ground and naval) Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 84,018 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 47,672 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $3.8 million (1996) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.8% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for Western Europe ====================================================================== @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 People Population: 39,335 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 4.19% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 13.66 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.31 children born/woman (1999 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands Data code: CJ Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: George Town Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western Independence: none (overseas 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 (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council John Wynne OWEN (since 15 September 1995) cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three 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 (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas 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. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1997, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. 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 1.2 million visitors in 1997. 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--$930 million (1997 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 5.5% (1997 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$24,500 (1997 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (1997) Labor force: 19,820 (1995) Labor force--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: 5.1% (1996) Budget: revenues: $265.2 million expenditures: $248.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 290 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 290 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming Exports: $2.65 million (1996) Exports--commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods Exports--partners: mostly US Imports: $379.4 million (1996) Imports--commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods Imports--partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan Debt--external: $70 million (1996) Economic aid--recipient: $NA Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 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 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 1, FM 4 (the four stations have a total of six frequencies), shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 28,200 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 406 km paved: 304 km unpaved: 102 km Ports and harbors: Cayman Brac, George Town Merchant marine: total: 76 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,264,113 GRT/1,970,959 DWT ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 10, chemical tanker 11, container 4, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 22, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 11 countries among which are: Greece 15, US 5, UK 5, Cyprus 2, Denmark 2, Norway 3 (1998 est.) Airports: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 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 Background: In 1996, the country experienced three mutinies by dissident elements of the armed forces, which demanded back pay as well as political and military reforms. Subsequent violence between the government and rebel military groups over pay issues, living conditions, and lack of opposition party representation in the government, destroyed many businesses in the capital, reduced tax revenues, and exacerbated the government's problems in meeting expenses. African peacekeepers restored order in 1997; in April 1998 the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA) assumed responsibility for peacekeeping operations. 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: Mont Ngaoui 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, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography--note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa People Population: 3,444,951 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 757,422; female 749,289) 15-64 years: 53% (male 885,087; female 927,282) 65 years and over: 3% (male 56,309; female 69,562) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.04% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 38.28 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 16.46 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -1.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 103.42 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.19 years male: 45.35 years female: 49.09 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.03 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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-Felix PATASSE (since 22 October 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Anicet Georges DOLOGUELE (since January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ange-Felix PATASSE elected president; percent of vote--PATASSE 52.45%, Abel GOUMBA 45.62% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note--there were 85 seats in the National Assembly before the 1998 election) elections: last held 22-23 November and NA December 1998 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party--MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party--MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 10, FPP 7, PSD 5, ADP 4, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7; note--results of election are being contested 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 of the president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Movement for Democracy and 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), OPCW, 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert C. PERRY embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui 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. Military rebellions and social unrest in 1996 were accompanied by widespread destruction of property and a drop in GDP of 2%. Ongoing violence between the government and rebel military groups over pay issues, living conditions, and political representation has destroyed many businesses in the capital and reduced tax revenues for the government. The IMF approved an Extended Structure Adjustment Facility in 1998. GDP: purchasing power parity--$5.5 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 5.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,640 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 53% industry: 21% services: 26% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1998 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 6% (1993) 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--production: 100 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 20% hydro: 80% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 100 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber Exports: $182 million (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco Exports--partners: Belgium-Luxembourg 36%, Cote d'Ivoire 5%, Spain 4%, Egypt 3%, France Imports: $155 million (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products Imports--partners: France 30%, Cote d'Ivoire 18%, Cameroon 11%, Germany 4%, Japan Debt--external: $930 million (1997 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $172.2 million (1995); note?traditional budget subsidies from France Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--560.01 (December 1998), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 3 (including Africa No. 1 and R. France Internationale stations located in Bangui), shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: 7,500 (1993 est.) 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: 52 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 49 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 15 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Central African Armed Forces (includes Republican Guard and Air Force), Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie, Police Force Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 782,678 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 409,044 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $29 million (1996) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.2% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @Chad ---- Introduction Background: In 1960, Chad gained full independence from France. In December 1990, after Chad had endured three decades of ethnic warfare as well as invasions by Libya, former northern guerrilla leader Idriss DEBY seized control of the government. His transitional government eventually suppressed or came to terms with most political-military groups, settled the territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorable to Chad, drafted a democratic constitution which was ratified by popular referendum in 1996, held multiparty national presidential elections in 1996 (DEBY won with 69% of the vote), and held multiparty elections for the National Assembly in 1997 (DEBY's Patriotic Salvation Movement won a majority of the seats). But by the end of 1998, DEBY was beset with numerous problems including heavy casualties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where Chadian troops had been deployed to support embattled President KABILA, a new rebellion in northern Chad, and further delays in the Doba Basin oil project in the south. 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 160 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 People Population: 7,557,436 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 1,675,394; female 1,667,717) 15-64 years: 53% (male 1,953,251; female 2,034,883) 65 years and over: 3% (male 99,783; female 126,408) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.65% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 43.06 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 16.57 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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 (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 115.27 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.56 years male: 46.13 years female: 51.09 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.69 children born/woman (1999 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 French or Arabic total population: 48.1% male: 62.1% female: 34.7% (1995 est.) 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 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 Nassour Guelengdouksia OUAIDOU (since 16 May 1997) cabinet: Council of State appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; 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); prime minister 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% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to 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 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 the party in power and the party of the president); National Union mid-1996 Chad had about 60 political parties, of which these are the most prominent in the new National Assembly International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURCA, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hassaballah Abdelhadi Ahmat SOUBIANE chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 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 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: Landlocked Chad's economic development suffers from it's geographic remoteness, drought, lack of infrastructure, and political turmoil. About 85% of the population depends on agriculture, including the herding of livestock. Of Africa's Francophone countries, Chad benefited least from the 50% devaluation of their currencies in January 1994. Financial aid from the World Bank, the African Development Fund, and other sources is directed largely at the improvement of agriculture, especially livestock production. Lack of financing and low oil prices, however, are stalling the development of an oil field in the Doba Basin and the construction of a proposed oil pipeline through Cameroon. GDP: purchasing power parity--$7.5 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 2.9% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,000 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 39% industry: 15% services: 46% (1997) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1997 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 85% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $198 million expenditures: $218 million, including capital expenditures of $146 million (1998 est.) Industries: cotton textiles, meat packing, beer brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1995) Electricity--production: 90 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 90 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels Exports: $220 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: cotton, cattle, textiles Exports--partners: Portugal 30%, Germany 14%, Thailand, Costa Rica, South Africa, France (1997) Imports: $252 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles Imports--partners: France 41%, Nigeria 10%, Cameroon 7%, India 6% (1997) Debt--external: $875 million (1995 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $238.3 million (1995); note?$125 million committed by Taiwan (August 1997); $30 million committed by African Development Bank Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine Francs (CFAF) per US$1--560.01 (December 1998), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 2, FM 3, shortwave 3 (one of the shortwave stations has three frequencies) (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (broadcasts 1800 to 2100 hours, four days per week) (1997) Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 33,400 km paved: 267 km unpaved: 33,133 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 2,000 km navigable Ports and harbors: none Airports: 52 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 44 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 10 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), Republican Guard, Rapid Intervention Force, Police Military manpower--military age: 20 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 1,689,112 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 875,541 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 70,464 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $39 million (1996) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 3.5% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: delimitation of international boundaries in the 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 ====================================================================== @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 Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol 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 People Population: 14,973,843 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 2,137,255; female 2,044,605) 15-64 years: 65% (male 4,845,523; female 4,885,328) 65 years and over: 7% (male 440,010; female 621,122) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.23% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 17.81 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.53 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.02 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.46 years male: 72.33 years female: 78.75 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (1999 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 less than 1% Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.2% male: 95.4% female: 95% (1995 est.) 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 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 (48 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 1997 (next to be held NA December 2001); Chamber of Deputies--last held 11 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2001) election results: Senate--percent of vote by party--NA%; seats by party--CPD (PDC 14, PS 4, PPD 2), UPP 17 (RN 7, UDI 10), Chile 2000 (UCCP) 1, independent 10; Chamber of Deputies--percent of vote by party--CPD 50.55% (PDC 22.98%, PS 11.10%, PPD 12.55%, PRSD 3.13%), UPP 36.23% (RN 16.78%, UDI 14.43%); seats by party--CPD 70 (PDC 39, PPD 16, PRSD 4, PS 11), UPP 46 (RN 24, UDI 21, Party of the South 1), right-wing independents 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court Political parties and leaders: Coalition of Parties for Democracy or CPD consists mainly of: Christian Democratic Party or PDC Javier ERRAZURIZ] Political pressure groups and leaders: revitalized university student federations at all major universities; 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, Mercosur (associate), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Genaro Luis ARRIAGADA Herrera chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John O'LEARY embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 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 7.0% in 1991-1997 but fell to about half of that average in 1998 because of spillover from the global financial crisis. Inflation has been on a downward trend and hit a 60-year low in 1998. Chile's currency and foreign reserves also are strong, as sustained foreign capital inflows--including significant direct investment--have more than offset current account deficits and public debt buy-backs. 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. 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--$184.6 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 3.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$12,500 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 33% services: 61% (1997) Population below poverty line: 20.5% (1994 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 46.1% (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (1998) Labor force: 5.8 million (1998 est.) Labor force--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: 6.4% (1998) 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: -1.1% (1998) Electricity--production: 35.81 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 41.89% hydro: 58.11% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 35.81 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; timber; fish Exports: $14.9 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: copper 37%, other metals and minerals 8.2%, wood products 7.1%, fish and fishmeal 9.8%, fruits 8.4% (1994) Exports--partners: EU 25%, US 15%, Asia 34%, Latin America 20% (1995 est.) Imports: $17.5 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials 15.4%, petroleum 10%, foodstuffs 5.7% (1994) Imports--partners: EU 18%, US 25%, Asia 16%, Latin America 26% (1995 est.) Debt--external: $31.5 billion (1998) Economic aid--recipient: ODA, $50.3 million (1996 est.) Currency: 1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1--475.68 (January 1999), 460.29 (1998), 419.30 (1997), 412.27 (1996), 396.78 (1995), 420.08 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 180 (eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive) (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 63 (in addition, there are 121 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 2.85 million (1992 est.) 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: 79,800 km paved: 11,012 km unpaved: 68,788 km (1996 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: 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 527,201 GRT/787,719 DWT ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 10, chemical tanker 5, container 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 4, passenger 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, vehicle carrier 2 (1998 est.) Airports: 378 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 58 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 9 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 320 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 73 under 914 m: 229 (1998 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: 3,968,176 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,943,206 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 132,202 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $2.12 billion (1998); note--includes earnings from CODELCO Company and costs of pensions; does not include funding for the National Police (Carabineros) and Investigations Police Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.79% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: short section of the southwestern boundary with Argentina is indefinite--process to resolve boundary issues is underway; 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 growing transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; economic prosperity has made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits; imported precursors pass on to Bolivia ====================================================================== @China ----- Introduction Background: For most of its 3,500 years of history, China led the world in agriculture, crafts, and science, then fell behind in the 19th century when the Industrial Revolution gave the West clear superiority in military and economic affairs. In the first half of the 20th century, China continued to suffer from major famines, civil unrest, military defeat, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established a dictatorship that, while ensuring China's autonomy, imposed strict controls over all aspects of life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping decentralized economic decision making; output quadrupled in the next 20 years. Political controls remain tight at the same time economic controls have been weakening. Present issues are: incorporating Hong Kong into the Chinese system; closing down inefficient state-owned enterprises; modernizing the military; fighting corruption; and providing support to tens of millions of displaced workers. 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, Kazakhstan 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: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin 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, natural gas, 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 (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal, produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban Geography--note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US) People Population: 1,246,871,951 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26% (male 169,206,275; female 149,115,216) 15-64 years: 68% (male 435,047,915; female 408,663,265) 65 years and over: 6% (male 39,824,361; female 45,014,919) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.77% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 15.1 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 6.98 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.15 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 43.31 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.92 years male: 68.57 years female: 71.48 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 Capital: Beijing Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**, Chongqing**, 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; see separate entry for the special administrative region of Hong Kong 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 promulgation 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 HU Jintao (since 16 March 1998) head of government: Premier ZHU Rongji (since 18 March 1998); Vice Premiers QIAN Qichen (since 29 March 1993), LI Lanqing (29 March 1993), WU Bangguo (since 17 March 1995), and WEN Jiabao (since 18 March 1998) 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; elections last held 16-18 March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2003); premier nominated by the president, confirmed by the National People's Congress election results: JIANG Zemin reelected president by the Ninth National People's Congress with a total of 2,882 votes (36 delegates voted against him, 29 abstained, and 32 did not vote); HU Jintao elected vice president by the Ninth National People's Congress with a total of 2,841 votes (67 delegates voted against him, 39 abstained, and 32 did not vote) Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,979 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA December-NA February 1998 (next to be held late 2002-NA March 2003) 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 or CCP registered small parties controlled by CCP Political pressure groups and leaders: no meaningful political opposition groups exist International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, BIS, CCC, CDB (non-regional), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM (observer), OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNOMSIL, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador LI Zhaoxing chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 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 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 a more market-oriented economy 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 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 1995-97 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 had 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. The next few years may witness increasing tensions between a highly centralized political system and an increasingly decentralized economic system. Economic growth probably will slow to more moderate levels in 1999-2000. GDP: purchasing power parity--$4.42 trillion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 7.8% (1998 est.) (official figures may substantially overstate growth) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,600 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 49% services: 32% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.9% (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.8% (1998 est.) Labor force: 696 million (1997 est.) