The tables may
not correctly align due to limitations of HTML conversion, but
are otherwise intact. Hopefully,
the Project Gutenberg edition will be useful to you for a long
time in the future. Natural hazards: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains;
flooding
Environment-current issues: soil degradation; overgrazing;
deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for
fuel and building materials); desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: landlocked
@Afghanistan:People
Population: 24,792,375 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 5,425,510; female 5,216,954)
15-64 years: 54% (male 6,978,549; female 6,494,253)
65 years and over: 3% (male 357,780; female 319,329) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 4.21% (1998 est.) Death rate: 17.4 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 17.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 143.63 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Inflation
remains a serious problem throughout the country, with one estimate
putting the rate at 240% in Kabul in 1996. GDP: purchasing power parity-$19.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 53%
industry: 28.5%
services: 18.5% (1990)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 240% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 8% (1995 est.) Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture,
shoes, fertilizer, and cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, oil,
coal, copper
Electricity-capacity: 494,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 655 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 37 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: wheat, fruits, nuts, karakul pelts; wool, mutton
Exports:
total value: $80 million (1996 est.) commodities: fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides
and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
partners: FSU, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, India, UK, Belgium,
Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia
Imports:
total value: $150 million (1996 est.) commodities: food and petroleum products; most consumer goods
partners: FSU, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Singapore, India, South Korea,
Germany
Debt-external: $2.3 billion (March 1991 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA; about $45 million in UN aid plus additional bilateral
aid and aid in kind (1997)
note: US provided $450 million in bilateral assistance (1985-93); US
continues to contribute to multilateral assistance through the UN
programs of food aid, immunization, land mine removal, and a wide
range of aid to refugees and displaced persons
Currency: 1 afghani (AF) = 100 puls
Exchange rates: afghanis (Af) per US$1-17,000 (December 1996), 7,000
(January 1995), 1,900 (January 1994), 1,019 (March 1993), 850 (1991);
note-these rates reflect the free market exchange rates rather than
the official exchange rate, which 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.) ); note-about 60% of families own a
radio
Television broadcast stations: NA
note: one television station run by Jumbesh faction provides
intermittent service
Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.) Waterways: 1,200 km; chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to
about 500 DWT
Pipelines: petroleum products-Uzbekistan to Bagram and Turkmenistan to
Shindand; natural gas 180 km
Ports and harbors: Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Airports: 44 (1997 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 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Heliports: 3 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along
southwestern coast
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water
pollution from industrial and domestic effluents
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links
Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
@Albania:People
Population: 3,330,754 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 572,430; female 532,917)
15-64 years: 61% (male 941,076; female 1,086,541)
65 years and over: 6% (male 82,184; female 115,606) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.97% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 21.35 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.45 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -4.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 45.01 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1%
(official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Religions: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%
note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious
observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing
private religious practice
Languages: Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek
Literacy:
definition: age 9 and over can read and write
total population: 72%
male: 80%
female: 63% (1955 est.) The economy rebounded in 1993-95 after a severe depression
accompanying the collapse of the previous centrally planned system in
1990 and 1991. The economy continues to be bolstered by
remittances of some 20% of the labor force which works abroad, mostly
in Greece and Italy. GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.5 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 56%
industry: 21%
services: 23% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 40% (1997 est.) commodities: asphalt, metals and metallic ores, electricity, crude
oil, vegetables, fruits, tobacco
partners: Italy, Greece, Germany, Belgium, US
Imports:
total value: $879 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery, consumer goods, grains
partners: Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, The Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Debt-external: $645 million (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: $630 million pledged 1997
Currency: 1 lek (L) = 100 qintars
Exchange rates: leke (L) per US$1-152.28 (January 1998), 148.93
(1997), 104.50 (1996), 92.70 (1995), 94.62 (1994), 102.06 (1993)
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 17, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 577,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 300,000 (1993 est.) @Albania:Transportation
Railways:
total: 670 km
standard gauge: 670 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 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 36,582 GRT/54,832
DWT (1997 est.) Airports: 9 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Albania: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: 749,633 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $42 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.5% to 2.0% (1996)
@Albania: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
cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium
and cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking
organizations active in Central and Eastern Europe
______________________________________________________________________
ALGERIA
@Algeria:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between
Morocco and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 2,381,740 sq km
land: 2,381,740 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 6,343 km
border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km,
Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Coastline: 998 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers
along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau;
sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Terrain: mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow,
discontinuous coastal plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m
highest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates,
uranium, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 13%
forests and woodland: 2%
other: 82% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mud
slides
Environment-current issues: soil erosion from overgrazing and other
poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage,
petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading
to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in
particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and
fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Geography-note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
@Algeria:People
Population: 30,480,793 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 5,923,087; female 5,709,614)
15-64 years: 58% (male 8,931,896; female 8,752,014)
65 years and over: 4% (male 542,012; female 622,170) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.14% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 27.51 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 45.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$120.4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 50%
services: 38% (1995 est.) by occupation: government 29.5%, agriculture 22%, construction and
public works 16.2%, industry 13.6%, commerce and services 13.5%,
transportation and communication 5.2% (1989)
Unemployment rate: 28% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $13.7 billion
expenditures: $13.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.1
million (1996 est.) commodities: petroleum and natural gas 97%
partners: Italy 18.8%, US 14.8%, France 11.8%, Spain 8%, Germany 7.9%
(1995 est.) Imports:
total value: $10 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: capital goods, food and beverages, consumer goods
partners: France 29%, Spain 10.5%, Italy 8.2%, US 8%, Germany 5.6%
(1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $420 million (1996)
Currency: 1 Algerian dinar (DA) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Algerian dinars (DA) per US$1-58.969 (January 1998),
57.707 (1997), 54.749 (1996), 47.663 (1995), 35.059 (1994), 23.345
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 862,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 2 million (1993 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 928,965 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 (1997 est.) Airports: 136 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 50
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 24
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Algeria:Military
Military branches: National Popular Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial
Air Defense, National Gendarmerie
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 7,949,708 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.3 billion (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.7% (1994)
@Algeria:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: part of southeastern region claimed by Libya
______________________________________________________________________
AMERICAN SAMOA
(territory of the US)
@American Samoa:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 199 sq km
land: 199 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 116 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual
rainfall averages 124 inches; rainy season from November to April, dry
season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal
plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata 966 m
Natural resources: pumice, pumicite
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 10%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 70%
other: 15% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 12,575; female 11,824)
15-64 years: 56% (male 17,513; female 17,477)
65 years and over: 5% (male 1,364; female 1,340) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.74% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 27.31 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.03 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 4.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.47 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Economic activity is
strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts the
great bulk of its foreign trade. GDP: purchasing power parity-$150 million (1995 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA %
Labor force:
total: 14,400 (1990)
by occupation: government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 12% (1991)
Budget:
revenues: $97 million ($43 million in local revenue and $54 million in
grant revenue)
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90/91)
Industries: tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign fishing
vessels), handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 33,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 105 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,830 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit,
yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy farming
Exports:
total value: $318 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: canned tuna 93%
partners: US 99.6%
Imports:
total value: $418 million (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products
7%, machinery and parts 6%
partners: US 62%, Japan 9%, NZ 7%, Australia 11%, Fiji 4%, other 7%
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: important financial support from the US
Currency: 1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 9,000 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 14% (male 4,819; female 4,474)
15-64 years: 73% (male 25,448; female 22,028)
65 years and over: 13% (male 4,041; female 3,906) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.5% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 10.48 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.35 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 9.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.09 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) An estimated 10 million
tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and
by its summer and winter resorts. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also
contributes substantially to the economy. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.2 billion (1995 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 0%
Budget:
revenues: $138 million
expenditures: $177 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993)
Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), sheep, timber, tobacco,
banking
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 35,000 kW (1992)
Electricity-production: 140 million kWh (1992)
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh; note-Andorra exports most
of its electricity to France and Spain
Agriculture-products: small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, barley,
oats, vegetables; sheep raising
Exports:
total value: $47 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: electricity, tobacco products, furniture
partners: France 49%, Spain 47%
Imports:
total value: $1 billion (1995)
commodities: consumer goods, food
partners: France, Spain, US 4.2%
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes; 1 peseta (Pta) = 100
centimos; the French and Spanish currencies are used
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1-6.0836 (January 1998),
5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632
(1993); Spanish pesetas (Ptas) per US$1-153.94 (January 1998), 146.41
(1997), 126.66 (1996), 124.69 (1995), 133.96 (1994), 127.26 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 21,258 (1983 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.) @Andorra:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 269 km
paved: 198 km
unpaved: 71 km (1991 est.) Ports and harbors: none
Airports: none
@Andorra:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
@Andorra:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
ANGOLA
Introduction
Current issues: Civil war has been the norm since independence from
Portugal on 11 November 1975. 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
@Angola:People
Population: 10,864,512 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 2,471,108; female 2,401,631)
15-64 years: 52% (male 2,864,152; female 2,831,209)
65 years and over: 3% (male 137,432; female 158,980) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.84% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 43.58 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 16.79 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 132.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$8.2 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 56%
services: 32% (1994 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.) commodities: crude oil 90%, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas,
coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
partners: US 70%, EU
Imports:
total value: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: capital equipment (machinery and electrical equipment),
vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles and clothing;
substantial military supplies
partners: Portugal, Brazil, US, France, Spain
Debt-external: $12.5 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $451 million (1994)
Currency: 1 kwanza (NKz) = 100 lwei
Exchange rates: kwanza (NKz) per US$1-265,000 (August 1997), 201,994
(November 1996)
note: the exchange rate is set by the National Bank of Angola (BNA);
adjusted by BNA on 19 July 1997 at 265,000 kwanzas per US$1; black
market rate was then 360,000 kwanzas per US$1
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 78,000 (1991 est.) @Angola:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,952 km limited trackage in use because of land mines still in
place from the civil war (1997 est.) narrow gauge: 2,798 km 1.067-m gauge; 154 km 0.600-m gauge
Highways:
total: 72,626 km
paved: 18,157 km
unpaved: 54,469 km (1996 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 (1997 est.) Airports: 252 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 220
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 32
914 to 1,523 m: 101
under 914 m: 82 (1997 est.) @Angola: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: 2,476,766 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.2 billion (1998 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 31% (1993)
@Angola:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for cocaine
and heroin destined for Western Europe and other African states
______________________________________________________________________
ANGUILLA
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Anguilla:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 91 sq km
land: 91 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 61 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Natural resources: salt, fish, lobster
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some
commercial salt ponds)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July
to October)
Environment-current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot
meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
@Anguilla:People
Population: 11,147 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 1,558; female 1,511)
15-64 years: 65% (male 3,713; female 3,545)
65 years and over: 7% (male 359; female 461) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.25% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 17.04 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.47 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 20.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 20.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) 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. GDP: purchasing power parity-$75 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.6% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $13.5 million (1993)
expenditures: $17.6 million, including capital expenditures of
$740,000 (1995 est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 890
Telephone system:
domestic: modern internal telephone system
international: microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin
(Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 2,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
@Anguilla:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 105 km
paved: 65 km
unpaved: 40 km (1992 est.) Ports and harbors: Blowing Point, Road Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Administration
is carried out through consultative member meetings-the 18th Antarctic
Treaty Consultative Meeting was in Japan in April 1993. Currently,
there are 42 treaty member nations: 26 consultative and 16 acceding. 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. Violation of the
Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines
and one year in prison. For more information, contact Permit
Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation,
Arlington, Virginia 22230 (703) 306-1031. Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 18
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 8,482; female 8,200)
15-64 years: 68% (male 21,695; female 22,042)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,548; female 2,039) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.39% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 16.72 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.87 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -6.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 21.35 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$470 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.8%
industry: 18.9%
services: 77.3% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.5% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 30,000
by occupation: commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7%
(1983)
Unemployment rate: 5%-10%(1995 est.) Budget:
revenues: $107 million
expenditures: $132 million, including capital expenditures of $18
million (1995)
Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing,
alcohol, household appliances)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 26,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 95 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,458 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts,
cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock
Exports:
total value: $45 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, food and live
animals 4%, machinery and transport equipment 17%
partners: OECS 26%, Barbados 15%, Guyana 4%, Trinidad and Tobago 2%,
US 0.3%
Imports:
total value: $350.8 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment,
manufactures, chemicals, oil
partners: US 27%, UK 16%, Canada 4%, OECS 3%, other 50%
Debt-external: $225 million (1996 est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 6,700
Telephone system:
domestic: good automatic telephone system
international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station-1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands
Antilles) and Guadeloupe
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 2
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 28,000 (1993 est.) paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Saint John's
Merchant marine:
total: 440 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,025,920 GRT/2,690,028
DWT
ships by type: bulk 12, cargo 295, chemical tanker 6, combination bulk
1, container 89, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 4, refrigerated
cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 20, vehicle carrier 1
note: a flag of convenience registry: Germany owns 11 ships, Slovenia
3, Cyprus 2, and US 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 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
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)
@Argentina:People
Population: 36,265,463 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 27% (male 5,078,061; female 4,888,883)
15-64 years: 62% (male 11,299,155; female 11,315,522)
65 years and over: 11% (male 1,526,682; female 2,157,160) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.3% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 19.96 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.67 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.03 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Argentina:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Argentine Republic
conventional short form: Argentina
local long form: Republica Argentina
local short form: Argentina
Data code: AR
Government type: republic
National capital: Buenos Aires
Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (provincias,
singular-provincia), and 1 federal district* (distrito federal);
Buenos Aires; Catamarca; Chaco; Chubut; Cordoba; Corrientes; Distrito
Federal*; Entre Rios; Formosa; Jujuy; La Pampa; La Rioja; Mendoza;
Misiones; Neuquen; Rio Negro; Salta; San Juan; San Luis; Santa Cruz;
Santa Fe; Santiago del Estero; Tierra del Fuego, Antartida e Islas del
Atlantico Sur; Tucuman
note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica
Independence: 9 July 1816 (from Spain)
National holiday: Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)
Constitution: 1 May 1853; revised August 1994
Legal system: mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Carlos Saul MENEM (since 8 July 1989); Vice
President Carlos RUCKAUF (since 8 July 1995); note-the president is
both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Carlos Saul MENEM (since 8 July 1989);
Vice President Carlos RUCKAUF (since 8 July 1995); note-the president
is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by
popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 14 May 1995 (next
to be held 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 three years to a
nine-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; one-half of
the members elected every two years to four-year terms)
elections: Senate-last held NA May 1995 (next to be held NA 1998);
Chamber of Deputies-last held 26 October 1997 (next to be held NA
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 Civic Union
or UCR [Fernando DE LA RUA]; Union of the Democratic Center or UCD
(conservative party); Dignity and Independence Political Party or
MODIN (right-wing party); Front for a Country in Solidarity or Frepaso
(a four party coalition) [leader Carlos ALVAREZ]; Action for the
Republic [Domingo CAVALLO]; New Leadership [Gustavo BELIZ]; several
provincial parties
Political pressure groups and leaders: Peronist-dominated labor
movement; General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning
umbrella labor organization); Argentine Industrial Union
(manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society (large
landowners' association); Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs
(CILFA); business organizations; students; the Roman Catholic Church;
the Armed Forces
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
Australia Group, BCIE, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G- 6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24,
G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINUGUA, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MTCR, NSG (observer),
OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM III, 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
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6400 through 6403
FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James R. CHEEK has retired; replacement
to be appointed in 1998
embassy: 4300 Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires
mailing address: International mail: use street address; APO address:
Unit 4334, APO AA 34034
telephone: [54] (1) 777-4533, 4534
FAX: [54] (1) 777-0197
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top),
white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow
sun with a human face known as the Sun of May
@Argentina:Economy
Economy-overview: Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a
highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector,
and a diversified industrial base. The economy has since recovered strongly. GDP: purchasing power parity-$348.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 36%
services: 57% (1995 est.) by occupation: agriculture 12%, industry 31%, services 57% (1985 est.) Unemployment rate: 13.7% (October 1997)
Budget:
revenues: $55 billion
expenditures: $59 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997
est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 nuevo peso argentino = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: pesos per US$1-0.99950 (January 1998), 0.99950 (1997),
0.99966 (1996), 0.99975 (1995), 0.99901 (1994), 0.99895 (1993)
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, FM 100, shortwave 6
Radios: 22.3 million (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 231
Televisions: 7.165 million (1991 est.) @Argentina:Transportation
Railways:
total: 37,910 km
broad gauge: 24,124 km 1.676-m gauge (142 km electrified)
standard gauge: 2,765 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 11,021 km 1.000-m gauge (26 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 218,276 km
paved: 63,518 km (including 567 km of expressways)
unpaved: 154,758 km (1996 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: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 268,492 GRT/388,524 DWT
ships by type: cargo 11, container 2, oil tanker 13, railcar carrier
1, refrigerated cargo 6, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 1,411 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 137
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 25
1,524 to 2,437 m: 55
914 to 1,523 m: 44
under 914 m: 8 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1,274
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 65
914 to 1,523 m: 635
under 914 m: 570 (1997 est.) @Argentina: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: 9,056,532 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $4.6 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.5% (1997)
@Argentina:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: short section of the southwestern boundary
with Chile is indefinite; 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
______________________________________________________________________
ARMENIA
Introduction
Current issues: Armenia's leaders remain preoccupied by Armenia's
10-year conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. 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: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked
@Armenia:People
Population: 3,421,775 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 460,191; female 441,906)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,092,652; female 1,139,916)
65 years and over: 9% (male 119,464; female 167,646) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.36% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.82 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -8.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 40.77 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) 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. Armenia is a food
importer and its mineral deposits (gold, bauxite) are small. GDP: purchasing power parity-$9.5 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 38%
industry: 32%
services: 30% (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: commitments (excluding Russia), $1,385 million ($675 million in
disbursements) (1992-95)
Currency: 1 dram = 100 luma (introduced new currency in November 1993)
Exchange rates: dram per US$1-499.89 (November 1997), 414.04 (1996),
405.91 (1995), 288.65 (1994), 9.11 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 650,000
Telephone system: joint venture agreement to install fiber-optic cable
and construct facilities for cellular telephone service is in the
implementation phase
domestic: NA
international: international connections to other former Soviet
republics are by landline or microwave radio relay and to other
countries by satellite and by leased connection through the Moscow
international gateway switch; satellite earth station-1 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 3, shortwave NA (1991)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
note: 100% of population receives Armenian and Russian TV programs
Televisions: NA
@Armenia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 825 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial
lines
broad gauge: 825 km 1.520-m gauge (1992)
Highways:
total: 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.) @Armenia:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Security Forces
(internal and border troops)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 914,134 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 33.3 billion drams (1998);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using
prevailing exchange rates could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Armenia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the
Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist
conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; traditional demands on
former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis mostly for domestic
consumption; used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs to
Western Europe and the US
______________________________________________________________________
ARUBA
(part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
@Aruba:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 N, 69 58 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 193 sq km
land: 193 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 68.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Natural resources: negligible; white sandy beaches
Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 89% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 7,775; female 7,114)
15-64 years: 69% (male 22,616; female 24,700)
65 years and over: 9% (male 2,523; female 3,597) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.47% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.74 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -2.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.4 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.2% (1996)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: most employment is in the tourist industry (1996)
Unemployment rate: 0.6% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $376 million
expenditures: $409 million, including capital expenditures of $107
million (1997 est.) = 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.) Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: cyclones along the coast; severe droughts
Environment-current issues: soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial
development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity
rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing
for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique
animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast
coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased
shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh
water resources
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Desertification
Geography-note: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country;
population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts;
regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor"
occurs along the west coast in the summer
@Australia:People
Population: 18,613,087 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 2,023,147; female 1,926,206)
15-64 years: 66% (male 6,251,159; female 6,105,381)
65 years and over: 13% (male 1,005,196; female 1,301,998) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.93% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.47 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.89 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 2.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Australia: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
National capital: Canberra
Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian
Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland,
South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Dependent areas: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos
(Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald
Islands, Norfolk Island
Independence: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution: 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Legal system: based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General Sir William DEANE (since 16 February
1996)
head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March
1996); Deputy Prime Minister Timothy Andrew FISCHER (since 11 March
1996)
cabinet: Cabinet selected from among the members of Federal Parliament
by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general
appointed by the queen; following legislative elections, the leader of
the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually
appointed prime minister by the governor general for a three-year term
Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the
Senate (76 seats-12 from each of the six states and two from each of
the two territories; one-half of the members elected every three years
by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of
Representatives (148 seats; members elected by popular vote on the
basis of proportional representation to serve three-year terms; no
state can have fewer than five representatives)
elections: Senate-last held 2 March 1996 (next to be held by March
1999); House of Representatives-last held 2 March 1996 (next to be
held by March 1999)
election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-Liberal-National 37, Labor 29, Australian Democrats 8, Greens 1,
independent 1; note-subsequent to the election, there has been a
change in the distribution of seats; the new distribution is as
follows-Liberal-National 37, Labor 28, Australian Democrats 7, Greens
2, independents 2; House of Representatives-percent of vote by
party-NA; seats by party-Liberal-National 94, Labor 49, independent 5
note: it is widely anticipated that the prime minister will call
elections in late 1998
Judicial branch: High Court, the Chief Justice and six other justices
are appointed by the governor general
Political parties and leaders:
government: coalition of Liberal Party, John Winston HOWARD, and
National Party, Timothy Andrew FISCHER
opposition: Australian Labor Party, Kim BEAZLEY; Australian Democratic
Party, Meg LEES; Green Party, Bob BROWN
Political pressure groups and leaders: Australian Democratic Labor
Party (anti-Communist Labor Party splinter group); Peace and Nuclear
Disarmament Action (Nuclear Disarmament Party splinter group)
International organization participation: AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC,
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G- 8, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINUGUA,
MTCR, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andrew Sharp PEACOCK
chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000
FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and
San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Genta Hawkins HOLMES
embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital
Territory 2600
mailing address: APO AP 96549
telephone: [61] (6) 270-5000
FAX: [61] (6) 270-5970
consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney
Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side
quadrant; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross
constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four,
larger, seven-pointed stars
@Australia:Economy
Economy-overview: Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist
economy, with a per capita GDP at the level of the highly
industrialized West European countries. GDP: purchasing power parity-$394 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 31%
services: 65% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.4% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $89.35 billion
expenditures: $91.92 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY97/98 est.) commodities: coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat,
machinery and transport equipment
partners: Japan 20%, ASEAN 16%, South Korea 9%, US 9%, NZ 8%, UK,
Taiwan, Hong Kong, China (1997)
Imports:
total value: $67 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office
machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and
petroleum products
partners: US 22%, Japan 17%, UK 6%, China 5%, NZ 5% (1994/95)
Debt-external: $150 billion (December 1996)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $1.43 billion (FY97/98)
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1-1.4865 (February
1998), (1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3668 (1994),
1.4704 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 8.7 million (1987 est.) Televisions: 9.2 million (1992 est.) @Australia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 38,563 km (2,914 km electrified; 172 km dual gauge)
broad gauge: 6,083 km 1.600-m gauge
standard gauge: 16,752 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 15,728 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 913,000 km
paved: 353,331 km (including 1,3630 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: 64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,122,604 GRT/3,045,417
DWT
ships by type: bulk 31, cargo 3, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk
1, container 5, liquefied gas tanker 4, oil tanker 10, passenger 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 5 (1997 est.) Airports: 419 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 259
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 13
1,524 to 2,437 m: 111
914 to 1,523 m: 119
under 914 m: 8 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 160
1,524 to 2,437 m: 22
914 to 1,523 m: 123
under 914 m: 15 (1997 est.) @Australia: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: 4,873,392 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $8.2 billion (FY97/98)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.9% (FY97/98)
@Australia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: territorial claim in Antarctica (Australian
Antarctic Territory)
Illicit drugs: Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit
opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of
opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate
______________________________________________________________________
AUSTRIA
@Austria:Geography
Location: Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia
Geographic coordinates: 47 20 N, 13 20 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 83,858 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.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: some forest degradation caused by air and
soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural
chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired
power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting
Austria between northern and southern Europe
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, 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-Sulphur 94,
Antarctic-Environmental 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
@Austria:People
Population: 8,133,611 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 709,890; female 673,696)
15-64 years: 68% (male 2,783,569; female 2,707,113)
65 years and over: 15% (male 471,924; female 787,419) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.05% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.89 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.05 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.59 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$174.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.5%
industry: 31.6%
services: 66.9% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.3% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 3.646 million (1996)
by occupation: services 66.1%, industry and crafts 29.6%, agriculture
and forestry 1.3% (salaried employees, 1996)
note: an estimated 150,000 Austrians are employed abroad; foreign
laborers in Austria number 298,000 (1996)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (January 1998)
Budget:
revenues: $53.6 billion
expenditures: $61.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.) Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $480 million; assistance to central and eastern Europe
$400 million (1996)
Currency: 1 Austrian schilling (AS) = 100 groschen
Exchange rates: Austrian schillings (AS) per US$1-12.776 (January
1998), 12.204 (1997), 10.587 (1996), 10.081 (1995), 11.422 (1994),
11.632 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 3.47 million (1986 est.) Waterways: 356 km (1996)
Pipelines: crude oil 777 km; natural gas 909.1 km
Ports and harbors: Linz, Vienna, Enns, Krems
Merchant marine:
total: 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 84,103 GRT/114,616 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 19, combination bulk 2, container 1,
refrigerated cargo 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 55 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 20
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: 10 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 35
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 31 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Austria:Military
Military branches: Army (includes Flying Division)
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,098,409 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.8 billion (1998 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.83% (1998 est.) @Azerbaijan:Geography
Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran
and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 40 30 N, 47 30 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total: 86,600 sq km
land: 86,100 sq km
water: 500 sq km
note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the
Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by
Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
total: 2,013 km
border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia
(with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with
Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179
km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
note: Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.) Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: dry, semiarid steppe
Terrain: large, flat Kur-Araz Lowland (much of it below sea level)
with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag (Karabakh) Upland
in west; Baku lies on Abseron (Apsheron) Peninsula that juts into
Caspian Sea
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous
metals, alumina
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 5%
permanent pastures: 25%
forests and woodland: 11%
other: 41% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: droughts; some lowland areas threatened by rising
levels of the Caspian Sea
Environment-current issues: local scientists consider the Abseron
(Apsheron) Peninsula (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea
to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of
severe air, water, and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the
use of DDT as a pesticide and also from toxic defoliants used in the
production of cotton
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity
Geography-note: landlocked
@Azerbaijan:People
Population: 7,855,576 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 1,300,236; female 1,247,027)
15-64 years: 61% (male 2,336,568; female 2,468,679)
65 years and over: 7% (male 195,322; female 307,744) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.7% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.2 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.41 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -5.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.63 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 81.64 deaths/1,000 live births (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; actual
practicing adherents are much lower
Languages: Azeri 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.) Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 96% (1989 est.) @Azerbaijan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Azerbaijani Republic
conventional short form: Azerbaijan
local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
local short form: none
former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: AJ
Government type: republic
National capital: Baku (Baki)
Administrative divisions: 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon-singular), 11
cities* (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar
respublika); Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas
Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, 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 3 October 1993 (next to be held October 1998);
prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the
president and confirmed by the National Assembly
election results: Heydar ALIYEV elected president; percent of
vote-Heydar ALIYEV 97%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125
seats; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 12 and 26 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-YAP and
allies 115, AXC 4, AMIP 3, YMP 1, vacant 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: New Azerbaijan Party or YAP [Heydar
ALIYEV, chairman]; Azerbaijan Popular Front or AXC [Abulfaz ELCHIBEY,
chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or AMIP
[Etibar MAMMADOV, chairman]; Musavat Party or YMP [Isa GAMBAR,
chairman]; People's Democratic Party of Azerbaijan [Rafig TURABXANLY];
People's Freedom Party [Yunus OGUZ, chairman]; Democratic Party of
Independence of Azerbaijan [Vagit KERIMOV]; Communist Party of
Azerbaijan (CPA-2) [Firudin HASANOV]; Social Democratic Party of
Azerbaijan or SDP [Zardusht ALIZADE, chairman]; Liberal Party of
Azerbaijan [Lala HAJIYEVA]; Vahdat Party [Leyla YUNUSOV, Gadzhi
ALIZADE]; Azerbaijan Muslim Democratic Party (former Islamic Party)
[Haji Mekhti SHAMILLI]; Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP [Ilyas
ISMAYLOV]; Civic Solidarity [Sabir RUSTAMXANLI]; Ana Vatan Party
[Fazail AGAMALI]
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, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer),
OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV
chancery: (temporary) Suite 700, 927 15th Street NW, Washington, DC
20005 or P. O. The economy's most prominent products are oil, cotton, and gas. GDP: purchasing power parity-$11.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: 23%
services: 47% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $565 million
expenditures: $682 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.) commodities: oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textiles,
cotton
partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey
Imports:
total value: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and parts, consumer durables, foodstuffs,
textiles
partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey
Debt-external: $100 million (of which $75 million to Russia)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $14 million (1993)
note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,000 million ($185 million in
disbursements); wheat from Turkey
Currency: 1 manat = 100 gopik
Exchange rates: manats per US$1-3,936.00 (September 1997), 4,301.26
(1996), 4,413.54 (1995), 1,570.23 (1994), 99.98 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 710,000 (1991 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 1,130 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural gas
1,240 km
Ports and harbors: Baku (Baki)
Airports: 69 (1996 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 29
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 40
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 33 (1996 est.) @Azerbaijan: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: 2,011,076 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 105.7 billion manats (1998 est. Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 39,239; female 38,708)
15-64 years: 67% (male 91,208; female 95,198)
65 years and over: 5% (male 6,444; female 9,036) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.39% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 21.03 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.44 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.97 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Box N-8197,
Nassau; American Embassy, Nassau; Stateside address: American Embassy,
P.O. GDP: purchasing power parity-$5.36 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 5%
services: 92% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $687.5 million
expenditures: $827 million, including capital expenditures of $112
million (FY96/97 est.) Imports:
total value: $1.26 billion (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, crude oil, vehicles,
electronics
partners: US 29%, Finland 10%, Iran 10%, Denmark 8%
Debt-external: $381.7 million (1997)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 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.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1986 est.) Televisions: 60,000 (1993 est.) Ports and harbors: Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau
Merchant marine:
total: 1,024 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,674,594
GRT/38,334,892 DWT
ships by type: bulk 205, cargo 223, chemical tanker 34, combination
bulk 8, combination ore/oil 21, container 55, liquefied gas tanker 25,
oil tanker 176, passenger 53, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo
145, roll-on/roll-off cargo 49, short-sea passenger 11, specialized
tanker 1, vehicle carrier 17
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 48 countries
among which are Norway 172, Greece 145, UK 122, US 70, Denmark 42,
Sweden 29, Finland 27, Monaco 27, Japan 26, and Italy 25 (1997 est.) Airports: 62 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 32
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 30
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 21 (1997 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
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources;
strategic location in Persian Gulf which much of Western world's
petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
@Bahrain:People
Population: 616,342 (July 1998 est.) note: includes 224,640 non-nationals (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 95,871; female 93,232)
15-64 years: 67% (male 245,099; female 164,946)
65 years and over: 2% (male 8,799; female 8,395) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.09% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.43 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 3.25 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.49 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 15.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) 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 (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 38%
services: 61% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: -0.2% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $1.7 billion
expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $400
million (1998 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1988 est.) Televisions: 270,000 (1993 est.) @Bahrain:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 3,013 km
paved: 2,284 km
unpaved: 729 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32
km
Ports and harbors: Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah
Merchant marine:
total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 131,919 GRT/212,510 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 3, oil tanker 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Bahrain:Military
Military branches: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard,
Internal Security Forces
Military manpower-military age: 15 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 218,831 (1998 est.) Natural hazards: droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely
flooded during the summer monsoon season
Environment-current issues: many people are landless and forced to
live on and cultivate flood-prone land; limited access to potable
water; water-borne diseases prevalent; water pollution especially of
fishing areas results from the use of commercial pesticides;
intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the
northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation;
deforestation; severe overpopulation
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
@Bangladesh:People
Population: 127,567,002 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 24,339,519; female 23,377,955)
15-64 years: 59% (male 38,897,130; female 36,818,818)
65 years and over: 3% (male 2,239,638; female 1,893,942) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.76% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 28.89 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.6 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.18 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 97.67 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Bangladesh:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh
conventional short form: Bangladesh
former: East Pakistan
Data code: BG
Government type: republic
National capital: Dhaka
Administrative divisions: 4 divisions; Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna,
Rajshahi
note: there may be two new divisions named Barisal and Sylhet
Independence: 16 December 1971 (from Pakistan)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971)
Constitution: 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended
following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended
many times
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Shahabuddin AHMED (since 9 October 1996);
note-the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th
amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the
president's role becomes significant at times when Parliament is
dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential
direction-to supervise the elections
head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wajed (since 23 June
1996)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the
president
elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year
term; election last held 24 July 1996 (next to be held by NA October
2001); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that
wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the
president
election results: Shahabuddin AHMED elected president without
opposition; percent of National Parliament vote-NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad
(330 seats; 300 elected by popular vote from single territorial
constituencies, 30 seats reserved for women; members serve five-year
terms)
elections: last held 12 June 1996 (next to be held NA 2001)
election results: percent of vote by party-AL 33.87%, BNP 30.87%;
seats by party-AL 178, BNP 113, JP 33, JI 3, other 2, election still
to be held 1; note-the elections of 12 June 1996 brought to power an
Awami League government for the first time in twenty-one years; held
under a neutral, caretaker administration, the elections were
characterized by a peaceful, orderly process and massive voter
turnout, ending a bitter two-year impasse between the former BNP and
opposition parties that had paralyzed National Parliament and led to
widespread street violence
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the Chief Justices and other judges
are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP),
Khaleda ZIAur Rahman; Awami League (AL), Sheikh HASINA Wajed; Jatiyo
Party (JP), Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD; Jamaat-E-Islami (JI), Motiur
Rahman NIZAMI; Bangladesh Communist Party (BCP), Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM, OIC, 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
telephone: [1] (202) 342-8372 through 8376
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. GDP: purchasing power parity-$167 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: 18%
services: 52% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.5% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 56 million
by occupation: agriculture 63%, services 25%, industry and mining 10%
(1996)
note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, and Oman
(1996)
Unemployment rate: 35.2% (1996)
Budget:
revenues: $3.6 billion
expenditures: $5.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $3
billion (FY96/97)
Industries: jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing,
steel, fertilizer
Industrial production growth rate: 5.3% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 2.978 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 11.5 billion kWh (1997)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 71 kWh (1997 est.) Imports:
total value: $6.9 billion (1996)
commodities: capital goods, textiles, food, petroleum products
partners: India 21%, China 10%, Western Europe 8%, Hong Kong 7%,
Singapore 6% (FY95/96 est.) @Bangladesh:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,892 km
broad gauge: 978 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,914 km 1.000-m gauge (1992)
Highways:
total: 223,391 km
paved: 16,084 km
unpaved: 207,307 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 5,150-8,046 km navigable waterways (includes 2,575-3,058 km
main cargo routes)
Pipelines: natural gas 1,220 km
Ports and harbors: Chittagong, Dhaka, Chalna Port (Mongla)
Merchant marine:
total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 310,728 GRT/444,245 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 31, oil tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 2,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 16 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Bangladesh:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces
(includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Armed Police Reserve,
Village Defense Parties, National Cadet Corps)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 33,780,741 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $481 million (FY95/96)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.7% (FY95/96)
@Bangladesh:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: a portion of the boundary with India is
indefinite
Illicit drugs: transit country for illegal drugs produced in
neighboring countries
______________________________________________________________________
BARBADOS
@Barbados:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 13 10 N, 59 32 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 430 sq km
land: 430 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 97 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October)
Terrain: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 37%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 12%
other: 46% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 30,592; female 29,747)
15-64 years: 67% (male 84,725; female 87,730)