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 50%, industry 24%, services 26% (1997) Unemployment rate: officially 3% in urban areas; probably 8%-10%; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas (1998 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, footwear, toys, food processing, autos, consumer electronics, telecommunications Industrial production growth rate: 8.8% (1998 est.) Electricity--production: 1.16 trillion kWh (1998) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 93% hydro: 6% nuclear: 1% other: 0% (1996 est.) Electricity--consumption: 994.921 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 6.025 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 755 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: rice, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish Exports: $183.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: electrical machinery and equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances, woven apparel, knit apparel, footwear, toys and sporting goods (1998) Exports--partners: Hong Kong 21%, US 21%, Japan 14%, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, UK, Singapore, Taiwan (1997) Imports: $140.17 billion (c.i.f., 1998) Imports--commodities: electrical machinery and equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances, plastics, iron and steel, scientific and photograph equipment, paper and paper board (1998) Imports--partners: Japan 20%, US 12%, Taiwan 12%, South Korea 11%, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia (1997) Debt--external: $159 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $6.222 billion (1995) Currency: 1 yuan (Y) = 10 jiao Exchange rates: yuan (Y) per US$1--8.28 (February 1999), 8.2779 (December 1998), 8.2790 (1998), 8.2898 (1997), 8.3142 (1996), 8.3514 (1995), 8.6187 (1994) 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 Communications Telephones: 105 million (1998 est.) Telephone system: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and all townships domestic: 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, Hong Kong, Russia, and Germany Radio broadcast stations: AM 569, FM NA, shortwave 173 Radios: 216.5 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 209 (China Central Television, government-owned; in addition there are 31 provincial TV stations and nearly 3,000 city TV stations) (1997) Televisions: 300 million Transportation Railways: total: 64,900 km (including 5,400 km of provincial "local" rails) standard gauge: 61,300 km 1.435-m gauge (12,000 km electrified; 20,000 km double track) narrow gauge: 3,600 km 0.750-m gauge local industrial lines (1998 est.) note: a new total of 68,000 km has been estimated for early 1999 Highways: total: 1.21 million km paved: 271,300 km (with at least 24,474 km of motorways) unpaved: 938,700 km (1998 est.) Waterways: 109,800 km navigable (1997) Pipelines: crude oil 9,070 km; petroleum products 560 km; natural gas 9,383 km (1998) Ports and harbors: Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Huangpu, Lianyungang, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shantou, Tianjin, Xiamen, Xingang, Yantai, Zhanjiang Merchant marine: total: 1,759 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,828,349 GRT/24,801,291 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 330, cargo 855, chemical tanker 21, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 1, container 121, liquefied gas tanker 20, multifunction large-load carrier 6, oil tanker 245, passenger 8, passenger-cargo 47, refrigerated cargo 25, roll-on/roll-off cargo 24, short-sea passenger 43, vehicle carrier 1 (1998 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: 361,267,706 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 198,398,601 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 10,273,696 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $12.608 billion (FY99); note-Western analysts believe that China's real defense spending is several times higher than the official figure because several significant items are funded elsewhere Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes--international: boundary with India in dispute; dispute over at least two small sections of the boundary with Russia remain to be settled, despite 1997 boundary agreement; most of the boundary with Tajikistan in dispute; 33-km section of boundary with North Korea in the Paektu-san (mountain) area 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; sections of land border with Vietnam are indefinite Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem ====================================================================== @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 People Population: 2,373 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 7.77% (1999 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA 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 Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island Data code: KT Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories Government type: NA 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 (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (acting) Graham NICHOLLS (since NA) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch 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 1998 (next to be held NA December 1999) 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% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: NA Labor force--by occupation: tourism 400 people, mining 100 people Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: NA kWh Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Electricity--consumption: NA kWh Electricity--exports: NA kWh Electricity--imports: NA kWh Agriculture--products: NA Exports: $NA Exports--commodities: phosphate Exports--partners: Australia, NZ Imports: $NA Imports--commodities: consumer goods Imports--partners: principally Australia Debt--external: $NA Economic aid--recipient: $NA Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.5853 (January 1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994) Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June 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: NA (1997) Televisions: 350 (1992) 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 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military--note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @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: 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 People Population: uninhabited 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 Legal system: NA Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Economy--overview: Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is a tuna fishing station. 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 ----------------------- 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 People Population: 636 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.21% (1999 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA 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 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; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories Government type: NA 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 (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (acting) Maureen ELLIS (since NA) cabinet: NA elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (NA seats) 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: 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% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: NA Labor force--by occupation: 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--production: NA kWh Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Electricity--consumption: NA kWh Electricity--exports: NA kWh Electricity--imports: NA kWh Agriculture--products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Exports: $NA Exports--commodities: copra Exports--partners: Australia Imports: $NA Imports--commodities: foodstuffs Imports--partners: Australia Debt--external: $NA Economic aid--recipient: $NA Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.5853 (January 1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994) Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June 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 (1997) Televisions: NA 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 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military--note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @Colombia -------- Introduction Background: Colombia gained its independence from Spain in 1819. Earlier than most countries in the area, it established traditions of civilian government with regular, free elections. In recent years, however, assassinations, widespread guerrilla activities, and drug trafficking have severely disrupted normal public and private activities. 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, Central America and the Caribbean 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, Hazardous Wastes, 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, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Geography--note: only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea People Population: 39,309,422 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 6,556,566; female 6,402,115) 15-64 years: 62% (male 11,966,306; female 12,593,685) 65 years and over: 5% (male 807,282; female 983,468) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.85% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 24.45 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.59 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.48 years male: 66.54 years female: 74.54 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.87 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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, Distrito Capital de 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 Executive branch: chief of state: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo BELL (since 7 August 1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo BELL (since 7 August 1998); 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 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002); 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 last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002) election results: 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 21 June 1998; Andres PASTRANA elected president; percent of vote--NA; Gustavo BELL 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 NA March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2002); House of Representatives--last held NA March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2002) election results: Senate--percent of vote by party--PL 50%, PC 24%, smaller parties (many aligned with conservatives) 26%; seats by party--PL 51, PC 24, smaller parties 27; House of Representatives--percent of vote by party--PL 52%, PC 17%, other 31%; seats by party--NA 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 [Horaero AD/M-19 is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissident legal political party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of 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: BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), 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, OPCW, 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 Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 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 Curtis Warren KAMMAN embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: APO AA 34038 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: Colombia ended 1998 in recession with 0.2% GDP growth due to a combination of low world oil prices, reduced export demand, guerrilla violence, and diminished investment flows. The Central Bank resorted to interest rate hikes and tight monetary policy to defend the peso against pressure from Colombia's worsening trade and fiscal deficits. President PASTRANA'S well-respected financial team is working to deal with the myriad economic problems the country faces, including the highest unemployment level in decades and a fiscal deficit of close to 5% of GDP in 1998. The government implemented austerity measures, declared emergency measures to guard against a potential banking crisis resulting from the country's economic slowdown, and is seeking international assistance to fund a peace plan with the guerrillas. Guerrilla violence and low world oil prices will likely continue to undermine the economy in 1999. GDP: purchasing power parity--$254.7 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 0.2% (1998) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,600 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 26% services: 55% (1996) Population below poverty line: 17.7% (1992 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 46.9% (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.7% (1998 est.) Labor force: 16.8 million (1997 est.) Labor force--by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990) Unemployment rate: 15.7% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $26 billion (1996 est.) expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.) Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds Industrial production growth rate: -1.2% (1996) Electricity--production: 53.725 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 19.26% hydro: 80.74% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 53.857 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 132 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp Exports: $11.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, gold, bananas, cut flowers Exports--partners: US 38%, EU 23%, Andean Community 18%, Japan 3% (1997) Imports: $14.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels Imports--partners: US 42%, EU 23%, Andean Community 14%, Japan 4% (1997) Debt--external: $18 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $40.7 million (1995) Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1--1,562.0 (February 1999), 1,426.04 (1998), 1,140.96 (1997), 1,036.69 (1996), 912.83 (1995), 844.84 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 463, FM 35, shortwave 45 (1998 est.) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997) Televisions: 5.5 million (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 3,380 km standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal mines to maritime port at Bahia de Portete) narrow gauge: 3,230 km 0.914-m gauge (1,830 km in use) (1995) Highways: total: 115,564 km paved: 13,868 km unpaved: 101,696 km (1997 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: Bahia de Portete, Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo Merchant marine: total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 64,7575 GRT/84,518 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 5, container 1, multifunction large-load carrier 2, oil tanker 2 (1998 est.) Airports: 1,120 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 89 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 36 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 7 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1,031 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 63 914 to 1,523 m: 339 under 914 m: 628 (1998 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: 10,418,211 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 6,980,700 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 360,820 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $4 billion (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 4.2% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial disputes with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and cannabis; cultivation of coca in 1997--79,500 hectares, an 18% increase over 1996; potential production of cocaine in 1997--125 metric tons, a 14% increase over 1996; cultivation of opium in 1997--6,600 hectares, a 5% increase over 1996; potential production of opium in 1997--66 metric tons, a 5% increase over 1996; 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 Background: Comoros has had difficulty in achieving political stability, having endured 18 coups or attempted coups since receiving independence from France in 1975. Most recently, in August 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. An attempt in September 1997 by the government to reestablish control over the rebellious islands by force failed, and presently the Organization of African Unity is brokering negotiations to effect a reconciliation. 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: Le Kartala 2,360 m Natural resources: NEGL 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 possible during rainy season (December to April); Le 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography--note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel People Population: 562,723 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 120,397; female 119,945) 15-64 years: 54% (male 150,851; female 154,990) 65 years and over: 3% (male 7,878; female 8,662) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 3.11% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 40.29 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 9.23 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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 (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 81.63 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.85 years male: 58.39 years female: 63.38 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.43 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 Capital: Moroni Administrative divisions: three islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali) note: there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Constitution: 20 October 1996 Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Interim President TADJIDDINE Ben Said Massounde (since 6 November 1998); note--President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim died in office 6 November 1998 and was succeeded by Interim President MASSOUNDE head of government: Prime Minister Abbas DJOUSSOUF (since 22 November 1998) 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); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim elected president; percent of vote--64% note: the Comoran constitution stipulates that upon the death of the president, a new president is to be elected within 90 days; however, Interim President TADJIDDINE has stated that a new election cannot be held until Anjouan is reunited with the rest of the country 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: Federal Assembly--last held 1 and 8 December 1996 (next to be held NA) election results: Federal Assembly--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 Supremes, 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 NA] note: under a new constitution ratified in October 1996, a two-party system was established; former 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, AFESD, AL, CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, InOC, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Ahmed DJABIR (ambassador to the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN) 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 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 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 maintained. GDP: purchasing power parity--$400 million (1997 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 3.5% (1997 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$700 (1997 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 14% services: 46% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1997) Labor force: 144,500 (1996 est.) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 80%, government 3% Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $48 million expenditures: $53 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Industries: tourism, perfume distillation, textiles, furniture, jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 15 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 86.67% hydro: 13.33% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 15 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) Exports: $11.4 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) Exports--commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra Exports--partners: France 43%, US 43%, Germany 7% (1996) Imports: $70 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) Imports--commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment Imports--partners: France 59%, South Africa 15%, Kenya 6% (1996) Debt--external: $219 million (1996 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $43.3 million (1995) Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1--420.01 (December 1998), 442.46 (1998), 437.75 (1997), 383.66 (1996), 374.36 (1995), 416.40 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 4,000 (1993 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: 81,000 (1994) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1998) Televisions: 200 (1994 Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou Merchant marine: none Airports: 4 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Comoran Security Force Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 132,969 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 79,224 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $3 million (1994 est.) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes--international: claims French-administered Mayotte; the islands of Anjouan (Nzwani) and Moheli (Mwali) have moved to secede from Comoros ====================================================================== @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 the 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: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (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, timber 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification 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 People Population: 50,481,305 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 12,200,532; female 12,136,372) 15-64 years: 49% (male 12,135,901; female 12,692,057) 65 years and over: 3% (male 564,084; female 752,359) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.96% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 46.37 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 14.99 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: in 1994, about a million refugees fled into Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo or DROC), to escape the fighting between the Hutus and the Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi; the outbreak of widespread fighting in the DROC between rebels and government forces in October 1996 spurred about 875,000 refugees to return to Rwanda in late 1996 and early 1997; additionally,the DROC is host to 200,000 Angolan, 110,000 Burundi, 100,000 Sudanese, and 15,000 Ugandan refugees; renewed fighting in the DROC in August 1998 resulted in more internal displacement and refugee outflows Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 99.45 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.44 years male: 47.28 years female: 51.67 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.45 children born/woman (1999 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 French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba total population: 77.3% male: 86.6% female: 67.7% (1995 est.) 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 abbreviation: DROC Data code: CG Government type: dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representative government Capital: Kinshasa Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provinces, singular--province) and one city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium) National holiday: anniversary of independence from Belgium, 30 June (1960) Constitution: 24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15 February 1978, amended April 1990; transitional constitution promulgated in April 1994; following successful rebellion the new government announced on 29 May 1997 a program of constitutional reform and, in November 1998, a draft constitution was approved by President KABILA and awaits ratification by national referendum 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: Laurent Desire KABILA (since 17 May 1997); note--the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: Laurent Desire KABILA (since 17 May 1997); note--the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by the president elections: before Laurent Desire KABILA seized power, the president was elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 29 July 1984 (next was to be held in May 1997); formerly, the prime minister was elected by the High Council of the Republic; note--the term of the former government expired in 1991, elections were not held, and former president MOBUTU continued in office until his government was militarily defeated by 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 16 May 1997 when his government was overturned militarily by Laurent Desire KABILA, who immediately assumed governing authority; in his 29 May 1997 inaugural address, President KABILA announced a two-year time table for political reform leading to elections by April 1999; subsequently, in December 1998, President KABILA announced that elections would be postponed until all foreign military forces attempting his overthrow had withdrawn from the country Legislative branch: legislative activity has been suspended pending the establishment of KABILA's promised constitutional reforms and the elections to be held by April 1999 (now postponed indefinitely) elections: the country's first multi-party presidential and legislative elections had been scheduled for May 1997 but were not held; instead KABILA overthrew the MOBUTU government and seized control of the country Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: sole legal party until January parties include Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS note: President KABILA, who has banned political party activity indefinitely, currently leads the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire or AFDL 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, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William Lacy SWING embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo--a nation endowed with vast potential wealth--has declined significantly since the mid-1980s. The new government instituted a tight fiscal policy that initially curbed inflation and currency depreciation, but these small gains were quickly reversed when the foreign-backed rebellion in the eastern part of the country began in August 1998. The war has dramatically reduced government revenue, and increased external debt. Foreign businesses have curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict and because of increased government harassment and restrictions. Poor infrastructure, an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and lack of transparency in government economic policy remain a brake on investment and growth. A number of IMF and World Bank missions have met with the new government to help it develop a coherent economic plan but associated reforms are on hold. GDP: purchasing power parity--$34.9 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: -3.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$710 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 59% industry: 15% services: 26% (1995 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 147% (1998 est.) Labor force: 14.51 million (1993 est.) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 16%, services 19% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $269 million expenditures: $244 million, including capital expenditures of $24 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--production: 6.4 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 6.25% hydro: 93.75% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 6.265 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 195 million kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 60 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt, crude oil Exports--partners: Benelux 43%, US 22%, South Africa 8%, France, Germany, Italy, UK, Japan (1997) Imports: $819 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels Imports--partners: South Africa 21%, Benelux 14%, China 8%, Netherlands, US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK (1997) Debt--external: $15 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $195.3 million (1995) Currency: Congolese franc (CF) Exchange rates: Congolese francs (CF) per US$1--2.5 (January 1999); new zaires (Z) per US$1--115,000 (January 1998), 83,764 (October 1996), 7,024 (1995), 1,194 (1994) note: on 30 June 1998 the Congolese franc (CF) was introduced, replacing the new zaire; 1 Congolese franc (CF)=100,000 new zaires Fiscal year: calendar year 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 (1997) Televisions: 55,000 (1992 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 5,138 km (1995); note--severely reduced route-distance in use because of damage to facilities by 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: 233 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 23 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 210 1,524 to 2,437 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 94 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Security Group, Gendarmerie Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 10,874,744 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,536,277 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $250 million (1997) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 4.6% (1997) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: the Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the grip of a civil war that has drawn in military forces from neighboring states, with Uganda and Rwanda supporting the rebel movement which occupies much of the eastern portion of the state; most of the Congo River boundary with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption ====================================================================== @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 People Population: 2,716,814 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% (male 579,940; female 573,847) 15-64 years: 54% (male 718,820; female 751,911) 65 years and over: 4% (male 36,987; female 55,309) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.16% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 37.96 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 16.33 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 100.58 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.14 years male: 45.42 years female: 48.92 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.89 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Ethnic groups: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans NA%; note--Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half of that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997 Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo has the most users) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.9% male: 83.1% female: 67.2% (1995 est.) 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 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 but is now being redrafted by President SASSOU-NGUESSO Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: normally the prime minister, appointed from the majority party by the president; however, since his inauguration, President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO has been both chief of state and head of government 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 will be delayed for several years pending the drafting of a new constitution) election results: Pascal LISSOUBA elected president in 1992; percent of vote--Pascal LISSOUBA 61%, Bernard KOLELAS 39%; note--LISSOUBA was deposed in 1997, replaced by Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO Legislative branch: unicameral National Transitional Council (75 seats, members elected by reconciliation forum of 1,420 delegates; note--the National Transitioanl Council replaced the bicameral Paarliament in mid-1997 elections: National Transitional Council--last held NA January 1998 (next to be held NA 2001); note--at that election the National Transitional Council is to be replaced by a bicameral assembly election results: National Transitional Council--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: the most important of the many SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Association for Democracy and TCHICAYA, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral BOKAMBA-YANGOUMA] 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, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Serge MOMBOULI chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador J. Aubrey HOOKS embassy: Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville mailing address: B. P. 1015, Brazzaville note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa) 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 a major share 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. Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. However, economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices in 1998, which worsened the Republic of the Congo's budget deficit. A second blow was the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998. GDP: purchasing power parity--$3.9 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 2.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,500 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 59% services: 31% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1997 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--production: 438 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 0.68% hydro: 99.32% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 553 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 115 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products Exports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1997) Exports--commodities: petroleum 50%, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds Exports--partners: US 37%, Belgium-Luxembourg 34%, Taiwan, China (1997 est.) Imports: $803 million (f.o.b. 1997) Imports--commodities: intermediate manufactures, capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, petroleum products Imports--partners: France 22%, Italy 16%, US 9%, UK 6% (1997 est.) Debt--external: $6 billion (1996) Economic aid--recipient: $159.1 million (1995) Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--550 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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: 1 (1997) Televisions: 8,500 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 795 km (includes 285 km private track) narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (1995 est.) Highways: total: 12,800 km paved: 1,242 km unpaved: 11,558 km (1996 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 Airports: 36 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 10 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: NA Military manpower--military age: 20 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 641,543 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 326,834 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 28,976 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $110 million (1993) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 3.8% (1993) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: most of the Congo River boundary with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Stanley Pool/Pool Malebo area) ====================================================================== @Cook Islands ------------ Introduction Background: Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand. Residents chose self-government with free association with New Zealand in 1965. The emigration of Cook Islanders to New Zealand in large numbers and resulting loss of skilled labor and government deficits are continuing problems. 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, Desertication, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol People Population: 20,200 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.04% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 22.35 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -6.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years male: 69.2 years female: 73.1 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.17 children born/woman (1999 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 Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands Data code: CW Dependency status: self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy 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 (since 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Jon JONESSEN (since NA January 1998), 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 monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; 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 June 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 [Sir Geoffrey International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, OPCW, 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 many 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 fruit-processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly 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 economy, 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--$79 million (1994 est.) GDP--real growth rate: NA% GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,000 (1994 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 6% services: 77% (FY90/91) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1994 est.) Labor force: 6,601 (1993) Labor force--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--production: 15 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 15 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee Exports: $4.2 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Exports--commodities: copra, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing Exports--partners: NZ 80%, Japan, Hong Kong (1993) Imports: $85 million (c.i.f., 1994) Imports--commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods Imports--partners: NZ 49%, Italy, Australia (1993) Debt--external: $160 million (1994) Economic aid--recipient: $13.1 million (1995); note?New Zealand furnishes the greater part Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.8560 (January 1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994) Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March 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 (1994 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2 (in addition, eight low-power repeaters provide good coverage on the island of Rarotonga) (1997) Televisions: 3,500 (1995 est.) 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 2,310 GRT/2,181 DWT (1998 est.) Airports: 7 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.) Military Military--note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @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 People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station 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 from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Executive branch: administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories 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 Communications Communications--note: there are automatic weather relay stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland 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 ---------- Introduction Background: Costa Rica declared its independence from Spain in 1821. After a turbulent beginning it inaugurated an era of peaceful democracy in 1889, subsequently interrupted only twice, by a dictatorial interlude in 1917-19 and an armed uprising in 1948. Increasing the role of the private sector while maintaining the government's social safety net and keeping under control the budget deficit, unemployment, and inflation are key current issues. 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 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation People Population: 3,674,490 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 622,260; female 593,720) 15-64 years: 62% (male 1,150,900; female 1,121,970) 65 years and over: 5% (male 85,526; female 100,114) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.89% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 22.46 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 4.16 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.89 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.04 years male: 73.6 years female: 78.61 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.76 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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 Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (since 8 May 1998); First Vice President Astrid FISCHEL Volio (since 8 May 1998), Second Vice President Elizabeth ODIO Benito (since 8 May 1998); note--president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (since 8 May 1998); First Vice President Astrid FISCHEL Volio (since 8 May 1998), Second Vice President Elizabeth ODIO Benito (since 8 May 1998); 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 1 February 1998 (next to be held NA February 2002) election results: Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ elected president; percent of vote--Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (PUSC) 46.6%, Jose Miguel CORRALES (PLN) 44.6% 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 1 February 1998 (next to be held NA February 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--PUSC 41%, PLN 35%, minority parties 24%; seats by party--PUSC 27, PLN 23, minority parties 7 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly Political parties and leaders: Social Christian Unity Party or NA] note: mainly a two-party system--PUSC and PLN; numerous small parties share less than 25% of population's support 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: 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, OPCW, 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 Jaime DAREMBLUM chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 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 Thomas J. DODD embassy: Pavas Road, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 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 economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Economic growth has rebounded from -0.9% in 1996 to 3% in 1997 and an estimated 5.5% in 1998. Inflation rose to 22.5% in 1995, dropped to 11.1% in 1997, and reached an estimated 12% in 1998. Unemployment appears moderate at 5.6%, but substantial underemployment continues. Furthermore, large government deficits--fueled by interest payments on the massive internal debt--have undermined efforts to maintain the quality of social services. Curbing inflation, reducing the deficit, and improving public sector efficiency remain key challenges to the government. President RODRIGUEZ has called for an increased economic role for the private sector, but political resistance to privatization has stalled much of his economic program. GDP: purchasing power parity--$24 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 5.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,700 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 24% services: 61% (1997) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 34.7% (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1998 est.) Labor force: 868,300 Labor force--by occupation: industry and commerce 23.3%, government and services 55.1%, agriculture 21.6% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.6% (1998 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--production: 4.785 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 14.11% hydro: 75.44% nuclear: 0% other: 10.45% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 4.931 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 44 million kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 190 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: coffee, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber Exports: $3.9 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: manufactured products, coffee, bananas, textiles, sugar (1997) Exports--partners: US, Benelux, Germany, Italy, Guatemala, El Salvador, Netherlands, UK, France (1997) Imports: $4.5 billion (c.i.f., 1998) Imports--commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum (1997) Imports--partners: US, Japan, Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala, Germany (1997) Debt--external: $3.2 billion (October 1996 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $107.1 million (1995) Currency: 1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1--272.58 (January 1999), 257.23 (1998), 232.60 (1997), 207.69 (1996), 179.73 (1995), 157.07 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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: 6 (in addition, there are 11 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 340,000 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 950 km narrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified) Highways: total: 35,597 km paved: 6,051 km unpaved: 29,546 km (1997 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: 156 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 28 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 7 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 128 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 99 (1998 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: 988,887 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 662,827 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 36,751 (1999 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 ------------- 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, Desertification, 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: none of the selected agreements People Population: 15,818,068 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 3,702,051; female 3,664,672) 15-64 years: 51% (male 4,154,440; female 3,952,999) 65 years and over: 2% (male 174,065; female 169,841) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.35% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 41.76 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 16.17 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -2.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: after Liberia's civil war started in 1990, more than 350,000 refugees fled to Cote d'Ivoire and, by September 1998, according to the UNHCR, about 85,000 remain Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 94.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.05 years male: 44.48 years female: 47.67 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.89 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Ivorian(s) adjective: Ivorian Ethnic groups: Baoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou 15%, Malinke 11%, Agni, Africans from other countries (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: Muslim 60%, Christian 22%, indigenous 18% (some of these are also numbered among the Christians and Muslims) Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.5% male: 57% female: 40% 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 Capital: Yamoussoukro note: although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy 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 note: Cote d'Ivoire may have a new administrative structure consisting of 58 departments; the following additional departments have been reported but not yet confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN); Adiake', Ale'pe', Dabon, Grand Bassam, Jacqueville, Tiebissou, Toulepleu, Bocanda Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 7 August Constitution: 3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last time July 1998 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 president 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 NA November 2000) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PDCI 150, RDR 13, FPI 12 note: a Senate will be created in 2000 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of the Cote 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, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINURCA, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George MU embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan mailing address: 01 B. P. 1712, Abidjan 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 oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products 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 68% of the population. After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a comeback in 1994, due to the devaluation of the CFA franc and 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 26% in 1994, but the rate fell sharply in 1996-98. Moreover, government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump in growth to 6% annually in 1996-98. Growth may slow in 1999-2000 because of the difficulty of meeting the conditions of international donors and continued low prices of key exports. GDP: purchasing power parity--$24.2 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 6% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,680 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 20% services: 49% (1995) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 28.5% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1998 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $2.3 billion expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $640 million (1997 est.) Industries: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, automobile assembly, textiles, fertilizer, construction materials, electricity Industrial production growth rate: 15% (annual rate, first half 1998) Electricity--production: 1.88 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 22% hydro: 47% nuclear: 0% other: 31% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 1.88 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber Exports: $4.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: cocoa 36%, coffee, tropical woods, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, cotton, fish Exports--partners: Netherlands 17%, France 15%, Germany 7%, US 6%, Italy 5% (1997) Imports: $2.5 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: food, consumer goods; capital goods, fuel, transport equipment Imports--partners: France 28%, Nigeria 20%, US 6%, Italy 5%, Germany 4% (1997) Debt--external: $16.8 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid--recipient: ODA, $1 billion (1996 est.) Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1--560.01 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 200,000 (1988 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 4, shortwave 13 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 14 (1997) Televisions: 810,000 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 660 km narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge; 25 km double track (1995 est.) Highways: total: 50,400 km paved: 4,889 km unpaved: 45,511 km (1996 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/1,500 DWT (1998 est.) Airports: 36 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 9 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (includes Presidential Guard), Sapeur-Pompier (Military Fire Group) Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 3,677,627 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,917,433 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 178,860 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $94 million (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 0.9% (1996) 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, and for Latin American cocaine destined for Europe ====================================================================== @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 Montenegro), 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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification Geography--note: controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits People Population: 4,676,865 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 404,761; female 383,088) 15-64 years: 68% (male 1,591,831; female 1,591,106) 65 years and over: 15% (male 272,219; female 433,860) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.1% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 10.34 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 11.14 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 1.