65 years and over: 10% (male 9,926; female 16,305) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.09% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 14.92 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.21 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -5.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.25 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Barbados:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Barbados
Data code: BB
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Bridgetown
Administrative divisions: 11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew,
Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint
Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas
note: the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status
Independence: 30 November 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
Constitution: 30 November 1966
Legal system: English common law; no judicial review of legislative
acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since
1 June 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6
September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Billie MILLER (since 6
September 1994)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of
the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general
appointed by the queen; prime minister appointed by the governor
general
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate
(21-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of
Assembly (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to
serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Assembly-last held 6 September 1994 (next to be
held by January 1999)
election results: House of Assembly-percent of vote by party-NA; seats
by party - BLP 19, DLP 8, NDP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature, judges are appointed by
the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Service
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Labor Party or DLP [David
THOMPSON]; Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; National
Democratic Party or NDP [Richard HAYNES]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Barbados Workers Union [Leroy
TROTMAN]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric SEALY]; Workers' Party
of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David
COMMISSIONG]
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC,
FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, NAM,
OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Courtney N. BLACKMAN
chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200
consulate(s) general: Coral Gables and New York
consulate(s): Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Deputy Chief of Mission Donald
K. HOLM
embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street,
Bridgetown
mailing address: P. O. GDP: purchasing power parity-$2.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 17%
services: 76% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 16.2% (1996)
Budget:
revenues: $600 million
expenditures: $645 million, including capital expenditures of $80
million (FY96/97 est.) @Barbados:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,640 km
paved: 1,573 km
unpaved: 67 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Bridgetown
Merchant marine:
total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 869,363 GRT/1,365,640 DWT
ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 30, container 1, combination bulk 4,
multifunction large-load carrier 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 (1997 est.) Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Barbados:Military
Military branches: Royal Barbados Defense Force (includes Ground
Forces and Coast Guard), Royal Barbados Police Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 71,891 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Barbados:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: one of many Caribbean transshipment points for
narcotics bound for the US and Europe
______________________________________________________________________
BASSAS DA INDIA
(possession of France)
@Bassas da India:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel,
about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 39 50 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 0.2 sq km
land: 0.2 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 35.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: a volcanic rock 2.4 meters high
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 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
@Bassas da India:People
Population: uninhabited
@Bassas da India:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bassas da India
Data code: BS
Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high
commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
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
@Bassas da India:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
@Bassas da India:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
@Bassas da India:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of France
@Bassas da India:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claimed by Madagascar
______________________________________________________________________
BELARUS
@Belarus:Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, east of Poland
Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 28 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total: 207,600 sq km
land: 207,600 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries:
total: 3,098 km
border countries: Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 605 km,
Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between
continental and maritime
Terrain: generally flat and contains much marshland
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m
highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m
Natural resources: forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and
natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 29%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 15%
forests and woodland: 34%
other: 21% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: soil pollution from pesticide use;
southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986
nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Biodiversity, Environmental Modification, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked
@Belarus:People
Population: 10,409,050 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 1,062,012; female 1,018,154)
15-64 years: 67% (male 3,365,065; female 3,564,078)
65 years and over: 13% (male 460,633; female 939,108) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.05% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.71 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 13.47 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 3.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) As of May 1997, only about 10% of all enterprises under central
government control had been privatized. GDP: purchasing power parity-$50.4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 43%
services: 37% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.3% officially registered unemployed (July 1997);
large numbers of underemployed workers
Budget:
revenues: $4 billion
expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $180
million (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $186 million (1993)
note: commitments, $3,930 million ($1,845 million disbursements),
1992-95
Currency: Belarusian rubel (BR)
Exchange rates: Belarusian rubels per US$1-31,030 (19 January 1998
official Belarusian exchange rate), 28,800 (October 1997 end of
period),15,500 (yearend 1996), 11,500 (yearend 1995), 10,600 (yearend
1994), 699 (yearend 1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1.849 million (1991 est.) (5,615,000 with multiple speaker
systems for program diffusion)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (one national and one private; the
license of the private station was suspended during the parliamentary
elections of 1994)
Televisions: 3.5 million (1992 est.) Waterways: NA km; note-Belarus has extensive and widely used canal and
river systems
Pipelines: crude oil 1,470 km; refined products 1,100 km; natural gas
1,980 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Mazyr
Merchant marine:
note: claims 5% of former Soviet fleet (1995 est.) Airports: 118 (1996 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 36
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
under 914 m: 11 (1996 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 82
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 62 (1996 est.) @Belarus: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: 2,681,014 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 4.5 trillion rubles (1997 est. Natural hazards: flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal
land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Environment-current issues: Meuse River, a major source of drinking
water, polluted from steel production wastes; other rivers polluted by
animal wastes and fertilizers; industrial air pollution contributes to
acid rain in neighboring countries
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, 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
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Law of
the Sea
Geography-note: crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West
European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of
both the EU and NATO
@Belgium:People
Population: 10,174,922 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 903,954; female 860,940)
15-64 years: 66% (male 3,387,329; female 3,318,221)
65 years and over: 17% (male 693,519; female 1,010,959) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.09% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 10.21 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.41 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.27 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy grew at a strong 4% annual pace during the
period 1988-90, slowed to 1% in 1991-92, dropped by 1.5% in 1993,
recovered with moderate 2.3% growth in 1994 and 1995, and fell off
again to 1.4% in 1996, with continued substantial unemployment. GDP: purchasing power parity-$236.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 28%
services: 70% (1994)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.7% (1997 est.) Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $808 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Belgian francs (BF) per US$1-37.459 (January 1998),
35.774 (1997), 30.962 (1996), 29.480 (1995), 33.456 (1994), 34.597
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 5.691 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 32 (1987 est.) Televisions: 3,315,662 (1993 est.) @Belgium:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,368 km (2,386 km electrified; 2,563 km double track)
standard gauge: 3,368 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: 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 60,082 GRT/93,973 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 7, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas
tanker 1, oil tanker 10 (1997 est.) Airports: 42 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 24
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 18
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 15 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Belgium:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,549,277 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $4.6 billion (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.7% (1995)
@Belgium:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American
cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish,
and marijuana entering Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
BELIZE
@Belize:Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between
Guatemala and Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 22,960 sq km
land: 22,800 sq km
water: 160 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 516 km
border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Coastline: 386 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note-from the
mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea
is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose
of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a
definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February)
Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 2%
forests and woodland: 92%
other: 3% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to
December) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Environment-current issues: deforestation; water pollution from
sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, 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
@Belize:People
Population: 230,160 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 49,486; female 47,596)
15-64 years: 54% (male 63,259; female 61,567)
65 years and over: 4% (male 4,048; female 4,204) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.42% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 31.05 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 32.36 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) note: other sources list the literacy rate as high as 75%
@Belize:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Belize
former: British Honduras
Data code: BH
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Belmopan
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange
Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Constitution: 21 September 1981
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November
1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993);
Deputy Prime Minister Dean BARROW (since NA July 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of
the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general
appointed by the queen; prime minister appointed by the governor
general
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate
(8 members; members are appointed for five-year terms, five on the
advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of the leader of the
opposition, and one after consultation with the Belize Advisory
Council-this council serves as an independent body to advise the
governor general with respect to difficult decisions such as granting
pardons, commutations, stays of execution, the removal of justices of
appeal who appear to be incompetent, etc.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$680 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 27%
services: 53% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 13% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $140 million
expenditures: $142 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY97/98 est.) @Belize: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: 265 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,298,562 GRT/2,055,027
DWT
ships by type: bulk 26, cargo 184, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk
1, container 6, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 26, passenger-cargo
2, refrigerated cargo 8, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, specialized tanker
2, vehicle carrier 1
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 8 countries:
Cuba 1, Cyprus 1, Greece 1, Hong Kong 1, Panama 1, Singapore 2, UAE 2,
and US 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 44 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 41
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 30 (1997 est.) @Belize: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: 56,142 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $15 million (FY97/98)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2%
@Belize:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: border with Guatemala in dispute; talks to
resolve the dispute are ongoing
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit
producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor
money-laundering center
______________________________________________________________________
BENIN
@Benin:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Nigeria and Togo
Geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 112,620 sq km
land: 110,620 sq km
water: 2,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 1,989 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km,
Togo 644 km
Coastline: 121 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Tanekas 641 m
Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble,
timber
Land use:
arable land: 13%
permanent crops: 4%
permanent pastures: 4%
forests and woodland: 31%
other: 48% (1993 est.) 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
@Benin:People
Population: 6,100,799 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 1,465,067; female 1,455,852)
15-64 years: 50% (male 1,455,224; female 1,582,880)
65 years and over: 2% (male 61,523; female 80,253) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.31% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 45.82 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.77 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 100.22 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Inflation
jumped to 55% in 1994 (compared to 3% in 1993) following the 50%
currency devaluation in January 1994, but has subsided over the past
three years, with a target of 3.5% inflation in 1997. GDP: purchasing power parity-$11.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 14%
services: 52% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.5% (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100
per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 16,200 (1986 est.) @Benin: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: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.) @Benin: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: 1,311,490
females age 15-49: 1,378,979 (1998 est.) note: both sexes are liable for military service
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 671,230
females: 698,290 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $33 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.2% (1994)
@Benin:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics associated with
Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for
Western Europe and the US
______________________________________________________________________
BERMUDA
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Bermuda:Geography
Location: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean,
east of North Carolina (US)
Geographic coordinates: 32 20 N, 64 45 W
Map references: North America
Area:
total: 50 sq km
land: 50 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 103 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in
winter
Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: NA (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 6,191; female 6,046)
15-64 years: 70% (male 21,330; female 21,912)
65 years and over: 10% (male 2,777; female 3,753) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.77% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.21 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.22 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 2.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) FARMER
consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton
mailing address: P. O. 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-$1.8 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.8% (November 1997)
Labor force:
total: 34,633
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: $430.9 million
expenditures: $452.9 million, including capital expenditures of $50
million (FY95/96 est.) commodities: reexports of pharmaceuticals
partners: Netherlands 50%, Brazil 13%, Canada 6% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $569 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: miscellaneous manufactured articles, machinery and
transport equipment, food and live animals, chemicals
partners: US 73%, UK 5%, Canada 4% (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 57,000 (1992 est.) @Bermuda:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 225 km
paved: 225 km
unpaved: 0 km (1997 est.) note: in addition, there are 232 km of paved and unpaved roads that
are privately owned
Ports and harbors: Hamilton, Saint George
Merchant marine:
total: 91 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,590,132 GRT/7,440,524
DWT
ships by type: bulk 18, chemical tanker 1, container 18, liquefied gas
tanker 7, oil tanker 26, refrigerated cargo 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo
3, short-sea passenger 2, vehicle carrier 1
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 8 countries
among which are UK 31, Canada 13, US 10, Norway 2, Hong Kong 1,
Nigeria 4, Sweden 4, and Mexico 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the
source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder
Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season
Environment-current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable
water
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked; strategic location between China and
India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
@Bhutan:People
Population: 1,908,307 (July 1998 est.) note: other estimates range as low as 600,000
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 396,839; female 368,391)
15-64 years: 56% (male 549,050; female 518,780)
65 years and over: 4% (male 38,235; female 37,012) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.27% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 37.33 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 14.6 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 111.66 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy
is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary
links. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.3 billion (1995 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 42%
industry: 32%
services: 26% (1995 est.) note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's
budget expenditures
Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic
beverages, calcium carbide
Industrial production growth rate: 7.6% (1992 est.) commodities: cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit,
electricity (to India), precious stones, spices
partners: India 94%, Bangladesh
Imports:
total value: $104.1 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts,
vehicles, fabrics, rice
partners: India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US
Debt-external: $129 million (FY94/95)
Economic aid:
recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note-Indian currency is also
legal tender
Exchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1-39.358 (January 1998), 36.313
(1997), 35.433 (1996), 32.427 (1995), 31.374 (1994), 30.493 (1993);
note-the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 4,620 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1990 est.) Televisions: 200 (1985 est.) @Bhutan: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 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Bhutan:Military
Military branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 466,594 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Bhutan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: with Nepal over 91,000 Bhutanese refugees in
Nepal
______________________________________________________________________
BOLIVIA
@Bolivia:Geography
Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 S, 65 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total: 1,098,580 sq km
land: 1,084,390 sq km
water: 14,190 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 6,743 km
border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km,
Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Terrain: rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano),
hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m
highest point: Cerro Illimani 6,882 m
Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten,
antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 24%
forests and woodland: 53%
other: 21% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: cold, thin air of high plateau is obstacle to
efficient fuel combustion, as well as to physical activity by those
unaccustomed to it from birth; flooding in the northeast (March-April)
Environment-current issues: the clearing of land for agricultural
purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are
contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor
cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture);
desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water
supplies used for drinking and irrigation
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,
Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection
Geography-note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's
highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
@Bolivia:People
Population: 7,826,352 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 1,559,149; female 1,526,646)
15-64 years: 56% (male 2,139,680; female 2,245,268)
65 years and over: 5% (male 161,431; female 194,178) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 31.43 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.89 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 63.86 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$23.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 17%
industry: 26%
services: 57% (1995 est.) 1997)
commodities: capital goods 48%, chemicals 11%, petroleum 5%, food 5%
(1993 est.) partners: US 20%, Japan 13%, Brazil 12, Chile 7.5% (1996)
Debt-external: $4.2 billion (1997)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $588 million (1997)
Currency: 1 boliviano ($B) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: bolivianos ($B) per US$1-5.3724 (January 1998), 5.2543
(1997), 5.0746 (1996), 4.8003 (1995), 4.6205 (1994), 4.2651 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 144,300 (1987 est.) @Bolivia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,691 km (single track)
narrow gauge: 3,652 km 1.000-m gauge; 39 km 0.760-m gauge (13 km
electrified) (1995)
Highways:
total: 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: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,214 GRT/6,390 DWT
(1997 est.) Airports: 1,153 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1,142
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 73
914 to 1,523 m: 229
under 914 m: 837 (1997 est.) @Bolivia: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: 1,859,823 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $154 million (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.9% (1996)
@Bolivia: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
Current issues: On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the former
Yugoslavia's three warring parties signed a peace agreement that
brought to a halt over three years of interethnic civil strife in
Bosnia and Herzegovina (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14
December 1995). 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. @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.) Natural hazards: frequent and destructive earthquakes
Environment-current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants;
sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; widespread casualties,
water shortages, and destruction of infrastructure because of the
1992-95 civil strife
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders,
the country is divided into a joint Muslim/Croat Federation (about 51%
of the territory) and a Serb Republic, The Republika Srpska [RS]
(about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is
contiguous to Croatia and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic
Croat majority
@Bosnia and Herzegovina:People
Population: 3,365,727 (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.63% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 8.72 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.32 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 39.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Bosnia and Herzegovina:Economy
Economy-overview: Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to The Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old
Yugoslav federation. GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.41 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 19%
industry: 23%
services: 58% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite,
vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank
and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining; much of
capacity damaged or shut down (1995)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 2.339 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 1.4 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 506 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock
Exports:
total value: $152 million (1995 est.) commodities: NA
partners: NA
Imports:
total value: $1.1 billion (1995 est.) commodities: NA
partners: NA
Debt-external: $3.5 billion (yearend 1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: $1.2 billion (1997 pledged)
Currency: 1 convertible marka = 100 convertible pfenniga; former
currencies still used
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 9, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 840,000
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 1,012,094
@Bosnia and Herzegovina:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,021 km (electrified 795 km; operating as diesel or steam
until grids are repaired)
standard gauge: 1,021 km 1.435-m gauge (1995); note-some segments
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; Sava blocked by downed bridges
Pipelines: crude oil 174 km; natural gas 90 km (1992); note-pipelines
now disrupted
Ports and harbors: Bosanski Brod (an inland waterway port on the Sava
which is not useable), Orasje (ferry)
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 26 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 17
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 7 (1997 est.) Heliports: 2 (1997 est.) @Bosnia and Herzegovina:Military
Military branches: Army
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 912,536 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Bosnia and Herzegovina:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: disputes with Serbia over Serbian populated
areas
Illicit drugs: transit point for minor regional marijuana and opiate
trafficking routes
______________________________________________________________________
BOTSWANA
@Botswana:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 24 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 600,370 sq km
land: 585,370 sq km
water: 15,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 4,013 km
border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe
813 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Terrain: predominately flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari
Desert in southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
highest point: Tsodilo Hill 1,489 m
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash,
coal, iron ore, silver
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 46%
forests and woodland: 47%
other: 6% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from
the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure
visibility
Environment-current issues: overgrazing; desertification; limited
fresh water resources
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of
the country
@Botswana:People
Population: 1,448,454 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 310,253; female 302,960)
15-64 years: 54% (male 370,925; female 409,941)
65 years and over: 4% (male 20,637; female 33,738) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.11% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 32.02 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 20.89 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 59.29 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Botswana:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form: Botswana
former: Bechuanaland
Data code: BC
Government type: parliamentary republic
National capital: Gaborone
Administrative divisions: 10 districts and four town councils*;
Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng,
Kweneng, Lobatse*, Ngamiland, North-East, Selebi-Phikwe*, South-East,
Southern
Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 30 September (1966)
Constitution: March 1965, effective 30 September 1966
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law;
judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Festus MOGAE (since 1 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)
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 S. K. Ian KHAMA
to be vice president after he is elected to the National Assembly in
accordance with constitutional requirements
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of
Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of the chiefs of
the eight principal tribes, four elected subchiefs, and three members
selected by the other 12) and the National Assembly (44 seats, 40
members are directly elected by popular vote and 4 appointed by the
majority party; members serve five-year terms)
elections: National Assembly-elections last held 15 October 1994 (next
to be held October 1999)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-BDP 27,
BNF 13
Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Botswana Democratic Party or BDP
[Festus MOGAE]; Botswana Freedom Party or BFP [leader NA]; Botswana
National Front or BNF [Kenneth KOMA]; Botswana People's Party or BPP
[Knight MARIPE]; Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO];
Unified Action Party or UAP [Lepetu SETSHWEALD]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,
G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Archibald Mooketsa MOGWE
chancery: Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990, 4991
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert C. KRUEGER
embassy: address NA, Gaborone
mailing address: P. O. Unemployment
officially is 21% but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. GDP: purchasing power parity-$5 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 45% (including 35% mining)
services: 51% (1997 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-capacity: 217,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 1 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 962 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts
(peanuts), beans, cowpeas, sunflower seed; livestock
Exports:
total value: $2.31 billion (f.o.b. 1996 est.) commodities: diamonds 71%, copper and nickel 5%, meat 3%
partners: Europe 74%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 22%,
Zimbabwe 3%
Imports:
total value: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, vehicles and transport equipment, textiles,
petroleum products
partners: Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, Europe 8%,
Zimbabwe 6%
Debt-external: $619 million (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $189 million (1993)
Currency: 1 pula (P) = 100 thebe
Exchange rates: pula (P) per US$1-3.8547 (January 1998), 3.6508
(1997), 3.3242 (1996), 2.7716 (1995), 2.6831 (1994), 2.4190 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 19,109 (1985 est.) Televisions: 13,800 (1993 est.) @Botswana: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 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 80
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 55
under 914 m: 22 (1997 est.) @Botswana: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: 335,301 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $199 million (FY93/94)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 5.2% (FY93/94)
@Botswana: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
(territory of Norway)
@Bouvet Island:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean,
south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Geographic coordinates: 54 26 S, 3 24 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 58 sq km
land: 58 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 29.6 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 4 nm
Climate: antarctic
Terrain: volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 meters; coast is mostly
inaccessible
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 780 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (all ice)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: covered by glacial ice
@Bouvet Island:People
Population: uninhabited
@Bouvet Island:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island
Data code: BV
Dependency status: territory of Norway; 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
@Bouvet Island:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
Communications
Communications-note: automatic meteorological station
@Bouvet Island:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
@Bouvet Island:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of Norway
@Bouvet Island:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
BRAZIL
@Brazil:Geography
Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 55 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total: 8,511,965 sq km
land: 8,456,510 sq km
water: 55,455 sq km
note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas,
Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao
Paulo
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than the US
Land boundaries:
total: 14,691 km
border countries: Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia 1,643
km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km, Peru
1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km
Coastline: 7,491 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills,
mountains, and narrow coastal belt
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m
Natural resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel,
phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 22%
forests and woodland: 58%
other: 14% (1993 est.) 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: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: largest country in South America; shares common
boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador
@Brazil:People
Population: 169,806,557 (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.24% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 20.92 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.53 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 36.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) 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. At the same time, GDP growth
slowed from 5.7% in 1994 to about 3.0% in 1997 due to tighter credit. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.04 trillion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 38%
services: 49% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4.8% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 57 million (1989 est.) by occupation: services 42%, agriculture 31%, industry 27%
Unemployment rate: 7% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $87.5 billion
expenditures: $96 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996)
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.) Television broadcast stations: 112
note: Brazil has the world's fourth largest television broadcasting
system
Televisions: 30 million (1993 est.) Waterways: 50,000 km navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 2,000 km; petroleum products 3,804 km; natural
gas 1,095 km
Ports and harbors: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus,
Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador,
Santos, Vitoria
Merchant marine:
total: 188 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,498,081 GRT/7,279,945
DWT
ships by type: bulk 37, cargo 26, chemical tanker 9, combination
ore/oil 11, container 16, liquefied gas tanker 10, multifunction
large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 61, passenger-cargo 5, refrigerated
cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11 (1997 est.) Airports: 3,291 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 502
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 130
914 to 1,523 m: 319
under 914 m: 29 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 2,789
1,524 to 2,437 m: 76
914 to 1,523 m: 1,324
under 914 m: 1,389 (1997 est.) @Brazil:Military
Military branches: Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes Marines),
Brazilian Air Force, Federal Police (paramilitary)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 46,620,486 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $15.1 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.9% (1997)
@Brazil:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: short section of the boundary with Paraguay,
just west of Salto das Sete Quedas (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana,
has not been precisely delimited; two short sections of boundary with
Uruguay are in dispute-Arroio Invernada (Arroyo de la Invernada) area
of the Rio Quarai (Rio Cuareim) and the islands at the confluence of
the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay River
Illicit drugs: limited illicit producer of cannabis, minor coca
cultivation in the Amazon region, mostly used for domestic
consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to
control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian and
Colombian cocaine headed for the US and Europe; increasingly used by
Andean traffickers as a way station between Peru and Colombia
______________________________________________________________________
BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
(dependent territory of the UK)
@British Indian Ocean Territory:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about
one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 71 30 E
Map references: World
Area:
total: 60 sq km
land: 60 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago
Area-comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 698 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain: flat and low (up to four meters in elevation)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
Natural resources: coconuts, fish
Land use:
arable land: 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
@British Indian Ocean Territory:People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are UK-US military personnel and civilian contractors;
approximately 3,000 native inhabitants, known as the Chagosians or
Ilois, were evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK-US
military facilities
@British Indian Ocean Territory:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory
conventional short form: none
abbreviation: BIOT
Data code: IO
Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK; administered by a
commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in
London
Legal system: NA
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Commissioner David Ross MACLENNAN (since NA 1994);
Administrator Don CAIRNS (since NA); note-both reside in the UK
cabinet: NA
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; commissioner and
administrator appointed by the queen
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of
the UK)
Flag description: white with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and six blue wavy horizontal stripes bearing a
palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag
@British Indian Ocean Territory:Economy
Economy-overview: All economic activity is concentrated on the largest
island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are
located. Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 2,008; female 1,957)
15-64 years: 74% (male 7,079; female 6,689)
65 years and over: 5% (male 535; female 437) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.41% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 16.15 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.76 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 12.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.22 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 22.97 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) An estimated 210,000 companies were on the offshore registry by
yearend 1996. GDP: purchasing power parity-$144 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 14%
services: 83% (1989)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.5% (1990 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.) paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Road Town
Merchant marine: none (1995 est.) Airports: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 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, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea
linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by
Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia
@Brunei:People
Population: 315,292 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 53,219; female 50,906)
15-64 years: 63% (male 103,949; female 93,370)
65 years and over: 4% (male 7,569; female 6,279) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.44% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 24.92 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.17 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 4.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 1.21 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 23.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$5.4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 46%
services: 49% (1996 est.) ); note-includes foreign workers and military
personnel
by occupation: government 48%, production of oil, natural gas,
services, and construction 42%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4%,
other 6% (1986 est.) note: temporary residents make up 41% of labor force (1991)
Unemployment rate: 4.8% (1994 est.) Budget:
revenues: $2.5 billion
expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $768
million (1995 est.) commodities: crude oil, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products
partners: ASEAN 31%, Japan 27%, South Korea 26%, UK, Taiwan (1996
est.) Imports:
total value: $2.65 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,
food, chemicals
partners: Singapore 29%, UK 19%, US 13%, Malaysia 9%, Japan 5% (1994
est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1984 est.) Televisions: 173,000 (1995 est.) @Brunei: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 (1997 est.) Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Heliports: 3 (1997 est.) @Brunei: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: 87,048 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $312 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 6.2% (1994)
@Brunei:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient
that divides the country; 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
@Bulgaria:Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between
Romania and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 43 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 110,910 sq km
land: 110,550 sq km
water: 360 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total: 1,808 km
border countries: Greece 494 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia and Montenegro 318 km (all
with Serbia), Turkey 240 km
Coastline: 354 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Musala 2,925 m
Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable
land
Land use:
arable land: 37%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 16%
forests and woodland: 35%
other: 10% (1993 est.) 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 Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Geography-note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key
land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia
@Bulgaria:People
Population: 8,240,426 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 16% (male 696,131; female 662,335)
15-64 years: 68% (male 2,756,695; female 2,812,192)
65 years and over: 16% (male 564,698; female 748,375) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.6% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 8.08 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 13.24 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Bulgaria:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria
conventional short form: Bulgaria
Data code: BU
Government type: republic
National capital: Sofia
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (oblasti, singular-oblast);
Burgas, Grad Sofiya, Khaskovo, Lovech, Montana, Plovdiv, Ruse, Sofiya,
Varna
Independence: 22 September 1908 (from Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 March (1878)
Constitution: adopted 12 July 1991
Legal system: 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
election results: Petar STOYANOV elected president; percent of
vote-Petar STOYANOV 59.73%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie
(240 seats; members are popularly elected to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 19 April 1997 (next to be held NA 2001)
election results: percent of vote by party-UDF 52%, BSP 22%, ANS 7%,
Euro-left 5.5%, BBB 4.95%; seats by party-UDF 137, BSP 58, ANS 19,
Euro-left 14, BBB 12
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman appointed for a seven-year
term by the president; Constitutional Court, 12 justices appointed or
elected for a nine-year term
Political parties and leaders: Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP
[Georgi PURVANOV, chairman]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF (an
alliance of pro-Democratic parties) [Ivan KOSTOV]; Euro-left
[Aleksandur TOMOV]; Alliance for National Salvation or ANS (coalition
led mainly by Movement for Rights and Freedoms or DPS [Ahmed DOGAN]);
Bulgarian Business Bloc or BBB [Georgi GANCHEV]; People's Union
[Anastasiya MOZER and Stefan SAVOV, 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, IBEC, IBRD,
ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IIB, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MONUA, NAM (guest), NSG, OSCE, PCA,
PFP, UN, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMOT, 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
telephone: [1] (202) 387-7969
FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Avis T. BOHLEN
embassy: 1 Saborna Street, Sofia
mailing address: Unit 1335, APO AE 09213-1335
telephone: [359] (2) 980-52-41 through 48
FAX: [359] (2) 981-89-77
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green,
and red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white
stripe has been removed-it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of
wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing
the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation
from Nazi control)
@Bulgaria:Economy
Economy-overview: One of the poorest countries of central Europe,
Bulgaria has slowly been moving from its old command economy towards a
market-oriented economy. The economy faced a major crisis in 1996,
marked by a banking system in turmoil, a depreciating currency, and
contracting production and foreign trade. GDP fell by 11%
in 1996, after experiencing 2.0% growth in 1995. GDP in 1997 dropped
7.4%, but is expected to rebound to an estimated 2% in 1998. Other
government objectives include: the completion of land reform, the
privatization and strengthening of the banking system, and the
modernization of the legal environment of business. GDP: purchasing power parity-$35.6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 31%
services: 57% (1997 est.) by occupation: industry 41%, agriculture 18%, other 41% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 14% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $2.7 billion
expenditures: $3.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) commodities: fuels, minerals, and raw materials 40.7%; machinery and
equipment 18.4%; textiles and apparel 11.6%; agricultural products
7.5%; metals and ores 5.2%; chemicals and plastics 12.2%; other 4.4%
(1996)
partners: OECD 45.5% (EU 38.1%); CIS and Central and Eastern European
countries 41.1%; Arab countries 1.8%; other 11.6% (1995)
Debt-external: $10 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid: NA
Currency: 1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki
Exchange rates: leva (Lv) per US$1-1,740 (1997), 483.4 (1996), 70.7
(1995), 54.2 (1994), 27.1 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 2,773,293 (1993 est.) @Bulgaria:Transportation
Railways:
total: 4,292 km
standard gauge: 4,047 km 1.435-m gauge (2,650 km electrified; 917
double track)
other gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 36,720 km
paved: 33,746 km (including 314 km of expressways)
unpaved: 2,974 km (1996 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: 94 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,027,117 GRT/1,541,266
DWT
ships by type: bulk 45, cargo 23, chemical tanker 4, container 2, oil
tanker 9, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 34 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 34
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 14
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.) @Bulgaria: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: 2,042,441 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $418.6 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.0% to 2.5% (1996)
@Bulgaria: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
@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.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts
Environment-current issues: recent droughts and desertification
severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution,
and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography-note: landlocked
@Burkina Faso:People
Population: 11,266,393 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 2,721,564; female 2,687,770)
15-64 years: 49% (male 2,616,375; female 2,899,923)
65 years and over: 3% (male 146,195; female 194,566) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.72% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 46.24 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 17.65 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 109.15 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Burkina Faso:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Burkina Faso
former: Upper Volta
Data code: UV
Government type: parliamentary
National capital: Ouagadougou
Administrative divisions: 30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba,
Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houe, Kadiogo,
Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi, Kouritenga, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri,
Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno,
Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Yatenga, Zoundweogo
note: there may be a new administrative structure of 45 provinces
(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 1 December 1991 (next to be held NA 1998); prime
minister appointed by the president with the consent of the
legislature
election results: Blaise COMPAORE elected president with 90.4% percent
of the votes of those who voted (the abstention rate was 74.7%)
Legislative branch: bicameral; consists of a National Assembly or
Assemblee des Deputes Populaires (ADP) (111 seats; members are
popularly elected 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: 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: African Democratic Assembly or RDA
[Gerard Kango OUEDRAOGO]; Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF
[Herman YAMEOGO]; Burkinabe Bolshevic Party or PBB; Burkinabe
Socialist Party or PSB; Burkinabe Socialist Bloc or BSB [Earnest
Nongma OUEDRAOGO, president]; Burkinabe Environmentalist Party or
UVDB; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Din Salif SAWADAGO]
(the strongest party in the 1997 legislative elections); Front for
Social Forces or FFS [Fide'le KIENTEGA]; Group of Democratic Patriots
or GDP; Movement for Social Tolerance and Progress or MTP; New Social
Democrats or NSD; Open Revolutionary Party or POR; Organization for
People's Democracy-Labor Movement or ODP-MT (ruling party at time of
1992 elections but was incorporated, with about a dozen smaller
parties, into the powerful CDP in February 1996); Party for Democracy
and Progress or PDP [Joseph KI-ZERBO]; Party for Progress and Social
Development or PPDS; Party for African Independence or PAI
Political pressure groups and leaders: watchdog/political action
groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities;
Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB; National
Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National Organization of
Free Unions or ONSL
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM,
OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bruno Nongoma ZIDOUEMBA
chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577, 6895
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sharon P. WILKINSON (16 July 1996)
embassy: Avenue Raoul Follerau, Ouagadougou
mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou
telephone: [226] 306723 through 306726
FAX: [226] 303890
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green
with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular
pan-African colors of Ethiopia
@Burkina Faso: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. GDP: purchasing power parity-$10.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 32%
industry: 26%
services: 42% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3% (1996 est.) commodities: cotton, animal products, gold
partners: Cote d'Ivoire, France, Italy, Mali
Imports:
total value: $500 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: machinery, food products, petroleum
partners: Cote d'Ivoire, France, Togo, Nigeria
Debt-external: $715 million (December 1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100
per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 21,000 (1993 est.) @Burkina Faso:Transportation
Railways:
total: 622 km (517 km from Ouagadougou to the Cote d'Ivoire border and
105 km from Ouagadougou to Kaya)
narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.) Highways:
total: 12,506 km
paved: 2,001 km
unpaved: 10,505 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 33 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 31
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 14 (1997 est.) @Burkina Faso:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National
Police, People's Militia
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,317,227 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $104 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 6.4% (1994)
@Burkina Faso:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
BURMA
@Burma:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of
Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 N, 98 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 678,500 sq km
land: 657,740 sq km
water: 20,760 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,876 km
border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km,
Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km
Coastline: 1,930 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers
(southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall,
mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon,
December to April)
Terrain: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m
highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper,
tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural
gas
Land use:
arable land: 15%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 1%
forests and woodland: 49%
other: 34% (1993 est.) 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
@Burma:People
Population: 47,305,319 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 8,798,474; female 8,461,791)
15-64 years: 59% (male 14,052,386; female 14,019,244)
65 years and over: 5% (male 888,773; female 1,084,651) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.65% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 28.96 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.51 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.82 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 78.35 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$55.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 61%
industry: 10%
services: 29% (1996 est.) 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.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $61 million (1993)
Currency: 1 kyat (K) = 100 pyas
Exchange rates: kyats (K) per US$1-6.3941 (January 1998) 6.2418
(1997), 5.9176 (1996), 5.6670 (1995), 5.9749 (1994), 6.1570 (1993);
unofficial-310-350 (1998)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 122,195 (1993 est.) note: radiobroadcast coverage is limited to the most populous areas
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1988 est.) Televisions: 88,000 (1992 est.) @Burma:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,569 km
narrow gauge: 3,569 km 1.000-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 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: 45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 561,786 GRT/742,450 DWT
ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 18, chemical tanker 1, container 2, oil
tanker 3, passenger-cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 1, vehicle carrier 2
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 2 countries:
Japan owns 2 ships, US 3 (1997 est.) Airports: 80 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 24
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 7 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 56
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 19
under 914 m: 32 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Burma:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 12,208,916
females age 15-49: 11,983,225 (1998 est.) note: both sexes liable for military service
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 6,523,797
females: 6,387,291 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $380 million (FY96/97 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Burma:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: world's largest illicit producer of opium (cultivation
in 1997-155,150 hectares, a 5% decline from 1996; potential
production-2,365 metric tons, an 8% drop from 1996) and a minor
producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; surrender of
drug warlord KHUN SA's Mong Tai Army in January 1996 was hailed by
Rangoon as a major counternarcotics success, but lack of serious
government commitment and resources continue to hinder the overall
antidrug effort; growing role in the production of methamphetamines
for regional consumption
______________________________________________________________________
BURUNDI
Introduction
Current issues: in a number of waves since October 1993, hundreds of
thousands of refugees have fled the ethnic violence between the Hutu
and Tutsi factions in Burundi and crossed into Rwanda, Tanzania, and
Zaire (now called Democratic Republic of the Congo); since October
1996, an estimated 92,000 Hutu refuguees have been forced to return to
Burundi by Tutsi rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
leaving an estimated 35,000 still dispersed there; in Burundi, the
ethnic violence between the Hutus and the Tutsis continued in 1996,
causing an additional 150,000 Hutus to flee to Tanzania, thus raising
their numbers in that country to about 250,000
@Burundi:Geography
Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates: 3 30 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 27,830 sq km
land: 25,650 sq km
water: 2,180 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 974 km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290
km, Tanzania 451 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation
(772 m to 2,760 m); average annual temperature varies with altitude
from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the
average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about
150 cm; wet seasons from February to May and September to November,
and dry seasons from June to August and December to January
Terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some
plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m
highest point: Mount Heha 2,760 m
Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt,
copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium
Land use:
arable land: 44%
permanent crops: 9%
permanent pastures: 36%
forests and woodland: 3%
other: 8% (1993 est.) 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
@Burundi:People
Population: 5,537,387 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 47% (male 1,313,112; female 1,309,600)
15-64 years: 50% (male 1,331,336; female 1,417,228)
65 years and over: 3% (male 69,718; female 96,393) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.51% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 41.61 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 17.38 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 10.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 101.19 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy is predominately
agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on
subsistence agriculture. Foods, medicines, and electricity remain in short supply. GDP: purchasing power parity-$4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 56%
industry: 18%
services: 26% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $222 million
expenditures: $258 million, including capital expenditures of $92
million (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Burundi franc (FBu) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Burundi francs (FBu) per US$1-412.59 (January 1998),
352.35 (1997), 302.75 (1996), 249.76 (1995), 252.66 (1994), 242.78
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 7,200 (1987 est.) @Burundi:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 14,480 km
paved: 1,028 km
unpaved: 13,452 km (1995 est.) Waterways: Lake Tanganyika
Ports and harbors: Bujumbura
Airports: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Burundi: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: 1,203,518 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $25 million (1993)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.6% (1993)
@Burundi:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
CAMBODIA
@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.) Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding;
occasional droughts
Environment-current issues: logging activities throughout the country
and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with
Thailand are resulting in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in
particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural
fisheries); deforestation; soil erosion; in rural areas, a majority of
the population does not have access to potable water
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Marine Life
Conservation, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping
Geography-note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong
River and Tonle Sap
@Cambodia:People
Population: 11,339,562 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 2,611,684; female 2,533,313)
15-64 years: 52% (male 2,729,598; female 3,119,579)
65 years and over: 3% (male 142,836; female 202,552) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.51% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 41.63 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 16.49 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 106.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$7.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 47.3%
industry: 15.4%
services: 37.3% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $261 million
expenditures: $496 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.) commodities: timber, garments, rubber, soybeans, sesame
partners: Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia,
US
Imports:
total value: $1 billion (1996 est.) commodities: cigarettes, construction materials, petroleum products,
machinery, motor vehicles
partners: Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia
Debt-external: $2.2 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: international donors pledged a total of $1.8 billion in 1995 and
1996
Currency: 1 new riel (CR) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: riels (CR) per US$1-3,537.0 (January 1998), 2,946.3
(1997), 2,624.1 (1996), 2,450.8 (1995), 2,545.3 (1994), 2,689.0 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 7,000 (1981 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: 87 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 390,566 GRT/556,743 DWT
ships by type: bulk 10, cargo 66, container 2, livestock carrier 2,
oil tankers 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 7 countries:
Aruba 1, Cyprus 8, Egypt 1, South Korea 1, Malta 1, Panama 1, Russia 5
(1997 est.) Airports: 20 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 13
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 10 (1997 est.) Heliports: 3 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $160 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Cambodia: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 en route
to West; possible money-laundering; high-level narcotics-related
corruption reportedly involving government, military, and police;
possible small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine production; large
producer of cannabis for the international market
______________________________________________________________________
CAMEROON
@Cameroon:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between
Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 N, 12 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 475,440 sq km
land: 469,440 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,591 km
border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km,
Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km,
Nigeria 1,690 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 50 nm
Climate: varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid
and hot in north
Terrain: diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau
in center, mountains in west, plains in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Fako 4,095 m
Natural resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower
potential
Land use:
arable land: 13%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 4%
forests and woodland: 78%
other: 3% (1993 est.) 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
@Cameroon:People
Population: 15,029,433 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 3,468,861; female 3,436,814)
15-64 years: 51% (male 3,795,748; female 3,829,824)
65 years and over: 3% (male 224,881; female 273,305) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.81% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 42.06 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 13.96 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 76.88 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Cameroon:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon
conventional short form: Cameroon
former: French Cameroon
Data code: CM
Government type: unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime
(opposition parties legalized 1990)
National capital: Yaounde
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est,
Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest
Independence: 1 January 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French
administration)
National holiday: National Day, 20 May (1972)
Constitution: 20 May 1972
Legal system: based on French civil law system, with common law
influence; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)
head of government: Prime Minister Peter Mafany 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 says will be established 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 legalization
of opposition parties in 1990) [Paul BIYA, president]
major opposition parties: Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou
NDAM NJOYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole
DAISSALA, leader]; Movement for the Youth of Cameroon or MLJC [ Marcel
YANDO, leader]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP
[Maigari BELLO BOUBA, chairman]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John
FRU NDI, leader]; Union of Cameroonian Populations or UPC [Augustin
Frederick KODOG, leader]; Union of Cameroonian Democratic Forces or
UFOC [Victorin Hameni BIELEU]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Alliance for Change or FAC;
Cameroon Anglophone Movement or CAM [Vishe FAI, secretary 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, PCA, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA
chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 through 8794
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Charles H. TWINING
embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde
mailing address: B. P. 817, Yaounde; Pouch: American Embassy DOS,
Washington, DC 20521-2520
telephone: [237] 23-40-14, 23-05-12
FAX: [237] 23-07-53
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side),
red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red
band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
@Cameroon: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. Growth came to an abrupt halt
in 1986, precipitated by steep declines in the prices of major
exports: petroleum, coffee, and cocoa. Export earnings were cut by
almost one-third, and inefficiencies in fiscal management were
exposed. Inflation, which rose to 48% after the devaluation of 1994,
has been brought back under control. GDP: purchasing power parity-$30.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 32%
industry: 27%
services: 41% (1995 est.) Economic aid: 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: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 36,737 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: NA
@Cameroon:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,104 km
narrow gauge: 1,104 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.) Highways:
total: 34,300 km
paved: 4,288 km
unpaved: 30,012 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 2,090 km; of decreasing importance
Ports and harbors: Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko
Merchant marine:
total: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,122 GRT/33,509
DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 52 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 41
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 19
under 914 m: 14 (1997 est.) @Cameroon: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: 3,287,626 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $102 million (FY93/94)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Cameroon:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: demarcation 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 in the vicinity of the Bakasi Peninsula has been referred
to the ICJ with a ruling expected in 1998
______________________________________________________________________
CANADA
@Canada:Geography
Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean
and North Pacific Ocean, north of the conterminous US
Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 95 00 W
Map references: North America
Area:
total: 9,976,140 sq km
land: 9,220,970 sq km
water: 755,170 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than US
Land boundaries:
total: 8,893 km
border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
Coastline: 243,791 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in
north
Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in
southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Logan 5,950 m
Natural resources: nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum,
potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 3%
forests and woodland: 54%
other: 38% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle
to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a
result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North
American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow
Environment-current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain
severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting,
coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on
agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming
contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry
activities
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, 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, 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
@Canada:People
Population: 30,675,398 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 3,106,331; female 2,961,328)
15-64 years: 68% (male 10,457,686; female 10,328,953)
65 years and over: 12% (male 1,619,704; female 2,201,396) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.09% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.12 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.25 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 6.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.59 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Canada started the 1990s in
recession, and real rates of growth have averaged only 1.1% so far
this decade. GDP: purchasing power parity-$658 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 31%
services: 66% (1997)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.8% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 15.3 million (1997)
by occupation: services 75%, manufacturing 16%, agriculture 3%,
construction 5%, other 1% (1997)
Unemployment rate: 8.6% (December 1997)
Budget:
revenues: $106.5 billion
expenditures: $117.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.7
billion (1996)
Industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood
and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish
products, petroleum and natural gas
Industrial production growth rate: 1.7% (1997 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), Saint John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Sydney,
Trois-Rivieres, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor
Merchant marine:
total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 638,267 GRT/902,923 DWT
ships by type: bulk 10, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, oil tanker 16,
passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 7, short-sea passenger 5, specialized tanker 1
note: does not include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakes (1997
est.) Airports: 1,393 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 515
over 3,047 m: 17
2,438 to 3,047 m: 16
1,524 to 2,437 m: 149
914 to 1,523 m: 240
under 914 m: 93 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 878
1,524 to 2,437 m: 73
914 to 1,523 m: 350
under 914 m: 455 (1997 est.) Heliports: 17 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $7.1 billion (FY97/98)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY97/98)
@Canada: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
@Cape Verde:Geography
Location: Western Africa, group of Islands in the North Atlantic
Ocean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references: World
Area:
total: 4,030 sq km
land: 4,030 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very
erratic
Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico 2,829 m
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzuolana (a siliceous volcanic
ash used to produce hydraulic cement), limestone, kaolin, fish
Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 6%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 83% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure
visibility; volcanically and seismically active
Environment-current issues: overgrazing of livestock and improper land
use such as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil
erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation;
desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species
of birds and reptiles; overfishing
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental
Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa
near major north-south sea routes; important communications station;
important sea and air refueling site
@Cape Verde:People
Population: 399,857 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 92,175; female 90,557)
15-64 years: 48% (male 90,183; female 102,541)
65 years and over: 6% (male 9,765; female 14,636) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.49% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 34.47 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.04 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -12.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 47.53 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy is
service-oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services
accounting for almost 70% of GDP. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna,
is not fully exploited. GDP: purchasing power parity-$538 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 18%
services: 74% (1996 est.) commodities: shoes, garments, fish, bananas, hides,
partners: Portugal, Spain, France, UK
Imports:
total value: $237 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products,
transport equipment, fuels
partners: Portugal 41%, Netherlands, France, Spain, US
Debt-external: $202 million (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $70 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1-95.400 (December
1997), 93.177 (1997), 82.591 (1996), 76.853 (1995), 81.891 (1994),
80.427 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 22,900 (1995 est.) Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.) Ports and harbors: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
Merchant marine:
total: 4 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,620 GRT/13,920 DWT
ships by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.4 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.2% (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 4.22% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.95 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$860 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 3.2%
services: 95.4% (1994 est.) commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
partners: mostly US
Imports:
total value: $333 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods
partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1-0.83 (3 November
1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 21,584 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1995)
Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.) Airports: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Central African Republic:Geography
Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 622,980 sq km
land: 622,980 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,203 km
border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic
of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in
northeast and southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m
highest point: Mount Gaou 1,420 m
Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 75%
other: 17% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 745,128; female 737,879)
15-64 years: 52% (male 864,263; female 906,656)
65 years and over: 4% (male 55,051; female 66,794) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.02% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 38.72 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 16.75 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 105.73 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Central African Republic:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Central African Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form: none
former: Central African Empire
abbreviation: CAR
Data code: CT
Government type: republic
National capital: Bangui
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures,
singular-prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures
economiques, singular-prefecture economique), and 1 commune**;
Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto,
Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou,
Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*,
Vakaga
Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the
republic)
Constitution: passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January
1995
Legal system: based on French law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ange PATASSE (since 22 October 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Michel GBEZERA-BRIA (since January
1997)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
elections: president elected by popular vote for a 6-year term;
election last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Ange PATASSE elected president; percent of
vote-PATASSE 52.45%, Abel GOUMBA 45.62%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee
Nationale (85 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held NA 1998)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-MLPC 34,
RDC 13, PLD 7, FPP 7, ADP 6, PSD 3, CN 3, MDREC 1, PRC 1, FC 1, MESAN
1, independents supporting David DACKO 6, other independents 2
note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional
Council or Conseil Economique et Regional; when they sit together they
are called the Congress or Congres
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme, judges appointed by
the president; Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress or
ADP [Tchapka BREDE]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre
KOLINGBA]; Central African Republican Party or PRC; Civic Forum or FC
[Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Movement for the Renaissance and
Evolution of Central Africa or MDREC [Joseph BENDOUNGA]; Liberal
Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for the
Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of the
president, Ange Felix PATASSE]; Movement for Democracy and Development
or MDD [David DACKO]; National Convention or CN [David GALIAMBO];
Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; Social Democratic
Party or PSD [Enoch Derant LAKOUE]; Social Evolution Movement of Black
Africa or MESAN [Prosper LAVODRAMA and Joseph NGBANGADIBO]
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC,
CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC
(observer), UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Henri KOBA
chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462 2517
FAX: [1] (202) 462 2517
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mosina H. JORDAN
embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone: [236] 61 26 21
FAX: [236] 61 44 94
Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a
yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
@Central African Republic: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. Diamond,
timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased, leading an estimated
rise of GDP of 7% in 1994 and nearly 5% in 1995. GDP: purchasing power parity-$3.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 50%
industry: 14%
services: 36% (1994 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA; traditional budget subsidies from France
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 16,867 (1992 est.) Televisions: 7,500 (1993 est.) @Central African Republic:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 23,810 km
paved: 429 km
unpaved: 23,381 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of
shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river
Ports and harbors: Bangui, Nola
Airports: 52 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1997 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 (1997 est.) @Central African Republic:Military
Military branches: Central African Army (includes Republican Guard),
Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Police Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 763,085 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $30 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.3% (1994)
@Central African Republic:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
CHAD
Introduction
Historical perspective: In December 1990, after Chad had endured
decades of civil warfare among ethnic groups as well as invasions by
Libya, former northern guerrilla leader Idriss DEBY seized control of
the government. Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north;
periodic droughts; locust plagues
Environment-current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water;
improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water
pollution; desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography-note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water
body in the Sahel
@Chad:People
Population: 7,359,512 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 1,631,010; female 1,623,272)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,903,012; female 1,982,257)
65 years and over: 3% (male 97,118; female 122,843) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.66% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 43.45 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 16.86 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 116.97 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) About 85% of the population depends on agriculture,
including the herding of livestock. GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 48%
industry: 18%
services: 34% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 15% (1997 est.) commodities: cotton, cattle, textiles
partners: Portugal 30%, Germany 18%, South Africa 16%, France 7%
Imports:
total value: $301 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrial
goods 20%, petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; textiles;
note-excludes military equipment
partners: France 34%, Cameroon 24%, Nigeria 7%, US 6%
Debt-external: $875 million (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: $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: CFA Francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100
per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 5,000 (1987 est.) note: limited TV service; many facilities are inoperative
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.) @Chad:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 32,700 km
paved: 262 km
unpaved: 32,438 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 2,000 km navigable
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 53 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 47
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 21
under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.) @Chad:Military
Military branches: Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, and
Gendarmerie), Republican Guard, Police
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,645,295 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $74 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 11.1% (1994)
@Chad:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: demarcation 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
@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.) 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
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location relative to sea lanes between
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake
Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions
@Chile:People
Population: 14,787,781 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 2,134,701; female 2,043,112)
15-64 years: 65% (male 4,768,366; female 4,811,403)
65 years and over: 7% (male 426,924; female 603,275) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.27% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 18.28 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.55 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.39 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$168.5 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 33%
services: 59% (1995 est.) by occupation: services 38.3% (includes government 12%), industry and
commerce 33.8%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 19.2%, mining 2.3%,
construction 6.4% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 6.1% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $17 billion
expenditures: $17 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996
est.) Imports:
total value: $18.2 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
commodities: capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials
15.4%, petroleum 10%, foodstuffs 5.7% (1994)
partners: EU 18%, US 25%, Asia 16%, Latin America 26% (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $50.3 million (1996 est.) @Chile:Transportation
Railways:
total: 6,782 km
broad gauge: 3,743 km 1.676-m gauge (1,653 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 116 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,923 km 1.000-m gauge (40 km
electrified) (1995)
Highways:
total: 79,800 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: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 473,173 GRT/770,619 DWT
ships by type: bulk 12, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, container 2,
liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 4, passenger 2, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 3, vehicle carrier 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 380 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 52
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 18
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 328
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 74
under 914 m: 234 (1997 est.) @Chile: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: 3,919,465 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $2.8 billion (1997);
note-includes earnings from CODELCO Company; probably includes costs
of pensions and internal security
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.5% (1997)
@Chile:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: short section of the southeastern boundary
with Argentina is indefinite; Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor
to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in
1884; dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights; territorial
claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps
Argentine and British claims
Illicit drugs: a minor transshipment country for cocaine destined for
the US and Europe; booming economy has made it more attractive to
traffickers seeking to launder drug profits
______________________________________________________________________
CHINA
(also see separate
@China:Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay,
Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total: 9,596,960 sq km
land: 9,326,410 sq km
water: 270,550 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than the US
Land boundaries:
total: 22,143.34 km
border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km,
Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, 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: claim to shallow areas of East China Sea and Yellow
Sea
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains,
deltas, and hills in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m
Natural resources: coal, iron ore, petroleum, mercury, tin, tungsten,
antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead,
zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 43%
forests and woodland: 14%
other: 33% (1993 est.) 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,
particulates) from the overwhelming use of high-sulfur coal as a fuel,
produces acid rain which is damaging forests; water shortages
experienced throughout the country, particularly in urban areas and in
the north; future growth in water usage threatens to outpace supplies;
water pollution from industrial effluents; much of the population does
not have access to potable water; less than 10% of sewage receives
treatment; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural
land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development;
desertification; trade in endangered species
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, 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
Geography-note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada,
and US)
@China:People
Population: 1,236,914,658 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 169,347,516; female 149,897,253)
15-64 years: 68% (male 431,164,591; female 404,513,208)
65 years and over: 6% (male 38,398,920; female 43,593,170) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.83% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 15.73 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.99 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.15 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 45.46 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) At the same time, the government struggled to (a) collect
revenues due from provinces, businesses, and individuals; (b) reduce
corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the large
state-owned enterprises, most of which had not participated in the
vigorous expansion of the economy and many of which have been losing
the ability to pay full wages and pensions. GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.25 trillion (1997 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1995 with use of official
Chinese growth figures for 1996-97; the result may overstate China's
GDP by as much as 25%)
GDP-real growth rate: 8.8% (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 49%
services: 31% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments,
textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers,
footwear, toys, food processing, autos, consumer electronics,
telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate: 13% (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $1.977 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 yuan (¥) = 10 jiao
Exchange rates: yuan (¥) per US$1-8.2796 (December 1997), 8.2898
(1997), 8.3142 (1996), 8.3514 (1995), 8.6187 (1994), 5.7620 (1993)
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: 89 million (1997 est. Television broadcast stations: 202 (repeaters 2,050)
Televisions: 75 million
@China:Transportation
Railways:
total: 64,900 km (including 5,400 km of provincial "local" rails)
standard gauge: 61,300 km 1.435-m gauge (10,400 km electrified; 18,540
km double track)
narrow gauge: 3,600 km 0.750-m gauge local industrial lines (1998
est.) Highways:
total: 1.18 million km
paved: 241,300 km
unpaved: 938,700 km (1998 est.) Waterways: 138,600 km; about 110,600 km navigable
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: 1,708 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,139,185
GRT/24,154,260 DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 313, cargo 858, chemical tanker
15, combination bulk 10, container 118, liquefied gas tanker 13,
multifunction large-load carrier 5, oil tanker 231, passenger 6,
passenger-cargo 45, refrigerated cargo 25, roll-on/roll-off cargo 24,
short-sea passenger 43
note: China owns an additional 307 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
11,648,133 DWT operating under the registries of Cyprus, Hong Kong,
Liberia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Panama, Singapore, Saint Vincent and
the Grenadines, and Vanuatu (1997 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 expenditures-dollar figure: the officially announced 1998
figure is 91 billion yuan, but China's defense expenditures are almost
certainly two to three times the announced budget; note-conversion of
the defense budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate
could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@China:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: boundary with India in dispute; two disputed
sections of the boundary with Russia remain to be settled; 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
(territory of Australia)
@Christmas Island:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of
Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 135 sq km
land: 135 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 138.9 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources: phosphate
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 100% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 7.77% (1998 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
@Christmas Island:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island
Data code: KT
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra
by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories
Government type: NA
National capital: The Settlement
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958
Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia
and Australian law
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952),
represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator (acting) Graham NICHOLLS (since NA)
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; administrator
appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the
queen and Australia
Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9
seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms)
elections: last held NA December 1996 (next to be held NA December
1997)
election results: percent of vote-NA; seats-independents 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
@Christmas Island: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. GDP: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: NA
by occupation: tourism 400 people, mining 100 people
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: NA kW
Electricity-production: NA kWh
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture-products: NA
Exports: $NA
commodities: phosphate
partners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $NA
commodities: consumer goods
partners: principally Australia
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1-1.5281 (January
1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994),
1.4704, (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
note: external telephone and telex services are provided by Intelsat
satellite
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 500 (1992)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 350 (1992)
@Christmas Island:Transportation
Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Flying Fish Cove
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.21% (1998 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Cocos Islander(s)
adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays
Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA
note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction
workers, stevedores, and lighterage worker operations; tourism employs
others
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: copra products and tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: NA kW
Electricity-production: NA kWh
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture-products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Exports: $NA
commodities: copra
partners: Australia
Imports: $NA
commodities: foodstuffs
partners: Australia
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1-1.5281 (January
1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994),
1.4704 (1993)
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
note: intermittent television service via satellite
Televisions: NA
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: none; lagoon anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 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
@Colombia:People
Population: 38,580,949 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 6,474,927; female 6,321,404)
15-64 years: 62% (male 11,725,078; female 12,333,982)
65 years and over: 5% (male 780,486; female 945,072) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.89% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 24.93 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.83 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 25.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Colombia:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form: Colombia
local long form: Republica de Colombia
local short form: Colombia
Data code: CO
Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government
structure
National capital: Bogota
Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos,
singular-departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital);
Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas,
Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca,
Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte
de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia,
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 Ernesto SAMPER Pizano (since 7 August 1994);
note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Ernesto SAMPER Pizano (since 7 August
1994); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;
election last held 29 May 1994 (next to be held May 1998); vice
president elected by popular vote for a four-year term in a new
procedure that replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents
by newly elected presidents
election results: Ernesto SAMPER Pizano elected president; percent of
vote-no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote, therefore,
a run-off election to select a president from the two leading
candidates was held 19 June 1994; percent of vote-Ernesto SAMPER
Pizano (Liberal Party) 50.4%, Andres PASTRANA Arango (Conservative
Party) 48.6%, blank votes 1%; Humberto de la CALLE Lombana elected
vice president; percent of vote-NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the
Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de
Representantes (161 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate-last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held March
1998); House of Representatives-last held 13 March 1994 (next to be
held March 1998)
election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-Liberal Party 59, conservatives (includes PC and NDF) 31, other
12; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-Liberal Party 89, conservatives (includes PC and NDF) 53,
AD/M-19 2, other 17
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justical),
highest court of criminal law, judges are selected from the nominees
of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms; Council of
State, highest court of administrative law, judges are selected from
the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms;
Constitutional Court, guards integrity and supremacy of the
constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the
constitution, and international treaties
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party or PL [Emilio LEBOLO
Castellanos]; Conservative Party or PC [Hugo ESCOBAR Sierra]; New
Democratic Force or NDF [Andres PASTRANA Arango]; Democratic Alliance
M-19 or AD/M-19 is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissident
liberals and conservatives; Patriotic Union (UP) is a legal political
party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and
Colombian Communist Party (PCC)
Political pressure groups and leaders: two largest insurgent groups
active in Colombia-Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC; and
National Liberation Army or ELN
International organization participation: AG, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-
3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, MINUGUA, NAM, OAS,
OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Carlos ESGUERRA Portocarrero
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and
Washington, DC
consulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Curtis Warren KAMMAN
embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, No. GDP: purchasing power parity-$231.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 19%
industry: 26%
services: 55% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 17.7% (1997 est.) by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 12.2% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $26 billion (1996 est.) expenditures: $30 billion including capital expenditures of $NA (1996
est.) commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers
partners: US 39%, EC 25.7%, Japan 2.9%, Venezuela 8.5% (1992)
Imports:
total value: $13.5 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer
goods, chemicals, paper products
partners: US 36%, EC 18%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 6.5%, Japan 8.7% (1992)
Debt-external: $17.1 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $30 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1-1345.0 (February
1998), 1,140.96 (1997), 1,036.69 (1996), 912.83 (1995), 844.84 (1994),
863.06 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1.89 million (1986 est.) @Colombia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,386 km
standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal mines to
maritime port at Bahia Portete)
narrow gauge: 3,236 km 0.914-m gauge (1,830 km in use) (1995)
Highways:
total: 107,000 km
paved: 12,733 km
unpaved: 94,267 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats
Pipelines: crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km; natural
gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 km
Ports and harbors: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia,
Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,775 GRT/94,677 DWT
ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 8, container 1, multi-function large load
carrier 2, oil tanker 3 (1997 est.) Airports: 1,136 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 86
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 36
914 to 1,523 m: 31
under 914 m: 7 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1,050
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 65
914 to 1,523 m: 348
under 914 m: 636 (1997 est.) @Colombia: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: 10,229,023 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $2 billion (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.8% (1995)
@Colombia: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
Historical perspective: Comoros has had difficulty in achieving
political stability, having endured 18 coups or attempted coups since
receiving independence from France in 1975. Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 116,345; female 115,886)
15-64 years: 54% (male 146,655; female 150,612)
65 years and over: 3% (male 7,644; female 8,386) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.1% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 40.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.52 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 84.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) It contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force,
and provides most of the exports. GDP: purchasing power parity-$400 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 40%
industry: 14%
services: 46% (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 80%, government 3%
Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $55 million
expenditures: $71 million, including capital expenditures of $15
million (1995 est.) commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
partners: France 54%, Germany 18%, US 18%
Imports:
total value: $70 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum
products, cement, transport equipment
partners: France 60%, South Africa 10%, Kenya 5%, Singapore 4%
Debt-external: $219 million (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1-456.27 (January 1998),
437.75 (1997), 383.66 (1996), 374.36 (1995), 416.40 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the Comoran franc was devalued to 75
per French franc from 50 per French franc at which it had been fixed
since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 4,000 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 200 (1993 est.) @Comoros:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 880 km
paved: 673 km
unpaved: 207 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Fomboni, Moroni, Mutsamudu
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.) @Comoros:Military
Military branches: Comoran Security Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 129,095 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3 million (1994 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Comoros:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims French-administered Mayotte
______________________________________________________________________
CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE
@Congo, Democratic Republic of the:Geography
Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola
Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 2,345,410 sq km
land: 2,267,600 sq km
water: 77,810 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than one-fourth the size of US
Land boundaries:
total: 10,271 km
border countries: Angola 2,511 km, Burundi 233 km, Central African
Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km,
Sudan 628 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km
Coastline: 37 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and
drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands;
north of Equator - wet season April to October, dry season December to
February; south of Equator - wet season November to March, dry season
April to October
Terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Margherita Peak (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m
Natural resources: cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial and
gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium,
radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower potential, timber
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 7%
forests and woodland: 77%
other: 13% (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
@Congo, Democratic Republic of the:People
Population: 49,000,511 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 11,829,386; female 11,766,829)
15-64 years: 49% (male 11,778,121; female 12,339,837)
65 years and over: 3% (male 557,095; female 729,243) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.99% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 46.77 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 15.2 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) note: in 1994, about a million refugees fled into Zaire (now called
Democratic Republic of the Congo), to escape the fighting between the
Hutus and the Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi; the outbreak of widespread
fighting between rebels and government forces in October 1996 spurred
about 875,000 refugees to return to Rwanda in late 1996 and early
1997; additionally, Democratic Republic of the Congo is host to about
200,000 Angolan, about 110,000 Burundi, about 100,000 Sudanese, about
15,000 Ugandan, and about 18,000 Republic of the Congo refugees
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 101.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Congo, Democratic Republic of the:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo
local short form: none
former: Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire
Data code: CG
Government type: dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to
representative government
National 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 two-year time table of constitutional
reform
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; KABILA's cabinet was appointed by
him and has no prime minister
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
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
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 MOBUTO government and seized
control of the country
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: sole legal party until January
1991-Popular Movement of the Revolution or MPR; other parties include
Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa
Mulumba]; Democratic Social Christian Party or PDSC [Andre BO-BOLIKO];
Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans or UFERI [Gabriel
KYUNGU wa Kumwunzu]; Unified Lumumbast Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]
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, ITU,
NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires ad interim Tambo A. Kabila MUKENDI
chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691
FAX: [1] (202) 686-3631
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel H. SIMPSON
embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa
mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828
telephone: [243] (12) 21533 through 21535, 21104; [243] (88) 43604
through 43608
FAX: [243] (88) 43805, 43467
Flag description: light blue with a large yellow five-pointed star in
the center and a columnar arrangement of six small yellow five-pointed
stars along the hoist side
@Congo, Democratic Republic of the:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy of Democratic Republic of the Congo-a
nation endowed with vast potential wealth-has declined significantly
since the mid-1980s. International investors show renewed interest, especially in the
mining and telecommunications sectors. GDP: purchasing power parity-$18 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 59%
industry: 15%
services: 26% (1995 est.) 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.) commodities: diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt, crude oil
partners: Belgium, US, France, Germany, Italy, UK, Japan, South Africa
Imports:
total value: $1.1 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and other machinery,
transport equipment, fuels
partners: Belgium, South Africa, US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK
Debt-external: $13.8 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 zaire (Z) = 100 makuta
Exchange rates: new zaires (Z) per US$1-115,000 (January 1998), 83,764
(October 1996), 7,024 (1995), 1,194 (1994), 3 (1993)
note: on 22 October 1993 the new zaire, equal to 3,000,000 old zaires,
was introduced
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 34,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 55,000 (1992 est.) @Congo, Democratic Republic of the:Transportation
Railways:
total: 5,138 km (1995); note-severely reduced 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: 234 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 24
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 210
1,524 to 2,437 m: 20
914 to 1,523 m: 96
under 914 m: 94 (1997 est.) @Congo, Democratic Republic of the:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 10,543,138 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA
@Congo, Democratic Republic of the:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Democratic Republic of the
Congo-Tanzania-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be
indefinite since it has been informally reported that the indefinite
segment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Zambia boundary has
been settled; long segment of the boundary with Republic of the Congo
along the Congo river is indefinite (no division of the river or its
islands has been made)
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic
consumption
______________________________________________________________________
CONGO, REPUBLIC OF THE
@Congo, Republic of the:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between
Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 342,000 sq km
land: 341,500 sq km
water: 500 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 5,504 km
border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African
Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon
1,903 km
Coastline: 169 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to
October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly
enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern
basin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium,
copper, phosphates, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 29%
forests and woodland: 62%
other: 9% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: seasonal flooding
Environment-current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions;
water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not
potable; deforestation
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Ozone
Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville,
Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them
@Congo, Republic of the:People
Population: 2,658,123 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 569,382; female 563,327)
15-64 years: 54% (male 700,507; female 734,447)
65 years and over: 3% (male 36,383; female 54,077) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.21% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 38.5 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 16.45 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.67 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 102.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Congo, Republic of the:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique du Congo
local short form: none
former: Congo/Brazzaville, Congo
Data code: CF
Government type: republic
National capital: Brazzaville
Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular-region) and 1
commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala,
Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha
Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Congolese National Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution: new constitution approved by referendum March 1992 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 (inaugurated on 25
October 1997)
head of government: prime minister (vacant) appointed from the
majority party by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice
of the prime minister
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 which will change term to seven years)
election results: Pascal LISSOUBA elected president; percent of
vote-Pascal LISSOUBA 61%, Bernard KOLELAS 39%
Legislative branch: bicameral parliament consists of an Assemblee
Nationale or National Assembly (125 seats, members are elected by
direct popular vote for five-year terms) and a Senat or Senate (60
seats, members are elected by direct popular vote for six-year terms);
note-the National Assembly which was elected on 3 October 1993 was
dissolved; it has been replaced by a transitional advisory parliament
of 75 members named by the National Reconciliation Forum of January
1998
elections: National Assembly-last held 3 October 1993 (next to be held
NA); Senate - last held November 1996 (next to be held NA)
election results: National Assembly-percent of vote by party-NA; seats
by party - UPADS 64, URD/PCT 58, others 3; Senate-percent of vote by
party-NA; seats by party-UPADS 23, MCDDI 14, RDD 8, RDPS 5, PCT 2,
others 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: the most important of the many
political parties are Congolese Labor Party or PCT [Denis
SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Association for Democracy and Development
or RDD [Joachim YHOMBI-OPANGO, president]; Association for Democracy
and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA,
president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development
or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA, leader]; Pan-African Union for Social
Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI, leader]; Union of Democratic
Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO, leader]; Union for Democratic Renewal
or URD; Union for Development and Social Progress or UDPS
[Jean-Michael BOKAMBA-YANGOUMA, leader]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Union of Congolese Socialist
Youth or UJSC; Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; Revolutionary
Union of Congolese Women or URFC; General Union of Congolese Pupils
and Students or UGEEC
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC,
CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UDEAC,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Serge
MONBOULI
chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Aubrey HOOKS
embassy: Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville
mailing address: B. P. 1015, Brazzaville
telephone: [242] 83 20 70
FAX: [242] 83 63 38
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
@Congo, Republic of the: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. Subsequently, falling
oil prices cut GDP growth by half. GDP: purchasing power parity-$5.25 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 11.4%
industry: 35.2%
services: 53.4% (1993)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3% (1996 est.) Imports:
total value: $670 million (f.o.b. 1995)
commodities: intermediate manufactures, capital equipment,
construction materials, foodstuffs, petroleum products
partners: France 31.2%, Netherlands 24.6%, Italy 11.4%, US 6.9% (1995
est.) Televisions: 8,500 (1993 est.) @Congo, Republic of the:Transportation
Railways:
total: 795 km (includes 285 km private track)
narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (1995 est.) Highways:
total: 12,800 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
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,918 GRT/4,100 DWT
(1997 est.) Airports: 37 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 33
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.) @Congo, Republic of the:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National
Police
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 623,924 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $110 million (1993)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.8% (1993)