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.84 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74 years male: 70.69 years female: 77.52 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.52 children born/woman (1999 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%, Muslim 1.2%, Protestant 0.4%, others and unknown 10.8% Languages: Serbo-Croatian 96%, other 4% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 95% (1991 est.) 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 Capital: Zagreb Administrative divisions: 21 counties (zupanije, zupanija--singular): Bjelovar-Bilogora, City of Zagreb, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Istra, Karlovac, Koprivnica-Krizevci, Krapina-Zagorje, Lika-Senj, Medimurje, Osijek-Baranja, Pozega-Slavonia, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Sibenik, Sisak-Moslavina, Slavonski Brod-Posavina, Split-Dalmatia, Varazdin, Virovitica-Podravina, Vukovar-Srijem, Zadar-Knin, Zagreb note: there are two special self-governing districts (kotari, kotar--singular) under local Serb control: Glina, Knin 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 7 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 15 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: President Franjo TUDJMAN reelected; percent of vote--Franjo TUDJMAN 61%, Zdravko TOMAC 21%, Vlado GOTOVAC 18% Legislative branch: bicameral Assembly or Sabor consists of the House of Counties or Zupanijski Dom (68 seats--63 directly elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; 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 Counties--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 Counties--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 Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: BIS (pending member), CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, 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 consulate(s) general: Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William D. MONTGOMERY embassy: Andrije Hebranga 2, Zagreb mailing address: use street address 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 and displaced 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. In 1998, Croatia made progress in reducing its current account deficit to about 8% of GDP from 12% the previous year. Economic growth continues to lag, however, and growing levels of inter-enterprise debt plague the domestic economy. Four commercial banks were put under government control and a major conglomerate is teetering on collapse. GDP: purchasing power parity--$23.6 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 3% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$5,100 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 24% services: 64% (1995 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1998) Labor force: 1.63 million (1998) Labor force--by occupation: industry and mining 31.1%, agriculture 4.3%, government 19.1% (including education and health), other 45.5% (1993) Unemployment rate: 18.6% (yearend 1998) Budget: revenues: $5.3 billion expenditures: $6.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $78.5 million (1997 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: 3.7% (1998 est.) Electricity--production: 10.682 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 29.25% hydro: 70.75% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 14.632 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 1 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 4.95 billion kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, vegetables; livestock, dairy products Exports: $4.5 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--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) Exports--partners: Germany 22%, Italy 21%, Slovenia 18% (1994) Imports: $8.4 billion (c.i.f., 1998) Imports--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) Imports--partners: Germany 21%, Italy 19%, Slovenia 10% (1994) Debt--external: $8 billion (October 1998) Economic aid--recipient: $NA Currency: 1 Croatian kuna (HRK) = 100 lipas Exchange rates: Croatian kuna per US$1--6.317 (January 1999), 6.362 (1998), 6.157 (1997), 5.434 (1996), 5.230 (1995), 5.996 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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: 18 (in addition, there are 145 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 1.52 million (1992 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 2,296 km standard gauge: 2,296 km 1.435-m gauge (796 km electrified) note: some lines remain inoperative or not in use; disrupted by territorial dispute (1997) Highways: total: 27,840 km paved: 22,690 km (including 330 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,150 km (1997 est.) Waterways: 785 km perennially navigable; large sections of Sava blocked by downed bridges, silt, and debris Pipelines: crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas 310 km (1992); note--under repair following territorial dispute Ports and harbors: Dubrovnik, Dugi Rat, Omisalj, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split, Vukovar (inland waterway port on Danube), Zadar Merchant marine: total: 64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 810,226 GRT/1,227,468 DWT ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 26, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 5, container 5, liquefied gas 1, multifunction large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 1, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 3 (1998 est.) Airports: 72 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 21 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 7 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 42 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 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: 1,188,898 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 943,719 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 33,722 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $950 million (1999) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 5% (1999) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: Eastern Slavonia, which was held by ethnic Serbs during the ethnic conflict, was returned to Croatian control by the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia on 15 January 1998; Croatia and Italy made progress toward resolving a bilateral issue dating from World War II over property and ethnic minority rights; significant progress has been made with Slovenia toward resolving a maritime border dispute over direct access to the sea in the Adriatic; Serbia and Montenegro is disputing Croatia's claim to the Prevlaka Peninsula in southern Croatia because it controls the entrance to Boka Kotorska 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 ---- Introduction Background: Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959, and his guiding vision has defined Cuba's Communist revolution while his iron will has held the country together for more than four decades. CASTRO brought Cuba onto the world stage by inviting Soviet support in the 1960s, inciting revolutionary movements throughout Latin America and Africa in the 1970s, and sending his army to fight in Angola in the 1980s. At home, Havana provided Cubans with high levels of healthcare, education, and social security while suppressing the Roman Catholic Church and arresting political dissidents. Cuba is slowly recovering from severe economic recession following the withdrawal of former-Soviet subsidies, worth $4billion-$6 billion per year, in 1990. 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Geography--note: largest country in Caribbean People Population: 11,096,395 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 1,236,899; female 1,172,560) 15-64 years: 69% (male 3,820,255; female 3,801,768) 65 years and over: 9% (male 496,772; female 568,141) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.4% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 12.9 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 7.38 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -1.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.81 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.78 years male: 73.41 years female: 78.3 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.58 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban Ethnic groups: mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1% Religions: nominally 85% Roman Catholic 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.) 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 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 24 February 1998 (next election unscheduled) election results: Fidel CASTRO Ruz elected president; percent of legislative vote--100%; Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president; percent of legislative vote--100% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (601 seats, elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 11 January 1998 (next to be held in 2003) election results: percent of vote--PCC 94.39%; seats--PCC 601 Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: only party--Cuban Communist Party International organization participation: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, 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 (202) 797-8518 Diplomatic representation from the US: none; note--the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Michael G. KOZAK; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, 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 semi-official exchange rate for the Cuban peso to move from a peak of 120 to the dollar in the summer of 1994 to 21 to the dollar by yearend 1998. New taxes introduced in 1996 helped drive down the number of self-employed workers from 208,000 in January 1996 to 155,000 by July 1998. Havana announced in 1995 that GDP declined by 35% during 1989-93, the result of lost Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. The drop in GDP apparently halted in 1994, when Cuba reported 0.7% growth, followed by increases of 2.5% in 1995 and 7.8% in 1996. Growth slowed again in 1997 and 1998 to 2.5% and 1.2% respectively. Export earnings declined 22% in 1998, to $1.4 billion, the result of lower sugar export volume and lower world prices for nickel and sugar. Import expenditures also fell 15% to $3.0 billion, in part due to lower world oil prices. Tourism and remittances play a key role in foreign currency earnings. Living standards for the average Cuban remain at a depressed level compared with 1990. GDP: purchasing power parity--$17.3 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 1.2% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,560 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 7.4% industry: 36.5% services: 56.1% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 4.5 million economically active population (1996 est.) note: state sector 76%, non-state sector 24% (1996 est.) Labor force--by occupation: services and government 30%, industry 22%, agriculture 20%, commerce 11%, construction 10%, transportation and communications 7% (June 1990) Unemployment rate: 6.8% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $12.3 billion expenditures: $13 billion , including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) 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--production: 14.1 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 98.96% hydro: 1.04% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 14.1 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: sugarcane, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock Exports: $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Exports--commodities: sugar, nickel, tobacco, shellfish, medical products, citrus, coffee Exports--partners: Russia 27%, Canada 18%, Spain 8% (1998 est.) Imports: $3 billion (c.i.f., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: petroleum, food, machinery, chemicals Imports--partners: Spain 17%, France 9%, Canada 9% (1998 est.) Debt--external: $10.1 billion (convertible currency, 1997); another $20 billion owed to Russia (1997) Economic aid--recipient: $46 million (1997 est.) Currency: 1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1--1.0000 (nonconvertible, official rate, linked to the US dollar) Fiscal year: calendar year 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 (1997) Televisions: 2.5 million (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 4,807 km standard gauge: 4,807 km 1.435-m gauge (147 km electrified) note: a large amount of track is in private use by sugar plantations Highways: total: 60,858 km paved: 29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway) unpaved: 31,038 km (1997 est.) Waterways: 240 km Ports and harbors: Cienfuegos, Havana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Santiago de Cuba Merchant marine: total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 89,091 GRT/125,463 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 9, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 5 (1998 est.) Airports: 170 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 77 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 36 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 93 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 61 (1998 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); the Border Guard (TGF) is controlled by the Interior Ministry Military manpower--military age: 17 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 3,068,140 females age 15-49: 3,014,686 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,900,893 females age 15-49: 1,862,411 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 76,328 females: 72,551 (1999 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: territory serves as transshipment zone for cocaine bound for the US and Europe ====================================================================== @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--of which 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish Cypriot 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 aquifer; increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization Environment--international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants People Population: 754,064 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24% (male 92,626; female 88,127) 15-64 years: 65% (male 249,083; female 244,750) 65 years and over: 11% (male 34,612; female 44,866) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.67% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 13.64 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 7.42 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 74.91 years female: 79.39 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot Ethnic groups: Greek 78% (99.5% of the Greeks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.5% of the Greeks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), Turkish 18% (1.3% of the Turks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 98.7% of the Turks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), other 4% (99.2% of the other ethnic groups live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.8% of the other ethnic groups live in the Turkish Cypriot 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus note: the Turkish Cypriot 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 intervention in July 1974 following a Greek junta-based coup attempt, which gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), which has been recognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly call for the resolution of intercommunal differences and creation of a new federal system of government Capital: Nicosia note: the Turkish Cypriot area's capital is Lefkosa (Nicosia) Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note--Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Lefkosa (Nicosia) and Larnaca Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK) note: Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 from Republic of Cyprus National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October; note--Turkish Cypriot 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 Cypriot 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 five-year terms; election last held 15 February 1998 (next to be held NA February 2003) election results: Glafcos CLERIDES elected president; percent of vote--Glafcos CLERIDES 50.8%, George IAKOVOU 49.2% note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of the Turkish Cypriot 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 Cypriot area since 16 August 1996; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish Cypriot area Legislative branch: unicameral--Greek Cypriot area: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots. 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note--only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); Turkish Cypriot 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 6 December 1998 (next to be held December 2003) 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 4.3%; 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 40.3%, DP 22.6%, TKP 15.4%, CTP 13.4%, UDP 4.6%, YBH 2.5%, BP 1.2%; seats by party--UBP 24, DP 13, TKP 7, CTP 6 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the Supreme Council of Judicature note: there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish Cypriot area Political parties and leaders: Greek Cypriot area: Restorative PERDHIKIS]; Turkish Cypriot area: National Unity Party or UBP 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, IFRCS (associate), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Erato KOZAKOU-MARCOULLIS chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot area in the US is Ahmet (202) 887-6198 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth C. BRILL embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, Nicosia mailing address: P. O. Box 4536, FPO AE 09836 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: Economic affairs are dominated by the division of the country into the southern (Greek) area controlled by the Cyprus Government and the northern Turkish Cypriot-administered area. The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly susceptible to external shocks. Erratic growth rates in the 1990s reflect the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals, caused by political instability on the island and fluctuations in economic conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy in the south is focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the EU. As in the Turkish sector, water shortage is a growing problem, and several desalination plants are planned. The Turkish Cypriot economy has about one-fifth the population and 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, e.g. tourism, education, and industry. GDP: purchasing power parity--$10 billion (1997 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 2.3% (1997 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$13,000 (1997 est.) GDP--composition by sector: Greek Cypriot area: agriculture 4.4%; industry 22.4%; services 73.2% (1996); Turkish Cypriot area: agriculture 10%; industry 24.6%; services 65.4% (1995) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): Greek Cypriot area: 2.3% (1998 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 87.5% (1997 est.) Labor force: Greek Cypriot area: 299,700; Turkish Cypriot area: 76,500 (1996) Labor force--by occupation: Greek Cypriot area: services 62%, industry 25%, agriculture 13% (1995); Turkish Cypriot area: services 66%, industry 11%, agriculture 23% (1995) Unemployment rate: Greek Cypriot area: 3.3% (1998 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 6.4% (1996) Budget: revenues: Greek Cypriot area--$2.9 billion, Turkish Cypriot area--$171 million expenditures: Greek Cypriot area--$3.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $345 million, Turkish Cypriot area--$306 million, including capital expenditures of $56.8 million (1997 est.) Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products Industrial production growth rate: Greek Cypriot area: -4% (1996); Turkish Cypriot area: 5.1% (1995) Electricity--production: 2.2 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 2.2 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: potatoes, citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables Exports: Greek Cypriot area: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: $70.5 million (f.o.b., 1996) Exports--commodities: Greek Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes (1996); Turkish Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes, textiles (1996) Exports--partners: Greek Cypriot area: Russia 19.1%, Bulgaria 16.4%, UK 11.3%, Greece 6.3%, Germany 4.8%; Turkish Cypriot area: Turkey 48.2%, UK 21.3%, other EU 13.7% (1997) Imports: Greek Cypriot area: $3.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: $318.4 million (f.o.b., 1996) Imports--commodities: Greek Cypriot area: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed grains, machinery (1996); Turkish Cypriot area: food, minerals, chemicals, machinery (1996) Imports--partners: Greek Cypriot area: US 17.8%, UK 11.9%, Italy 9.7%, Germany 7.5%, Greece 7.6% (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: Turkey 55.3%, UK 13.8%, other EU 11.6% (1997) Debt--external: Greek Cypriot area: $1.56 billion (1997) Economic aid--recipient: Greek Cypriot area?$187 million in grants (1990-94); Turkish Cypriot area-- $700 million from Turkey in grants and loans (1990-97) that are usually forgiven Currency: Greek Cypriot area: 1 Cypriot pound (LC) = 100 cents; Turkish Cypriot area: 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus Exchange rates: Cypriot pounds per US1$--0.5013 (January 1999), 0.5170 (1998), 0.5135 (1997), 0.4663 (1996), 0.4522 (1995), 0.4915 (1994); Turkish liras (TL) per US$1--331,400 (January 1999), 260,724 (1998), 151,865 (1997), 81,405 (1996), 45,845.1 (1995), 29,608.7 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: Greek Cypriot area: 367,000 (1996 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 80,000 (1996 est.) Telephone system: excellent in both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot 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 Cypriot area: AM 4, FM 36, shortwave 1, Turkish Cypriot area: AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0 Radios: Greek Cypriot area: 500,000 (1996 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 130,000 (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: Greek Cypriot area: 7 (in addition, there are 35 low-power repeaters) (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: 3 (in addition, there are 4 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: Greek Cypriot area: 300,000 (1996 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 90,000 (1996 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: Greek Cypriot area: 10,415 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 2,350 km paved: Greek Cypriot area: 5,947 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 1,370 km unpaved: Greek Cypriot area: 4,468 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 980 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Vasilikos Bay Merchant marine: total: 1,469 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,362,067 GRT/36,945,331 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 430, cargo 530, chemical tanker 23, combination bulk 42, combination ore/oil 11, container 141, liquefied gas tanker 6, oil tanker 152, passenger 7, refrigerated cargo 58, roll-on/roll-off cargo 49, short-sea passenger 14, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 37 countries among which are Greece 611, Germany 129, Russia 49, Latvia 278, Netherlands 20, Japan 28, Cuba 16, China 15, Hong Kong 13, and Poland 15 (1998 est.) Airports: 15 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Heliports: 4 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Greek Cypriot area: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includes air and naval elements), Hellenic Forces Regiment on Cyprus (ELDYK), Greek Cypriot Police; Turkish Cypriot 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: 194,337 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 133,559 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 6,410 (1999 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 Cypriot area controlled by the internationally recognized 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 -------------- Introduction Background: Once part of the Holy Roman Empire and, later, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, Czechoslovakia became an independent nation at the end of World War I. Independence ended with the German takeover in 1939. After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence, and in 1968 an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops snuffed out anti-communist demonstrations and riots. With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1991, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom. On 1 January 1993, the country peacefully split into its two ethnic components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic, largely by aspiring to become a NATO and EU member, has moved toward integration in world markets, a development that poses both opportunities and risks. But Prague has had a difficult time convincing the public that membership in NATO is crucial to Czech security. At the same time, support for eventual EU membership is waning. Coupled with the country's worsening economic situation, Prague's political scene, troubled for the past three years, will remain so for the foreseeable future. 