@Congo, Republic of the:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: long segment of the boundary with Democratic
Republic of the Congo along the Congo River is indefinite (no division
of the river or its islands has been made)
______________________________________________________________________
COOK ISLANDS
(self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
@Cook Islands:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 240 sq km
land: 240 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 120 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 13%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 78% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.06% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -6.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$79 million (1994 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 17%
industry: 6%
services: 77% (FY90/91)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.6% (1994 est.) commodities: copra, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish;
pearls and pearl shells; clothing
partners: NZ 80%, Japan, Hong Kong (1993)
Imports:
total value: $85 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
partners: NZ 49%, Italy, Australia (1993)
Debt-external: $160 million (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: roughly $16 million annually, 1985-95, with New Zealand
furnishing 88% of the total
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1-1.7283 (January
1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994),
1.8495 (1993)
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: 1 studio and 8 low-powered repeaters
achieve good coverage on the island of Rarotonga
Televisions: 3,500 (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Avarua, Avatiu
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,464 GRT/2,181 DWT
(1997 est.) Airports: 7 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 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
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
@Costa Rica:People
Population: 3,604,642 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 620,496; female 591,299)
15-64 years: 61% (male 1,120,118; female 1,093,099)
65 years and over: 5% (male 82,893; female 96,737) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.95% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.89 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.15 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Poverty has been
substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social
safety net has been put in place. Recent trends, however, have been
disappointing. Inflation
rose to 22.5% in 1995 from 13.5% in 1994, receded to 17.5% in 1996,
then dropped to 11.2% in 1997. Unemployment appears moderate at 5.7%,
but substantial underemployment continues. GDP: purchasing power parity-$19.6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 18%
industry: 24%
services: 58% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 11.2% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.7% (1997 est. ); much underemployment
Budget:
revenues: $1.1 billion
expenditures: $1.34 billion, including capital expenditures of $110
million (1991 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1-243.55 (December
1997), 232.60 (1997), 207.69 (1996), 179.73 (1995), 157.07 (1994),
142.17 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 281,042 (1983 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: 158 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 27
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 131
914 to 1,523 m: 31
under 914 m: 100 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $55 million (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2% (1995)
@Costa Rica:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South
America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots
______________________________________________________________________
COTE D'IVOIRE
@Cote d'Ivoire:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Ghana and Liberia
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 322,460 sq km
land: 318,000 sq km
water: 4,460 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 3,110 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km,
Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km
Coastline: 515 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three
seasons-warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May),
hot and wet (June to October)
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt,
bauxite, copper
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 4%
permanent pastures: 41%
forests and woodland: 22%
other: 25% (1993 est.) 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
@Cote d'Ivoire:People
Population: 15,446,231 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 47% (male 3,629,286; female 3,590,782)
15-64 years: 51% (male 4,049,355; female 3,842,508)
65 years and over: 2% (male 170,120; female 164,180) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.41% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 42.15 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 16.12 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) note: of the more than 350,000 refugees that fled to Cote d'Ivoire
since 1989 to escape the civil war in Liberia, only about 210,000
remained in Cote d'Ivoire according to a 1997 census
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: 1.03 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 95.95 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Cote d'Ivoire:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire
local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire
local short form: Cote d'Ivoire
former: Ivory Coast
Data code: IV
Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime established
1960
National capital: Yamoussoukro
note: although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Abidjan
remains the administrative center; 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 56 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, Tiebussan
Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 7 August
Constitution: 3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last
time November 1990
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Henri Konan BEDIE (since 7 December 1993);
note-succeeded to the presidency following the death of President
Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY, who had served continuously since November
1960
head of government: Prime Minister Daniel Kablan DUNCAN (since 10
December 1993)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 22 October 1995 (next to be held October 2000);
prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Henri Konan BEDIE elected president; percent of
vote-Henri Konan BEDIE 96%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee
Nationale (175 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to
serve five-year terms)
elections: elections last held 27 November 1995 (next to be held
November 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PDCI
150, RDR 13, FPI 12
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of the Cote d'Ivoire
or PDCI [Henri Konan BEDIE]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Djeny
KOBINA]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent GBAGBO]; Ivorian
Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Ivorian Socialist Party or PSI
[Morifere BAMBA]; over 20 smaller parties
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, 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
telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lannon WALKER
embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan
mailing address: 01 B. P. 1712, Abidjan
telephone: [225] 21 09 79
FAX: [225] 22 32 59
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side),
white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and
has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also
similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and
red; design was based on the flag of France
@Cote d'Ivoire:Economy
Economy-overview: Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers
and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. GDP: purchasing power parity-$25.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 31%
industry: 20%
services: 49% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.4% (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $552 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 87,700 (1987 est.) @Cote d'Ivoire:Transportation
Railways:
total: 660 km
narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge; 25 km double track (1995 est.) Highways:
total: 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
(1997 est.) Airports: 36 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 9 (1997 est.) @Cote d'Ivoire:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie,
Presidential Guard
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 3,583,410 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $140 million (1993)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.4% (1993)
@Cote d'Ivoire: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
@Croatia:Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia
Geographic coordinates: 45 10 N, 15 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 56,538 sq km
land: 56,410 sq km
water: 128 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 2,197 km
border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km,
Serbia and Montenegro 266 km (241 km with Serbia; 25 km with
Montenego), Slovenia 670 km
Coastline: 5,790 km (mainland 1,778 km, islands 4,012 km)
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate
predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry
summers along coast
Terrain: geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border,
low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coast, coastline, and
islands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Dinara 1,830 m
Natural resources: oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore,
calcium, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt
Land use:
arable land: 21%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 20%
forests and woodland: 38%
other: 19% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent and destructive earthquakes
Environment-current issues: air pollution (from metallurgical plants)
and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution
from industrial and domestic waste; widespread casualties and
destruction of infrastructure in border areas affected by civil strife
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification
Geography-note: controls most land routes from Western Europe to
Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits
@Croatia:People
Population: 4,671,584 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 411,022; female 389,354)
15-64 years: 68% (male 1,591,716; female 1,592,485)
65 years and over: 15% (male 262,471; female 424,536) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.13% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 10.45 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 11.14 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$22.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 24%
services: 64% (1995 est.) Budget:
revenues: $5.3 billion
expenditures: $6.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $78.5
million (1997 est.) Waterways: 785 km perennially navigable; Sava blocked by downed
bridges
Pipelines: crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas 310
km (1992); note-under repair following territorial dispute
Ports and harbors: Dubrovnik, Omisalj, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik,
Split, Zadar
Merchant marine:
total: 72 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 793,114 GRT/1,187,908 DWT
ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 31, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk
5, container 5, liquefied gas 1, multi-function large load carrier 3,
oil tanker 2, passenger 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, short-sea
passenger 5
note: Croatia owns an additional 80 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
2,057,523 DWT operating under the registries of Malta, Liberia,
Cyprus, Panama, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1997 est.) Airports: 71 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 20
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 7 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 51
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 42 (1997 est.) Heliports: 2 (1997 est.) @Croatia: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: 1,191,191 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.5 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 8.2% (1997)
@Croatia: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 WWII 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
@Cuba:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 110,860 sq km
land: 110,860 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 29 km
border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km
note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part
of Cuba
Coastline: 3,735 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to
April); rainy season (May to October)
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and mountains
in the southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m
Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt,
timber, silica, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 7%
permanent pastures: 27%
forests and woodland: 24%
other: 18% (1993 est.) 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
@Cuba:People
Population: 11,050,729 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 1,247,339; female 1,182,612)
15-64 years: 69% (male 3,795,310; female 3,777,454)
65 years and over: 9% (male 490,883; female 557,131) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.42% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.13 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.35 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.89 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Export earnings declined 3% in 1997, to $1.9
billion, the result of lower sugar export volume and lower world
prices for nickel and sugar. GDP: purchasing power parity-$16.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.6%
industry: 34.8%
services: 57.6% (1996 est.) by occupation: services and government 30%, industry 22%, agriculture
20%, commerce 11%, construction 10%, transportation and communications
7% (June 1990)
note: state sector 76%, non-state sector 24% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 8% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: sugar, petroleum, food, tobacco, textiles, chemicals,
paper and wood products, metals (particularly nickel), cement,
fertilizers, consumer goods, agricultural machinery
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1995 est.) commodities: sugar, nickel, tobacco, shellfish, medical products,
citrus, coffee
partners: Russia 18%, Netherlands 14% Canada 13% (1997 est.) Imports:
total value: $3.2 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: petroleum, food, machinery, chemicals
partners: Spain 14%, Russia 12%, Mexico 9% (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 58
Televisions: 2.5 million (1993 est.) Waterways: 240 km
Ports and harbors: Cienfuegos, Havana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas,
Nuevitas, Santiago de Cuba
Merchant marine:
total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 91,981 GRT/126,416 DWT
ships by type: cargo 9, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 1,
refrigerated cargo 6
note: Cuba owns an additional 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
463,155 DWT operating under the registries of Panama, Cyprus, Malta,
and Belize (1997 est.) Airports: 171 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 94
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 61 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: roughly 4% (1995 est.) Natural hazards: moderate earthquake activity
Environment-current issues: water resource problems (no natural
reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall; sea water
intrusion to island's largest aquifier; increased salinization 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, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Cyprus:People
Population: 748,982 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 94,006; female 89,256)
15-64 years: 65% (male 245,739; female 241,935)
65 years and over: 10% (male 33,989; female 44,057) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.69% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.93 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.51 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.97 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy remains heavily dependent on
agriculture and government service, which together employ about half
of the work force. To compensate for
the economy's weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to
nearly every sector. GDP: purchasing power parity-$11.19 billion (Greek Cypriot area:
purchasing power parity-$9.75 billion; Turkish Cypriot area:
purchasing power parity - $1.44 billion) (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)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: Greek Cypriot area: 3.5% (1997
est. Television broadcast stations: Greek Cypriot area: 8 (repeaters 34);
Turkish Cypriot area: 2
Televisions: Greek Cypriot area: 300,000 (1996 est. @Cyprus: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 (1996 est. Airports: 15 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 12
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Heliports: 4 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $405 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 5.4% (1996)
@Cyprus: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
@Czech Republic:Geography
Location: Central Europe, southeast of Germany
Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 15 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 78,703 sq km
land: 78,645 sq km
water: 58 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 1,881 km
border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km,
Slovakia 215 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and
plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of
very hilly country
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Elbe River 115 m
highest point: Snezka 1,602 m
Natural resources: hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite
Land use:
arable land: 41%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 11%
forests and woodland: 34%
other: 12% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: air and water pollution in areas of
northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present
health risks; acid rain damaging forests
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, 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: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Geography-note: landlocked; strategically located astride some of
oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a
traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the
Danube in central Europe
@Czech Republic:People
Population: 10,286,470 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 907,744; female 864,202)
15-64 years: 69% (male 3,555,822; female 3,548,548)
65 years and over: 14% (male 541,031; female 869,123) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.11% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 8.96 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.92 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.79 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$111.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 40.6%
services: 54.4% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 10% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 5.124 million (1997)
by occupation: industry 33.1%, agriculture 6.9%, construction 9.1%,
transport and communications 7.2%, services 43.7% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 5% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $14.2 billion
expenditures: $14.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997)
Industries: fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery and equipment, coal,
motor vehicles, glass, armaments
Industrial production growth rate: 6.9% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 13.85 million kW (1994)
Electricity-production: 53.285 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 5,069 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit;
pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products
Exports:
total value: $21.7 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: machinery and equipment 32.7%, manufactured goods 28.8%,
raw materials and fuel 9.2%, food 4.1% (1996)
partners: EU 60.9%, CEFTA 21.4%, Slovakia 13.9%, EFTA 1.7% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $27.7 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: machinery and equipment 38.2%, manufactured goods 19.3%,
raw materials and fuels 12.4%, and food 5.6% (1996)
partners: EU 61.1%, CEFTA 16.3%, Slovakia 11.8%, EFTA 2.2% (1996)
Debt-external: $20.7 billion (1996)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru
Exchange rates: koruny (Kcs) per US$1-35.357 (January 1998), 31.698
(1997), 27.145 (1996), 26.541 (1995), 28.785 (1994), 29.153 (1993)
note: values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rates
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 3,349,539 (1993 est.) Waterways: NA km; the Elbe (Labe) is the principal river
Pipelines: natural gas 5,400 km
Ports and harbors: Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem
Merchant marine:
total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 110,233 GRT/192,998 DWT
ships by type: bulk 3 under Maltese flag, cargo 2 under the Cypriot
flag (1997 est.) Airports: 66 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 33
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 13 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 33
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 16 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Czech Republic:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Civil Defense
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,699,023 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.22 billion (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.2% (1996)
@Czech Republic:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Liechtenstein claims restitution for 1,600 sq
km of territory 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
@Denmark:Geography
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea,
on a peninsula north of Germany
Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 43,094 sq km
land: 42,394 sq km
water: 700 sq km
note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest
of metropolitan Denmark, but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 68 km
border countries: Germany 68 km
Coastline: 7,314 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 4 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool
summers
Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m
highest point: Ejer Bavnehoj 173 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone,
stone, gravel and sand
Land use:
arable land: 60%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 10%
other: 25% (1993 est.) 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: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the
Sea
Geography-note: controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat)
linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population
lives in Copenhagen
@Denmark:People
Population: 5,333,617 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 496,886; female 471,891)
15-64 years: 67% (male 1,807,384; female 1,760,353)
65 years and over: 15% (male 330,385; female 466,718) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.49% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.18 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 11.08 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 3.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Denmark is a net exporter of
food. Denmark is, in fact, one of the few EU countries likely to fit into
the EMU on time. Growth may fall off slightly to 2.8% in 1998, and
inflation may rise to 2.5%. GDP: purchasing power parity-$122.5 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 27%
services: 69% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.2% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $62.1 billion
expenditures: $66.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.) Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $1.34 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1-6.916 (January 1998),
6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 4.025 million (1995 est. Televisions: 3 million (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: 327 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,972,331 GRT/6,894,091
DWT
ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 118, chemical tanker 16, container 76,
liquefied gas tanker 24, livestock carrier 6, oil tanker 25, railcar
carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 14, roll-on/roll-off cargo 22, short-sea
passenger 9, specialized tanker 2
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 (1997 est.) Airports: 118 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 90
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 82 (1997 est.) @Denmark: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: 1,324,150 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $2.9 billion (1997 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.6% (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 94,399; female 94,154)
15-64 years: 55% (male 127,190; female 113,582)
65 years and over: 2% (male 5,877; female 5,525) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.51% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 41.75 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 14.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -11.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 102.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Djibouti:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti
conventional short form: Djibouti
former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland
Data code: DJ
Government type: republic
National capital: Djibouti
Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular-cercle); 'Ali
Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura
Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Constitution: multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4
September 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional practices,
and Islamic law
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June 1977)
head of government: Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30
September 1978)
cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote to a six-year term;
election last held 7 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1999)
election results: President HASSAN GOULED reelected; percent of
vote-NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des
Deputes (65 seats; members are elected to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 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:
ruling party: People's Progress Assembly or RPP [Hassan GOULED
Aptidon]
other parties: Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Mohamed Jama ELABE];
Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Front for the Restoration of
Unity and Democracy or FRUD, and affiliates; Movement for Unity and
Democracy or MUD
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
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, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador ROBLE Olhaye Oudine
chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270
FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lange SCHERMERHORN
embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti
mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti
telephone: [253] 35 39 95
FAX: [253] 35 39 40
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and
light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
bearing a red five-pointed star in the center
@Djibouti: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. GDP: purchasing power parity-$520 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 20%
services: 77% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 40%-50% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $156 million
expenditures: $175 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) commodities: hides and skins, coffee (in transit) (1995)
partners: Ethiopia 45%, Somalia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia (1996)
Imports:
total value: $200.5 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals,
petroleum products (1995)
partners: France, Ethiopia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Thailand (1996)
Debt-external: $276 million (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1-177.721 (fixed rate
since 1973)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 7,200 (1986 est.) @Djibouti: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
(1997 est.) Airports: 11 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) @Djibouti:Military
Military branches: Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air
Force), National Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite),
National Police Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 104,450 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $26 million (1989)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Djibouti:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
DOMINICA
@Dominica:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad
and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 N, 61 20 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 750 sq km
land: 750 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than four times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 148 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m
Natural resources: timber
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 13%
permanent pastures: 3%
forests and woodland: 67%
other: 8% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 27% (male 8,987; female 8,826)
15-64 years: 63% (male 21,231; female 20,464)
65 years and over: 10% (male 2,572; female 3,697) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -1.33% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 17.35 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.29 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -24.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.04 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$208 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 26%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.7% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 25,000
by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services
28% (1984)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.) Budget:
revenues: $77 million
expenditures: $78 million, including capital expenditures of $22
million (FY95/96)
Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement
blocks, shoes
Industrial production growth rate: -0.4% (1996 est.) Imports:
total value: $98.1 million (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food,
chemicals
partners: US 41%, Caricom 25%, UK 13%, Netherlands, Canada
Debt-external: $110 million (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 14,613 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 cable
Televisions: 5,200 (1993 est.) Ports and harbors: Portsmouth, Roseau
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: occasional hurricanes (July to October)
Environment-current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea
damages coral reefs; deforestation
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern
two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)
@Dominican Republic:People
Population: 7,998,766 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 1,435,698; female 1,382,377)
15-64 years: 60% (male 2,452,310; female 2,379,991)
65 years and over: 5% (male 165,602; female 182,788) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.63% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 26.42 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.73 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -4.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 44.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Dominican Republic:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Dominican Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republica Dominicana
local short form: none
Data code: DR
Government type: republic
National capital: Santo Domingo
Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias,
singular-provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco,
Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo,
Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La
Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte
Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez
Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago,
Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde
Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution: 28 November 1966
Legal system: based on French civil codes
Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons
regardless of age
note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August
1996); Vice President Jaime David FERNANDEZ Mirabal (since 16 August
1996); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August
1996); Vice President Jaime David FERNANDEZ Mirabal (since 16 August
1996); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by
popular vote for four-year term; election last held 16 May 1996;
runoff election held 30 June 1996 (next to be held 16 May 2000)
election results: President FERNANDEZ elected to his first term;
percent of vote-Leonel FERNANDEZ (PLD) 51.25%, Jose Francisco PENA
Gomez (PRD) 48.75%
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional
consists of the Senate or Senado (30 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or
Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate-last held 30 May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998);
Chamber of Deputies-last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held NA May
1998)
election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-PRSC 15, PLD 1, PRD 14; Chamber of Deputies-percent of vote by
party-NA; seats by party - PLD 13, PRSC 50, PRD 57
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are elected by
a Council made up of legislative and executive members with the
president presiding
Political parties and leaders:
major parties: Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Joaquin
BALAGUER Ricardo]; Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Lidio CADET];
Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Jose Franciso PENA Gomez];
Independent Revolutionary Party or PRI
minor parties: National Veterans and Civilian Party or PNVC [Juan Rene
BEAUCHAMPS Javier]; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic or PLRD
[Andres Van Der HORST]; Democratic Quisqueyan Party or PQD [Elias
WESSIN Chavez]; National Progressive Force or FNP [Pelegrin CASTILLO];
Popular Christian Party or PPC [Rogelio DELGADO Bogaert]; Dominican
Communist Party or PCD [Narciso ISA Conde]; Dominican Workers' Party
or PTD [Ivan RODRIGUEZ]; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union or UPA
[Ignacio RODRIGUEZ Chiappini]; Alliance for Democracy Party or APD
[Maximilano Rabelais PUIG Miller, Nelsida MARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA];
Democratic Union or UD [Fernando ALVAREZ Bogaert]
note: in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to
form the Dominican Leftist Front or FID; however, they still retain
individual party structures
Political pressure groups and leaders: Collective of Popular
Organizations or COP
International organization participation: ACP, Caricom (observer),
ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (guest), OAS,
OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo VEGA Boyrie
chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280, 6281
FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto
Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and
San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston,
Jacksonville, Mobile, and Ponce (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo
Navarro, Santo Domingo
mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041
telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171, 221-8100
FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437
Flag description: a centered white cross that extends to the edges,
divides the flag into four rectangles-the top ones are blue (hoist
side) and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small
coat of arms is at the center of the cross
@Dominican Republic:Economy
Economy-overview: Economic reforms launched in late 1994 contributed
to exchange rate stabilization, reduced inflation, and strong GDP
growth in 1995-96. GDP: purchasing power parity-$38.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 22%
services: 63% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 10.9% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $2 billion
expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $994
million (1996 est.) Televisions: 728,000 (1993 est.) @Dominican Republic:Transportation
Railways:
total: 757 km
standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge (Central Romana Railroad)
narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge (Dominica Government Railway); 240
km operated by sugar companies in various gauges (0.558-m, 0.762-m,
1.067-m gauges) (1995)
Highways:
total: 12,600 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
(1997 est.) Airports: 36 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 14
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 22
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 15 (1997 est.) @Dominican Republic:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,119,278 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $116 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.4% (1994)
@Dominican Republic:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined
for the US through Puerto Rico
______________________________________________________________________
ECUADOR
@Ecuador:Geography
Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the
Equator, between Colombia and Peru
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 77 30 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total: 283,560 sq km
land: 276,840 sq km
water: 6,720 sq km
note: includes Galapagos Islands
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Nevada
Land boundaries:
total: 2,010 km
border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline: 2,237 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and
Galapagos Islands
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: tropical along coast becoming cooler inland
Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands
(sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 5%
permanent pastures: 18%
forests and woodland: 56%
other: 15% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity;
periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion;
desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
@Ecuador:People
Population: 12,336,572 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 2,253,920; female 2,175,402)
15-64 years: 60% (male 3,636,637; female 3,725,766)
65 years and over: 4% (male 254,432; female 290,415) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.86% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 23.16 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.17 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 32.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$53.4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 37%
services: 51% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $3.6 billion (1997)
expenditures: $3.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.) @Ecuador:Transportation
Railways:
total: 965 km (single track)
narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 43,249 km
paved: 5,752 km
unpaved: 37,497 km (1996 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: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 84,423 GRT/137,272 DWT
ships by type: liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 14, passenger 3
(1997 est.) Airports: 183 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 52
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 16
under 914 m: 18 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 131
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 38
under 914 m: 90 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Ecuador: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: 3,168,489 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $411 million (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.1% (1997)
@Ecuador:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: three sections of the boundary with Peru are
in dispute
Illicit drugs: significant transit country for derivatives of coca
originating in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; minor illicit producer of
coca; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit
narcotics; important money-laundering hub
______________________________________________________________________
EGYPT
@Egypt:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between
Libya and the Gaza Strip
Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 1,001,450 sq km
land: 995,450 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than three times the size of New
Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,689 km
border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km,
Sudan 1,273 km
Coastline: 2,450 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m
highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates,
manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 98% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash
floods, landslides, volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm called
khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms
Environment-current issues: agricultural land being lost to
urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salinization below
Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral
reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from
agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very
limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile which is the
only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining
natural resources
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between
Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal,
shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size,
and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle
Eastern geopolitics
@Egypt:People
Population: 66,050,004 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 12,173,882; female 11,637,239)
15-64 years: 60% (male 20,108,426; female 19,718,302)
65 years and over: 4% (male 1,074,271; female 1,337,884) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.86% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 27.31 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.41 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.8 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 69.23 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) This reform effort has been supported by
three successive IMF arrangements, the last of which was concluded in
October 1996. And
Egypt has been moving toward a more decentralized, market-oriented
economy. GDP: purchasing power parity-$267.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 17%
industry: 32%
services: 51% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4.9% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 17.4 million (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 40%, services, including government 38%,
industry 22% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.4% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $19.2 billion
expenditures: $19.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $4
billion (FY96/97 est.) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw
cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals
partners: EU, US, Japan
Imports:
total value: $15.5 billion (c.i.f., FY96/97 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood
products, durable consumer goods, capital goods
partners: US, EU, Japan
Debt-external: $30.5 billion (1996/97 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $1.713 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Egyptian pound (£E) = 100 piasters
Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (£E) per US$1-3.4 (November 1994),
3.369 (November 1993), 3.345 (November 1992); market rate-3.3880
(January 1998), 3.3880 (1997), 3.3880 (1996), 3.3900 (1995), 3.3910
(1994), 3.3718 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 2.2 million (1993)
Telephone system: large system by Third World standards but inadequate
for present requirements and undergoing extensive upgrading
domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah,
Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave
radio relay
international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and
Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine cables;
tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel;
participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 39, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 41
Televisions: 5 million (1993 est.) @Egypt:Transportation
Railways:
total: 4,751 km
standard gauge: 4,751 km 1,435-m gauge (42 km electrified; 951 km
double track)
Highways:
total: 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: 161 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,225,989 GRT/1,899,818
DWT
ships by type: bulk 24, cargo 60, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker
15, passenger 42, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 15,
short-sea passenger 3 (1997 est.) Airports: 89 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 70
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 39
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 3 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Heliports: 2 (1997 est.) @Egypt: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: 17,350,925 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.28 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 8.2% (FY95/96)
@Egypt:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: administrative boundary with Sudan does not
coincide with international boundary creating the "Hala'ib Triangle,"
a barren area of 20,580 sq km
Illicit drugs: a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian
heroin and opium moving to Europe and the US; popular transit stop for
Nigerian couriers; large domestic consumption of hashish from Lebanon
and Syria
______________________________________________________________________
EL SALVADOR
@El Salvador:Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between
Guatemala and Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 13 50 N, 88 55 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 21,040 sq km
land: 20,720 sq km
water: 320 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 545 km
border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
Coastline: 307 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November
to April)
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 27%
permanent crops: 8%
permanent pastures: 29%
forests and woodland: 5%
other: 31% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and
sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water
pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography-note: smallest Central American country and only one without
a coastline on Caribbean Sea
@El Salvador:People
Population: 5,752,067 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 37% (male 1,088,579; female 1,042,087)
15-64 years: 58% (male 1,575,806; female 1,748,250)
65 years and over: 5% (male 135,556; female 161,789) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.57% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 26.71 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.32 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -4.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 29.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @El Salvador:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form: El Salvador
local long form: Republica de El Salvador
local short form: El Salvador
Data code: ES
Government type: republic
National capital: San Salvador
Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos,
singular-departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan,
La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador,
Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 20 December 1983
Legal system: based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law;
judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
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 NA March
1999)
election results: Armando CALDERON Sol elected president; percent of
vote-Armando CALDERON Sol (ARENA) 49.03%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas
(CD/FMLN/MNR) 24.09%, Fidel CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 16.39%, other 10.49%;
because no candidate received a majority, a run-off election was held
and the results were as follows-Armando CALDERON Sol (ARENA) 68.35%,
Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 31.65%
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea
Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to
serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 16 March 1997 (next to be held NA March 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-ARENA 35.4%, FMLN 34.3%,
PCN 8.1%, PDC 7.9%, CD 3.8%, PRSC 3.4%, PLD 3.2%, MU 2.1%, PD 1.0%,
other 0.8%; seats by party - ARENA 28, FMLN 27, PCN 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 ARENA
[Alfredo CRISTIANI]; Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN
[Facundo GUARDADO, general coordinator]; Christian Democratic Party or
PDC [Ronal UMANA, secretary general; title in dispute]; National
Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ Zepeda, secretary general];
Democratic Convergence or CD [Ruben ZAMORA, secretary general];
Popular Labor Party or PPL [Jose VILANOVA, secretary general]; Liberal
Democratic Party or PLD [Kirio Waldo SALGADO, president]; Social
Christian Union or USC (formed by union of the PRSC, MU, and MSN)
[Abraham RODRIGUEZ, president]; Democratic Party or PD [Ana Guadeloupe
MARTINEZ, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
labor organizations: National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers
(CNTS)National Union of Salvadoran Workers (UNTS); Federation of the
Construction Industry, Similar, Transport and other activities
(FESINCONTRANS); Salvadoran Workers Central (CTS); Port Industry Union
of El Salvador (SIPES); Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador
(SIES); Workers Union of Electrical Corporation (STCEL)
business organizations: Salvadoran Industrial Association
(ASI)Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association (ASIC); National
Association of Small Enterprise (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, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),
MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Rene A. LEON
chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671, 9672
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco
consulate(s): Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON
embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Station Antiguo Cuscatlan, San
Salvador
mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023
telephone: [503] 278-4444
FAX: [503] 278-6011
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band;
the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of
Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white
band-it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE
NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to
the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X
pattern centered in the white band
@El Salvador:Economy
Economy-overview: In 1997 the government emphasized a fixed exchange
rate, along with conservative monetary and fiscal policies to promote
foreign investment. Productivity in other sectors remained weaker, however. For the last
few years, El Salvador has experienced sizable deficits in both its
trade and its fiscal accounts. The deficit is expected to increase in 1998 as
imports continue to rise. GDP: purchasing power parity-$17.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 24%
services: 61% (1997 est.) 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.) commodities: coffee, sugar; shrimp; textiles
partners: US, Guatemala, Germany, Costa Rica, Honduras
Imports:
total value: $3.5 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels
partners: US, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Japan
Debt-external: $2.6 billion (yearend 1997)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $763 million (1996)
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 1998-1995), 8.750 (1994), 8.670 (1993)
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.) Television broadcast stations: 11 (1996 est.) Televisions: 700,000 (1997 est.) @El Salvador:Transportation
Railways:
total: 602 km (single track; note-some sections abandoned, unusable,
or operating at reduced capacity)
narrow gauge: 602 km 0.914-m gauge
Highways:
total: 9,977 km
paved: 1,985 km (including 266 km of expressways)
unpaved: 7,992 km (1996 est.) Waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable
Ports and harbors: Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, La Union,
Puerto El Triunfo
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 88 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 84
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 66 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @El Salvador:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,362,504 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $104 million (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.9% (1997)
@El Salvador:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: land boundary dispute with Honduras mostly
resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ)
decision; the presidents of Honduras and El Salvador signed in January
1998 an agreement allowing citizens in the 1992 demarcated areas to
choose Honduran or Salvadoran citizenship; the two countries also
agreed to a final demarcation of the border within one year; the
agreement awaits ratification by the legislative assemblies of both
countries; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de
Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and
advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras
and Nicaragua likely would be required
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; marijuana produced for
local consumption
______________________________________________________________________
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
@Equatorial Guinea:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between
Cameroon and Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 28,050 sq km
land: 28,050 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 539 km
border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km
Coastline: 296 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Malabo 3,008 m
Natural resources: timber, petroleum, small unexploited deposits of
gold, manganese, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 4%
permanent pastures: 4%
forests and woodland: 46%
other: 41% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 97,993; female 97,470)
15-64 years: 53% (male 114,960; female 126,453)
65 years and over: 4% (male 7,597; female 9,528) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.56% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 38.9 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 13.32 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 93.45 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Equatorial Guinea:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea
local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial
local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial
former: Spanish Guinea
Data code: EK
Government type: republic in transition to multiparty democracy
National capital: Malabo
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias,
singular-provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur,
Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Constitution: approved by national referendum 17 November 1991;
emended 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.) Gen. (Ret.) Farming,
forestry, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government
officials and their family members. GDP: purchasing power parity-$660 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 46%
industry: 33%
services: 21% (1995 est.) commodities: petroleum, timber, cocoa
partners: US 34%, Japan 17%, Spain 13%, China 13%, Nigeria
Imports:
total value: $248 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery
partners: Cameroon 40%, Spain 18%, France 14%, US 8%
Debt-external: $254 million (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 2,000 (1987 est.) @Equatorial Guinea:Transportation
Railways:
total: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,820 km
paved: 0 km
unpaved: 2,820 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Bata, Luba, Malabo
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 66,766 GRT/84,780 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 16, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1997
est.) Airports: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Equatorial Guinea:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Rapid Intervention Force,
National Police
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 98,960 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $2.5 million (FY93/94)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Equatorial Guinea: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
Historical perspective: 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 for the Autonomous Region
of Eritrea; the referendum resulted in a landslide vote for
independence, which was proclaimed on 27 April 1993. Natural hazards: frequent droughts
Environment-current issues: deforestation; desertification; soil
erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest
shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia
along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 27 April
1993
@Eritrea:People
Population: 3,842,436 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 826,686; female 818,323)
15-64 years: 54% (male 1,026,922; female 1,042,156)
65 years and over: 3% (male 66,222; female 62,127) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.39% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 42.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.57 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 3.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) note: it is estimated that between 200,000 and 350,000 Eritrean
refugees were still living in Sudan in mid-1997
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 78.51 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy is largely based on subsistence
agriculture, with over 70% of the population involved in farming and
herding. GDP: purchasing power parity-$2.2 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 18%
industry: 20%
services: 62% (1995 est.) commodities: livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures
partners: Ethiopia 67%, Sudan 10%, Saudi Arabia 4%, US 3%, Italy,
Yemen (1996)
Imports:
total value: $499 million (1996 est.) commodities: processed goods, machinery, petroleum products
partners: Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Italy, United Arab Emirates
Debt-external: $162 million (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 nafka = 100 cents
Exchange rates: nakfa per US$1 = 7.2 (March 1998 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 5,516 GRT/5,747 DWT
ships by type: oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 20 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: flooding occurs frequently in the spring
Environment-current issues: air heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide
from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; contamination of
soil and groundwater with petroleum products, chemicals at former
Soviet military bases; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade
lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas are heavily affected
by organic waste; coastal sea water is polluted in many locations
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Estonia:People
Population: 1,421,335 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 136,278; female 131,480)
15-64 years: 67% (male 456,796; female 492,946)
65 years and over: 14% (male 66,261; female 137,574) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.99% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.04 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 14.15 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -4.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.98 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The growing current account deficit,
which stood at nearly 10% of GDP at yearend 1997, remains a serious
concern. In 1998, GDP is expected to grow by 5.5% and inflation to
fall 10%. GDP: purchasing power parity-$9.34 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.1%
industry: 24.9%
services: 68% (1995 est.) by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry
20%, other 38% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 3.6% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $1.7 billion
expenditures: $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $214
million (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1993)
note: provide Estonian programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first
and second programs
Televisions: 600,000 (1993 est.) Waterways: 500 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: natural gas 420 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Haapsalu, Narva, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn
Merchant marine:
total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 368,340 GRT/455,696 DWT
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 27, combination bulk 1, container 5, oil
tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, short-sea passenger 5 (1997 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 expenditures-dollar figure: $35 million (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.5% (1995)
@Estonia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a
technical border agreement in December 1996 which has not been
ratified; Estonia claimed over 2,000 sq km territory in the Narva and
Pechory regions of Russia-based on boundary established under the 1920
Peace Treaty of Tartu
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from
Southwest Asia and the Caucasus, and cocaine from Latin America to
Western Europe and Scandinavia
______________________________________________________________________
ETHIOPIA
Introduction
Historical perspective: On 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's
Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian
government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; a
new constitution was promulgated in December 1994 and national and
regional popular elections were held in May and June 1995. 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 27 April 1993
@Ethiopia:People
Population: 58,390,351 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 13,468,783; female 13,398,500)
15-64 years: 51% (male 15,095,357; female 14,812,537)
65 years and over: 3% (male 734,471; female 880,703) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.21% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 44.69 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 21.25 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 125.65 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The
agricultural sector suffers from frequent periods of drought, poor
cultivation practices, and deterioration of internal security
conditions. GDP: purchasing power parity-$29 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 55%
industry: 12%
services: 33% (1995 est.) commodities: food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products,
chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles and aircraft (1994)
partners: Saudi Arabia 15%, Italy 11%, US 12.3%, Germany 8% (1994)
Debt-external: $5.2 billion (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $367 million (FY95/96)
Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 (end of period)-6.9530 (February
1998), 6.8080 (September 1997), 6.4260 (1996), 6.3200 (1995), 5.9500
(1994), 5.0000 (fixed rate 1992-93)
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.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.) Ports and harbors: none; Ethiopia is landlocked but by agreement with
Eritrea may use the ports of Assab and Massawa
Merchant marine:
total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 73,775 GRT/98,279 DWT
ships by type: cargo 8, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3 (1997
est.) Airports: 86 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 76
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 36
under 914 m: 20 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $126 million (budget for FY97/98)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Ethiopia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: most of the southern half of the boundary with
Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with
Somalia over the Ogaden
Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and
Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as
cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (chat)
for local use and regional export
______________________________________________________________________
EUROPA ISLAND
(possession of France)
@Europa Island:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about
one-half of the way from southern Madagascar to southern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 22 20 S, 40 22 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 28 sq km
land: 28 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 22.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 24 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: wildlife sanctuary
@Europa Island:People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a small French military garrison
@Europa Island:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Europa Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Europa
Data code: EU
Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high
commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
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
@Europa Island:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
Communications
Communications-note: 1 meteorological station
@Europa Island:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 4.13% (1998 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: Falkland Islander(s)
adjective: Falkland Island
Ethnic groups: British
Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church,
Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day
Adventist
Languages: English
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Data code: FA
Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK, also claimed by
Argentina
Government type: NA
National capital: Stanley
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK, also
claimed by Argentina)
Independence: none (dependent 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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor Richard RALPH (since 29 January 1996);
Chief Executive A. GURR (since NA); First Secretary R. T. JARVIS
(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 queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed
by the queen
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 NA October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2002)
election results: percent of vote-NA; seats-independents 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is non-resident
Political parties and leaders: none; all independents
International organization participation: ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the
UK, also claimed by Argentina)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent 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
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):Economy
Economy-overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture,
mainly sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the
work force. So
far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry have been
unsuccessful. The economy has diversified since 1987, when the
government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers
operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone; overfishing is
a growing problem. GDP: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 1,100 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
Unemployment rate: full employment; labor shortage
Budget:
revenues: $53.4 million
expenditures: $53.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994-95 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (government operated)
Televisions: NA
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 348 km
paved: 83 km
unpaved: 265 km
Ports and harbors: Stanley
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 4,971; female 4,777)
15-64 years: 62% (male 13,896; female 12,034)
65 years and over: 15% (male 2,759; female 3,397) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -1.72% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.08 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.84 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -21.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$800 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 16%
services: 64% (1996 est.) by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing,
transportation, and commerce
Unemployment rate: 11% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $467 million
expenditures: $468 million, including capital expenditures of $11
million (1996 est.) Economic aid: receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $150
million (1995)
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1-6.916 (January 1998),
6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1966), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 26,000 of which about 3,500 are mobile telephones (1996)
Telephone system: good international communications; good domestic
facilities
domestic: digitalization to be completed in 1998
international: satellite earth stations-1 Orion; 1 optical fiber
submarine cable linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1 (repeaters 13), shortwave 0
Radios: 11,800 (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 45)
Televisions: 11,600 (1996 est.) 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 (1997 est.) Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 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, Endangered Species, Law of the
Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are
inhabited
@Fiji:People
Population: 802,611 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 139,713; female 134,220)
15-64 years: 63% (male 251,646; female 251,425)
65 years and over: 3% (male 12,051; female 13,556) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.28% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.92 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.25 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -3.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.65 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) 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. GDP: purchasing power parity-$5.1 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 21%
industry: 18%
services: 61% (1995 est.) Budget:
revenues: $540.65 million
expenditures: $742.65 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $14.35 million from Australia (FY96/97 est. @Fiji:Transportation
Railways:
total: 597 km; note-belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar
Corporation
narrow gauge: 597 km 0.610-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 3,440 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: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,800 GRT/18,034 DWT
ships by type: chemical tanker 2, oil tanker 1, passenger 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 24 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 21
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 17 (1997 est.) @Fiji:Military
Military branches: Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; includes
army, navy, and a small air wing)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 214,475 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $32 million (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 5% (1997)
@Fiji:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
FINLAND
@Finland:Geography
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia,
and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 64 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 337,030 sq km
land: 305,470 sq km
water: 31,560 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 2,628 km
border countries: Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km
Coastline: 1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 6 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland-3 nm)
Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild
because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic
Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes
and low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m
Natural resources: timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 76%
other: 16% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: air pollution from manufacturing and power
plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial
wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife
populations
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94
Geography-note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost
national capital on European continent; population concentrated on
small southwestern coastal plain
@Finland:People
Population: 5,149,242 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 488,974; female 469,343)
15-64 years: 67% (male 1,736,883; female 1,700,466)
65 years and over: 14% (male 284,929; female 468,647) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.2% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 11.24 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.65 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Trade is important, with the export of goods representing
about 30% of GDP. The economy has come back from the recession
of 1990-92, which had been caused by economic overheating, depressed
foreign markets, and the dismantling of the barter system between
Finland and the former Soviet Union under which Soviet oil and gas had
been exchanged for Finnish manufactured goods. Despite
high unemployment and moderate GDP growth of 3.9% anticipated for
1998, inflation is forecast to rise to 2.5%
GDP: purchasing power parity-$102.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 37%
services: 56% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.2% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $33 billion
expenditures: $40 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996
est.) Television broadcast stations: 235
Televisions: 1.92 million (1995 est.) @Finland: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: 77,782 km
paved: 49,780 km (including 431 km of expressways)
unpaved: 28,002 km (1996 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: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,069,794 GRT/1,127,087
DWT
ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 22, chemical tanker 5, oil tanker 11,
passenger 1, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 34, short-sea
passenger 11 (1997 est.) Airports: 158 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 69
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 23
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 21
under 914 m: 9 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 89
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 84 (1997 est.) @Finland: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: 1,286,563 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.9 billion (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.6% (1995)
@Finland:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for Latin American cocaine
for the West European market
______________________________________________________________________
FRANCE
@France:Geography
Location: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English
Channel, between Belgium and Spain southeast of the UK; bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 2 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 547,030 sq km
land: 545,630 sq km
water: 1,400 sq km
note: includes only metropolitan France, but excludes the overseas
administrative divisions
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Colorado
Land boundaries:
total: 2,892.4 km
border countries: Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy
488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573
km
Coastline: 3,427 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean)
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and
hot summers along the Mediterranean
Terrain: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west;
remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m
highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potash
Land use:
arable land: 33%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 20%
forests and woodland: 27%
other: 18% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: flooding
Environment-current issues: some forest damage from acid rain; air
pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from
urban wastes, agricultural runoff
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, 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: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: largest West European nation; occasional strong, cold,
dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral
@France:People
Population: 58,804,944 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 5,674,417; female 5,411,685)
15-64 years: 65% (male 19,243,919; female 19,182,933)
65 years and over: 16% (male 3,759,565; female 5,532,425) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.31% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 11.68 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.12 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.67 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy expanded by 2.3% last year, following a 1.3%
gain in 1996. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.32 trillion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.4%
industry: 26.5%
services: 71.1% (1994)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 25.5 million
by occupation: services 69%, industry 26%, agriculture 5% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 12.4% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $222 billion
expenditures: $265 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1998 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals,
foodstuffs, agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles
and clothing
partners: Germany 17%, Italy 9%, UK 9%, Spain 8%, Belgium-Luxembourg
8%, US 6%, Netherlands 4.5%, Japan 2%, Russia 0.7% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $256 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural
products, chemicals, iron and steel products
partners: Germany 17%, Italy 10%, US 9%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8%, UK 8%,
Spain 7%, Netherlands 5%, Japan 3%, China 2% (1997 est.) Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $7.915 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1-6.0836 (January 1998),
5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 35 million (1987 est.) Television broadcast stations: 846 (mostly repeaters)
note: Eutelsat receive-only TV service
Televisions: 29.3 million (1993 est.) Waterways: 14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled
Pipelines: crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural
gas 24,746 km
Ports and harbors: Bordeaux, Boulogne, Cherbourg, Dijon, Dunkerque, La
Pallice, Le Havre, Lyon, Marseille, Mullhouse, Nantes, Paris, Rouen,
Saint Nazaire, Saint Malo, Strasbourg
Merchant marine:
total: 62 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,528,107 GRT/2,354,235
DWT
ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 5, chemical tanker 8, combination bulk 1,
container 6, liquefied gas tanker 4, multi-function large load carrier
1, oil tanker 18, passenger 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, short-sea
passenger 6, specialized tanker 1
note: France also maintains a captive register for French-owned ships
in Iles Kerguelen (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) (1997 est.) Airports: 473 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 266
over 3,047 m: 13
2,438 to 3,047 m: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 95
914 to 1,523 m: 73
under 914 m: 56 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 207
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 75
under 914 m: 129 (1997 est.) Heliports: 3 (1997 est.) @France:Military
Military branches: Army (includes Marines), Navy (includes Naval Air),
Air Force (includes Air Defense, National Gendarmerie
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 14,739,065 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $47.7 billion (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.5% (1995)
@France:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa
Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island;
Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; Suriname
claims part of French Guiana; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie
Land); Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by
France and Vanuatu
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for and consumer of South American
cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin
______________________________________________________________________
FRENCH GUIANA
(overseas department of France)
@French Guiana:Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Brazil and Suriname
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 53 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total: 91,000 sq km
land: 89,150 sq km
water: 1,850 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 1,183 km
border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km
Coastline: 378 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Bellevue de l'Inini 851 m
Natural resources: bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar,
kaolin, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 83%
other: 17% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: high frequency of heavy showers and severe
thunderstorms; flooding
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: mostly an unsettled wilderness
@French Guiana:People
Population: 162,547 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 26,003; female 24,840)
15-64 years: 64% (male 56,034; female 47,250)
65 years and over: 5% (male 4,245; female 4,175) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.4% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 23.73 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.53 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 14.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.48 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @French Guiana:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Department of Guiana
conventional short form: French Guiana
local long form: none
local short form: Guyane
Data code: FG
Dependency status: overseas department of France
Government type: NA
National capital: Cayenne
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995), represented by Prefect Dominique VIAN (since NA January 1997)
head of government: President of the General Council Stephan PHINERA
(since NA March 1994); President of the Regional Council Antoine KARAM
(since NA March 1992)
cabinet: NA
elections: representative of the French Government appointed by the
president of France on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior;
presidents of the General and Regional Councils are appointed by the
members of those councils, who vote on party lines
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)
and a unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)
elections: General Council-last held 20-27 March 1994 (next to be held
NA 2000); Regional Council-last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA
1998)
election results: General Council-percent of vote by party-NA; seats
by party-PSG 8, FDG 4, RPR 1, other left 2, other right 2, other 2;
Regional Council - percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PSG 16,
FDG 10, RPR 2, independents 3
note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 24 September 1989
(next to be held NA September 1998); results-percent of vote by
party-NA; seats by party-RDSE 1; 2 seats were elected to the French
National Assembly on 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002);
results-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-RPR 1, PSG 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel (highest local court
based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and
French Guiana)
Political parties and leaders: Guianese Socialist Party or PSG [Leone
MICHOTTE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jean BART] (may be a subset of PSG);
Nationalist Popular Party of Guyana (Parti Nationaliste Populaire
Guiana) or PNPG [Jose DORCY]; Union of Social Democrats (Union des
Socialistes Democates) or USD [Leon BERTRAND] (umbrella group of RPR
and UDF); Rally for the Republic or RPR [Leon BERTRAND]; Union for
French Democracy or UDF [R. CHOW-CHINE]; Guyana Democratic Forces or
FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Walwari Committee [Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON];
Action Democrate Guiana or ADG [Andre LECANTE]; Democratic and
European Rally of the Senate or RDSE
International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department of
France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas department of
France)
Flag description: the flag of France is used
@French Guiana:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy is tied closely to that of France
through subsidies and imports. Unemployment is a serious problem,
particularly among younger workers. GDP: purchasing power parity-$800 million (1993 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.5% (1992)
Labor force:
total: 46,300 (1993)
by occupation: services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry
21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980)
Unemployment rate: 24.1% (1993 est.) Budget:
revenues: $176 million
expenditures: $350 million, including capital expenditures of $92
million (1994)
Industries: construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum,
gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 165,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 420 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 2,890 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: rice, corn, manioc, cocoa, vegetables, bananas,
sugar; cattle, pigs, poultry
Exports:
total value: $81 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing
partners: France 60%, EU 7%
Imports:
total value: $605 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport
equipment, fuels and chemicals
partners: France 62%, Germany 4%, Belgium-Luxembourg 4%, US 2%
Debt-external: $1.2 billion (1988)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1-6.0836 (January 1998),
5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 31,000 (1990 est.) Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 22,000 (1992 est.) @French Guiana:Transportation
Railways: 0 km (1995)
Highways:
total: 1,817 km (national 432 km, departmental 385 km, community 1,000
km)
paved: 727 km
unpaved: 1,090 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and
coastal steamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craft
Ports and harbors: Cayenne, Degrad des Cannes, Saint-Laurent du Maroni
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 11 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.) @French Guiana:Military
Military branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 46,136 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of France
@French Guiana:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani
and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa)
Illicit drugs: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption;
minor transshipment point to Europe
______________________________________________________________________
FRENCH POLYNESIA
(overseas territory of France)
@French Polynesia:Geography
Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from South America to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 140 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)
land: 3,660 sq km
water: 507 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2,525 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical, but moderate
Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Orohena 2,241 m
Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 6%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 31%
other: 57% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 40,264; female 38,770)
15-64 years: 62% (male 77,011; female 71,100)
65 years and over: 5% (male 5,347; female 5,352) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.81% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.67 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.67 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.76 billion (1995 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 18%
services: 78% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.) Budget:
revenues: $636 million
expenditures: $643 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)
Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 79,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 330 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,500 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry,
beef, dairy products
Exports:
total value: $245 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: cultured pearls 53.8%, coconut products, mother-of-pearl,
vanilla, shark meat (1992)
partners: France 33%, US 8.5% (1994)
Imports:
total value: $967 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, equipment
partners: France 44.7%, US 13.9% (1994)
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per
US$1-110.60 (January 1998), 106.11 (1997), 93.00 (1996), 90.75 (1995),
100.94 (1994), 102.96 (1993); note-linked at the rate of 18.18 to the
French franc
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 33,200 (1983 est.) Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 35,000 (1992 est.) Ports and harbors: Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWT
ships by type: passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 43 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 25
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 18
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 11 (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $14.2 million
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine:
total: 61 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,164,686 GRT/3,805,913
DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 4, chemical tanker 7, container 10,
liquefied gas tanker 5, oil tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 2,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 12
note: French Southern and Antarctic Lands owns 3 additional ships
(1,000 GRT or over) totaling 78,691 DWT that operate under French
registry (1997 est.) Airports: none
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of France
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica is not
recognized by the US
______________________________________________________________________
GABON
@Gabon:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator,
between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 267,670 sq km
land: 257,670 sq km
water: 10,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Colorado
Land boundaries:
total: 2,551 km
border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km,
Equatorial Guinea 350 km
Coastline: 885 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and
south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m
Natural resources: petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron
ore
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 18%
forests and woodland: 77%
other: 3% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: deforestation; poaching
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, 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
@Gabon:People
Population: 1,207,844 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 202,364; female 202,249)
15-64 years: 61% (male 372,157; female 364,806)
65 years and over: 6% (male 32,718; female 33,550) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.48% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 28 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 13.23 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 85.43 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$6 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.1%
industry: 54.6%
services: 38.3% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6.2% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $1.5 billion
expenditures: $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $302
million (1996 est.) commodities: crude oil 81%, timber 12%, manganese 5%, uranium (1996)
partners: US 50%, France 16%, Japan 8%, China, Spain, Germany (1996)
Imports:
total value: $969 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, petroleum
products, construction materials
partners: France 39%, Cote d'Ivoire 13%, US 6%, Netherlands 5%, Japan
Debt-external: $3.9 billion (1996)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 22,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 (repeaters 5)
Televisions: 40,000 (1993 est.) @Gabon:Transportation
Railways:
total: 649 km Gabon State Railways (OCTRA)
standard gauge: 649 km 1.435-m gauge; single track (1994)
Highways:
total: 7,670 km
paved: 629 km (including 30 km of expressways)
unpaved: 7,041 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 1,600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 km
Ports and harbors: Cape Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Mayumba,
Owendo, Port-Gentil
Merchant marine:
total: 3 bulk (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 37,003 GRT/60,663 DWT (1997
est.) Airports: 64 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 54
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 26 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $154 million (1993)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.4% (1993)
@Gabon:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial
Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay
______________________________________________________________________
GAMBIA, THE
The Gambia
The Gambia
@Gambia, The:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and
Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,000 sq km
water: 1,300 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry
season (November to May)
Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 53 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 9%
forests and woodland: 28%
other: 45% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years
Environment-current issues: deforestation; desertification;
water-borne diseases prevalent
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the
continent of Africa
@Gambia, The:People
Population: 1,291,858 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 296,108; female 295,136)
15-64 years: 52% (male 330,215; female 336,056)
65 years and over: 2% (male 18,194; female 16,149) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.42% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 43.3 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.93 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 3.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 77.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Gambia, The:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form: The Gambia
Data code: GA
Government type: republic under multiparty democratic rule
National capital: Banjul
Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower
River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western
note: it has been reported but not verified that the name of the
MacCarthy Island division has been changed to Central River
Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK); note-The Gambia and Senegal
signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation
of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement
was dissolved on 30 September 1989
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution: 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and
approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished in
January 1997
Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law,
and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 12 October
1996); Vice President Isaton Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997);
note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October
1996); Vice President Isaton Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997);
note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet is appointed by the president
elections: the president is elected by popular vote to a five-year
term; the number of terms is not restricted; election last held 26
September 1996 (next to be held NA 2001)
election results: percent of vote-President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH
55.5%, Ousinou DARBOE 35.8%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly; 49 seats (45
elected, 4 appointed by the president)
elections: last popular election held 2 January 1997 (next to be held
NA)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-APRC 33,
UDP 7, NRP 2, PDOIS 1, independents 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation
and Construction or APRC [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; National
Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic
Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA];
United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE]; note-in August 1996
the government banned the following from participation in the
elections of 1996: People's Progressive Party or PPP [former President
Dawda K. JAWARA (in exile)], and two opposition parties-the National
Convention Party or NCP [former vice president Sheriff DIBBA] and the
Gambian People's Party or GPP [Hassan Musa CAMARA]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,
ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Crispin GREY-JOHNSON
chancery: Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1399, 1379, 1425
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gerald Wesley SCOTT
embassy: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul
mailing address: P. M. B. No. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts,
fish, and hides. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.23 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 27%
industry: 15%
services: 58% (1993 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: bilateral $36.1 million; multilateral $34.7 million (1994)
Currency: 1 dalasi (D) = 100 butut
Exchange rates: dalasi (D) per US$1-10.513 (December 1997), 10.200
(1997), 9.789 (1996), 9.546 (1995), 9.576 (1994), 9.129 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 11,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (government owned)
Televisions: NA
@Gambia, The:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,700 km
paved: 956 km
unpaved: 1,744 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 400 km
Ports and harbors: Banjul
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Gambia, The:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, National Police, National Guard
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 286,847 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.2 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.8% (FY93/94)
@Gambia, The:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: short section of boundary with Senegal is
indefinite
______________________________________________________________________
GAZA STRIP
Introduction
Current issues: The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim
Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), signed in Washington on 13
September 1993, provides for a transitional period not exceeding five
years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank. Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: desertification; salination of fresh
water; sewage treatment
Environment-international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: there are 24 Israeli settlements and civilian land use
sites in the Gaza Strip (August 1997 est.) note: in addition, there are 6,000 Israeli settlers in the Gaza Strip
(August 1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 52% (male 278,551; female 265,009)
15-64 years: 46% (male 241,420; female 238,857)
65 years and over: 2% (male 12,966; female 17,370) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 6.4% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 49.07 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 18.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.75 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.45 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) An estimated 378,000 persons were in refugee camps in
1996. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 33%
industry: 25%
services: 42% (1995 est., includes West Bank)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 8.4% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $684 million
expenditures: $779 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996)
note: includes West Bank
Industries: generally small family businesses that produce textiles,
soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis
have established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial
center
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: NA kW
note: electricity supplied by Israel
Electricity-production: NA kWh
note: electricity supplied by Israel
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture-products: olives, citrus, other fruits, vegetables; beef,
dairy products
Exports:
total value: $630 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 station operated by the Palestinian
Authority
Televisions: NA; note-59% of Palestinian households have televisions
(1992 est.) note: includes new international airport that was scheduled to open in
June 1997, but has been delayed due to political and security
disagreements between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) In 1997, SHEVARDNADZE succeeded in bringing international
attention to the Abkhazia conflict. The UN sponsored two meetings on
the subject, but a resolution is still far off. Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi;
heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate
supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Desertification
@Georgia:People
Population: 5,108,527 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 562,623; female 540,378)
15-64 years: 66% (male 1,631,296; female 1,756,087)
65 years and over: 12% (male 235,042; female 383,101) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.92% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 11.72 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 14.1 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -6.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 51.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$8.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 29%
industry: 16%
services: 55% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $441 million
expenditures: $606 million, including capital expenditures of $54
million (1996 est.) commodities: citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products;
diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles;
chemicals; fuel re-exports
partners: Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria (1996)
Imports:
total value: $733 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts,
transport equipment
partners: Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan (1996); note-EU and US send
humanitarian food shipments
Debt-external: $1.3 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $28 million (1993)
note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,200 million ($675 million
disbursements)
Currency: lari introduced September 1995 replacing the coupon
Exchange rates: lari per US$1 (end of period)-1.32 (December 1997),
1.28 (December 1996), 1.24 (December 1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 672,000 (1993 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas 440
km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi
Merchant marine:
total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 87,730 GRT/122,769 DWT
ships by type: cargo 3, oil tanker 5, short-sea passenger 1 (1997
est.) Airports: 28 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 14
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 14
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 6 (1994 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 79 million lari (1997);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 8.8% (1998 approved budget)
@Georgia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly
for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates to
Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
GERMANY
@Germany:Geography
Location: Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea,
between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark
Geographic coordinates: 51 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 356,910 sq km
land: 349,520 sq km
water: 7,390 sq km
note: includes the formerly separate Federal Republic of Germany, the
German Democratic Republic, and Berlin, following formal unification
on 3 October 1990
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 3,621 km
border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646
km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577
km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km
Coastline: 2,389 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers;
occasional warm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidity
Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Freepsum Lake -2 m
highest point: Zugspitze 2,962 m
Natural resources: iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium,
copper, natural gas, salt, nickel
Land use:
arable land: 33%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 15%
forests and woodland: 31%
other: 20% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: emissions from coal-burning utilities and
industries and lead emissions from vehicle exhausts (the result of
continued use of leaded fuels) contribute to air pollution; acid rain,
resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; heavy
pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents
from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94
Geography-note: strategic location on North European Plain and along
the entrance to the Baltic Sea
@Germany:People
Population: 82,079,454 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 16% (male 6,570,582; female 6,240,671)
15-64 years: 68% (male 28,688,052; female 27,532,099)
65 years and over: 16% (male 4,866,122; female 8,181,928) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.02% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 8.84 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.77 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 2.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Unemployment continued to set post-war
monthly records through the end of 1997 and averaged 4.3 million for
the year. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.74 trillion (western: purchasing power
parity-$1.60 trillion; eastern: purchasing power parity-$144 billion)
(1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 34.5%
services: 64.4% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.8% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 38.7 million
by occupation: industry 41%, agriculture 3%, services 56% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 12% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $755 billion
expenditures: $832.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: western: among world's largest and technologically
advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery,
vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages; eastern:
metal fabrication, chemicals, brown coal, shipbuilding, machine
building, food and beverages, textiles, petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1997)
Electricity-capacity: 109.727 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 495.875 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 6,154 kWh (1995 est.) Imports:
total value: $455.7 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: manufactures 74.2%, agricultural products 9.9%, fuels
6.4%, raw materials 5.9%, other 3.6% (1995)
partners: EU 55.5% (France 10.8%, Netherlands 8.6%, Italy 8.4%,
Belgium-Luxembourg 6.6%, UK 6.4%, Austria 3.9%), Eastern Europe 8.7%,
other West European countries 7.2%, US 6.8%, Japan 5.3%, NICs 5.3%,
China 2.4%, OPEC 1.7%, other 7.1% (1995)
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $9 billion (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 246 (repeaters 6,000); note-there are
15 Russian repeaters in eastern Germany
Televisions: 44.8 million (1992 est.) Waterways: western-5,222 km, of which almost 70% are usable by craft
of 1,000-metric-ton capacity or larger; major rivers include the Rhine
and Elbe; Kiel Canal is an important connection between the Baltic Sea
and North Sea; eastern-2,319 km (1988)
Pipelines: crude oil 3,644 km; petroleum products 3,946 km; natural
gas 97,564 km (1988)
Ports and harbors: Berlin, Bonn, Brake, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Cologne,
Dresden, Duisburg, Emden, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Kiel, Lubeck, Magdeburg,
Mannheim, Rostock, Stuttgart
Merchant marine:
total: 515 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,448,105 GRT/7,940,824
DWT
ships by type: cargo 202, chemical tanker 10, combination bulk 2,
container 253, liquefied gas tanker 6, multifunction large-load
carrier 6, oil tanker 9, passenger 4, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated
cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 7
note: includes ships from the former East Germany and West Germany;
Germany owns 460 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) that operate
under the registries of Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Cyprus, Hong
Kong, Liberia, Malta, Norway, Netherlands Antilles, Panama, Marshall
Islands, Singapore, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1997 est.) Airports: 620 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 321
over 3,047 m: 14
2,438 to 3,047 m: 61
1,524 to 2,437 m: 70
914 to 1,523 m: 53
under 914 m: 123 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 299
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 57
under 914 m: 228 (1997 est.) Heliports: 63 (1997 est.) @Germany:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm), Air Force,
Medical Corps, Border Police, Coast Guard
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 20,915,978 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $42.8 billion (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.5% (1995)
@Germany:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: individual Sudeten German claims for
restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion
after World War II
Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American
cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest
Asian heroin and hashish, Latin American cocaine, and
European-produced synthetic drugs
______________________________________________________________________
GHANA
@Ghana:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote
d'Ivoire and Togo
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 238,540 sq km
land: 230,020 sq km
water: 8,520 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 2,093 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 548 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877
km
Coastline: 539 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast;
hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central
area
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m
Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite,
manganese, fish, rubber
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 7%
permanent pastures: 22%
forests and woodland: 35%
other: 24% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: dry, dusty, harmattan winds occur from January to
March; droughts
Environment-current issues: recent drought in north severely affecting
agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;
poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water
pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake;
northeasterly harmattan wind (January to March)
@Ghana:People
Population: 18,497,206 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 3,985,219; female 3,947,640)
15-64 years: 54% (male 4,905,442; female 5,077,521)
65 years and over: 3% (male 275,192; female 306,192) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.13% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 32.81 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.63 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 77.53 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$36.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 41%
industry: 14%
services: 45% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $1.39 billion
expenditures: $1.47 billion, including capital expenditures of $370
million (1996 est.) commodities: gold 39%, cocoa 35%, timber 9.4%, tuna, bauxite,
aluminum, manganese ore, and diamonds (1996 est.) partners: UK, Germany, US, Netherlands, Japan, Nigeria
Imports:
total value: $1.84 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, consumer goods, foods,
intermediate goods
partners: UK, Nigeria, US, Germany, Japan, Netherlands
Debt-external: $5.2 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $472 million (1993)
Currency: 1 new cedi (C) = 100 pesewas
Exchange rates: new cedis per US$1-2,271.70 (January 1998), 2,050.17
(1997), 1,637.23 (1996), 1,200.43 (1995), 956.71 (1994), 649.06 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 100,000 (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: broadcast stations 3 (8 repeaters); pay
per view (cable/satellite) 1 (1997)
Televisions: 1.9 million (1997 est.) @Ghana:Transportation
Railways:
total: 953 km (undergoing major rehabilitation)
narrow gauge: 953 km 1.067-m gauge (32 km double track) (1997 est.) Highways:
total: 39,409 km
paved: 11,653 km (including 30 km of expressways)
unpaved: 27,756 km (1997 est.) Waterways: Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 168 km of perennial
navigation for launches and lighters; Lake Volta provides 1,125 km of
arterial and feeder waterways
Pipelines: 0 km
Ports and harbors: Takoradi, Tema
Merchant marine:
total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,037 GRT/22,747 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 12 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) @Ghana:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force,
Palace Guard, Civil Defense
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 4,386,728 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $30 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.8% (1994)
@Ghana:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug
trade; transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South
American cocaine destined for Europe and the US
______________________________________________________________________
GIBRALTAR
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Gibraltar:Geography
Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar,
which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the
southern coast of Spain
Geographic coordinates: 36 11 N, 5 22 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 6.5 sq km
land: 6.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries:
total: 1.2 km
border countries: Spain 1.2 km
Coastline: 12 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 100% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 3,131; female 2,731)
15-64 years: 66% (male 10,835; female 8,262)
65 years and over: 14% (male 1,684; female 2,402) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.43% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.01 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.78 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.31 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.61 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The financial sector
accounts for 15% of GDP; tourism (more than 5 million visitors in
1995), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also
generate revenue. GDP: purchasing power parity-$500 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.1% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers)
by occupation: services 60%, industry 40%, agriculture NEGL
Unemployment rate: 13.5% (1996)
Budget:
revenues: $111.6 million
expenditures: $115.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995/96)
Industries: tourism, banking and finance, ship-building and repairing;
support to large UK naval and air bases; tobacco, mineral waters,
beer, canned fish
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 30,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 85 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 2,667 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: none
Exports:
total value: $83.7 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods
41%, other 8%
partners: UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, FRG
Imports:
total value: $778 million (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs
partners: UK, Spain, Japan, Netherlands
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Gibraltar pound (£G) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds (£G) per US$1-0.6115 (January 1998),
0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658
(1993); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 19,356 (1994)
Telephone system: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate
international facilities
domestic: automatic exchange facilities
international: radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth
station-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: NA
@Gibraltar:Transportation
Railways:
total: NA km; 1.000-m gauge system in dockyard area only
Highways:
total: 49.9 km (including 12.9 km public highways)
paved: 49.9 km
unpaved: 0 km
Pipelines: 0 km
Ports and harbors: Gibraltar
Merchant marine:
total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 360,880 GRT/627,429 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 2, container 1, oil
tanker 12, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: severe earthquakes
Environment-current issues: air pollution; water pollution
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,
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
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds
Geography-note: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and
southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing
an archipelago of about 2,000 islands
@Greece:People
Population: 10,662,138 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 16% (male 890,673; female 830,945)
15-64 years: 67% (male 3,602,473; female 3,577,961)
65 years and over: 17% (male 780,029; female 980,057) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.43% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.65 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.37 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 11%
industry: 25%
services: 64% (1994)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $37 billion (excluding privatization receipts)
expenditures: $45 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998
est.) commodities: manufactured goods 53%, foodstuffs 34%, fuels 5% (1994)
partners: EU 60% (Germany 22%, Italy 14%, France 6%, UK 6%), US 3%
(1995)
Imports:
total value: $27 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: manufactured goods 72%, foodstuffs 15%, fuels 10% (1994)
partners: EU 70% (Italy 18%, Germany 16%, France 8%, UK 6%) US 4%
(1995)
Debt-external: $33 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: EU, $5.4 billion (1997 est.) Televisions: 2.3 million (1993 est.) Waterways: 80 km; system consists of three coastal canals; including
the Corinth Canal (6 km) which crosses the Isthmus of Corinth
connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and shortens the
sea voyage from the Adriatic to Peiraiefs (Piraeus) by 325 km; and
three unconnected rivers
Pipelines: crude oil 26 km; petroleum products 547 km
Ports and harbors: Alexandroupolis, Elefsis, Irakleion (Crete),
Kavala, Kerkyira, Chalkis, Igoumenitsa, Lavrion, Patrai, Peiraiefs
(Piraeus), Thessaloniki, Volos
Merchant marine:
total: 875 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 25,264,916
GRT/45,188,813 DWT
ships by type: bulk 354, cargo 74, chemical tanker 22, combination
bulk 13, combination ore/oil 15, container 43, liquefied gas tanker 4,
multi-function large load carrier 1, oil tanker 229, passenger 14,
passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 18,
short-sea passenger 79, specialized tanker 3
note: Greece owns an additional 1,898 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 69,697,820 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas,
Belize, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Liberia, Malta, Panama, Philippines,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Syria, Vanuatu (1997
est.) Airports: 78 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 63
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 16
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 9 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 15
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 11 (1997 est.) Heliports: 2 (1997 est.) @Greece:Military
Military branches: Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force,
National Guard, Police
Military manpower-military age: 21 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,693,116 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $4.04 billion (1998 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Greece:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: complex maritime, air, and territorial
disputes with Turkey in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey;
dispute with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over name; in
September 1995, Skopje and Athens signed an interim accord resolving
their dispute over symbols and certain constitutional provisions;
Athens also lifted its economic embargo on the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Illicit drugs: a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis
and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and
precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits
or is consumed in Greece
______________________________________________________________________
GREENLAND
(part of the Kingdom of Denmark)
@Greenland:Geography
Location: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and
the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Geographic coordinates: 72 00 N, 40 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:
total: 2,175,600 sq km
land: 2,175,600 sq km (341,600 sq km ice-free, 1,834,000 sq km
ice-covered) (est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 7,814; female 7,709)
15-64 years: 68% (male 22,099; female 18,487)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,476; female 1,724) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.9% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 15.83 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.88 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.2 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 21.33 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$945 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 0.6% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.5% (1995 est.) Budget:
revenues: $706 million
expenditures: $697 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp), handicrafts, furs, small
shipyards
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 106,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 245 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 4,253 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: forage crops, small garden vegetables; sheep,
fish
Exports:
total value: $363.4 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: fish and fish products 95%
partners: Denmark 89%, Japan 5%, UK 5%
Imports:
total value: $421 million (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 25%, manufactured goods
18%, food and live animals 11%, petroleum products 6%
partners: Denmark 7.5%, Iceland 3.8%, Japan 3.3%, Norway 3.1%, US
2.4%, Germany 2.4%, Sweden 1.8%
Debt-external: $243 million (1995)
Economic aid: substantial annual subsidy from Denmark-$427 million
(1995)
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1-6.916 (January 1998),
6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 19,600 (1995 est.) Television broadcast stations: one publicly-owned radio and television
station (nationwide) and some local radio and TV stations
Televisions: 12,000 (1991 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 7
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 21,077; female 20,378)
15-64 years: 52% (male 26,959; female 23,403)
65 years and over: 5% (male 2,061; female 2,339) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.77% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 28.1 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.33 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -15.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.37 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$300 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 40.3%
services: 49.5% (1994 est.) expenditures: $126.7 million, including capital expenditures of $51
million (1996 est.) commodities: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing,
mace
partners: Caricom 32.3%, UK 20%, US 13%, Netherlands 8.8% (1991)
Imports:
total value: $128 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: food 25%, manufactured goods 22%, machinery 20%,
chemicals 10%, fuel 6% (1989)
partners: US 31.2%, Caricom 23.6%, UK 13.8%, Japan 7.1% (1991)
Debt-external: $97 million (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 5,650 (1988 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1988 est.) Televisions: 30,000 (1993 est.) @Grenada:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,040 km
paved: 638 km
unpaved: 402 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Grenville, Saint George's
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere is an active
volcano
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
@Guadeloupe:People
Population: 416,439 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 53,239; female 51,148)
15-64 years: 66% (male 136,439; female 139,555)
65 years and over: 9% (male 15,243; female 20,815) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.1% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 16.73 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.61 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.79 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The traditional sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by
other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export
earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Unemployment is especially high among the young. GDP: purchasing power parity-$3.7 billion (1995 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 9%
services: 85% (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 150,000 (1993 est.) note: in 1996 there were 3,200 km of roads
Ports and harbors: Basse-Terre, Gustavia (on Saint Barthelemy),
Marigot, Pointe-a-Pitre
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 9 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 8
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 25,972; female 24,097)
15-64 years: 60% (male 47,357; female 42,189)
65 years and over: 6% (male 4,244; female 4,201) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.5% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 25.04 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -5.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.28 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$3 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4% (1992 est.) Budget:
revenues: $524.3 million
expenditures: $361.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: US military, tourism, construction, transshipment
services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing,
textiles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 302,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 755 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 4,925 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry,
beef
Exports:
total value: $86.1 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products,
construction materials, fish, food and beverage products
partners: US 25%, former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%,
other 12%
Imports:
total value: $202.4 million (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured
goods
partners: US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive
large transfer payments from the general revenues of the US Federal
Treasury into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under
the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury,
rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by
military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 74,317 (March 1997)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean);
submarine cables to US and Japan
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 206,000 (1994)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 97,000 (1994 est.) @Guam:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 885 km
paved: 675 km
unpaved: 210 km
note: there is another 685 km of roads classified non-public,
including roads located on federal government installations
Ports and harbors: Apra Harbor
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional
violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other
tropical storms
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water
pollution
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Geography-note: no natural harbors on west coast
@Guatemala:People
Population: 12,007,580 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 2,629,861; female 2,522,112)
15-64 years: 54% (male 3,213,744; female 3,216,415)
65 years and over: 3% (male 199,738; female 225,710) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.71% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 36.02 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.96 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 47.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. The signing of
the Peace Accords in December 1996, which ended 36 years of civil war,
removed a major obstacle to foreign investment. In 1997, Guatemala met
its economic targets when GDP growth accelerated to 4.1% and inflation
fell to 9%. GDP: purchasing power parity-$45.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 21%
services: 55% (1997 est.) by occupation: agriculture 58%, services 14%, manufacturing 14%,
commerce 7%, construction 4%, transport 2.6%, utilities 0.3%, mining
0.1% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals,
petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 766,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 3.1 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 282 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans,
cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens
Exports:
total value: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamom, petroleum
partners: US 37%, El Salvador 13%, Honduras 7%, Costa Rica 5%, Germany
5%
Imports:
total value: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain,
fertilizers, motor vehicles
partners: US 44%, Mexico 10%, Venezuela 4.6%, Japan, Germany
Debt-external: $3.38 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $274 million (1994)
Currency: 1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: free market quetzales (Q) per US$1-6.2580 (January
1998), 6.0653 (1997), 6.0495 (1996), 5.8103 (1995), 5.7512 (1994),
5.6354 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 210,000 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 25
Televisions: 475,000 (1993 est.) Waterways: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable
during high-water season
Pipelines: crude oil 275 km
Ports and harbors: Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San
Jose, Santo Tomas de Castilla
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 479 (1997 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: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 467
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 124
under 914 m: 333 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $132.9 million (1998 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.66% (1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 5,856; female 5,721)
15-64 years: 67% (male 21,094; female 21,939)
65 years and over: 15% (male 4,001; female 5,944) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.28% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.91 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.53 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 8.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.67 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Bank profits (1992) registered a
record 26% growth. Budget:
revenues: $277.9 million
expenditures: $248.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility
during dry season
Environment-current issues: deforestation; inadequate supplies of
potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion;
overfishing, overpopulation in forest region
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Guinea:People
Population: 7,477,110 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 1,634,344; female 1,644,863)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,952,442; female 2,044,363)
65 years and over: 3% (male 83,616; female 117,482) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.83% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 41.28 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 17.76 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -15.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) note: in prior years Guinea received several hundred thousand refugees
from the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, some of whom are now
returning to their own countries
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 128.92 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Except in the mining industry,
foreign investment remains minimal. GDP: purchasing power parity-$8.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 31%
services: 45% (1995 est.) commodities: bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, fish,
agricultural products
partners: US 21%, Belgium-Luxembourg 21%, Ireland 15%, Spain 15%
(1995)
Imports:
total value: $809 million (1995 est.) commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport
equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
partners: France 35%, Cote d'Ivoire 31%, US 14%, Belgium-Luxembourg
10%, Hong Kong 10% (1995)
Debt-external: $3 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Guinean francs (FG) per US$1-1,004.0 (January 1997),
1,004.0 (1997), 991.4 (1995), 976.6 (1994), 955.5 (1993), 902.0 (1992)
note: the official exchange rate of the Guinean franc was set and
quoted weekly against the US dollar until the end of October 1993;
since 1 November 1994, the exchange rate is determined in the
interbank market for foreign exchange
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 18,000 (1994 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 65,000 (1993 est.) Waterways: 1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft
Ports and harbors: Boke, Conakry, Kamsar
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,722 GRT/6,226 DWT
(1997 est.) Airports: 15 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $50 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.6% (1994)
@Guinea:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
GUINEA-BISSAU
@Guinea-Bissau:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Guinea and Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 12 00 N, 15 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 36,120 sq km
land: 28,000 sq km
water: 8,120 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than three times the size of
Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 724 km
border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km
Coastline: 350 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy
season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season
(December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the country
300 m
Natural resources: fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, unexploited
deposits of petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 38%
forests and woodland: 38%
other: 12% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility
during dry season; brush fires
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing;
overfishing
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Guinea-Bissau:People
Population: 1,206,311 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 256,315; female 255,208)
15-64 years: 55% (male 313,270; female 347,431)
65 years and over: 3% (male 15,986; female 18,101) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.32% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 38.67 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 15.48 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 111.61 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Guinea-Bissau:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau
conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau
local long form: Republica da Guine-Bissau
local short form: Guine-Bissau
former: Portuguese Guinea
Data code: PU
Government type: republic, multiparty since mid-1991
National capital: Bissau
Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular-regiao);
Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali
note: Bolama is reported to be renamed Bolama/Bijagos
Independence: 24 September 1973 (unilaterally declared by
Guinea-Bissau); 10 September 1974 (recognized by Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 24 September (1973)
Constitution: 16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26
February 1993, 9 June 1993 and 1996
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Joao Bernardo VIEIRA (initially assumed
power 14 November 1980 in a coup d'etat)
head of government: Prime Minister Carlos CORREIA (since 30 May 1997)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on advice of
the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 3 July and 7 August 1994 (next to be held July
1999); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation
with party leaders in the legislature
election results: Joao Bernardo VIEIRA elected president; percent of
vote-Joao Bernardo VIEIRA 52%, Koumba YALLA 48%
Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly or
Assembleia Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are popularly elected
to serve a maximum of four years)
elections: last held 3 July and 7 August 1994 (next to be held by NA
1998; the president determines the date for each legislature election,
which must be held within four years of the last election)
election results: percent of vote by party-PAIGC 46.0%, RGB-MB 19.2%,
PRS 10.3%, UM 12.8%, FLING 2.5%, PCD 5.3%, PUSD 2.9%, FCG 0.2%, others
0.8%; seats by party - PAIGC 62, RGB 19, PRS 12, UM 6, FLING 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica,
consists of 9 justices who are appointed by the president and serve at
his pleasure, final court of appeals in criminal and civil cases;
Regional Courts, supposed to be one in each of nine regions, first
court of appeals for sectoral court decisions, hear all felony cases
and civil cases valued at over $1,000; Sectoral Courts, supposed to be
24 of them, judges are not necessarily trained lawyers, hear civil
cases under $1,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases
Political parties and leaders: African Party for the Independence of
Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde or PAIGC [Manuel Saturnino da COSTA,
secretary general]; Front for the Liberation and Independence of
Guinea or FLING [Jose Katengul M. ENDES]; Guinea-Bissau Resistance-Ba
Fata Movement or RGB-MB [Domingos FERNANDES Gomes]; Guinean Civic
Forum or FCG [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; International League for
Ecological Protection or LIPE [Alhaje Bubacar DJALO, president];
National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Abubacer BALDE,
secretary general]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Victor
MANDINGA]; Social Renovation Party or PRS [Koumba YALLA, leader];
Union for Change or UM [Jorge MANDINGA, president and Dr. Anne SAAD
secretary general]; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD [Victor
Sau'de MARIA]
International organization participation: ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB,
ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ITU, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mario LOPEZ DA ROSA
chancery: Suite 519, 1511K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 347-3950
FAX: [1] (202) 347-3954
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peggy BLACKFORD
embassy: 1 Rua Ulysses S. Grant, Bairro de Penha, Bissau
mailing address: C.P. The tightening of monetary policy and
the development of the private sector have begun to reinvigorate the
economy. Membership in the WAMU (West African Monetary Union), begun in May
1997, should help support 5% annual growth and contribute to fiscal
discipline. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.15 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 45%
industry: 18%
services: 37% (1997 est.) commodities: cashews 95%, fish, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber
(1994)
partners: Spain 35%, India 30%, Thailand 10%, Italy 10% (1995)
Imports:
total value: $63 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, petroleum products,
machinery and equipment (1994)
partners: Thailand 27%, Portugal 23%, Japan 6%, Cote d'Ivoire 7%
(1995)
Debt-external: $953 million (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes; note - on 1 May 1997, Guinea-Bissau adopted as its currency
the CFA franc following its membership into the BCEAO
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997); Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1-26,373 (1996),
18,073 (1995), 12,892 (1994), 10,082 (1993)
note: as of 2 May 1997, Guinea-Bissau has adopted the CFA franc as the
national currency following its membership in BCEAO
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 13,120 (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: NA
@Guinea-Bissau:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 4,400 km
paved: 453 km
unpaved: 3,947 km (1996 est.) Waterways: several rivers are accessible to coastal shipping
Ports and harbors: Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, and Farim
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 30 (1997 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 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 27
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 22 (1997 est.) @Guinea-Bissau:Military
Military branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includes
Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 276,417 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $9 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 4.5% (1994)
@Guinea-Bissau:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
GUYANA
@Guyana:Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Suriname and Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 5 00 N, 59 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total: 214,970 sq km
land: 196,850 sq km
water: 18,120 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Idaho
Land boundaries:
total: 2,462 km
border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
Coastline: 459 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental
margin
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two
rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)
Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m
Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp,
fish
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 6%
forests and woodland: 84%
other: 8% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat during rainy
seasons
Environment-current issues: water pollution from sewage and
agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Guyana:People
Population: 707,954 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 112,339; female 108,095)
15-64 years: 64% (male 228,719; female 226,309)
65 years and over: 5% (male 14,652; female 17,840) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.47% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 18.49 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.72 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -14.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 48.67 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Favorable growth factors have included expansion in
the key agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere
for business initiative, a more realistic exchange rate, a moderate
inflation rate, and the continued support of international
organizations. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 39%
industry: 28%
services: 33% (1995 est.) Budget:
revenues: $278 million
expenditures: $299 million, including capital expenditures of $133
million (1996 est.) Imports:
total value: $589 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food
partners: US 29%, Trinidad and Tobago 17%, Netherlands Antilles 17%,
UK 11%, (1994 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1-144.2 (January 1998),
142.4 (1997), 140.4 (1996), 142.0 (1995), 138.3 (1994), 126.7 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 33,000 (1987 est.) Television broadcast stations: 11 (1995 est.) Televisions: 32,000 (1992 est.) @Guyana:Transportation
Railways:
total: 88 km
standard gauge: 40 km 1.435-m gauge (dedicated to ore transport)
narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge (dedicated to ore transport)
Highways:
total: 7,970 km
paved: 590 km
unpaved: 7,380 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice, Demerara,
and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km,
100 km, and 80 km, respectively
Ports and harbors: Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika
Merchant marine:
total: 2 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,340 GRT/4,530 DWT
(1997 est.) Airports: 50 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 45
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 34 (1997 est.) @Guyana:Military
Military branches: Guyana Defense Force (GDF; includes Ground Forces,
Coast Guard, and Air Corps), Guyana People's Militia (GPM), Guyana
National Service (GNS)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 201,126 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $7 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.7% (1994)
@Guyana:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: all of the area west of the Essequibo River
claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (Upper
Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari [Koetari] Rivers (all headwaters of
the Courantyne)
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics from South
America-primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of
cannabis
______________________________________________________________________
HAITI
@Haiti:Geography
Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola,
between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the
Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 72 25 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 27,750 sq km
land: 27,560 sq km
water: 190 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 275 km
border countries: Dominican Republic 275 km
Coastline: 1,771 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade
winds
Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 13%
permanent pastures: 18%
forests and woodland: 5%
other: 44% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject
to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and
earthquakes; periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: extensive deforestation (much of the
remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as
fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography-note: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic
(western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican
Republic)
@Haiti:People
Population: 6,780,501 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 1,465,735; female 1,422,260)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,733,636; female 1,881,367)
65 years and over: 4% (male 138,678; female 138,825) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.51% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 32.84 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 14.17 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -3.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 98.98 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$7.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 44%
industry: 13%
services: 43% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 17% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $284 million
expenditures: $308 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY96/97 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: gourdes (G) per US$1 (end of period)-17.311 (December
1997), 17.311 (1997), 15.093 (1996), 16.160 (1995), 12.947 (1994),
12.805 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 50,000 (1990 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.) Televisions: 32,000 (1992 est.) @Haiti:Transportation
Railways:
total: 40 km (single track; privately owned industrial line)-closed in
early 1990s
narrow gauge: 40 km 0.760-m gauge
Highways:
total: 4,160 km
paved: 1,011 km
unpaved: 3,149 km (1996 est.) Waterways: NEGL; less than 100 km navigable
Ports and harbors: Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Jeremie, Les Cayes,
Miragoane, Port-au-Prince, Port-de-Paix, Saint-Marc
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 14 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 6 (1997 est.) @Haiti:Military
Military branches: Haitian National Police (HNP)
note: the regular Haitian Army, Navy, and Air Force have been
demobilized but still exist on paper until/unless constitutionally
abolished
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,490,464 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA; note-mainly for police and
security activities
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Haiti:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims US-administered Navassa Island
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana en route
to the US and Europe
______________________________________________________________________
HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS
(territory of Australia)
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, islands in the Indian Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
Geographic coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than 2 times the size of Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 101.9 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: antarctic
Terrain: Heard Island-bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent volcano;
McDonald Islands-small and rocky
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m
Natural resources: none
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: Heard Island is dominated by a dormant volcano called
Big Ben
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: primarily used for research stations
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands:People
Population: uninhabited
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Data code: HM
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra
by the Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories
Legal system: NA
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
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
HOLY SEE (VATICAN CITY)
Holy See (Vatican City)
Holy See (Vatican City)
@Holy See (Vatican City):Geography
Location: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 0.44 sq km
land: 0.44 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries:
total: 3.2 km
border countries: Italy 3.2 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with
hot, dry summers (May to September)
Terrain: low hill
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: unnamed location 19 m
highest point: unnamed location 75 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (urban area)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Geography-note: urban; landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world's
smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and
Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial
rights
@Holy See (Vatican City):People
Population: 860 (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.15% (1998 est.) Natural hazards: frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging
hurricanes and floods along Caribbean coast
Environment-current issues: urban population expanding; deforestation
results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural
purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by
uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as
farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa
(the country's largest source of fresh water) as well as several
rivers and streams with heavy metals
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: none of the selected agreements
@Honduras:People
Population: 5,861,955 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 1,248,291; female 1,204,574)
15-64 years: 55% (male 1,591,995; female 1,615,449)
65 years and over: 3% (male 96,017; female 105,629) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.33% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 31.79 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.02 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 41.88 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Honduras:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Honduras
conventional short form: Honduras
local long form: Republica de Honduras
local short form: Honduras
Data code: HO
Government type: republic
National capital: Tegucigalpa
Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos,
singular-departamento) plus probable Central District (Tegucigalpa);
Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso,
Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La
Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982
Legal system: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influence of
English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (since 27
January 1998); First Vice President William HANDAL; Second Vice
President Gladys CABALLERO de Arevalo; Third Vice President Hector
Vidal CERRATO Hernandez; note-the president is both the chief of state
and head of government
head of government: President Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (since 27
January 1998); First Vice President William HANDAL; Second Vice
President Gladys CABALLERO de Arevalo; Third Vice President Hector
Vidal CERRATO Hernandez; 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 30 November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2001)
election results: Carlos FLORES Facusse elected president; percent of
vote-Carlos FLORES Facusse (PLH) 53%, Nora de MELGAR (PNH) 42%, other
5%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional
(128 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year
terms)
elections: last held on 30 November 1997 (next to be held November
2001)
election results: percent of vote by party-PLH 50%, PNH 42%, PINU-SD
4%, PDCH 2%, other 2%; seats by party-PLH 70, PNH 55, PINU-SD 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica),
judges are elected for four-year terms by the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PLH), Raphael PINEDA
Ponce, president; National Party of Honduras (PNH), Nora MELGAR,
president; National Innovation and Unity Party-Social Democratic Party
(PINU-SD), Olban VALLADARES, president; Christian Democratic Party
(PDCH)
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Association of
Honduran Campesinos (ANACH); Honduran Council of Private Enterprise
(COHEP); Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH); National Union of
Campesinos (UNC); General Workers Confederation (CGT); United
Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH); Committee for the Defense of
Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH); Coordinating Committee of Popular
Organizations (CCOP)
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO,
G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),
MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edgardo DUMAS Rodriguez
chancery: 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702, 2604, 5008, 4596
FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Boston, Detroit, and Jacksonville
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James Francis CREAGAN (29 July 1996)
embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. GDP: purchasing power parity-$12.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 19%
services: 61% (1997)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 15% (1997 est.) by occupation: agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%,
construction 3%, other 6% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 6.3% (1997); underemployed 30% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $655 million
expenditures: $850 million, including capital expenditures of $150
million (1997 est.) 1996)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw
materials, chemical products, manufactured goods, fuel and oil,
foodstuffs
partners: US 43%, Guatemala 5%, Japan 5%, Germany 4%, Mexico 3%, El
Salvador 3% (1995)
Debt-external: $4.1 billion (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: lempiras (L) per US$1 (end of period)-13.1332 (January
1998), 13.0942 (1997), 12.8694 (1996), 10.3432 (1995), 9.4001 (1994),
7.2600 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 105,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 28
Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.) @Honduras:Transportation
Railways:
total: 595 km
narrow gauge: 190 km 1.067-m gauge; 128 km 1.057-m gauge; 277 km
0.914-m gauge
note: in 1993, there was a total of 988 km of track
Highways:
total: 15,400 km
paved: 3,126 km
unpaved: 12,274 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 465 km navigable by small craft
Ports and harbors: La Ceiba, Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San
Lorenzo, Tela, Puerto Lempira
Merchant marine:
total: 219 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 545,829 GRT/801,456 DWT
ships by type: bulk 25, cargo 131, chemical tanker 3, container 7,
liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 2, oil tanker 19, passenger
1, passenger-cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 18, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5,
short-sea passenger 3, vehicle carrier 1
note: a flag of convenience registry; Russia owns 7 ships, Vietnam 2,
Singapore 2, North Korea 1, Brazil 1, Japan 1, Iran 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 122 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 12
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 110
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 20
under 914 m: 87 (1997 est.) @Honduras:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, Public
Security Forces (FUSEP, now being converted to a civilian police
force)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,409,012 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $42.5 million (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: about 1.5% (1997)
@Honduras:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: land boundary dispute with El Salvador mostly
resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ)
decision; the presidents of El Salvador and Honduras signed in January
1998 an agreement allowing citizens in the 1992 demarcated areas to
choose Salvadoran or Honduran citizenship; the two countries also
agreed to a final demarcation of the border within one year; the
agreement awaits ratification by the legislative assemblies of both
countries; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de
Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and
advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras,
and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute with
Nicaragua
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for drugs and narcotics, mostly
along the Caribbean coastline; illicit producer of cannabis,
cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption
______________________________________________________________________
HONG KONG
(special administrative region of China)
Introduction
Current issues: Pursuant to the agreement signed by China and the UK
on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became a special administrative region
of China on 1 July 1997. @Hong Kong:Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates: 22 15 N, 114 10 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 1,092 sq km
land: 1,042 sq km
water: 50 sq km
Area-comparative: six times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 30 km
border countries: China 30 km
Coastline: 733 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy
from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall
Terrain: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m
Natural resources: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 1%
forests and woodland: 22%
other: 70% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons
Environment-current issues: air and water pollution from rapid
urbanization
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: more than 200 islands
@Hong Kong:People
Population: 6,706,965 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 637,808; female 591,900)
15-64 years: 71% (male 2,360,878; female 2,425,291)
65 years and over: 11% (male 312,033; female 379,055) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.24% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.85 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.87 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 15.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.24 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Hong Kong:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
conventional short form: Hong Kong
local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu
local short form: Xianggang
abbreviation: HK
Data code: HK
Dependency status: special administrative region of China
Government type: NA
National capital: Victoria
Administrative divisions: none (special administrative region of
China)
Independence: none (special administrative region of China)
National holiday: National Day, 1-2 October
note: 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region Establishment Day
Constitution: Basic Law approved in March 1990 by China's National
People's Congress is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent
residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven
years; indirect election limited to about 100,000 members of
functional constituencies and an 800-member Election Commission drawn
from broad regional groupings and other central government bodies
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of China JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993)
head of government: Chief Executive TUNG Chee-hwa (since 1 July 1997)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex-officio members and 10
appointed members; ex-officio members are: Chief Secretary Anson CHAN
(since 29 November 1993), Financial Secretary Donald TSANG (since NA
1995), and Secretary of Justice Elsie LEUNG (since NA 1997)
elections: NA
Legislative branch: a provisional legislature replaced the unicameral
Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; 30 indirectly elected by
functional constituencies, 20 elected by popular vote, and 10 elected
by election committee; members served four-year terms) on 1 July 1997
elections: indirect and direct elections for the Legislative Council
were last held on 17 September 1995; elections for the first Special
Administrative Region Legislative Council are scheduled to be held in
May 1998
election results: the following are results of the 1995 election of
the Legislative Council - percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-Democratic Party 21, Liberal Party 10, Democratic Alliance for
the Betterment of Hong Kong 6, other parties and independents 23
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Martin LEE, chairman;
Liberal Party, Allen LEE, chairman; Democratic Alliance for the
Betterment of Hong Kong, TSANG Yuk-shing, chairman; Hong Kong
Democratic Foundation, Dr. Patrick SHIU Kin-ying, chairman; The
Frontier, Emily LAN Wai-hang, chairwoman
Political pressure groups and leaders: Association for Democracy and
People's Livelihood (ADPL), Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman; Liberal
Democratic Federation, HU Fa-kuang, chairman; Federation of Trade
Unions (pro-China), LEE Chark-tim, president; Hong Kong and Kowloon
Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Confederation of Trade Unions
(pro-democracy), LEE Cheuk-yan, chairman; Hong Kong General Chamber of
Commerce; Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Federation
of Hong Kong Industries; Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong
Kong; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, CHEUNG Man-kwong,
president; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic
Movement in China, Szeto WAH, chairman
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, BIS (pending
member), CCC, ESCAP (associate), ICFTU, IMO (associate), Interpol
(subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (special administrative
region of China)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Consul General Richard A. BOUCHER
consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
mailing address: PSC 464, Box 30, FPO AP 96522-0002
telephone: [852] 2523-9011
FAX: [852] 2845-1598
Flag description: red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia
flower in the center
@Hong Kong:Economy
Economy-overview: Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy highly
dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and
food and raw materials must be imported. Indeed, imports and exports,
including reexports, each exceed GDP in dollar value. GDP: purchasing power parity-$175.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 16.1%
services: 83.8% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $19 billion
expenditures: $14.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $289
million (FY95/96 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4 (British Broadcasting Corporation
repeater 1; British Forces Broadcasting Service repeater 1)
Televisions: 1.75 million (1992 est.) @Hong Kong:Transportation
Railways:
total: 34 km
standard gauge: 34 km 1.435-m gauge (1996 est.) note: also has 43 km of metro with 38 stations
Highways:
total: 1,760 km
paved: 1,760 km
unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Hong Kong
Merchant marine:
total: 182 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,644,279 GRT/9,287,704
DWT
ships by type: bulk 104, cargo 23, combination bulk 2, container 42,
liquefied gas tanker 1, multifunction large load carrier 2, oil tanker
2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger
1, vehicle carrier 3
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 13 countries
among which are UK 26, South Africa 9, China 9, Japan 8, Bermuda 3,
Germany 3, Israel 2, Canada 2, Belgium 1, and Norway 1; Hong Kong owns
an additional 459 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,179,262 DWT
that operate under the registries of The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize,
Bermuda, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Liberia, Malta, Panama, Philippines, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, and Vanuatu (1997 est.) Airports: 3 (1998)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998)
Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Hong Kong:Military
Military branches: the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has a
low-profile presence in Hong Kong
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,908,604 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of China
@Hong Kong:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment
and money-laundering center; increasing indigenous amphetamine abuse
______________________________________________________________________
HOWLAND ISLAND
(territory of the US)
@Howland Island:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half
of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 0 48 N, 176 38 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 1.6 sq km
land: 1.6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about three times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6.4 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a
narrow fringing reef; depressed central area
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 5%
other: 95%
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: almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines,
and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a
nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and
marine wildlife; feral cats
@Howland Island:People
Population: uninhabited
note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and
naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during
World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by
special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and
educators
@Howland Island:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Howland Island
Data code: HQ
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
@Howland Island:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
@Howland Island:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only; note-there is one
boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Airports: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on
the round-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan-they left
Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the
airstrip is no longer serviceable
Transportation-note: Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of
the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but
has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia
Earhart
@Howland Island:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited
annually by the US Coast Guard
@Howland Island:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
HUNGARY
@Hungary:Geography
Location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 93,030 sq km
land: 92,340 sq km
water: 690 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 2,009 km
border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,
Serbia and Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km,
Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the
Slovakian border
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Tisza River 78 m
highest point: Kekes 1,014 m
Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils
Land use:
arable land: 51%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 13%
forests and woodland: 19%
other: 15% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 915,412; female 872,706)
15-64 years: 68% (male 3,413,170; female 3,533,085)
65 years and over: 14% (male 550,974; female 922,780) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.23% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 10.69 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 13.46 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The OECD welcomed Hungary as a member in May 1996, and in
December 1997 the EU invited Hungary to begin the accession process. GDP: purchasing power parity-$73.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.2%
industry: 31.8%
services: 61% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 18% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $12.1 billion
expenditures: $13.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler
Exchange rates: forints per US$1-206.260 (January 1998), 186.789
(1997), 152.647 (1996), 125.681 (1995),105.160 (1994), 91.933 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 2.16 million (1 January 1996)-there are 21.1 per 100
inhabitants, 54.1 per 100 households; mobile telephone services are
used by 267,000 subscribers
Telephone system: 14,213 telex lines; automatic telephone network
based on microwave radio relay system; the average waiting time for
telephones is expected to drop to one year by the end of 1997 (down
from over 10 years in the early 1990's); note-the former state-owned
telecommunications firm MATAV-now privatized and managed by a
US/German consortium-has ambitious plans to upgrade the inadequate
system, including a contract with the German firm Siemens and the
Swedish firm Ericsson to provide 600,000 new phone lines during
1996-98
domestic: microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations-1 Intelsat and 1 Intersputnik
(Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 32, FM 15, shortwave 0
Radios: 6 million (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 41 (Russian repeaters 8)
Televisions: 4.38 million (1993 est.) Waterways: 1,622 km (1988)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991)
Ports and harbors: Budapest, Dunaujvaros
Merchant marine:
total: 8 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 35,522 GRT/47,792
DWT (1997 est.) Airports: 25 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.) @Hungary:Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Air Force, Border Guard
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,618,416 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $550 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.5% (1996)
@Hungary:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia (to be
resolved March 1998)
Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
and cannabis and transit point for South American cocaine destined for
Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly
for amphetamines and methamphetamines
______________________________________________________________________
ICELAND
@Iceland:Geography
Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Geographic coordinates: 65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:
total: 103,000 sq km
land: 100,250 sq km
water: 2,750 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,988 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy
winters; damp, cool summers
Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields;
coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 23%
forests and woodland: 1%
other: 76% (1993 est.) note: population data estimates based on average growth rate may
differ slightly from official population data because of volatile
migration rates
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 32,723; female 31,196)
15-64 years: 65% (male 88,608; female 86,775)
65 years and over: 11% (male 14,324; female 17,407) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.52% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 15.11 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.97 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.82 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy depends
heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 75% of export earnings
and employs 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish
stocks as well as to drops in world prices for its main exports: fish
and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Growth is
likely to slow in 1998, to a still respectable 3.9%. GDP: purchasing power parity-$5.71 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.6%
industry: 22.1%
services: 68.3% (1991)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.3% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 131,000 (1996 est.) by occupation: manufacturing 12.9%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%,
construction 10.7%, other services 59.5%, agriculture 5.1% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.8% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $1.9 billion
expenditures: $2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $146
million (1996 est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar
Exchange rates: Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1-72.707 (January 1998),
70.904 (1997), 66.500 (1996), 64.692 (1995), 69.944 (1994), 67.603
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 143,600 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 202 (transmitters and repeaters)
Televisions: 96,100 licensed (1993 est.) @Iceland:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 12,341 km
paved: 3,196 km
unpaved: 9,145 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Akureyri, Hornafjordur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik,
Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vestmannaeyjar
Merchant marine:
total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,594 GRT/29,322 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, container 1, oil tanker 1,
refrigerated cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 90 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 79
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 22
under 914 m: 54 (1997 est.) @Iceland:Military
Military branches: no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard;
note-Iceland's defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense
Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 70,906 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: none
@Iceland:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving
Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a
boundary agreement in the Rockall area)
______________________________________________________________________
INDIA
@India:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of
Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 77 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total: 3,287,590 sq km
land: 2,973,190 sq km
water: 314,400 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than one-third the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 14,103 km
border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km,
China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km
Coastline: 7,000 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north
Terrain: upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain
along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m
Natural resources: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron
ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas,
diamonds, petroleum, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 56%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 4%
forests and woodland: 23%
other: 16% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms common;
earthquakes
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing;
desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle
emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural
pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the country; huge and
rapidly growing population is overstraining natural resources
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, 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
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important
Indian Ocean trade routes
@India:People
Population: 984,003,683 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 174,578,403; female 164,755,937)
15-64 years: 61% (male 310,995,355; female 288,344,336)
65 years and over: 5% (male 23,051,278; female 22,278,374) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.71% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 25.91 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 63.14 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.534 trillion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: 28%
services: 42% (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 67%, services 18%, industry 15% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $39 billion
expenditures: $61 billion, including capital expenditures of $10
billion (FY97/98 est.) Television broadcast stations: 274 (government controlled)
Televisions: 33 million (1992 est.) @India:Transportation
Railways:
total: 62,660 km (12,296 km electrified; 12,617 km double track)
broad gauge: 39,612 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 19,210 km 1.000-m gauge; 3,838 km 0.762-m and 0.610-m
gauge (1995 est.) Highways:
total: 2.06 million km
paved: 1,034,120 km
unpaved: 1,025,880 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 16,180 km; 3,631 km navigable by large vessels
Pipelines: crude oil 3,005 km; petroleum products 2,687 km; natural
gas 1,700 km (1995)
Ports and harbors: Calcutta, Chennai (Madras), Cochin, Jawaharal
Nehru, Kandla, Mumbai (Bombay), Vishakhapatnam
Merchant marine:
total: 299 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,605,619 GRT/10,988,439
DWT
ships by type: bulk 126, cargo 58, chemical tanker 9, combination bulk
1, combination ore/oil 3, container 11, liquefied gas tanker 9, oil
tanker 75, passenger-cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea
passenger 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 343 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 237
over 3,047 m: 12
2,438 to 3,047 m: 47
1,524 to 2,437 m: 87
914 to 1,523 m: 72
under 914 m: 19 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 106
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 47
under 914 m: 51 (1997 est.) Heliports: 16 (1997 est.) @India:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, various security or
paramilitary forces (includes Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, and
Coast Guard)
Military manpower-military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 263,765,005 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $8 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.7% (FY95/96)
@India:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: boundary with China in dispute; status of
Kashmir with Pakistan; water-sharing problems with Pakistan over the
Indus River (Wular Barrage); a portion of the boundary with Bangladesh
is indefinite
Illicit drugs: world's largest licit producer of opium for the
pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is
diverted to illicit international drug markets; major transit country
for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries; illicit
producer of hashish and methaqualone; cultivated 2,050 hectares of
opium in 1997, a 34% decrease from 1996, with a potential production
of 30 metric tons, a 36% decrease from 1996
______________________________________________________________________
INDIAN OCEAN
@Indian Ocean:Geography
Location: body of water between Africa, Antarctica, Asia, and
Australia
Geographic coordinates: 30 00 S, 80 00 E
Map references: World
Area:
total: 73.6 million sq km
note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Great
Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Mozambique Channel,
Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of Malacca, and other tributary water
bodies
Area-comparative: slightly less than eight times the size of the US;
third-largest ocean (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but
larger than the Arctic Ocean)
Coastline: 66,526 km
Climate: northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon
(June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and
October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February in
the southern Indian Ocean
Terrain: surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular
system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique reversal of
surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric
pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in
the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and currents,
while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air
results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and
currents; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and
subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean
Ridge, and Ninety East Ridge
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel
aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules
Natural hazards: ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme
south near Antarctica from May to October
Environment-current issues: endangered marine species include the
dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea,
Persian Gulf, and Red 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 Bab el Mandeb, Strait of
Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the
Lombok Strait
@Indian Ocean:Government
Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard for
hydrographic codes-see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Codes
appendix
@Indian Ocean:Economy
Economy-overview: The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes
connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the
Americas. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil
production comes from the Indian Ocean. Natural hazards: occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis,
earthquakes
Environment-current issues: deforestation; water pollution from
industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: archipelago of 17,000 islands (6,000 inhabited);
straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes
from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean
@Indonesia:People
Population: 212,941,810 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 33,311,867; female 32,361,468)
15-64 years: 65% (male 69,215,722; female 69,578,527)