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: flooding 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, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, 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, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto 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 People Population: 10,280,513 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 888,292; female 845,662) 15-64 years: 69% (male 3,569,677; female 3,558,844) 65 years and over: 14% (male 545,305; female 872,733) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: -0.01% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 9.84 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 10.86 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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 (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.67 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.35 years male: 71.01 years female: 77.88 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.28 children born/woman (1999 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: NA total population: 99% (est.) male: NA% female: NA% 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 Capital: Prague Administrative divisions: 73 districts (okresi, singular--okres) and 4 municipalities* (mesta, singular--mesto); Benesov, Beroun, Blansko, Breclav, Brno*, Brno-Venkov, Bruntal, Ceske Budejovice, Ceska Lipa, Cesky Krumlov, Cheb, Chomutov, Chrudim, Decin, Domazlice, Frydek-Mistek, Havlickuv Brod, Hodonin, Hradec Kralove, Jablonec nad Nisou, Jesenik, Jicin, Jihlava, Jindrichuv Hradec, Karlovy Vary, Karvina, Kladno, Klatovy, Kolin, Kromeriz, Kutna Hora, Liberec, Litomerice, Louny, Melnik, Mlada Boleslav, Most, Nachod, Novy Jicin, Nymburk, Olomouc, Opava, Ostrava*, Pardubice, Pelhrimov, Pisek, Plzen*, Plzen-Jih, Plzen-Sever, Prachatice, Praha*, Praha-Vychod, Praha Zapad, Prerov, Pribram, Prostejov, Rakovnik, Rokycany, Rychnov nad Kneznou, Semily, Sokolov, Strakonice, Sumperk, Svitavy, Tabor, Tachov, Teplice, Trebic, Trutnov, Uherske Hradiste, Usti nad Labem, Usti nad Orlici, Vsetin, Vyskov, Zdar nad Sazavou, Zlin, Znojmo 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 2 February 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Milos ZEMAN (since 17 July 1998); Deputy Prime Ministers Vladimir SPIDLA (since 17 July 1998), Pavel RYCHETSKY since 17 July 1998), Egon LANSKY (since 17 July 1998), Pavel MERTLIK (since 17 July 1998) 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 20 January 1998 (next to be held NA January 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaclav HAVEL reelected president; Vaclav HAVEL received 47 of 81 votes in the Senate and 99 out of 200 votes in the Chamber of Deputies (second round of voting) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (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 13-14 and 20-21 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2000--to replace/reelect 20 senators serving two-year terms); Chamber of Deputies--last held 19-20 June 1998 (early elections to be held NA June 2000) election results: Senate--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--governing coalition (CSSD 23), opposition (ODS 26, KDU-CSL 16, KCSM 4, ODA 7, US 4, DEU 1); Chamber of Deputies--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--governing coalition (CSSD 74), opposition (ODS 63, KDU-CSL 20, US 19, KCSM 24) Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for life; Constitutional Court, chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for life Political parties and leaders: Civic Democratic Party or ODS KROUPA, chairman]; Christian Democratic Union-Czech People's Party Political pressure groups and leaders: Czech-Moravian Chamber of Trade Unions; Civic Movement International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aleksandr VONDRA chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John SHATTUCK embassy: Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1 mailing address: use embassy street address 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: Political and financial crises in 1997 shattered the Czech Republic's image as one of the most stable and prosperous of post-Communist states. Delays in enterprise restructuring and failure to develop a well-functioning capital market played major roles in Czech economic troubles, which culminated in a currency crisis in May. The currency was forced out of its fluctuation band as investors worried that the current account deficit, which reached nearly 8% of GDP in 1996, would become unsustainable. After expending $3 billion in vain to support the currency, the central bank let it float. The growing current account imbalance reflected a surge in domestic demand and poor export performance, as wage increases outpaced productivity. The government was forced to introduce two austerity packages later in the spring which cut government spending by 2.5% of GDP. A tough 1998 budget continued the painful medicine. These problems were compounded in the summer of 1997 by unprecedented flooding which inundated much of the eastern part of the country. Czech difficulties contrast with earlier achievements of strong GDP growth, a balanced budget, and inflation and unemployment that were among the lowest in the region. The Czech economy's transition problems continue to be too much direct and indirect government influence on the privatized economy, the sometimes ineffective management of privatized firms, and a shortage of experienced financial analysts for the banking system. The country slipped into a mild recession in 1998, but hopes to rebound with 1% growth in 1999. GDP: purchasing power parity--$116.7 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: -1.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$11,300 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 33.8% services: 61.2% (1996) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.6% highest 10%: 23.5% (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.7% (1998) Labor force: 3.655 million (1998) Labor force--by occupation: industry 33.1%, agriculture 6.9%, construction 9.1%, transport and communications 7.2%, services 43.7% (1994) Unemployment rate: 7% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $16.1 billion expenditures: $16.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) Industries: fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery and equipment, coal, motor vehicles, glass, armaments Industrial production growth rate: 6.7% (1998 est.) Electricity--production: 60.214 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 76.69% hydro: 3.04% nuclear: 20.27% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 60.164 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 8.8 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 8.75 billion kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products Exports: $23.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: manufactured goods 40.5%, machinery and transport equipment 37.7%, chemicals 8.8%, raw materials and fuel 7.8% (1997) Exports--partners: Germany 35.7%, Slovakia 12.9%, Austria 6.4%, Poland 5.7%, Russia 3.4%, Italy 3.3%, France 2.5% (1997) Imports: $26.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: machinery and transport equipment 38.1%, manufactured goods 19.3%, raw materials and fuels 12.4%, chemicals 12.2%, and food 5.2% (1997) Imports--partners: Germany 26.6%, Slovakia 8.4%, Italy 5.3%, Austria 4.4%, FSU 3.4%, UK 3.4%, Poland 3.2% (1997) Debt--external: $21.6 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $351.6 million (1995) Currency: 1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru Exchange rates: koruny (Kcs) per US$1--30.214 (December 1998), 32.294 (1998), 31.698 (1997), 27.145 (1996), 26.541 (1995), 28.785 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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: 67 (in addition, there are 35 low-power stations and about 51 low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: NA Transportation Railways: total: 9,440 km standard gauge: 9,344 km 1.435-m standard gauge (2,743 km electrified at three voltages; 1,885 km double track) narrow gauge: 96 km 0.760-m narrow gauge (1996) Highways: total: 55,489 km paved: 55,489 km (including 423 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1996 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 Airports: 69 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 13 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 17 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 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: 2,684,817 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,046,079 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 73,072 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $1.1 billion (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.8% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: Liechtenstein claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of property in the Czech Republic 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 former Czechoslovak federal property 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 ------- Introduction Background: Once the seat of rapacious Viking raiders and later a major power in northwestern Europe, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the political and economic integration of Europe. So far, however, they have opted out of some aspects of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty including the new monetary system launched on 1 January 1999. 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-Sulphur 94, 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-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto 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 People Population: 5,356,845 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 504,182; female 478,547) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,811,445; female 1,765,038) 65 years and over: 15% (male 331,207; female 466,426) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.38% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 11.57 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 10.97 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 3.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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 (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.11 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.51 years male: 73.83 years female: 79.33 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.62 children born/woman (1999 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% 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 Capital: Copenhagen Administrative divisions: metropolitan Denmark--14 counties (amter, singular--amt) and 2 kommunes*; Arhus, Bornholm, Fredericksberg*, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kobenhavn, Kobenhavns*, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde, Sonderjylland, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjalland, Viborg note: see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Kingdom of Denmark and are self-governing administrative divisions Independence: first organized as a unified state in 10th century; 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 monarch (born 26 May 1968) head of government: Prime Minister Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN (since 25 January 1993) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Folketing (179 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--progovernment parties: Social Democrats 65, Socialist People's Party 13, Radical Liberal Party 7, Unity Party 5; opposition: Liberal Party 43, Conservative Party 17, Danish People's Party 13, Center Democrats 8, Christian People's Party 4, Progress Party 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the monarch for life Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party [Poul International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, 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, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, 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 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 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. Denmark chose not to join the 11 other EU members who launched the euro on 1 January 1999. Because of the global slowdown, GDP growth may fall to 1% in 1999. GDP: purchasing power parity--$124.4 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 2.6% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$23,300 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 27% services: 69% (1997) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 20.5% (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1998 est.) Labor force: 2,895,950 Labor force--by occupation: private services 40%, government services 30%, manufacturing and mining 19%, construction 6%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5% (1995) Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1998 est.) 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: 1.3% (1996) Electricity--production: 50.608 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 97.6% hydro: 0.05% nuclear: 0% other: 2.35% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 35.208 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 19.2 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 3.8 billion kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: grain, potatoes, rape, sugar beets; beef, dairy products; fish Exports: $48.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, fuels, dairy products, ships, fish, chemicals Exports--partners: Germany 21.4%, Sweden 11.6%, UK 9.6%, Norway 6.2%, France 5.3%, US 4.6%, Netherlands 4.5% (1997) Imports: $46.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, textiles, paper Imports--partners: Germany 21.7%, Sweden 12.7%, Netherlands 7.8%, UK 7.6%, France 5.6%, Norway 5.2%, US 5.0%, Japan (1997) Debt--external: $44 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid--donor: ODA, $1.6 billion (1995) Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1--6.408 (January 1999), 6.701 (1998), 6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 3.2 million (1995 est.); 822,000 cellular telephone subscribers 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 fiber-optic cables linking Denmark with Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Germany, 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: 78 (of which 35 are low-power stations; in addition, there are 51 low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 3 million (1996 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 3,323 km (458 km privately owned and operated) standard gauge: 3,323 km 1.435-m gauge (440 km electrified; 760 km double track) (1996) Highways: total: 71,600 km paved: 71,600 km (including 880 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1996 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, Grena, Koge, Odense, Struer Merchant marine: total: 337 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,130,643 GRT/6,880,248 DWT ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 130, chemical tanker 19, container 73, liquefied gas tanker 26, livestock carrier 6, oil tanker 20, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 3 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 (1998 est.) Airports: 118 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 28 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: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 90 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 82 (1998 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: 1,316,584 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,129,870 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 32,130 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $2.5 billion (1999) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.6% (1999) 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 -------- 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: Lac Assal -155 m highest point: Moussa Ali 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography--note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland People Population: 447,439 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 96,222; female 96,023) 15-64 years: 54% (male 128,506; female 114,767) 65 years and over: 3% (male 6,155; female 5,766) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.51% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 41.23 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 14.41 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -11.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 100.24 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.54 years male: 49.48 years female: 53.67 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.87 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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); note--President HASSAN GOULED announced early in the year that he would resign in April 1999 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 for a six-year term; election last held 7 May 1993 (next to be held 9 April 1999); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President HASSAN GOULED reelected; percent of vote--NA Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 19 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) 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: Aptidon] 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, AMF, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador ROBLE Olhaye Oudine chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lange SCHERMERHORN embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti 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 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 seven years because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Also, renewed fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea has disturbed normal external channels of commerce. 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--$530 million (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 0.6% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,200 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 20% services: 77% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1997 est.) Labor force: 282,000 Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 75%, industry 11%, services 14% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 40%-50% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $156 million expenditures: $175 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and mineral-water bottling Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) Electricity--production: 175 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 175 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels Exports: $39.6 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) Exports--commodities: hides and skins, coffee (in transit) (1995) Exports--partners: Ethiopia 45%, Somalia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia (1996) Imports: $200.5 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) Imports--commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products (1995) Imports--partners: France, Ethiopia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Thailand (1996) Debt--external: $276 million (1996 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $106.3 million (1995) 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 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 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 Radios: 35,000 Television broadcast stations: 1 (in addition, there are 5 low-power repeaters) (1998) Televisions: 17,000 (1998) Transportation Railways: total: 97 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) narrow gauge: 97 km 1.000-m gauge note: in April 1998, Djibouti and Ethiopia announced plans to revitalize the century-old railroad that links their capitals Highways: total: 2,890 km paved: 364 km unpaved: 2,526 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Djibouti Merchant marine: total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT (1998 est.) Airports: 11 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force) Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 105,075 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 61,712 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $22.5 million (1997) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 4.5% (1997) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @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: 15 25 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, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements People Population: 64,881 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 8,680; female 8,530) 15-64 years: 64% (male 21,090; female 20,294) 65 years and over: 9% (male 2,570; female 3,717) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: -1.41% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 16.92 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -24.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.75 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.01 years male: 75.15 years female: 81.01 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.89 children born/woman (1999 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%, other 6% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 94% male: 94% female: 94% (1970 est.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica conventional short form: Dominica Data code: DO Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Roseau Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978) Constitution: 3 November 1978 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Vernon Lorden SHAW (since 7 October 1998) 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 7 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vernon Lorden SHAW 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 (next to be held by October 2000); byelections held 13 August 1996 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 Saint 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 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, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (resident in Dominica) chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 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 and 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 depends on agriculture and is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions, notably tropical storms. Agriculture, primarily bananas, accounts for 20% 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 economy began to recover in mid-1998, fueled by increases in construction, soap production, and tourist arrivals. The government is attempting to develop an offshore financial industry in order to diversify the island's production base. GDP: purchasing power parity--$216 million (1997 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 1.8% (1997) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,300 (1997 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 16% services: 64% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (1997) Labor force: 25,000 Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28% Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues: $72 million expenditures: $79.9 million, including capital expenditures of $11.5 million (FY97/98) Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes Industrial production growth rate: -10% (1997 est.) Electricity--production: 40 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 50% hydro: 50% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 40 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts; forest and fishery potential not exploited Exports: $50.4 million (1997) Exports--commodities: bananas 50%, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges Exports--partners: Caricom countries 47%, UK 36%, US 7% (1996 est.) Imports: $104.2 million (1997) Imports--commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals Imports--partners: US 41%, Caricom 25%, UK 13%, Netherlands, Canada Debt--external: $105 million (1997 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $24.4 million (1995) Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June 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: 0 (there is one cable television company) (1997) Televisions: 5,200 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 780 km paved: 393 km unpaved: 387 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Portsmouth, Roseau Merchant marine: none Airports: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Special Service Unit, Coast Guard) 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; banking industry is vulnerable to money laundering ====================================================================== @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: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts Environment--current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation; Hurricane Georges damage Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography--note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti) People Population: 8,129,734 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (male 1,447,435; female 1,393,122) 15-64 years: 61% (male 2,501,206; female 2,426,564) 65 years and over: 4% (male 171,049; female 190,358) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.62% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 25.97 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -4.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 42.