65 years and over: 4% (male 3,744,314; female 4,729,912) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.49% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 23.1 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.22 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.79 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 59.23 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Indonesia:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia
conventional short form: Indonesia
local long form: Republik Indonesia
local short form: Indonesia
former: Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies
Data code: ID
Government type: republic
National capital: Jakarta
Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (propinsi-propinsi,
singular-propinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa,
singular-daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district**
(daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Bengkulu, Irian Jaya, Jakarta
Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat,
Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Lampung,
Maluku, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Riau, Sulawesi
Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera
Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Timor Timur, Yogyakarta*
Independence: 17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December
1949, Indonesia became legally independent from the Netherlands)
National holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1945)
Constitution: August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949
and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by
indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures code; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of
age
Executive branch:
note: on 21 May 1998-less than three months after being reelected to a
seventh five-year term-President Gen. (Ret.) (Ret.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$960 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 16%
industry: 43%
services: 41% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 50% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: 15%; underemployment 50% (1998 est.) Budget:
revenues: $42.8 billion
expenditures: $42.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $14.4
billion (FY97/98 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: IMF program, $42 billion (1998 est.) Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 11.5 million (1992 est.) @Indonesia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 6,458 km
narrow gauge: 5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (101 km electrified; 101 km
double track); 497 km 0.750-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 393,000 km
paved: 178,815 km
unpaved: 214,185 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 21,579 km total; Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km,
Kalimantan 10,460 km, Sulawesi (Celebes) 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km
Pipelines: crude oil 2,505 km; petroleum products 456 km; natural gas
1,703 km (1989)
Ports and harbors: Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Palembang,
Semarang, Surabaya, Ujungpandang
Merchant marine:
total: 503 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,433,857 GRT/3,510,818
DWT
ships by type: bulk 35, cargo 291, chemical tanker 8, container 11,
liquefied gas tanker 5, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 105, passenger
8, passenger-cargo 12, roll-on/roll-off cargo 10, short-sea passenger
6, specialized tanker 6, vehicle carrier 5 (1997 est.) Airports: 442 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 124
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 11
1,524 to 2,437 m: 40
914 to 1,523 m: 41
under 914 m: 28 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 318
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 32
under 914 m: 281 (1997 est.) Heliports: 4 (1997 est.) @Indonesia:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 59,862,854 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.3 billion (FY97/98)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.3% (FY97/98)
@Indonesia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor
Province) disputed with Portugal and not recognized by the UN; two
islands in dispute with Malaysia
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use;
possible growing role as transshipment point for Golden Triangle
heroin
______________________________________________________________________
IRAN
@Iran:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf,
and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 53 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 1.648 million sq km
land: 1.636 million sq km
water: 12,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 5,440 km
border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper
432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan
909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km
Coastline: 2,440 km
note: Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: natural prolongation
exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements, or median lines in the
Persian Gulf
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast
Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts,
mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Qolleh-ye Damavand 5,671 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper,
iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 27%
forests and woodland: 7%
other: 55% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms;
earthquakes along western border and in the northeast
Environment-current issues: air pollution, especially in urban areas,
from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents;
deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the
Persian Gulf; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea,
Marine Life Conservation
@Iran:People
Population: 68,959,931 (July 1998 est.) note: includes 607,252 non-nationals (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 15,371,060; female 14,513,782)
15-64 years: 53% (male 18,469,620; female 17,810,596)
65 years and over: 4% (male 1,428,471; female 1,366,402) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 2.04% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 31.37 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.19 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -4.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 48.95 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$371.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 21%
industry: 37%
services: 42% (1994 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor
Unemployment rate: more than 30% (January 1998 est.) Budget:
revenues: $34.6 billion
expenditures: $34.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $11.8
billion (FY96/97)
Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other
construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining
and vegetable oil production), metal fabricating, armaments
Industrial production growth rate: 5.7% (FY95/96 est.) commodities: petroleum 80%, carpets, fruits, nuts, hides, iron, steel
partners: Japan, US, UK, Germany, South Korea, UAE
Imports:
total value: $15.6 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: machinery, military supplies, metal works, foodstuffs,
pharmaceuticals, technical services, refined oil products
partners: Germany, Italy, Japan, UAE, UK, Belgium
Debt-external: $21.9 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $40 million (1993)
Currency: 10 Iranian rials (IR) = 1 toman; note-domestic figures are
generally referred to in terms of the toman
Exchange rates: Iranian rials (IR) per US$1-1,752.14 (January 1998),
1,750.76 (1996), 1,752.92 (1997), 1,747.93 (1995), 1,748.75 (1994),
1,267.77 (1993); black market rate: 4,600 rials per US$1 (March 1997);
note-as of May 1995, the "official rate" of 1,750 rials per US$1 is
used for imports of essential goods and services and for oil exports,
whereas the "official export rate" of 3,000 rials per US$1 is used for
non-oil exports and imports not covered by the official rate
Fiscal year: 21 March-20 March
Communications
Telephones: 3.02 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 28
Televisions: 3.9 million (1992 est.) @Iran:Transportation
Railways:
total: 7,286 km
broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge
standard gauge: 7,192 km 1.435-m gauge (146 km electrified) (1996
est.) Highways:
total: 162,000 km
paved: 81,000 km (including 470 km of expressways)
unpaved: 81,000 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 904 km; the Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime
traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in
use
Pipelines: crude oil 5,900 km; petroleum products 3,900 km; natural
gas 4,550 km
Ports and harbors: Abadan (largely destroyed in fighting during
1980-88 war), Ahvaz, Bandar 'Abbas, Bandar-e Anzali, Bushehr, Bandar-e
Khomeyni, Bandar-e Lengeh, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Bandar-e Torkaman,
Chabahar (Bandar Beheshti), Jazireh-ye Khark, Jazireh-ye Lavan,
Jazireh-ye Sirri, Khorramshahr (limited operation since November
1992), Now Shahr
Merchant marine:
total: 135 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,465,226 GRT/6,128,443
DWT
ships by type: bulk 47, cargo 34, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk
2, container 4, liquefied gas tanker 1, multifunction large-load
carrier 6, oil tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo
10, short-sea passenger 1
note: Iran owns an additional 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
245,742 DWT that operate under the registries of Cyprus, Honduras, and
Panama (1997 est.) Airports: 280 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 103
over 3,047 m: 36
2,438 to 3,047 m: 14
1,524 to 2,437 m: 27
914 to 1,523 m: 21
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 177
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 124
under 914 m: 34 (1997 est.) Heliports: 11 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: according to official Iranian
data, Iran budgeted 8,283.9 billion rials for defense in 1997;
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using current
exchange rates could produce misleading results
@Iran:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in
1990 but are still trying to work out written agreements settling
outstanding disputes from their eight-year war concerning border
demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of navigation and
sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway; Iran occupies two islands
in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE: Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as
Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by
Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and
Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran); it jointly administers
with the UAE an island in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE (called
Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by
Iran)-over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control
since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on
the island; the UAE has garnered significant diplomatic support in the
region in protesting these Iranian actions; Caspian Sea boundaries are
not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and
Turkmenistan
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium poppy for the domestic and
international drug trade; net opiate importer but also a key
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe
______________________________________________________________________
IRAQ
@Iraq:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and
Kuwait
Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 44 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 437,072 sq km
land: 432,162 sq km
water: 4,910 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Idaho
Land boundaries:
total: 3,631 km
border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 242 km, Saudi
Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 331 km
Coastline: 58 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless
summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish
borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that
melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central
and southern Iraq
Terrain: mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in
south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and
Turkey
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Gundah Zhur 3,608 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 9%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 79% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms, floods
Environment-current issues: government water control projects have
drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by
drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable
population of Shi'a Muslims, who have inhabited these areas for
thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction
of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife
populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of
Tigris-Euphrates Rivers system contingent upon agreements with
upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation
(salinization) and erosion; desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
@Iraq:People
Population: 21,722,287 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 4,865,820; female 4,711,791)
15-64 years: 53% (male 5,794,336; female 5,662,163)
65 years and over: 3% (male 320,672; female 367,505) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.2% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 38.58 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.57 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 62.41 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy has been dominated by
the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign
exchange earnings. Industrial and transportation facilities, which suffered
severe damage, have been partially restored. The first oil was pumped in December 1996, and the first
supplies of food and medicine arrived in April 1997. GDP: purchasing power parity-$42.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 4.4 million (1989)
by occupation: services 48%, agriculture 30%, industry 22%
note: severe labor shortage; expatriate labor force was about
1,600,000 (July 1990); since then, it has declined substantially
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials,
food processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 6.83 million kW (1996)
Electricity-production: 31.8 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,362 kWh (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 13
Televisions: 1 million (1992 est.) @Iraq:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,032 km
standard gauge: 2,032 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:
total: 47,400 km
paved: 40,764 km
unpaved: 6,636 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 1,015 km; Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime
traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 meters and is
in use; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable sections for
shallow-draft watercraft; Shatt al Basrah canal was navigable by
shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of the Persian Gulf
war
Pipelines: crude oil 4,350 km; petroleum products 725 km; natural gas
1,360 km
Ports and harbors: Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, and Al Basrah have
limited functionality
Merchant marine:
total: 35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 791,485 GRT/1,428,307 DWT
ships by type: cargo 14, oil tanker 16, passenger 1, passenger-cargo
1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 111 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 76
over 3,047 m: 22
2,438 to 3,047 m: 33
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 7 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 35
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.) Heliports: 4 (1997 est.) @Iraq:Military
Military branches: Army, Republican Guard and Special Republican
Guard, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Border Guard Force,
Internal Security Forces
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 5,247,809 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Iraq:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in
1990 but are still trying to work out written agreements settling
outstanding disputes from their eight-year war concerning border
demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of navigation and
sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway; in November 1994, Iraq
formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been
spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993),
and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to
Bubiyan and Warbah islands; dispute over water development plans by
Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
______________________________________________________________________
IRELAND
@Ireland:Geography
Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of
Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 70,280 sq km
land: 68,890 sq km
water: 1,390 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 360 km
border countries: UK 360 km
Coastline: 1,448 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: not specified
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild
winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the
time
Terrain: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged
hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Carrauntoohill 1,041 m
Natural resources: zinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum,
limestone, dolomite, peat, silver
Land use:
arable land: 13%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 68%
forests and woodland: 5%
other: 14% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 406,741; female 384,459)
15-64 years: 67% (male 1,218,514; female 1,200,214)
65 years and over: 11% (male 173,978; female 235,574) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.36% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.49 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.51 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.04 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Since the 1980s, inflation has fallen sharply and
chronic trade deficits have been transformed into annual surpluses. Unemployment remains a serious problem, however, and job creation is
the main focus of government policy. GDP: purchasing power parity-$59.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.5%
industry: 38.3%
services: 53.2% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.6% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 1.52 million (1997 est.) by occupation: services 62.1%, manufacturing and construction 27.0%,
agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10.0%, utilities 0.9% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.8% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $20.6 billion
expenditures: $20.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.2
billion (1997)
Industries: food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and
crystal
Industrial production growth rate: 10.1% (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 86 (1987 est.) Televisions: 1.025 million (1990 est.) @Ireland:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,947 km
broad gauge: 1,947 km 1.600-m gauge (38 km electrified; 485 km double
track) (1996)
Highways:
total: 92,500 km
paved: 87,042 km (including 80 km of expressways)
unpaved: 5,458 km (1996 est.) Waterways: limited for commercial traffic
Pipelines: natural gas 225 km
Ports and harbors: Arklow, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Foynes, Galway,
Limerick, New Ross, Waterford
Merchant marine:
total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 116,059 GRT/149,149 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 30, chemical tanker 1, container 3, oil
tanker 2, short-sea passenger 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 44 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 7 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 29
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 25 (1997 est.) @Ireland:Military
Military branches: Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps),
National Police (Garda Siochana)
Military manpower-military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 967,621 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $618 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.3% (1994)
@Ireland:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Northern Ireland question with the UK
(historic peace agreement approved 10 April 1998); Rockall continental
shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the
UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from
North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced
synthetic drugs; transshipment point for heroin and cocaine
______________________________________________________________________
ISRAEL
(also see separate
Introduction
Current issues: The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war
are not included in the data below, unless otherwise noted. Natural hazards: sandstorms may occur during spring and summer
Environment-current issues: limited arable land and natural fresh
water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air
pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution
from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and
pesticides
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: there are 207 Israeli settlements and civilian land
use sites in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights,
24 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (August 1997 est.) @Israel:People
Population: 5,643,966 (July 1998 est.) note: includes 155,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, 17,000 in
the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 6,000 in the Gaza Strip, and
164,000 in East Jerusalem (August 1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 814,558; female 776,630)
15-64 years: 62% (male 1,751,111; female 1,745,499)
65 years and over: 10% (male 239,658; female 316,510) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.91% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 19.99 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.19 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 5.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.02 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products
(fruits and vegetables) are leading exports. At the same time, the
immigrants bring to the economy scientific and professional expertise
of substantial value for the future. GDP: purchasing power parity-$96.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 17%
services: 81% (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 20
Televisions: 1.5 million (1993 est.) Airports: 54 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 31
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 7 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 23
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 18 (1997 est.) Heliports: 2 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $9.3 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 9.5% (1997)
@Israel:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied
with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim
Agreement-permanent status to be determined through further
negotiation; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied; Israeli troops in
southern Lebanon since June 1982
Illicit drugs: increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse
and trafficking
______________________________________________________________________
ITALY
@Italy:Geography
Location: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central
Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia
Geographic coordinates: 42 50 N, 12 50 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 301,230 sq km
land: 294,020 sq km
water: 7,210 sq km
note: includes Sardinia and Sicily
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:
total: 1,932.2 km
border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican
City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km
Coastline: 7,600 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in
south
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
Natural resources: mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, dwindling natural
gas and crude oil reserves, fish, coal
Land use:
arable land: 31%
permanent crops: 10%
permanent pastures: 15%
forests and woodland: 23%
other: 21% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: regional risks include landslides, mudflows,
avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence
in Venice
Environment-current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions
such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from
industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes;
inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Tropical Timber 94
Geography-note: strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as
well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe
@Italy:People
Population: 56,782,748 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 14% (male 4,192,662; female 3,955,857)
15-64 years: 68% (male 19,265,714; female 19,369,554)
65 years and over: 18% (male 4,098,526; female 5,900,435) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: -0.08% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.13 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.18 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.69 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Subsequently, the government has adopted fairly stringent budgets,
abandoned its inflationary wage indexation system, and started to
scale back its generous social welfare programs, including pension and
health care benefits. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.24 trillion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.3%
industry: 33%
services: 63.7% (1994)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.9% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $416 billion
expenditures: $506 billion, including capital expenditures of $47
billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $3.043 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100 centesimi
Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1-1,787.7 (January 1998),
1,703.1 (1997), 1,542.9 (1996), 1,628.9 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994),
1,573.7 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 25.6 million (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 83 (repeaters 1,000)
Televisions: 17 million (1996 est.) Waterways: 2,400 km for various types of commercial traffic, although
of limited overall value
Pipelines: crude oil 1,703 km; petroleum products 2,148 km; natural
gas 19,400 km
Ports and harbors: Ancona, Augusta (Sicily), Bari, Cagliari
(Sardinia), Catania (Sicily), Gaeta, Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno,
Naples, Oristano (Sardinia), Palermo (Sicily), Piombino, Porto Torres
(Sardinia), Ravenna, Savona, Trieste, Venice
Merchant marine:
total: 365 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,032,728 GRT/7,076,307
DWT
ships by type: bulk 29, cargo 47, chemical tanker 39, combination
ore/oil 2, container 15, liquefied gas tanker 30, multifunction
large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 98, passenger 5, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 51, short-sea passenger 30, specialized tanker 11, vehicle
carrier 7 (1997 est.) Airports: 136 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 96
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 33
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 30
under 914 m: 12 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 40
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 20
under 914 m: 18 (1997 est.) Heliports: 3 (1997 est.) @Italy:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 14,249,145 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $20.4 billion (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.9% (1995)
@Italy:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Italy is negotiating with Slovenia over
property and minority rights issues dating from World War II; Croatia
and Italy made progress toward resolving a bilateral issue dating from
WWII over property and ethnic minority rights
Illicit drugs: important gateway for and consumer of Latin American
cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market
______________________________________________________________________
JAMAICA
@Jamaica:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 77 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 10,990 sq km
land: 10,830 sq km
water: 160 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,022 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m
Natural resources: bauxite, gypsum, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 14%
permanent crops: 6%
permanent pastures: 24%
forests and woodland: 17%
other: 39% (1993 est.) note: irrigated land-3% (350 sq km)(1993 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes (especially July to November)
Environment-current issues: deforestation; coastal waters polluted by
industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air
pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica
Channel, the main sea lanes for Panama Canal
@Jamaica:People
Population: 2,634,678 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 425,233; female 406,529)
15-64 years: 62% (male 806,846; female 817,145)
65 years and over: 6% (male 79,125; female 99,800) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.7% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 20.91 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.45 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -8.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.79 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.47 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) In 1996, GDP was in negative growth
(-1.4%) and remained so in 1997. GDP: purchasing power parity-$9.5 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 37%
services: 55% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $3 billion
expenditures: $3 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.163
billion (FY97/98 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, construction
materials, fuel, food, chemicals
partners: US 52%, Trinidad and Tobago 8%, Japan 6%, UK 4%, Canada 3%
Debt-external: $3.2 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $306 million (1996)
Currency: 1 Jamaican dollar (J$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Jamaican dollars (J$) per US$1-36.051 (November 1997),
37.120 (1996), 35.142 (1995), 33.086 (1994), 24.949 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 350,000 (1997 est.) Pipelines: petroleum products 10 km
Ports and harbors: Alligator Pond, Discovery Bay, Kingston, Montego
Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Rocky Point, Longswharf
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,931 GRT/10,545 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1997
est.) Airports: 36 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 23 (1997 est.) @Jamaica:Military
Military branches: Jamaica Defense Force (includes Ground Forces,
Coast Guard and Air Wing), Jamaica Constabulary Force
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 703,697 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $47.9 million (FY97/98 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Jamaica:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine from Central and South
America to North America and Europe; illicit cultivation of cannabis;
government has an active manual cannabis eradication program
______________________________________________________________________
JAN MAYEN
(territory of Norway)
@Jan Mayen:Geography
Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the
Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland
Geographic coordinates: 71 00 N, 8 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:
total: 373 sq km
land: 373 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 124.1 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 10 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 4 nm
Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog
Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: dominated by the volcano Beerenberg; volcanic
activity resumed in 1970
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass
@Jan Mayen:People
Population: no permanent inhabitants
note: there are personnel who operate the Long Range Navigation
(Loran) C base and the weather and coastal services radio station
@Jan Mayen:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Jan Mayen
Data code: JN
Dependency status: territory of Norway; administered from Oslo through
a governor (sysselmann) resident in Longyearbyen (Svalbard); however,
authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian
Defense Communication Service
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
@Jan Mayen:Economy
Economy-overview: Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable
natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services
for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations located on
the island. Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500
seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis
Environment-current issues: air pollution from power plant emissions
results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading
water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan's appetite for fish
and tropical timber is contributing to the depletion of these
resources in Asia and elsewhere
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Desertification
Geography-note: strategic location in northeast Asia
@Japan:People
Population: 125,931,533 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 15% (male 9,802,921; female 9,342,254)
15-64 years: 69% (male 43,486,840; female 43,135,979)
65 years and over: 16% (male 8,388,242; female 11,775,297) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.2% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 10.26 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.94 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) For three decades overall real economic growth had been
spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s,
and a 4% average in the 1980s. GDP: purchasing power parity-$3.08 trillion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 41.5%
services: 56.5% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.7% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 67.23 million (March 1997)
by occupation: trade and services 50%, manufacturing, mining, and
construction 33%, utilities and communication 7%, agriculture,
forestry, and fishing 6%, government 3% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 3.4% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $497 billion
expenditures: $621 billion, including capital expenditures (public
works only) of about $72 billion (FY98/99 est.) Television broadcast stations: 12,350 (1 kW or greater 196)
Televisions: 100 million (1993 est.) Waterways: about 1,770 km; seagoing craft ply all coastal inland seas
Pipelines: crude oil 84 km; petroleum products 322 km; natural gas
1,800 km
Ports and harbors: Akita, Amagasaki, Chiba, Hachinohe, Hakodate,
Higashi-Harima, Himeji, Hiroshima, Kawasaki, Kinuura, Kobe, Kushiro,
Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Sakai, Sakaide, Shimizu, Tokyo,
Tomakomai
Merchant marine:
total: 738 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 14,323,766
GRT/20,709,738 DWT
ships by type: bulk 169, cargo 55, chemical tanker 6, combination bulk
11, combination ore/oil 6, container 32, liquefied gas tanker 39, oil
tanker 244, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 34,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 46, short-sea passenger 16, specialized tanker
1, vehicle carrier 70
note: Japan owns an additional 1,534 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 54,985,374 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas,
Burma, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Honduras, Liberia, Marshall
Islands, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines, Singapore, and Vanuatu (1997 est.) Airports: 167 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 137
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 32
1,524 to 2,437 m: 38
914 to 1,523 m: 29
under 914 m: 31 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 30
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 28 (1997 est.) Heliports: 14 (1997 est.) @Japan:Military
Military branches: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Japan
Maritime Self-Defense Force (Navy), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Air
Force)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 31,105,541 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $48.5 billion (FY96/97)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1% (FY96/97)
@Japan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and
the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now
administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; Liancourt Rocks
(Takeshima/Tokdo) disputed with South Korea; Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku
Islands) claimed by China and Taiwan
______________________________________________________________________
JARVIS ISLAND
(territory of the US)
@Jarvis Island:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half
of the way from Hawaii to the Cook Islands
Geographic coordinates: 0 22 S, 160 03 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 4.5 sq km
land: 4.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about eight times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 8 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain: sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 23 m
Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
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: sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing
shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for
seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats
@Jarvis Island:People
Population: uninhabited
note: Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally
used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was
abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical
Year by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is by special-use
permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators
@Jarvis Island:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Jarvis Island
Data code: DQ
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
@Jarvis Island:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
@Jarvis Island:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only; note-there is one
boat landing area in the middle of the west coast and another near the
southwest corner of the island
Transportation-note: there is a day beacon near the middle of the west
coast
@Jarvis Island:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited
annually by the US Coast Guard
@Jarvis Island:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
JERSEY
(British crown dependency)
@Jersey:Geography
Location: Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of
France
Geographic coordinates: 49 15 N, 2 10 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 116 sq km
land: 116 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 70 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: temperate; mild winters and cool summers
Terrain: gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 143 m
Natural resources: agricultural land
Land use:
arable land: 66%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30%
of population concentrated in Saint Helier
@Jersey:People
Population: 89,136 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 8,160; female 7,567)
15-64 years: 68% (male 30,106; female 30,639)
65 years and over: 14% (male 5,243; female 7,421) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.68% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.27 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.12 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 3.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.11 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 2.75 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) All raw material
and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of
Jersey's food needs. GDP: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $643.7 million
expenditures: $597.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Population growth rate: -6.41% (1998 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: limited natural fresh water resources;
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
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, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Jordan:People
Population: 4,434,978 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 985,211; female 935,982)
15-64 years: 54% (male 1,224,595; female 1,160,915)
65 years and over: 3% (male 64,406; female 63,869) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.54% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 35.18 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 3.91 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -5.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 1.01 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 33.29 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy rebounded in 1992,
largely due to the influx of capital repatriated by workers returning
from the Gulf, but recovery was uneven in 1994-97. Debt,
poverty, and unemployment remain Jordan's biggest on-going problems. GDP: purchasing power parity-$20.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 30%
services: 64% (1995 est.) by occupation: industry 11.4%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels
10.5%, construction 10.0%, transport and communications 8.7%,
agriculture 7.4%, other services 52.0% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 15% official rate; note-actual rate is 20%-25%
(1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $2.7 billion
expenditures: $2.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $630
million (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $424 million (1996)
Currency: 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1-0.7090 (January
1998-1996), 0.7005 (1995), 0.6987 (1994), 0.6928 (1993)
note: since May 1989, the dinar has been pegged to a basket of
currencies
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 81,500 (1987 est.) Television broadcast stations: 8 and 1 TV receive-only satellite link
Televisions: 350,000 (1992 est.) @Jordan:Transportation
Railways:
total: 676 km
narrow gauge: 676 km 1.050-m gauge; note-an additional 110 km stretch
of the old Hejaz railroad is out of use
Highways:
total: 6,640 km
paved: 6,640 km
unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 209 km
Ports and harbors: Al 'Aqabah
Merchant marine:
total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 43,759 GRT/69,795 DWT
ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 17 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 14
over 3,047 m: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $627 million (1997 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 7.8% (1997)
@Jordan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
JUAN DE NOVA ISLAND
(possession of France)
@Juan de Nova Island:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about
one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 17 03 S, 42 45 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 4.4 sq km
land: 4.4 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about seven times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 24.1 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth the of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 10 m
Natural resources: guano deposits and other fertilizers
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 90%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: wildlife sanctuary
@Juan de Nova Island:People
Population: uninhabited
@Juan de Nova Island:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Juan de Nova Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Juan de Nova
Data code: JU
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
@Juan de Nova Island:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
@Juan de Nova Island:Transportation
Railways:
total: NA km; short line going to a jetty
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almaty
Environment-current issues: radioactive or toxic chemical sites
associated with its former defense industries and test ranges are
found throughout the country and pose health risks for humans and
animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the
two main rivers which flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for
irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of
chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then
picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in
the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals
and salinization from faulty irrigation practices
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Ship
Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked
@Kazakhstan:People
Population: 16,846,808 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 29% (male 2,486,607; female 2,413,207)
15-64 years: 64% (male 5,243,028; female 5,523,199)
65 years and over: 7% (male 393,950; female 786,817) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.17% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 17.24 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.15 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -8.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 58.25 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Kazakhstan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Kazakhstan
conventional short form: Kazakhstan
local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy
local short form: none
former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KZ
Government type: republic
National capital: Astana (Akmola)
note: the government has recently moved from Almaty to Astana
Administrative divisions: 14 oblystar (singular-oblys) and 1 city
(qalalar, singular-qala)*; Almaty Qalasy*, Almaty Oblysy, Aqmola
Oblysy (Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy
(Oral), Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau; formerly Gur'yev), Ongtustik
Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy,
Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oskemen;
formerly Ust'-Kamenogorsk), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Petropavl),
Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz; formerly Dzhambul)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their
administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name
following in parentheses); in 1995 the governments of Kazakhstan and
Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would lease for a
period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the Bayqongyr
(Baykonur) space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr (Leninsk)
Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 October (1991); Republic Day,
16 December (1991)
Constitution: adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995; first
post-independence constitution was adopted 28 January 1993
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the
Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990-91, president since 1 December
1991)
head of government: Prime Minister Nurlan BALGIMBAYEV (since 10
October 1997) and First Deputy Prime Minister Uraz ZHANDOSOV (since 20
February 1998)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 1 December 1991 (next to be held NA 2000);
note-President NAZARBAYEV's term was extended to the year 2000 by a
nationwide referendum held 30 April 1995; prime minister and first
deputy prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV elected president without
opposition; percent of vote-NA
note: President NAZARBAYEV has expanded his presidential powers by
decree: only he can initiate constitutional amendments, appoint and
dismiss the government, dissolve parliament, call referenda at his
discretion, and appoint administrative heads of regions and cities
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (47
seats; 7 senators are appointed by the president; other members are
popularly elected, two each from each oblast and Almaty, to serve
four-year terms) and the Majilis (67 seats; members are popularly
elected to serve four-year terms); note-with the oblasts being reduced
to 14, the Senate will eventually be reduced to 37
elections: Senate-(indirect) last held 5 December 1995 (next to be
held NA 1999); Majilis-last held 9 December and 23 December 1995 (next
to be held NA 1999)
election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-party members 13, no party affiliation 34, of which
"independent" state officials 25, nominated by the president 7,
elected by popular vote 15; Majilis-percent of vote by party-NA; seats
by party-PUP 24, December National Democratic Party 12, Kazakh
Agrarian Union 5, Confederation of Kazakh Trade Unions 5, KPK 2,
independents and others 19
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (7
members)
Political parties and leaders: Alash National Freedom Party [Aron
ATABEK]; People's Unity Party or PUP (was Union of People's Unity)
[Akhan BIZHANOV, chairman]; Democratic Party [Tulegen ZHUKEYEV and
Altynbek SARSENBAYEV, cochairmen]; People's Congress of Kazakhstan or
NKK [Anuar ISMAILOV, chairman]; AZAMAT Movement [Petr SVOIK, Murat
AUEZOV, and Galym ABILSIITOV, cochairmen]; Communist Party or KPK
[Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN, first secretary]; National Democratic Party
[Hasen KOZHAKHMETOV, chairman]; AZAT party [Toleubek KARAMENDIN,
chairman]; Labor and Workers Movement [Madel ISMAILOV, chairman];
Peasant Union of the Republic Kazakhstan or KPU; Republican People's
Slavic Movement-Harmony or Lad [Aleksander SAMARKIN, chairman]; Party
for Social Justice and Economic Revival "Tagibat"; Social Democratic
Party of Kazakhstan or SDPK [Dos KUSHIMOV, cochairman]; People's
Cooperative Party [Umirzak SARSENOV, chairman]; Organization of
Veterans; Republican Party [Sabetkazy AKATAYEV]; Russian Center or RT
[Nina SIDOROVA, chairwoman]; Russian Cossacks [Vladimir DESYATOV, head
(ataman)]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina SAVOSTINA,
chairwoman]; Liberal Movement [Asylbek BISENBAYEV, chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Independent Trade Union Center
[Leonid SOLOMIN, president]; Kazakhstani-American Bureau on Human
Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive director]; Democratic Committee on
Human Rights [Baretta YERGALIEVA, chairwoman]; Independent Miners
Union [Victor GAIPOV, president]; The Almaty-Helsinki Foundation for
Human Rights [Ninel FOKINA, chairwoman]; Legal Development of
Kazakhstan [Vitaliy VORONOV, chairman]
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD,
ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bolat K. NURGALIYEV
chancery: (temporary) 3421 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-4504 through 4507
FAX: [1] (202) 333-4509
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador A. Elizabeth JONES
embassy: 99/97 Furmanova Street, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan 480012
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [7] (3272) 63-39-05, 63-13-75, 63-24-26
FAX: [7] (3272) 63-38-83
Flag description: sky blue background representing the endless sky and
a gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the
center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in yellow
@Kazakhstan:Economy
Economy-overview: Kazakhstan, the second largest of the former Soviet
republics in territory, possesses enormous untapped fossil fuel
reserves as well as plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. GDP: purchasing power parity-$50 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 25%
services: 63% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $3 billion
expenditures: $4.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $40
million (1996 est.) Waterways: 4,002 km on the Syr Darya and Ertis Darya
Pipelines: crude oil 2,850 km; refined products 1,500 km; natural gas
3,480 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen
(Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk)
Airports: 10 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 9
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Kazakhstan:Military
Military branches: Ministry of Defense (Border Guards, General Purpose
Forces, Air Force), Republican Guard
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 4,429,484 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 18.9 billion tenges (1995);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Kazakhstan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined
among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan
Illicit drugs: significant illicit cultivation of cannabis and limited
cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug ephedrone);
limited government eradication program; cannabis consumed largely in
the CIS; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia,
North America, and Western Europe from Southwest Asia
______________________________________________________________________
KENYA
@Kenya:Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia
and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 582,650 sq km
land: 569,250 sq km
water: 13,400 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Land boundaries:
total: 3,446 km
border countries: Ethiopia 830 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km,
Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km
Coastline: 536 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift
Valley; fertile plateau in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m
Natural resources: gold, limestone, soda ash, salt barytes, rubies,
fluorspar, garnets, wildlife
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 37%
forests and woodland: 30%
other: 25% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: recurring drought in northern and eastern regions
Environment-current issues: water pollution from urban and industrial
wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides
and fertilizers; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification;
poaching
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most
successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers on Mt. Kenya; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of
scientific and economic value
@Kenya:People
Population: 28,337,071 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 6,248,260; female 6,109,443)
15-64 years: 54% (male 7,609,631; female 7,607,810)
65 years and over: 2% (male 333,881; female 428,046) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.71% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 31.68 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 14.19 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 59.38 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Kenya's real GDP grew at 5% in 1995 and 4% in 1996, and inflation
remained under control. Political violence
damaged the tourist industry, and the IMF allowed Kenya's Enhanced
Structural Adjustment Program to lapse due to the government's failure
to enact reform conditions and to adequately address public sector
corruption. GDP: purchasing power parity-$45.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 27%
industry: 20%
services: 53% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 8.8% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 8.78 million (1993 est.) by occupation: agriculture 75%-80%, non-agriculture 20%-25%
Unemployment rate: 35% urban (1994 est.) Budget:
revenues: $3 billion
expenditures: $3 billion, including capital expenditures of $638
million (FY96/97 est.) Economic aid: NA
Currency: 1 Kenyan shilling (KSh) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Kenyan shillings (KSh) per US$1-61.164 (January 1998),
58.732 (1997), 57.115 (1996), 51.430 (1995), 56.051 (1994), 58.001
(1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 357,251 (1989 est.) @Kenya:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,652 km
narrow gauge: 2,652 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 63,800 km
paved: 8,868 km
unpaved: 54,932 km (1996 est.) Waterways: part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya
Pipelines: petroleum products 483 km
Ports and harbors: Kisumu, Lamu, Mombasa
Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,883 GRT/6,255 DWT
ships by type: oil tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 240 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 29
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 22
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 211
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 114
under 914 m: 83 (1997 est.) @Kenya:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary General Service
Unit of the Police
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 6,870,889 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $134 million (FY94/95)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.9% (FY94/95)
@Kenya:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: administrative boundary with Sudan does not
coincide with international boundary
Illicit drugs: widespread harvesting of small, wild plots of marijuana
and qat (chat); transit country for South Asian heroin destined for
Europe and, sometimes, North America; Indian methaqualone also
transits on way to South Africa
______________________________________________________________________
KINGMAN REEF
(territory of the US)
@Kingman Reef:Geography
Location: Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of
the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Geographic coordinates: 6 24 N, 162 24 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 1 sq km
land: 1 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds
Terrain: low and nearly level
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 1 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1996)
Natural hazards: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of
about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard
Environment-current issues: none
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed
to the public
@Kingman Reef:People
Population: uninhabited
@Kingman Reef:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Kingman Reef
Data code: KQ
Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered
from Washington, DC by the US Navy; however, it is awash the majority
of the time, so it is not usable and is uninhabited
National capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Legal system: NA
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
@Kingman Reef:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
@Kingman Reef:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and
American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and
1938
@Kingman Reef:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the US
@Kingman Reef:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
KIRIBATI
@Kiribati:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, straddling
the equator, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia;
note-on 1 January 1995, Kiribati unilaterally moved the International
Date Line from the middle of the country to include its easternmost
islands and make it the same day throughout the country
Geographic coordinates: 1 25 N, 173 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 717 sq km
land: 717 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes three island groups-Gilbert Islands, Line Islands,
Phoenix Islands
Area-comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,143 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m
Natural resources: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979)
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: 51%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: 3%
other: 46% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.82% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 26.46 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.62 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 49.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. GDP: purchasing power parity-$62 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 7%
services: 79% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 2%; underemployment 70% (1992 est.) Budget:
revenues: $33.3 million
expenditures: $47.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
million (1996 est.) commodities: copra 62%, seaweed, fish
partners: US, Australia, NZ (1996)
Imports:
total value: $37.4 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous
manufactured goods, fuel
partners: Australia 46%, Fiji, Japan, NZ, US (1996)
Debt-external: $7.2 million (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $4.725 million from Australia (FY96/97 est. Television broadcast stations: 0 (1988 est.) Televisions: 0 (1988 est.) paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Waterways: small network of canals, totaling 5 km, in Line Islands
Ports and harbors: Banaba, Betio, English Harbor, Kanton
Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,248 GRT/4,496 DWT
ships by type: oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 21 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: late spring droughts often followed by severe
flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall
Environment-current issues: localized air pollution attributable to
inadequate industrial controls; water pollution; inadequate supplies
of potable water
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the
Sea
Geography-note: strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and
Russia; mountainous interior is isolated, nearly inaccessible, and
sparsely populated
@Korea, North:People
Population: 21,234,387 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 2,800,857; female 2,669,250)
15-64 years: 68% (male 7,089,039; female 7,406,901)
65 years and over: 6% (male 387,011; female 881,329) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.03% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 15.3 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 15.57 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.44 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 87.83 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$21.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 25%
industry: 60%