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.07 years male: 67.86 years female: 72.4 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.03 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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: Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna elected president; percent of vote--Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (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 16 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002); Chamber of Deputies--last held 16 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002) election results: Senate--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PRD 24, PLD 4, PRSC 2; Chamber of Deputies--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PRD 83, PLD 49, PRSC 17 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are elected by a Council made up of legislative and executive members with the president presiding) Political parties and leaders: Rene BEAUCHAMPS Javier]; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic or 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, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, 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 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 (vacant) embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 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: In December 1996, incoming President FERNANDEZ presented a bold reform package for this Caribbean economy--including 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. Even though most reforms are stalled in the legislature, the economy grew vigorously in 1997-98, with tourism and telecommunications leading the advance. The government is working to increase electric generating capacity, a key to continued economic growth, but the privatization of the state electricity company has met numerous delays. In late September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused approximately $1.3 billion in damages, largely to agriculture and infrastructure. GDP: purchasing power parity--$39.8 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 7% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$5,000 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 25% services: 56% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: 20.6% (1992 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 39.6% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1998 est.) Labor force: 2.3 million to 2.6 million Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 50%, services and government 32%, industry 18% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 16% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.3 billion expenditures: $2.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $867 million (1999 est.) Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1995 est.) Electricity--production: 6.7 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 70.15% hydro: 29.85% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 6.7 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs Exports: $997 million (1997 est.) Exports--commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa Exports--partners: US 45%, EU 19.9%, Canada 3.6%, South Korea 3.3% (1996) Imports: $3.6 billion (1998) Imports--commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals Imports--partners: US 44%, EU 16%, Venezuela 11%, Netherlands Antilles, Mexico, Japan (1995) Debt--external: $3.6 billion (1997) Economic aid--recipient: $239.6 million (1995) Currency: 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1--15.949 (January 1999), 15.267 (1998), 14.265 (1997), 13.775 (1996), 13.597 (1995), 13.160 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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: 25 (1997) Televisions: 728,000 (1993 est.) 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: 12,600 km paved: 6,224 km unpaved: 6,376 km (1996 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 (1998 est.) Airports: 36 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 15 (1998 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: 2,156,827 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,355,342 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 82,902 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $180 million (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.1% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US ====================================================================== @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: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography--note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world People Population: 12,562,496 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (male 2,250,690; female 2,172,302) 15-64 years: 60% (male 3,745,390; female 3,833,841) 65 years and over: 5% (male 261,090; female 299,183) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.78% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 22.26 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 5.06 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 30.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.16 years male: 69.54 years female: 74.9 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.63 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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 note: a new province, Orellana, was reported to have been formed in 1998 Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence of Quito) Constitution: 10 August 1998 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 Jamil MAHUAD (since 10 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo NOBOA (since 10 August 1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jamil MAHUAD (since 10 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo NOBOA (since 10 August 1998); 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 31 May 1998; runoff election held 12 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: Jamil MAHUAD elected president; percent of vote--51% Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (121 seats; 79 members are popularly elected at-large nationally to serve four-year terms; 42 members are popularly elected by province--two per province--for four-year terms) elections: last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--DP 32, PSC 27, PRE 24, ID 18, P-NP 9, FRA 5, PCE 3, MPD 2, CFP 1; note--defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: BRAVO] director] EHLERS] Gonzalez] International organization participation: CAN, 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, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ivonne A-BAKI chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie M. ALEXANDER embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: APO AA 34039 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. Because the country exports primary products such as oil, bananas, and shrimp, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. Ecuador joined the World Trade Organization in 1996, but has failed to comply with many of its accession commitments. In recent years, growth has been uneven due to ill-conceived fiscal stabilization measures. The populist government of Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz proposed a major currency reform in 1996, but popular discontent with BUCARAM'S austerity measures and rampant official corruption led to his replacement by National Congress with Fabian ALARCON in February 1997. ALARCON adopted a minimalist economic program that put off necessary reforms until August 1998 when President Jamil MAHUAD was elected. MAHAUD inherited an economy in crisis due to mismanagement, El Nino damage to key export sectors such as agriculture, and low world commodity prices in the wake of the Asian financial crisis. MAHAUD announced a fiscal austerity package and expressed interest in an IMF agreement but faces major difficulties in promoting economic growth, including possible political objections to further reform. GDP: purchasing power parity--$58.7 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 1% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,800 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 37% services: 51% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: 35% (1994 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 37.6% (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 43% (1998 est.) Labor force: 4.2 million Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 29%, manufacturing 18%, commerce 15%, services and other activities 38% (1990) Unemployment rate: 12% with widespread underemployment (November 1998 est.) Budget: revenues: planned $5.1 billion not including revenue from potential privatizations expenditures: $5.1 billion (1999) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (1997 est.) Electricity--production: 8.45 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 17.16% hydro: 82.84% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 8.45 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp Exports: $3.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997) Exports--commodities: petroleum 30%, bananas 26%, shrimp 16%, cut flowers 2%, fish 1.9% Exports--partners: US 39%, Latin America 25%, EU countries 22%, Asia 12% Imports: $2.9 billion (c.i.f., 1997) Imports--commodities: transport equipment, consumer goods, vehicles, machinery, chemicals Imports--partners: US 32%, EU 19%, Latin America 35%, Asia 11% Debt--external: $12.5 billion (1997) Economic aid--recipient: $695.7 million (1995) Currency: 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: sucres (S/) per US$1--7,133.1 (January 1999), 5,446.6 (1998), 3,988.3 (1997), 3,189.5 (1996), 2,564.5 (1995), 2,196.7 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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: 15 (including one station on the Galapagos Islands) (1997) Televisions: 940,000 (1992 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 965 km (single track) narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge Highways: total: 42,874 km paved: 5,752 km unpaved: 37,122 km (1998 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: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 99,078 GRT/162,423 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 17, passenger 3 (1998 est.) Airports: 183 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 56 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 19 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 127 914 to 1,523 m: 37 under 914 m: 90 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 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: 3,259,534 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,199,704 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 130,208 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $720 million (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 3.4% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: on October 26, 1998, Peru and Ecuador concluded treaties on commerce and navigation and on boundary integration, to complete a package of agreements settling the long-standing boundary dispute between them; demarcation of the agreed-upon boundary was scheduled to begin in mid-January 1999 Illicit drugs: significant transit country for derivatives of coca originating in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub ====================================================================== @Egypt ----- Introduction Background: One of the four great ancient civilizations, Egypt, ruled by powerful pharaohs, bequeathed to Western civilization numerous advances in technology, science, and the arts. For the last two millennia, however, Egypt has served a series of foreign masters--Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Turks, and the British. Formal independence came in 1922, and the remnants of British control ended after World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1981 altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population will stress Egyptian society and resources as it enters the new millenium. 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 salination 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 People Population: 67,273,906 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 12,260,845; female 11,712,752) 15-64 years: 61% (male 20,604,620; female 20,211,012) 65 years and over: 3% (male 1,099,517; female 1,385,160) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.82% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 26.8 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 8.27 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 67.46 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.39 years male: 60.39 years female: 64.49 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.33 children born/woman (1999 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: Misr former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) Data code: EG Government type: republic Capital: Cairo Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular--muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina', Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina', Suhaj Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK) National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952) Constitution: 11 September 1971 Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (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 or NDP legal opposition parties are as follows: New Wafd Party or NWP 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, 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, MINURCA, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNOMSIL, UNPREDEP, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed MAHER al-Sayed chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel C. KURTZER embassy: (North Gate) 8, Kamel El-Din Salah Street, Garden City, Cairo mailing address: Unit 64900, APO AE 09839-4900 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: At the end of the 1980s, Egypt faced problems of low productivity and poor economic management, compounded by the adverse social effects of excessive population growth, 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 IMF arrangements, the last of which expired in September 1998. Egypt's reform efforts--and its participation in the Gulf war coalition--also led to massive debt relief under the Paris Club arrangements. Substantial progress has been made in improving macroeconomic performance. Cairo tamed inflation, slashed budget deficits, and built up foreign reserves to an all-time high. Although the pace of structural reforms--such as privatization and new business legislation--has been slower than envisioned under the IMF program, Egypt's steps toward a more market-oriented economy have prompted increased foreign investment. The November 1997 massacre of foreign tourists in Luxor affected tourism enough to slow the GDP growth rate for 1998 compared to earlier projections. Tourism's slow recovery, coupled with low world oil prices, caused a downturn in foreign exchange earnings in 1998, but external payments are not in crisis. GDP: purchasing power parity--$188 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,850 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 16% industry: 31% services: 53% (1997) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 26.7% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1998) Labor force: 17.4 million (1998 est.) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 40%, services, including government 38%, industry 22% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $20 billion expenditures: $20.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.4 billion (FY97/98) Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction, cement, metals Industrial production growth rate: 9.4% (1997 est.) Electricity--production: 46 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 76.09% hydro: 23.91% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 46 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; fish Exports: $5.5 billion (f.o.b., FY97/98 est.) Exports--commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals Exports--partners: EU, US, Japan Imports: $16.7 billion (c.i.f., FY97/98 est.) Imports--commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, durable consumer goods, capital goods Imports--partners: US, EU, Japan Debt--external: $28 billion (FY97/98 est.) Economic aid--recipient: ODA, $2.4 billion (1996) Currency: 1 Egyptian pound (LE) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (LE) per US$1--3.4 (November 1994); market rate--3.3880 (January 1999), 3.3880 (1998), 3.3880 (1997), 3.3880 (1996), 3.3900 (1995), 3.3910 (1994) Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June Communications Telephones: 3.168 million (1996); 70,000 digital cellular telephone subscribers (1998); 7,400 analog cellular telephone subscribers (1997) 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 57, FM 14, shortwave 3 (1998 est.) Radios: 16.45 million (1998 est.) Television broadcast stations: 42 (in addition, there are nine channels received from Europe by satellite) (1997) Televisions: 5 million (1998 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 4,751 km standard gauge: 4,751 km 1,435-m gauge (42 km electrified; 951 km double track) Highways: total: 64,000 km paved: 49,984 km unpaved: 14,016 km (1996 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: 180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,334,406 GRT/2,022,785 DWT ships by type: bulk 25, cargo 63, container 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 14, passenger 56, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 16, short-sea passenger 3 (1998 est.) Airports: 89 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 70 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 9 (1998 est.) Heliports: 2 (1998 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: 17,756,706 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 11,507,058 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 694,468 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $3.28 billion (FY95/96) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 8.2% (FY95/96) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: Egypt asserts its claim to the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km under partial Sudanese administration that is defined by an administrative boundary which supersedes the treaty boundary of 1899 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 ====================================================================== @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; Hurricane Mitch damage Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, 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 People Population: 5,839,079 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37% (male 1,091,500; female 1,044,658) 15-64 years: 58% (male 1,612,847; female 1,786,318) 65 years and over: 5% (male 138,052; female 165,704) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.53% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 26.19 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 6.2 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -4.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 28.38 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.02 years male: 66.7 years female: 73.5 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.99 children born/woman (1999 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.) 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 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 note: Legislative Assembly passed landmark judicial reforms in 1996 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 7 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% note: in the election held 7 March 1999, Francisco FLORES elected president, Carlos QUINTANILLA elected vice president (will take office 1 June 1999); percent of vote--Francisco FLORES (ARENA) 52%, Facundo GUARDADO (FMLN/USC) 29%, Ruben ZAMORA (CD) 8%, other parties 11% 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 9, PDC 8, PRSC 3, CD 2, PLD 2, MU 1, PD 1, independent 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly Political parties and leaders: National Republican Alliance or MARTINEZ, president] note: the Social Christian Union or USC is formed by the union of the Social Christian Renovation Party or PRSC, the Unity Movement or MU, and the MSN Political pressure groups and leaders: labor organizations: National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL business organizations: Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP 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, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rene A. LEON chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Boston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023 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: In recent years inflation has fallen to unprecedented levels, and exports have grown substantially. Even so, El Salvador has experienced sizable deficits in both its trade and its fiscal accounts. The trade deficit has been offset by remittances from the large number of Salvadorans living abroad and from external aid. El Salvador sustained damage from Hurricane Mitch, but not as much as other Central American countries. Inflation and the trade deficit are expected to rise somewhat as a result. GDP: purchasing power parity--$17.5 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 3.7% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,000 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 24% services: 61% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: 48.3% (1992 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 38.3% (1995) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1998) Labor force: 2.26 million (1997 est.) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1% Unemployment rate: 7.7% (1997 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% (1997 est.) Electricity--production: 3.575 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 22.38% hydro: 61.54% nuclear: 0% other: 16.08% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 3.547 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 60 million kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 32 million kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: coffee, sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products; shrimp Exports: $1.96 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Exports--commodities: coffee, sugar; shrimp; textiles Exports--partners: US, Guatemala, Germany, Costa Rica, Honduras Imports: $3.5 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) Imports--commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels Imports--partners: US, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Japan Debt--external: $2.6 billion (yearend 1997) Economic aid--recipient: $391.7 million (1995); note?US has committed $280 million in economic assistance to El Salvador for 1995-97 (excludes military aid) Currency: 1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 (end of period)--8.755 (January 1999-1995), 8.750 (1994) 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 Communications Telephones: 350,000 (1997 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: 1.5 million (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 5 (1997) Televisions: 700,000 (1997 est.) 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: 10,029 km paved: 1,986 km (including 327 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,043 km (1997 est.) Waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable Ports and harbors: Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, La Union, Puerto El Triunfo Merchant marine: none Airports: 86 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 82 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 65 (1998 est.) Heliports: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 1,393,986 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 884,093 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 65,224 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $105 million (1998) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 0.9% (1998) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: demarcation of boundary with Honduras defined by 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision has not been completed; small boundary section left unresolved by ICJ decision not yet reported to have been settled; 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 ----------------- 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: Pico Basile 3,008 m Natural resources: petroleum, timber, 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, flash floods Environment--current issues: tap water is not potable; desertification Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography--note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated People Population: 465,746 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 100,334; female 99,826) 15-64 years: 53% (male 118,248; female 129,777) 65 years and over: 4% (male 7,801; female 9,760) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.55% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 38.49 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 12.98 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: migration to Spain is a traditional and continuing factor; between 80% and 90% of Equatorial Guinean nationals going to Spain do not return 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: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 91.18 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.39 years male: 52.03 years female: 56.83 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5 children born/woman (1999 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), French (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.) 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 (the transition appears to have halted) 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: approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995 Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom Suffrage: 18 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 NA April 1996); First Vice Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Miguel OYONO NDONG (since NA January 1998); Second Vice Prime Minister for Internal Affairs Demetrio Elo NDONG NGEFUMU (since NA January 1998) 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); prime minister and vice prime ministers appointed by the president election results: President OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected with 98% of popular vote in elections marred by widespread fraud Legislative branch: unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (80 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 November 1993 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PDGE 68, CSDP 6, UDS 5, CLD 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal Political parties and leaders: ruling party: Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE opposition parties: Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS BOKESA, president]; Party of the Social Democratic Coalition or PCSD mayor of Malabo]; Social Democratic and Popular Convergence or CSDP 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, OPCW, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pastor Micha ONDO BILE chancery: 1712 I Street NW, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20005 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; the US State Department is considering opening a Consulate Agency in Malabo 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: The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Several large oil companies are expected to bid on oil licenses by May 1999. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components 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. The country responded favorably to the devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994. GDP: purchasing power parity--$660 million (1997 est.) GDP--real growth rate: NA% GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,500 (1997 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 46% industry: 33% services: 21% (1995 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1996 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 30% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $47 million expenditures: $43 million, including capital expenditures of $7 million (1996 est.) Industries: petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas Industrial production growth rate: 7.4% (1994 est.) Electricity--production: 19 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 89.47% hydro: 10.53% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 19 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts, manioc (tapioca); livestock; timber Exports: $197 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) Exports--commodities: petroleum, timber, cocoa Exports--partners: US 34%, Japan 17%, Spain 13%, China 13%, Nigeria Imports: $248 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) Imports--commodities: petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery Imports--partners: Cameroon 40%, Spain 18%, France 14%, US 8% Debt--external: $254 million (1996 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $33.8 million (1995) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) is used Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--560.01 (December 1998), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994) Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March 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 (1997) Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 0 km Highways: total: 2,880 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 2,880 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Bata, Luba, Malabo Merchant marine: total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,370 GRT/25,194 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Rapid Intervention Force, National Police Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 102,269 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 51,979 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $2.5 million (FY97/98) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes--international: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay; maritime boundary dispute with Nigeria because of disputed jurisdiction over oil-rich areas in the Gulf of Guinea ====================================================================== @Eritrea ------- Introduction Background: On 29 May 1991, ISAIAS Afworki, secretary general of the People's 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 from Ethiopia. The referendum resulted in a landslide vote for independence, which became effective on 24 May 1993. 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: near Kulul within the Denakil depression -75 m highest point: Soira 3,018 m Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, probably oil and natural gas (currently under exploration), 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 People Population: 3,984,723 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 859,899; female 852,329) 15-64 years: 54% (male 1,061,921; female 1,078,102) 65 years and over: 3% (male 67,969; female 64,503) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 3.88% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 42.56 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 12.32 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 8.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: it is estimated that approximately 315,000 Eritrean refugees were still living in Sudan by the end of 1997 according to the UNHCR Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 76.84 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.74 years male: 53.61 years female: 57.95 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.96 children born/woman (1999 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, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, minor ethnic group languages Literacy: NA 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 People's 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 Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera) Administrative divisions: 8 provinces (singular--awraja); Akale 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, became effective in 1997; the new provinces, the names of which had not been recommended by the US Board on Geographic Names for recognition by the US Government, pending acceptable definition of the boundaries, were: Anseba, Debub, Debubawi Keyih Bahri, Gash-Barka, Maakel, and Semanawi Keyih Bahri; more recently, it has been reported that these provinces have been redesignated regions and renamed Southern Red Sea, Northern Red Sea, Anseba, Gash-Barka, Southern, and Central Independence: 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the Eritrea Autonomous Region) National holiday: National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24 May (1993) Constitution: the transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution that was promulgated in May 1997 Legal system: NA Suffrage: NA; note--it seems likely that the final version of the constitution would 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) 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) elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly which had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until country-wide elections to a National Assembly are held; only 75 members will be elected to the National Assembly--the other 75 will be members of the Central Committee of the PFDJ Judicial branch: the Supreme Court; 10 provincial courts; 29 district courts Political parties and leaders: People's Front for Democracy and Afworki, PETROS Solomon] Political pressure groups and leaders: Eritrean Islamic Jihad or NAWUD]; Eritrean Liberation Front-Revolutionary Council or ELF-RC International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador SEMERE Russom chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William CLARK embassy: Franklin D. Roosevelt Street, Asmara mailing address: P.O. Box 211, Asmara 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 24 May 1993, Eritrea faced the bitter economic problem of a small, desperately poor African country. The economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture, with over 70% of the population involved in farming and herding. The small industrial sector consists mainly of light industries with outmoded technologies. Domestic output (GDP) is substantially augmented by worker remittances from abroad. Government revenues come from custom duties and taxes on income and sales. Road construction is a top domestic priority. Eritrea has long-term prospects for revenues from the development of offshore oil, offshore fishing, and tourism. Eritrea's economic future depends on its ability to master fundamental social and economic problems, e.g., overcoming illiteracy, promoting job creation, expanding technical training, attracting foreign investment, and streamlining the bureaucracy. The most immediate threat to the economy, however, is the possible expansion of the armed conflict with Ethiopia. GDP: purchasing power parity--$2.5 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$660 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 20% services: 62% (1995 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1998 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $226 million expenditures: $453 million, including capital expenditures of $88 million (1996 est.) Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: NA kWh Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% Electricity--consumption: NA kWh Electricity--exports: NA kWh Electricity--imports: NA kWh Agriculture--products: sorghum, lentils, vegetables, maize, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal; livestock, goats; fish Exports: $95 million (1996 est.) Exports--commodities: livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures Exports--partners: Ethiopia 67%, Sudan 10%, US 8%, Italy 4%, Saudi Arabia, Yemen (1996) Imports: $514 million (1996 est.) Imports--commodities: processed goods, machinery, petroleum products Imports--partners: Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Italy, United Arab Emirates (1996) Debt--external: $46 million (1996 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $149.9 million (1995) Currency: 1 nafka = 100 cents Exchange rates: nakfa per US$1 = 7.6 (January 1999), 7.2 (March 1998 est.) note: following independence from Ethiopia, Eritrea continued to use Ethiopian currency until November 1997 when Eritrea issued its own currency, the nakfa, at approximately the same rate as the birr, i.e., 7.2 nakfa per US$1 Fiscal year: calendar year 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 2, FM 0, shortwave 1 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (government controlled) (1997) Televisions: NA Transportation Railways: total: 307 km narrow gauge: 307 km 0.950-m gauge (1995 est.) note: nonoperational since 1978 except for about a 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: 4,010 km paved: 874 km unpaved: 3,136 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Assab (Aseb), Massawa (Mits'iwa) Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,947 GRT/5,747 DWT ships by type: oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 20 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Military expenditures--dollar figure: $196 million (1997) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 28.6% (1997) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: dispute over alignment of boundary with Ethiopia led to armed conflict in 1998, which is still unresolved despite arbitration efforts; Hanish Islands dispute with Yemen resolved by arbitral tribunal in October 1998 ====================================================================== @Estonia ------- Introduction Background: In and out of Swedish and Russian control over the centuries, this little Baltic state was re-incorporated into the USSR after German occupation in World War II. Independence came with the collapse of the USSR in 1991; the last Russian troops left in 1994. Estonia thus became free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. The position of ethnic Russians (29% of the population) remains an issue of concern to Moscow. European Union (EU) membership negotiations, which began in 1998, remain a domestic issue. 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 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, limestone, dolomite Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 11% forests and woodland: 44% other: 20% (1996 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: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol People Population: 1,408,523 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 130,883; female 126,112) 15-64 years: 67% (male 455,112; female 491,819) 65 years and over: 15% (male 66,700; female 137,897) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: -0.82% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 9.05 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 14.21 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -3.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.86 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.83 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.65 years male: 62.61 years female: 75 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.28 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethnic groups: Estonian 65.1%, Russian 28.1%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Byelorussian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.8% (1998) Religions: Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, others include Baptist, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, Seventh Day Baptist, Judaism Languages: Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, English, Finnish, other Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1998 est.) 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: parliamentary democracy Capital: Tallinn Administrative divisions: 15 counties (maakonnad, singular--maakond): Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuessaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (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 for all Estonian citizens Executive branch: chief of state: President Lennart MERI (since 5 October 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Mart SIIMANN (since 12 March 1997) 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 three 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--Lennart 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 7 March 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, chairman appointed by Parliament for life Political parties and leaders: Coalition Party and Rural Union or SAVISAAR, chairman]; Union of Pro Patria or Fatherland League ANDREJEV] made up of two parties: United People's Party and the Russian Party of Estonia; note--Our Home is Estonia split when two Russian Party of Estonia members withdrew; United People's Party parties: Social Democratic Party or ESDP and Rural Center Party or VEIDEMANN, chairwoman] (created by defectors from Center Party in late spring 1996, Development Party faction split and now holds five International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Grigore-Kaleu STOICESCU chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Melissa WELLS embassy: Kentmanni 20, Tallinn EE 0001 mailing address: use embassy street address 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's continued adherence to market reforms, disciplined fiscal and monetary policies, and a liberal free trade regime resulted in GDP growth in 1998 of 5.5% and a decrease in inflation to 6.5% from 11.2% in 1997. A high but slightly decreased current account deficit was estimated at 8.6%. The fall in GDP growth is largely due to the impact of Russia's financial crisis and reduced investment in emerging markets in the wake of the Asian financial crisis. Like other small emerging markets, Estonia will face difficulties in 1999 as a result of continuing fallout from Asia. Key events of 1998 were the start of official EU accession talks, banking sector consolidation--nine banks were reduced to five--and the important role that Swedish capital played in the large banks (Swedbank's acquisition of a majority stake in Hansapank has accounted for the large increase in foreign direct investment). The IMF urged Estonia to maintain a stable economy and good reputation in international markets and to avoid populist policies in the run-up to March 1999 parliamentary elections. The government completed restructuring of state-controlled Estonian Telecom, the sale of 49% of which will be the flagship privatization in 1999 and the largest public equity transaction in the Baltics. Estonia expects to join the World Trade Organization in 1999. GDP: purchasing power parity--$7.8 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 5.5% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$5,500 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 6.2% industry: 24.3% services: 69.5% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: 6.3% (1994 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 28.5% (1996) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1998 est.) Labor force: 717,000 (1997 est.) Labor force--by occupation: industry 42%, agriculture and forestry 11%, services 47% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.6% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.37 billion expenditures: $1.37 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) Electricity--production: 8.065 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 99.96% hydro: 0.04% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 5.581 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--exports: 1.2 billion kWh (1997) Electricity--imports: 210 million kWh (1997) Agriculture--products: potatoes, fruits, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish Exports: $2.6 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: machinery and equipment 17%, textiles 16%, food products 8%, transport equipment 8%, mineral products 8%, chemical products 8% (1997) Exports--partners: Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Latvia (1997) Imports: $3.9 billion (c.i.f., 1998) Imports--commodities: machinery and equipment 21%, transport equipment 12%, foodstuffs 10%, minerals 9%, textiles 8%, metals 8%, chemical products 8% (1997) Imports--partners: Finland, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Japan, US (1997) Debt--external: $270 million (January 1996) Economic aid--recipient: $137.3 million (1995) Currency: 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents Exchange rates: krooni (EEK) per US$1--13.473 (January 1999), 14.075 (1998), 13.882 (1997), 12.034 (1996), 11.465 (1995), 12.991 (1994); note--krooni are tied to the German deutsche mark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1 Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 531,000 (1997) Telephone system: the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) administers Estonia's telephone system; Internet services available throughout most of the country; about 150,000 unfilled subscriber requests domestic: local--cellular phones services are growing and expanding to develop rural networks under direction of the MOTC; intercity--Estonia has a highly developed fiber-optic backbone (double loop) system presently serving at least 16 major cities (1998) international: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved Estonia's telephone service; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet switched service Radio broadcast stations: 27 commercial broadcast stations, 1 government broadcast station (1997); note--by law 51% of shows must be produced within the EU; equal air time must be given to all candidates during elections by public and private stations Radios: 1.12 million (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 7 (1997); note--Ministry of Culture administers television licensing; mainly Estonian, European, and Russian programming; by law 51% of shows must be produced within the EU; equal air time must be given to all candidates during elections by public and private stations Televisions: 1.132 million (1997 est.) 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: 16,437 km paved: 8,343 km (including 65 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,094 km (1997 est.) Waterways: 320 km perennially navigable Pipelines: natural gas 420 km (1992) Ports and harbors: Haapsalu, Kunda, Muuga, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn Merchant marine: total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 337,163 GRT/348,749 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 22, combination bulk 1, container 5, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 6 (1998 est.) Airports: 5 (1997 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 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: 349,263 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 274,276 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 10,503 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $70 million (1999) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.2% (1999) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical border agreement in December 1996 which has not been ratified Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, and cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia; possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking ====================================================================== @Ethiopia -------- Introduction Background: 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. 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, natural gas 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: 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 24 May 1993 People Population: 59,680,383 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 13,787,810; female 13,703,546) 15-64 years: 51% (male 15,398,123; female 15,141,892) 65 years and over: 3% (male 745,737; female 903,275) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 2.16% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 44.34 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 21.43 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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 slowly in 1998; small numbers of Sudanese and Somali refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting in their own countries, began returning to their homes in 1998 Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 124.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 40.46 years male: 39.22 years female: 41.73 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.81 children born/woman (1999 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, 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.) 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 Capital: Addis Ababa Administrative divisions: 9 states and 2 chartered cities*: Addis Ababa*; Afar; Amhara; Benshangul/Gumuz (Benishangul-Gumaz); Dire Dawa*; Gambela (Gambella); Harari (Harar); Oromia (Oromiya); Somalia (Somali); Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples (SNNP); Tigray (Tigre) 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: promulgated December 1994 Legal system: currently transitional mix of national and regional courts 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 August 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided in the December 1994 constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and approved by the House of People's Representatives elections: president elected by the House 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 House of People's Representatives--NA Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation or upper chamber (117 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the House 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) elections: regional and national popular elections were held in May and June 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: percent of vote--NA; seats--NA; note--EPRDF won nearly all seats Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court; the president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the prime minister submits candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council to the House of People's Representatives for appointment Political parties and leaders: Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Political pressure groups and leaders: Oromo Liberation Front or OLF; All Amhara People's Organization; Southern Ethiopia People's Democratic Coalition; numerous small, ethnically-based groups have formed since former President MENGISTU'S defeat, 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, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador BERHANE Gebre-Christos chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David H. SHINN embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa 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 remains one of the 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. Renewed fighting with Eritrea dims economic prospects for 1999. GDP: purchasing power parity--$32.9 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 6% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$560 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 55% industry: 12% services: 33% (1995 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1998 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force--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--production: 1.32 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 7.58% hydro: 87.12% nuclear: 0% other: 5.3% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 1.32 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes; hides, cattle, sheep, goats Exports: $550 million (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: coffee, leather products, gold, oilseeds (1995) Exports--partners: Germany 26%, Japan 11%, Italy 10%, UK 8%, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia (1996 est.) Imports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.) Imports--commodities: food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles and aircraft (1994) Imports--partners: Italy 11%, US 11%, Germany 7%, Saudi Arabia 4% (1996 est.) Debt--external: $10 billion (1996) Economic aid--recipient: $367 million (FY95/96) Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 (end of period)--7.58 (January 1999), 6.8640 (1997), 6.4260 (1996), 6.3200 (1995), 5.9500 (1994) 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 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 5, FM 0, shortwave 1 Radios: 9 million (1998 est.) Television broadcast stations: 25 (1998) Televisions: 150,000 (1998 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge note: in April 1998, Djibouti and Ethiopia announced plans to revitalize the century-old railroad that links their capitals Highways: total: 28,500 km paved: 4,275 km unpaved: 24,225 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: none; Ethiopia is landlocked and was by agreement with Eritrea using the ports of Assab and Massawa, but since the border dispute with Eritrea flared, Ethiopia has used the port of Djibouti Merchant marine: total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 71,264 GRT/94,489 DWT ships by type: cargo 7, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3 (1998 est.) Airports: 84 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 73 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 18 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Ground Forces, Air Force, Police note: Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the de jure independence of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in Eritrean possession and ships which belonged to the former Ethiopian Navy and based at Djibouti have been sold Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 13,520,302 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 7,052,710 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 655,290 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $138 million (FY98/99) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY98/99) 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; dispute over alignment of boundary with Eritrea led to armed conflict in 1998, which is still unresolved despite arbitration efforts 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 ------------- 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 People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison 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 Independence: none (possession of France) Legal system: NA Diplomatic representation in the US: none (possession of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (possession of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Economy--overview: no economic activity Communications Communications--note: 1 meteorological station Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.) Military Military--note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputes--international: claimed by Madagascar ====================================================================== @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: 12,173 sq km land: 12,173 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 People Population: 2,758 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 2.43% (1999 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman 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 Government Country name: conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Data code: FA Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina Government type: NA Capital: Stanley Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Constitution: 3 October 1985; amended 1997 Legal system: English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor Richard RALPH (since 29 January 1996; to be replaced in May 1999 by Donald LAMONT); Chief Executive A. M. GURR (since NA); Financial Secretary D. F. HOWATT (since NA) 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 monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats--8 elected, 2 ex officio; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2001) election results: percent of vote--NA; seats--independents 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is a nonresident Political parties and leaders: none; all independents International organization participation: ICFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT Economy Economy--overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which goes to support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. GDP: purchasing power parity--$NA GDP--real growth rate: NA% GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$NA GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Labor force: 1,100 (est.) Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) Unemployment rate: full employment; labor shortage Budget: revenues: $66.1 million expenditures: $66.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY97/98 est.) Industries: wool and fish processing; sale of stamps and coins Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity--production: 10 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 10 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products Exports: $7.6 million (1995) Exports--commodities: wool, hides, meat Exports--partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1992) Imports: $24.7 million (1995) Imports--commodities: fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing Imports--partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan (1992) Debt--external: $NA Economic aid--recipient: $1.7 million (1995) Currency: 1 Falkland pound (LF) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Falkland pound (LF) per US$1--0.6057 (January 1999), 0.5037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994); note--the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March 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: 2 (operated by the British Forces Broadcasting Service) (1997) Televisions: NA Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 348 km paved: 83 km unpaved: 265 km Ports and harbors: Stanley Merchant marine: none Airports: 5 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (1998 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: claimed by Argentina ====================================================================== @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 People Population: 41,059 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 4,819; female 4,629) 15-64 years: 62% (male 13,600; female 11,811) 65 years and over: 15% (male 2,786; female 3,414) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: -2.03% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 12.54 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 9.08 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -23.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.56 years male: 75.66 years female: 81.58 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.36 children born/woman (1999 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 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 Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 Government type: NA Capital: Torshavn Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; 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 Bente KLINTE, chief administrative officer (since NA) head of government: Prime Minister Anfinn KALLSBERG (since 9 May 1998) cabinet: Landsstyri elected by the Faroese Parliament elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; 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 30 April 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: Anfinn KALLSBERG elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote--NA Legislative branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 30 April 1998 (next to be held by NA July 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--Republicans 23.8%, People's Party 21.3%, Social Democrats 21.9%, Coalition Party (Union Party, Labor Front, Home Rule Party) 15%; seats by party--Republicans 8, People's Party 8, Social Democrats 7, Coalition Party 6, other parties 3 note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 11 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002); results--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--Social Democrats 1, Conservatives 1 Judicial branch: none Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party [Joannes KALLSBERG] International organization participation: NC, NIB 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: After the severe economic troubles of the early 1990s, brought on by a drop in the vital fish catch, the Faroe Islands have come back in the last few years, with unemployment down to 5% in mid-1998. Nevertheless the total dependence on fishing means the economy remains extremely vulnerable. The Faroese hope to broaden their economic base by building new fish-processing plants. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may lay the basis for sustained economic prosperity. The Faroese are supported by a substantial annual subsidy from Denmark. GDP: purchasing power parity--$700 million (1996 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 6% (1996 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$16,000 (1996 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 16% services: 64% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (1996 est.) Labor force: 20,345 (1995 est.) Labor force--by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and commerce Unemployment rate: 5% (1998 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--production: 170 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 52.94% hydro: 47.06% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 170 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish Exports: $362 million (f.o.b., 1995) Exports--commodities: fish and fish products 92%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment (ships) Exports--partners: Denmark 22.2%, UK 25.8%, Germany 9.7%, France 8.3%, Norway 6.2%, US 2.0% Imports: $315.6 (c.i.f., 1995) Imports--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% Imports--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--recipient: $150 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (1995) Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1--6.408 (January 1999), 6.701 (1998), 6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1966), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 22,500 (3,500 cellular telephone subscribers) (1996) Telephone system: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was to hve been completed in 1998 international: satellite earth stations--1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic 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: 3 (in addition, there are 29 low-power repeaters; satellite relays of MTV Europe, BBC World, and Scansat TV3 Eurosport are also available) (1997) Televisions: 11,600 (1996 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 458 km paved: 450 km unpaved: 8 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjorour Merchant marine: total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,853 GRT/13,481 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 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 ---- 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertication, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography--note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited People Population: 812,918 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 138,796; female 133,428) 15-64 years: 63% (male 257,130; female 256,834) 65 years and over: 4% (male 12,527; female 14,203) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 1.28% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 22.76 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 6.21 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: -3.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 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: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.59 years male: 64.19 years female: 69.11 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (1999 est.) Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian Ethnic groups: Fijian 51%, Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.) 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.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands 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 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; amended 25 July 1997 to allow non-ethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multi-party government mandatory; entered into force 28 July 1998; note-- the May 1999 election will be the first test of the amended constitution and will introduce open voting--not racially prescribed--for the first time at the national level 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); Vice President Ratu Josefa Iloilo ULUIVUDA (since 18 January 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Taufa VAKATALE (since 7 August 1997) 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 reserved 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 11 May 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; note--results are for the last election before the new constitution came into force note: when the new constitution is applied to the upcoming May elections, the composition of the legislative branch will change to the following: Senate--32 seats (14 appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, nine appointed by the prime minister, eight appointed by the leader of the opposition, and one appointed by the council of Rotuma) and House of Representatives--71 seats (23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, three reserved for other ethnic groups, one reserved for the Rotuman constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats) Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Fijian Political Party or SVT Lewenivanua Vakarisito Party or VLV or Christian Fellowship Party note: in early 1995, ethnic Fijian members of the All National Congress or ANC merged with the Fijian Association or FA; the remaining members of the ANC have renamed their party the General Electors' Association International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador "Ratu" Napolioni MASIREWA chancery: Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Larry M. DINGER embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva 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 a growing tourist industry 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. Fiji's growth slowed in 1997 because the sugar industry suffered from low world prices and rent disputes between farmers and landowners. Drought in 1998 further damaged the sugar industry. Overall growth in 1991-98 has averaged less than 2% per year, with long-term problems of low investment and uncertain property rights. The central bank predicts growth of 2% to 3% in 1999. GDP: purchasing power parity--$5.4 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 2.4% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,700 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 22% services: 59% (1996 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1997 est.) Labor force: 235,000 Labor force--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--production: 545 million kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 21.1% hydro: 78.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 545 million kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish Exports: $655 million (f.o.b., 1996) Exports--commodities: sugar 32%, clothing, gold, processed fish, lumber Exports--partners: Australia 27%, UK 14%, NZ 12%, US 8%, Japan (1996) Imports: $838 million (f.o.b., 1996) Imports--commodities: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals Imports--partners: Australia 44%, NZ 15%, US 9%, Japan 5%, Singapore 5% (1996) Debt--external: $217 million (1996 est.) Economic aid--recipient: $40.3 million (1995) Currency: 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1--1.9556 (January 1999), 1.9868 (1998), 1.4437 (1997), 1.4033 (1996), 1.4063 (1995), 1.4641 (1994) Fiscal year: calendar year 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.) 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: 3,440 km paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (1996 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: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,721 GRT/13,145 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 2, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 (1998 est.) Airports: 24 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 17 (1998 est.) Military Military branches: Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; includes ground and naval forces) Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 218,853 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 120,555 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 9,326 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $34 million (1997) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.6% (1997) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none ====================================================================== @Finland ------- Introduction Background: Long ruled by foreign powers, including Sweden and the pre-revolutionary Russian Empire, Finland finally declared independence in 1917. During World War II, Finland fought the USSR twice and then the Germans toward the end of the war. In the following half-century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy. Per capita income has risen to the West European level; Finland is a member of the European Union and is the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. 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: NA% 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-Sulphur 94, 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-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography--note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain People Population: 5,158,372 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 483,700; female 464,431) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,743,340; female 1,706,873) 65 years and over: 15% (male 289,405; female 470,623) (1999 est.) Population growth rate: 0.15% (1999 est.) Birth rate: 10.77 births/1,000 population (1999 est.) Death rate: 9.67 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.) Net migration rate: 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.32 years male: 73.81 years female: 80.98 years (1999 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (1999 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% 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 Capital: Helsinki Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (laanit, singular--laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Lanni, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani 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 from the majority party by the president after parliamentary elections 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 21 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003) election results: percent of vote by party--Social Democratic Party 22.9%, Center Party 22.5%, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 21.0%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 10.9%, Swedish People's Party 5.1%, Green Union 7.2%, Finnish Christian League 4.2%; seats by party--Social Democratic Party 51, Center Party 48, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 46, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 20, Swedish People's Party 11, Green Union 11, Finnish Christian League 10, other 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus, judges appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Alliance (Communist) composed of People's Democratic League and Political pressure groups and leaders: Finnish Communist International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, 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, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, 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 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eric EDELMAN embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14A, FIN-00140, Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 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 roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing--principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics 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. Rapidly increasing integration with Western Europe--Finland was one of the 11 countries joining the euro monetary system (EMU) on 1 January 1999--will dominate the economic picture over the next several years. Growth in 1999 probably will slow, perhaps to 3%, a barrier to any substantial drop in unemployment. GDP: purchasing power parity--$103.6 billion (1998 est.) GDP--real growth rate: 5.1% (1998 est.) GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$20,100 (1998 est.) GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 32% services: 63% (1997) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1998 est.) Labor force: 2.533 million Labor force--by occupation: public services 30.4%, industry 20.9%, commerce 15%, finance, insurance, and business services 10.2%, agriculture and forestry 8.6%, transport and communications 7.7%, construction 7.2% Unemployment rate: 12% (1998 est.) Budget: revenues: $33 billion expenditures: $40 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.) Industries: metal products, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 7.4% (1995) Electricity--production: 67.469 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 54.73% hydro: 17.35% nuclear: 27.9% other: 0.02% (1996) Electricity--consumption: 71.169 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--exports: 1.7 billion kWh (1996) Electricity--imports: 5.4 billion kWh (1996) Agriculture--products: cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish Exports: $43 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Exports--commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, and pulp Exports--partners: Germany 11%, UK 10%, Sweden 10%, US 7%, Russia 7%, France 4%, Japan (1997) Imports: $30.7 billion (f.o.b., 1998) Imports--commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, fodder grains Imports--partners: Germany 15%, Sweden 12%, UK 8%, Russia 8%, US 7%, Japan 5% (1997) Debt--external: $30 billion (December 1993) Economic aid--donor: ODA, $388 million (1995) Currency: 1 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia Exchange rates: markkaa (FMk) per US$1--5.12 (January 1999), 5.3441 (1998), 5.1914 (1997), 4.5936 (1996), 4.3667 (1995), 5.2235 (1994); note: on 1 January 1999, the European Union introduced a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in some member countries at the rate of 0.8597 euros per US$ and a fixed rate of 5.93472 Markkaa per euro; the euro will replace the local currency in consenting countries for all transactions in 2002 Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Telephones: 2.5 million (1995 est.) Telephone system: modern system with excellent service domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and an extensive cellular net care for domestic needs 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: 120 (in addition, there are 431 low-power repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 1.92 million (1995 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 5,859 km broad gauge: 5,859 km 1.524-m gauge (2,073 km electrified; 480 km double- or more-track) (1996) Highways: total: 77,796 km paved: 49,789 km (including 444 km of expressways) unpaved: 28,007 km (1997 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: 101 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,192,559 GRT/1,161,594 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 23, chemical tanker 6, oil tanker 11, passenger 1, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 38, short-sea passenger 12 (1998 est.) Airports: 157 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 68 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 9 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 89 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 83 (1998 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: 1,274,654 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,050,944 (1999 est.) Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 34,336 (1999 est.) Military expenditures--dollar figure: $1.8 billion (1999) Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2% (1999) Transnational Issues Disputes--international: none Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for Latin American cocaine for the West European market ====================================================================== @France ------ Introduction Background: Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France lost many men, much wealth, its extensive empire, and its rank as a dominant nation-state. France has struggled since 1958--arguably with success--to construct a presidential democracy resistant to the severe instabilities inherent in the parliamentary democracy of early 20th century France. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the advent of the euro in January 1999. 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; avalanches 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, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, 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-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography--note: largest West European nation; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral People Population: 58,978,172 (July 1999 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (male 5,638,462; female 5,375,911) 15-64 years: 65% (male 19,302,121; female 19,235,235) 65 years and over: 16% (ma