services: 15% (1995 est.) commodities: minerals, metallurgical products, agricultural and
fishery products, manufactures (including armaments)
partners: China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia
Imports:
total value: $1.95 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: petroleum, grain, coking coal, machinery and equipment,
consumer goods
partners: China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Russia, Singapore
Debt-external: $12 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: an estimated $200 million to $300 million in aid from US,
South Korea, Japan, and EU in 1997
Currency: 1 North Korean won (Wn) = 100 chon
Exchange rates: North Korean won (Wn) per US$1-2.15 (May 1994), 2.13
(May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990), 2.3 (December
1989)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 30,000 (1990 est.) Highways:
total: 31,200 km
paved: 1,997 km
unpaved: 29,203 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 2,253 km; mostly navigable by small craft only
Pipelines: crude oil 37 km
Ports and harbors: Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek,
Kosong, Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi),
Ungsang, Wonsan
Merchant marine:
total: 105 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 663,527 GRT/930,587 DWT
ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 87, combination bulk 1, multifunction
large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 3, passenger 3, passenger-cargo 1,
short-sea passenger 2
note: North Korea owns an additional 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 15,143 DWT operating under the registry of Honduras (1997
est.) Airports: 49 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 22
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 15
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 27
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 6 (1994 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $5 billion to $7 billion (1995
est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 25% (1995 est.) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods;
low-level seismic activity common in southwest
Environment-current issues: air pollution in large cities; water
pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift
net fishing
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: Desertification
@Korea, South:People
Population: 46,416,796 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 5,505,564; female 4,894,780)
15-64 years: 71% (male 16,772,319; female 16,272,145)
65 years and over: 7% (male 1,126,963; female 1,845,025) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.01% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 16.08 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.67 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.79 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Korea, South:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Korea
conventional short form: South Korea
local long form: Taehan-min'guk
local short form: none
note: the South Koreans generally use the term "Hanguk" to refer to
their country
abbreviation: ROK
Data code: KS
Government type: republic
National capital: Seoul
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 6
special cities* (gwangyoksi, singular and plural); Cheju-do,
Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo,
Inch'on-gwangyoksi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-gwangyoksi*, Kyonggi-do,
Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-gwangyoksi*, Soul-t'ukpyolsi*,
Taegu-gwangyoksi*, Taejon-gwangyoksi*
Independence: 15 August 1945; note-date of liberation from Japanese
colonial rule
National holiday: Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)
Constitution: 25 February 1988
Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law
systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Kim Dae-jung (since 25 February 1998)
head of government: Acting Prime Minister KIM Chong-p'il (since 3
March 1998)
cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime
minister's recommendation
elections: president elected by popular vote for a single five-year
term; election last held 18 December 1997 (next to be held 18 December
2002); prime minister appointed by the president; deputy prime
ministers appointed by the president on the prime minister's
recommendation
election results: Kim Dae-jung elected president; percent of vote-Kim
Dae-jung (NCNP) 40.3%, YI Hoe-chang (GNP) 38.7%, YI In-che (NPP) 19.2%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (299 seats;
members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 11 April 1996 (next to be held NA 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NKP 139,
NCNP 79, ULD 50, DP 15, independents 16; note-the distribution of
seats as of February 1998 was GNP 165, NCNP 78, ULD 43, NPP 8,
independents 4, vacant 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed by the
president subject to the consent of the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Grand National Party (GNP), CHO Sun,
president; National Congress for New Politics (NCNP), Kim Dae-jung,
president; United Liberal Democrats (ULD), PAK Tae-chun, president;
New People's Party (NPP), YI In-che, president
note: subsequent to the legislative election of April 1996 the
following parties disbanded-New Korea Party (NKP) and Democratic Party
(DP)
Political pressure groups and leaders: Korean National Council of
Churches; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation
of Student Associations; National Federation of Farmers' Associations;
National Council of Labor Unions; Federation of Korean Trade Unions;
Korean Veterans' Association; Federation of Korean Industries; Korean
Traders Association; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, BIS
(pending member), CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNU,
UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador YI Hong-ku
chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600
consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston,
Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San
Francisco, and Seattle
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen W. BOSWORTH
embassy: 82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul
mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-0001
telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114
FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845
consulate(s): Pusan
Flag description: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in
the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I
Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field
@Korea, South:Economy
Economy-overview: As one of the Four Dragons of East Asia, South Korea
has achieved an incredible record of growth. Also, a number of private
sector conglomerates are near bankruptcy. GDP: purchasing power parity-$631.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 45%
services: 47% (1991 est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 South Korean won (W) = 100 chun (theoretical)
Exchange rates: South Korean won (W) per US$1-1,706.80 (January 1998),
951.29 (1997), 804.45 (1996), 771.27 (1995), 803.45 (1994), 802.67
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 16.6 million (1993)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international services
domestic: NA
international: fiber-optic submarine cable to China; satellite earth
stations-3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1
Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 79, FM 46, shortwave 0
Radios: 42 million (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 256 (57 of which are 1 kW or greater)
(1987 est.) Televisions: 9.3 million (1992 est.) @Korea, South:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,081 km
standard gauge: 3,081 km 1.435-m gauge (560 km electrified) (1996
est.) Highways:
total: 83,400 km
paved: 63,467 km (including 1,920 km of expressways)
unpaved: 19,933 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 1,609 km; use restricted to small native craft
Pipelines: petroleum products 455 km; note-additionally, there is a
parallel petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) pipeline being
completed
Ports and harbors: Chinhae, Inch'on, Kunsan, Masan, Mokp'o, P'ohang,
Pusan, Tonghae-hang, Ulsan, Yosu
Merchant marine:
total: 474 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,749,052 GRT/10,447,597
DWT
ships by type: bulk 118, cargo 131, chemical tanker 28, combination
bulk 3, combination ore/oil 1, container 70, liquefied gas tanker 12,
multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 72, refrigerated cargo
22, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2, vehicle carrier
13
note: South Korea owns an additional 273 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 11,985,267 DWT operating under the registries of Cambodia,
Cyprus, Liberia, Malta, Panama, and Singapore (1997 est.) Airports: 103 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 67
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 19 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 36
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 32 (1997 est.) Heliports: 202 (1997 est.) @Korea, South:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National
Maritime Police (Coast Guard)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 13,849,615 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $17.4 billion (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.3% (1996)
@Korea, South:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Demarcation Line with North Korea; Liancourt
Rocks (Takeshima/Tokdo) claimed by Japan
______________________________________________________________________
KUWAIT
@Kuwait:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and
Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 29 30 N, 45 45 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 17,820 sq km
land: 17,820 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 464 km
border countries: Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline: 499 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 306 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 8%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 92% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April,
they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads and
houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are
most common between March and August
Environment-current issues: limited natural fresh water resources;
some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities
provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine
Dumping
Geography-note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
@Kuwait:People
Population: 1,913,285 (July 1998 est.) note: includes 1,168,185 non-nationals (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 338,933; female 279,087)
15-64 years: 66% (male 811,713; female 444,679)
65 years and over: 2% (male 23,642; female 15,231) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 4.1% (1998 est.) Death rate: 2.29 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 22.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.21 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.82 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.55 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.74 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) With the
exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. The economy improved
moderately in 1994-97, with the growth in industry and finance. GDP: purchasing power parity-$46.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 0%
industry: 53%
services: 47% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.2% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 1.1 million (1996 est.) by occupation: government and social services 50%, services 40%,
industry and agriculture 10% (1996 est.) note: 68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national
(July 1998 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.8% (official 1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $10.3 billion
expenditures: $14.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY97/98 est.) Imports:
total value: $7.7 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities : food, construction materials, vehicles and parts,
clothing
partners: US 31%, UK 14%, Japan 13%, Germany 8%, Italy 7% (1996 est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1-0.3055 (January 1998),
0.3033 (1997), 0.2994 (1996), 0.2984 (1995), 0.2976 (1994), 0.3017
(1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 548,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1986 est.) Televisions: 800,000 (1993 est.) @Kuwait:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 4,450 km
paved: 3,587 km
unpaved: 863 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165
km
Ports and harbors: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd
Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud
Merchant marine:
total: 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,965,633 GRT/3,109,720
DWT
ships by type: cargo 10, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 7,
livestock carrier 3, oil tanker 19 (1997 est.) Airports: 8 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Kuwait:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, Ministry of
Interior Forces, Coast Guard
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 690,989 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.5 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 12.8% (FY95/96)
@Kuwait:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the
UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in
Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993);
this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah
islands; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands disputed by
Saudi Arabia
______________________________________________________________________
KYRGYZSTAN
@Kyrgyzstan:Geography
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total: 198,500 sq km
land: 191,300 sq km
water: 7,200 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 3,878 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870
km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in
southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins
encompass entire nation
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Kara-Darya 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources: abundant hydroelectric potential; significant
deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil,
and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead,
and zinc
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 44%
forests and woodland: 4%
other: 45% (1993 est.) note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest
Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: water pollution; many people get their
water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result,
water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from
faulty irrigation practices
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked
@Kyrgyzstan:People
Population: 4,522,281 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 817,229; female 800,248)
15-64 years: 58% (male 1,285,520; female 1,337,259)
65 years and over: 6% (male 104,105; female 177,920) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.37% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.03 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.65 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -9.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 74.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Kyrgyzstan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: none
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KG
Government type: republic
National capital: Bishkek
Administrative divisions: 6 oblasttar (singular-oblast) and 1 city*
(singular-shaar); Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad
Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty
(Karakol)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their
administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name
following in parentheses)
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31
August (1991)
Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993
note: amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national
referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the powers of the
president at the expense of the legislature
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990)
head of government: Prime Minister Kubanychbek JUMALIYEV (since 25
March 1998)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
elections last held 24 December 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Askar AKAYEV elected president; percent of
vote-Askar AKAYEV 75%; note-elections were held early which gave the
two opposition candidates little time to campaign; AKAYEV may have
orchestrated the "deregistration" of two other candidates, one of whom
was a major rival
Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh
consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the
Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve five-year terms)
elections: Assembly of People's Representatives-last held 5 February
1995 (next to be held NA 2000); Legislative Assembly-last held 5
February 1995 (next to be held NA 2000)
election results: Assembly of People's Representatives-percent of vote
by party-NA; seats by party-NA; note-not all of the 70 seats were
filled at the 5 February 1995 elections; as a result, run-off
elections were held at later dates; the assembly meets twice yearly;
Legislative Assembly-percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party-NA;
note-not all of the 35 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995
elections; as a result, run-off elections were held
note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995
elections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed for a 10-year
term by the Supreme Council on recommendation of the president;
Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party or PSD [Zh. Cotton, wool, and meat are
the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial exports include
gold, mercury, uranium, and hydropower. Pensioners,
unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrears
continue to suffer. GDP: purchasing power parity-$9.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 47%
industry: 12%
services: 41% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 8% (December 1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $225 million
expenditures: $308 million, including capital expenditures of $11
million (1996 est.) Waterways: 600 km (1990)
Pipelines: natural gas 200 km
Ports and harbors: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
Airports: 54 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 14
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 40
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 32 (1994 est.) @Kyrgyzstan:Military
Military branches: Army, National Guard, Security Forces (internal and
border troops), Civil Defense
note: border troops controlled by Russia
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,124,900 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 151 million soms (1995);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Kyrgyzstan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on
southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area
Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy,
mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program;
increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia
and Western Europe from Southwest Asia
______________________________________________________________________
LAOS
@Laos:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 236,800 sq km
land: 230,800 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries:
total: 5,083 km
border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km,
Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season
(December to April)
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 3%
forests and woodland: 54%
other: 40% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: floods, droughts, and blight
Environment-current issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil
erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable
water
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental
Modification, Nuclear Test Ban
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked
@Laos:People
Population: 5,260,842 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 1,205,210; female 1,174,323)
15-64 years: 52% (male 1,318,061; female 1,393,386)
65 years and over: 3% (male 77,388; female 92,474) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.76% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 40.58 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.97 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 91.81 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$5.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 56%
industry: 19%
services: 25% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.7% overall; 4.5% in urban areas (1995 est.) Budget:
revenues: $230.2 million
expenditures: $365.9 million, including capital expenditures of $317
million (1996)
Industries: tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power,
agricultural processing, construction, garments
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 217,000 kW (1997)
Electricity-production: 1.2 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 60 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee,
sugarcane, cotton; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry; tobacco
Exports:
total value: $313.1 million (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin
partners: Vietnam, Thailand, Germany, France
Imports:
total value: $678 million (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel
partners: Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, China, Singapore
Debt-external: $1.2 billion (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $212.2 million
Currency: 1 new kip (NK) = 100 at
Exchange rates: new kips (NK) per US$1-2,500 (January 1998), 1,256.73
(1997), 921.14 (1996), 804.69 (1995), 717.67 (1994), 716.25 (1993)
note: as of September 1995, a floating exchange rate policy was
adopted
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 19,333 (1996)
Telephone system: service to general public is poor but improving,
with over 19,000 telephones currently in service and 86,000 expected
to be installed by 2000; the government relies on a radiotelephone
network to communicate with remote areas
domestic: radiotelephone communications
international: satellite earth station-1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean
Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 560,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 32,000 (1993 est.) @Laos:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 22,321 km
paved: 3,502 km
unpaved: 18,819 km (1997 est.) Waterways: about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897
additional kilometers are sectionally navigable by craft drawing less
than 0.5 m
Pipelines: petroleum products 136 km
Ports and harbors: none
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,000 DWT
(1997 est.) Airports: 52 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 9
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 43
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 25 (1997 est.) @Laos:Military
Military branches: Lao People's Army (LPA; includes militia element),
Lao People's Navy (LPN; includes riverine element), Air Force,
National Police Department
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,161,497 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $105 million (FY92/93)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 8.1% (FY92/93)
@Laos:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: parts of the border with Thailand are
indefinite
Illicit drugs: world's third largest opium producer (cultivation in
1997-28,150 hectares, an 11% increase over 1996; potential
production-210 metric tons, a 5% increase over 1996); heroin producer;
transshipment point for heroin and amphetamines produced in Burma;
illicit producer of cannabis
______________________________________________________________________
LATVIA
@Latvia:Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia
and Lithuania
Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 64,100 sq km
land: 64,100 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,150 km
border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km,
Russia 217 km
Coastline: 531 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain: low plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Natural resources: minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite
Land use:
arable land: 27%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 13%
forests and woodland: 46%
other: 14% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: air and water pollution because of a lack
of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily
polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and
petroleum products at military bases
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Latvia:People
Population: 2,385,396 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 227,634; female 218,321)
15-64 years: 66% (male 754,416; female 829,801)
65 years and over: 15% (male 113,925; female 241,299) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -1.41% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 8.14 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 15.78 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.47 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Foreign
direct investment (FDI) in 1997 was a record $880 million by yearend. GDP: purchasing power parity-$10.4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 34%
services: 57% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 7.4% (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 30
Televisions: 1.1 million (1993 est.) @Latvia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,412 km
broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992)
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 60,046 km
paved: 22,998 km
unpaved: 37,048 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 300 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560
km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Merchant marine:
total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 293,799 GRT/440,575 DWT
ships by type: cargo 2, oil tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 4 (1997
est.) Airports: 50 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 36
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 27 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 14
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 10 (1994 est.) @Latvia:Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces,
Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 569,745 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 176 million rubles (1994);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
prevailing exchange rate could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3% to 5% (1994)
@Latvia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: based on the 1920 Treaty of Riga, Latvia had
claimed the Abrene/Pytalovo section of border ceded by the Latvian
Soviet Socialist Republic to Russia in 1944; draft treaty delimiting
the boundary with Russia has not been signed; ongoing talks over
boundary dispute with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration
rights)
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from
Southwest Asia and cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and
Scandinavia; produces illicit amphetamines for export
______________________________________________________________________
LEBANON
Introduction
Current issues: Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its
political institutions and regaining its national sovereignty since
the end of the devastating 16-year civil war, which began in 1975. Hizballah, the radical Shi'a party, retains most of its weapons. Israel maintains troops
in southern Lebanon and continues to support a proxy militia, the Army
of South Lebanon (ASL), along a narrow stretch of territory contiguous
to its border. Syria maintains about 25,000 troops in Lebanon. These troops
are based mainly in Beirut, North Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion;
desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and
the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw
sewage and oil spills
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,
Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not
crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped
isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on
religion, clan, and ethnicity
@Lebanon:People
Population: 3,505,794 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 30% (male 532,688; female 512,979)
15-64 years: 64% (male 1,060,903; female 1,174,236)
65 years and over: 6% (male 102,946; female 122,042) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.62% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.66 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.51 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 31.64 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$15.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 23%
services: 73% (1997 est.) by occupation: services 62%, industry 31%, agriculture 7% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 18% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $2.4 billion
expenditures: $5.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: aid pledges of $3.5 billion for 1997-2001
Currency: 1 Lebanese pound (£L) = 100 piasters
Exchange rates: Lebanese pounds (£L) per US$1-1,526.1 (January 1998),
1,539.5 (1997), 1,571.4 (1996), 1,621.4 (1995), 1,680.1 (1994),
1,741.4 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 150,000 (1990 est.) Television broadcast stations: 13
note: government is licensing a limited number of TV stations operated
by various factions
Televisions: 1.1 million (1993 est.) @Lebanon:Transportation
Railways:
total: 222 km
standard gauge: 222 km 1.435-m (from Beirut to the Syrian border)
Highways:
total: 6,350 km
paved: 6,032 km
unpaved: 318 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 72 km (none in operation)
Ports and harbors: Al Batrun, Al Mina', An Naqurah, Antilyas, Az
Zahrani, Beirut, Jubayl, Juniyah, Shikka, Sidon, Tripoli, Tyre
Merchant marine:
total: 62 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 258,383 GRT/392,087 DWT
ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 40, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk
1, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, livestock carrier 5, oil tanker
1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 3
(1997 est.) Airports: 9 (1997 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: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Lebanon:Military
Military branches: Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF; includes Army, Navy,
and Air Force)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 901,603 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $445 million (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 5% (1997)
@Lebanon:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Israeli troops in southern Lebanon since June
1982; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since
October 1976
Illicit drugs: small illicit producer of hashish and heroin; hashish
production is shipped to Western Europe, the Middle East, and North
and South America; some cocaine processing and trafficking; a
Lebanese/Syrian eradication campaign started in the early 1990s has
practically eliminated the opium and cannabis crops
______________________________________________________________________
LESOTHO
@Lesotho:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 30,350 sq km
land: 30,350 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 909 km
border countries: South Africa 909 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Terrain: mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m
highest point: Mount Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m
Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds
and other minerals
Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: 66%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 23% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: population pressure forcing settlement in
marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil
exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores,
and redirects water to South Africa
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Marine Life
Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping
Geography-note: landlocked; surrounded by South Africa
@Lesotho:People
Population: 2,089,829 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 420,526; female 419,059)
15-64 years: 55% (male 558,068; female 596,598)
65 years and over: 5% (male 39,782; female 55,796) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.91% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 31.84 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.76 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 78.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The number of such mine workers has declined steadily
over the past five years; in 1996 their remittances added about 33% to
GDP compared with the addition of roughly 67% in 1990. GDP: purchasing power parity-$5.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 53%
services: 37% (1997)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 8.7% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $507 million
expenditures: $487 million, including capital expenditures of $170
million (FY96/97 est.) commodities: clothing, wool, footwear, road vehicles, mohair (1995)
partners: South African Customs Union 52%, North America 38%, EU 9%
(1995)
Imports:
total value: $1.1 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: corn, clothing, building materials, vehicles, machinery,
medicines, petroleum products (1993)
partners: South African Customs Union 90%, Asia 6%, EU 2% (1995)
Debt-external: $517 million (FY95/96 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente
note: maloti (M) is the plural form of loti
Exchange rates: maloti (M) per US$1-4.94193 (January 1998), 4.60796
(1997), 4.29935 (1996), 3.62709 (1995), 3.55080 (1994), 3.26774
(1993); note-the Basotho loti is at par with the South African rand
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 12,000 (1991 est.) @Lesotho:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2.6 km; note-owned by, operated by, and included in the
statistics of South Africa
narrow gauge: 2.6 km 1.067-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 4,955 km
paved: 887 km
unpaved: 4,068 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 29 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 26
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 22 (1997 est.) @Lesotho:Military
Military branches: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; includes Army and Air
Wing), Royal Lesotho Mounted Police (RLMP)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 490,128 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Lesotho:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
LIBERIA
Introduction
Current issues: The Abuja Peace Accords ended seven years of civil
warfare in Liberia. The years of civil strife coupled with the
flight of most business people disrupted formal economic activity, but
with peace restored and a popularly-elected government installed, the
difficult task of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this
war-torn country can proceed. Natural hazards: dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara
(December to March)
Environment-current issues: tropical rain forest subject to
deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of rivers
from the dumping of iron ore tailings and of coastal waters from oil
residue and raw sewage
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber
94
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental
Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
@Liberia:People
Population: 2,771,901 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 622,797; female 616,902)
15-64 years: 52% (male 734,425; female 700,124)
65 years and over: 3% (male 47,099; female 50,554) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 5.76% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 41.88 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 11.28 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 27.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) note: until domestic peace is restored, many Liberian refugees will
not return from exile
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 103.13 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$2.6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: 36%
services: 34%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
by occupation: agriculture 70%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Industries: rubber processing, food processing, construction
materials, furniture, palm oil processing, iron ore, diamonds
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 332,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 472 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 154 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca),
palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber
Exports:
total value: $667 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: diamonds, iron ore, rubber, timber, coffee
partners: US, EU, Netherlands, Singapore
Imports:
total value: $5.8 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation
equipment, manufactured goods; rice and other foodstuffs
partners: US, EU, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWAS, South Korea
Debt-external: $2 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1-1.0000 (officially
fixed rate since 1940); market exchange rate: Liberian dollars (L$)
per US$1-50 (October 1995), 7 (January 1992); market rate floats
against the US dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: less than 25,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1998)
Televisions: 51,000 (1992 est.) Ports and harbors: Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia
Merchant marine:
total: 1,620 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 59,521,524
GRT/97,187,450 DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 4, bulk 413, cargo 117, chemical tanker
143, combination bulk 28, combination ore/oil 54, container 168,
liquefied gas tanker 89, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil
tanker 424, passenger 35, refrigerated cargo 67, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 21, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 11, vehicle
carrier 41
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 54 countries
among which are Germany 198, US 181, Norway 153, Greece 148, Japan
137, Hong Kong 109, China 58, UK 48, Singapore 43, and Monaco 41 (1997
est.) Airports: 46 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 44
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 35 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $14 million (1993)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.9% (1993)
@Liberia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: increasingly a transshipment point for Southeast and
Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and
US markets
______________________________________________________________________
LIBYA
@Libya:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between
Egypt and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 17 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 1,759,540 sq km
land: 1,759,540 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 4,383 km
border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,150 km, Niger
354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km
Coastline: 1,770 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
note: Gulf of Sidra closing line-32 degrees 30 minutes north
Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior
Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus,
depressions
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m
highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 8%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 91% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind
lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms
Environment-current issues: desertification; very limited natural
fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest
water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water
from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Desertification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
@Libya:People
Population: 5,690,727 (July 1998 est.) note: includes 144,363 non-nationals (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 1,399,354; female 1,351,442)
15-64 years: 49% (male 1,412,067; female 1,361,372)
65 years and over: 3% (male 81,711; female 84,781) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.68% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 43.95 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.15 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 55.81 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Although
agriculture accounts for only 5% of GDP, it employs 18% of the labor
force. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit farm output,
and Libya imports about 75% of its food requirements. GDP: purchasing power parity-$38 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 55%
services: 40% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $10.4 billion
expenditures: $10.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.5
billion (1995 est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams
Exchange rates: Libyan dinars (LD) per US$1-0.3902 (January 1998),
0.3891 (1997), 0.3651 (1996), 0.3532 (1995), 0.3596 (1994), 0.3250
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 370,000
Telephone system: modern telecommunications system
domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, tropospheric scatter,
and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean
and 1 Indian Ocean); planned Arabsat and Intersputnik satellite earth
stations; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay
to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in
Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 1 million (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 12 (1987 est.) Televisions: 500,000 (1993 est.) Waterways: none
Pipelines: crude oil 4,383 km; petroleum products 443 km (includes
liquefied petroleum gas or LPG 256 km); natural gas 1,947 km
Ports and harbors: Al Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah,
Misratah, Ra's Lanuf, Tobruk, Tripoli, Zuwarah
Merchant marine:
total: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 615,505 GRT/1,044,175 DWT
ships by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 3, oil
tanker 9, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 4 (1997 est.) Airports: 145 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 60
over 3,047 m: 24
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 85
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 43
under 914 m: 20 (1997 est.) @Libya:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Command
Military manpower-military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,229,080 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.4 billion (1994 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 6.1% (1994 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 3,058; female 2,926)
15-64 years: 70% (male 11,084; female 11,154)
65 years and over: 11% (male 1,442; female 2,053) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.05% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.64 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.31 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 5.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.28 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$713 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 0.5% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.6% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $455 million
expenditures: $435 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with
petroleum products and chemicals at military bases
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Lithuania:People
Population: 3,600,158 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 376,034; female 360,446)
15-64 years: 67% (male 1,155,733; female 1,238,671)
65 years and over: 13% (male 159,526; female 309,748) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.45% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 10.57 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.94 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.52 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Lithuania:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form: Lithuania
local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form: Lietuva
former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: LH
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Vilnius
Administrative divisions: 44 regions (rajonai, singular-rajonas) and
11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*,
Anyksciu Rajonas, Birstonas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos
Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas,
Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes
Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio
Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Marijampoles Rajonas, Mazeikiu
Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*,
Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas,
Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu Rajonas, Rokiskio
Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininku Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu
Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Silutes Rajonas, Sirvintu Rajonas, Skuodo
Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traku
Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas,
Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Statehood Day, 16 February (1918)
Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Valdes ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998)
head of government: Premier Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since 28 November
1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
nomination of the premier
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 21 December 1997 and 5 January 1998 (next to be
held NA 2003); premier appointed by the president on the approval of
the Parliament
election results: Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of
vote-Valdas ADAMKUS 50.37%, Arturas PAULAUSKAS 49.7%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71
members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by
proportional representation; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 20 October and 10 November 1996 (next to be held
NA October 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-TS 69,
LKDP 15, LCS 15, LDDP 12, LSDP 10, DP 2, independents 12, others 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Parliament;
Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Parliament
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party or LKDP
[Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman]; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania or
LDDP [Ceslovas JURSENAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Nationalist Union or
LTS [Rimantas SMETONA, chairman]; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party
or LSDP [Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Farmer's Party or LUP
(previously Farmers' Union) [Albinas VAIZMUZIS, chairman]; Lithuanian
Center Union or LCS [Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman]; Homeland
Union/Conservative Party or TS [Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman];
Lithuanian Polish Union or LLS [Rsztardas MACIEKIANIEC, chairman];
Democratic Party or DP [Lydie WURTH-POLFER, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Lithuanian Future Forum
International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC,
EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,
IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stasys SAKALAUSKAS (appointed 30
September 1997)
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860
FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Keith C. SMITH
embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600
mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE
09723
telephone: [370] (2) 223-031, 227-224
FAX: [370] 670-6084
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green,
and red
@Lithuania:Economy
Economy-overview: Lithuania has benefited from its disciplined
approach to market reform and its adherence to strict fiscal and
monetary policies imposed by the IMF, measures that have helped
constrain the growth of the money supply, reduce inflation to 8.6%,
and support GDP growth of 6% in 1997. GDP: purchasing power parity-$15.4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 28%
services: 63% (1995 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 1.77 million (1993 est.) @Lithuania:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,002 km
broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)
Highways:
total: 65,135 km
paved: 57,058 km (including 404 km of expressways)
unpaved: 8,077 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Kaunas, Klaipeda
Merchant marine:
total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 307,947 GRT/341,733 DWT
ships by type: cargo 25, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar
carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea
passenger 3 (1997 est.) Airports: 96 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 25
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 14 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 71
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.) @Lithuania:Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force,
Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 905,259 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $81.2 million (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.9% (1997)
@Lithuania:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: ongoing talks over boundary dispute with
Latvia (primary concern oil exploration rights); demarcation has begun
on border with Belarus; 1997 border agreement with Russia not yet
ratified
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs
from Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe and
Scandinavia
______________________________________________________________________
LUXEMBOURG
@Luxembourg:Geography
Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany
Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 6 10 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 2,586 sq km
land: 2,586 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
total: 359 km
border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers
Terrain: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys;
uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to
Moselle floodplain in the southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Moselle River 133 m
highest point: Burgplatz 559 m
Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited)
Land use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 20%
forests and woodland: 21%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: air and water pollution in urban areas
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile
Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked
@Luxembourg:People
Population: 425,017 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 39,565; female 37,824)
15-64 years: 67% (male 145,060; female 139,628)
65 years and over: 15% (male 25,449; female 37,491) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.02% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 11.12 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.29 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 8.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.04 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Luxembourg:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
conventional short form: Luxembourg
local long form: Grand-Duche de Luxembourg
local short form: Luxembourg
Data code: LU
Government type: constitutional monarchy
National capital: Luxembourg
Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher,
Luxembourg
Independence: 1839
National holiday: National Day, 23 June (1921) (public celebration of
the Grand Duke's birthday)
Constitution: 17 October 1868, occasional revisions
Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Grand Duke JEAN (since 12 November 1964); Heir
Apparent Prince HENRI (son of Grand Duke JEAN, born 16 April 1955)
head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1
January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Jacques F. POOS (since 21 July
1984)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the sovereign, responsible
to the Chamber of Deputies
elections: none; the grand duke is a hereditary monarch; prime
minister and vice prime minister appointed by the sovereign but are
responsible to the Chamber of Deputies
Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des
Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 12 June 1994 (next to be held by June 1999)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-CSV 21,
LSAP 17, DP 12, Action Committee for Democracy and Pension Rights 5,
Greens 5
note: the Council of State or Conseil d'Etat, which has 21 members who
are appointed for life, is an advisory body whose views are considered
by the Chamber of Deputies
Judicial branch: Superior Court of Justice or Cour Superieure de
Justice, judges are appointed for life by the Grand Duke;
Administrative Court or Tribunale Administratin, judges are appointed
for life by the Grand Duke
Political parties and leaders: Christian Social People's Party or CSV
[Erna HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES]; Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP
[Ben FAYOT]; Democratic Party or DP [Lydie Wurth POLFER]; Action
Committee for Democracy and Pension Rights [Roby MEHLEN]; the Green
Alternative [Abbes JACOBY]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders: group of steel companies
representing iron and steel industry; Centrale Paysanne representing
agricultural producers; Christian and Socialist labor unions;
Federation of Industrialists; Artisans and Shopkeepers Federation
International organization participation: ACCT, Australia Group,
Benelux, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MTCR, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alphonse BERNS
chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171
FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270
consulate(s) general: New York and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Clay CONSTANTINOU
embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, 2535 Luxembourg City
mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE
09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box
9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail)
telephone: [352] 46 01 23
FAX: [352] 46 14 01
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white,
and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a
darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France
@Luxembourg:Economy
Economy-overview: The stable, prosperous economy features moderate
growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. GDP: purchasing power parity-$13.48 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 21%
services: 74% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.3% (1995)
Labor force:
total: 213,100 (one-third of labor force is foreign workers, mostly
from Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany)
by occupation: trade, restaurants, hotels 20%, mining, quarrying,
manufacturing 16%, other market services 18%, community, social,
personal services 14%, construction 11%, finance, insurance, real
estate, business services 9%, transport, storage, communications 8%,
agriculture, hunting, forestry, fishing 1%, electricity, gas, water 1%
(1995 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.5% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $5.46 billion
expenditures: $5.44 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 plus 1 direct-broadcast satellite
link
Televisions: 100,500 (1993 est.) @Luxembourg:Transportation
Railways:
total: 275 km
standard gauge: 275 km 1.435-m gauge (262 km electrified; 178 km
double track) (1995)
Highways:
total: 5,160 km
paved: 5,160 km (including 115 km of expressways)
unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 37 km; Moselle
Pipelines: petroleum products 48 km
Ports and harbors: Mertert
Merchant marine:
total: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 775,336 GRT/1,028,012 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, container 3,
liquefied gas tanker 11, oil tanker 5, passenger 2, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 8 (1997 est.) Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Luxembourg:Military
Military branches: Army, National Gendarmerie
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 108,111 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $142 million (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.8% (1995)
@Luxembourg:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
MACAU
(Chinese territory under Portuguese administration)
@Macau:Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates: 22 10 N, 113 33 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 21 sq km
land: 21 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 0.34 km
border countries: China 0.34 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: not specified
Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Terrain: generally flat
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Coloane Alto 174 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 54,845; female 51,354)
15-64 years: 68% (male 138,871; female 153,801)
65 years and over: 7% (male 12,139; female 18,142) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.91% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.76 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 3.48 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 9.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water, and
energy imports. GDP: purchasing power parity-$7.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.9% (1997 est.) commodities: textiles, clothing, toys, electronics, cement
partners: US 42%, EU 31.7%, Hong Kong 10%, China 9.8% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $1.99 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods, fuels,
lubricants
partners: Hong Kong 28.9%, China 21.8%, EU 14.7%, Japan 10.5% (1996)
Debt-external: $0 (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos
Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1-7.99 (1997), 7.962 (1996), 8.034
(1993-95), 7.973 (1992); note-linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the
rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 200,000 (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0
note: TV programs received from Hong Kong
Televisions: 34,000 (1992 est.) @Macau:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 50 km
paved: 50 km
unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Macau
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Macau:Military
Military branches: NA
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 119,102 (1998 est.) Natural hazards: high seismic risks
Environment-current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western
and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
@Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of:People
Population: 2,009,387 (July 1998 est.) note: the Macedonian government census of July 1994 put the population
at 1.94 million, but ethnic allocations were likely undercounted
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 244,636; female 230,103)
15-64 years: 67% (male 675,783; female 669,878)
65 years and over: 9% (male 85,030; female 103,957) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.68% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 15.71 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.08 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.49 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Data code: MK
Government type: emerging democracy
National capital: Skopje
Administrative divisions: 34 counties (opstinas, singular-opstina)
Berovo, Bitola, Brod, Debar, Delcevo, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Kavadarci,
Kicevo, Kocani, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Murgasevo,
Negotino, Ohrid, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Resen, Skopje-Centar,
Skopje-Cair, Skopje-Karpos, Skopje-Kisela Voda, Skopje-Gazi Baba,
Stip, Struga, Strumica, Sveti Nikole, Tetovo, Titov Veles, Valandovo,
Vinica
note: in September 1996, the Macedonian Parliament passed legislation
changing the territorial division of the country; names of the 123 new
municipalities are not yet available
Independence: 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: 8 September
Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991)
head of government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 4
September 1992)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the
deputies in the Assembly; note-after the withdrawal of the Liberal
Party (LP) from the ruling coalition in early 1996, the Council of
Ministers was reorganized without LP participation
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 16 October 1994 (next to be held NA 1999)
election results: Kiro GLIGOROV elected president; percent of
vote-Kiro GLIGOROV 78.4%
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Sobranje (120 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms);
note-Assembly to vote on new election laws in spring 1998
elections: last held 16 and 30 October 1994 (next to be held NA
October/November 1998)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-SDSM 58,
LDP 29, SP 8, PDP 10, DPA 4, independents 7, other 4; note-since
October 1994 elections, some members of the Assembly have changed
their party affiliation; the seating as of January 1997 is as follows:
SDSM 61, LDP 27, SP 6, PDP 11, DPA 7, independents 3, other 5
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the
Judicial Council; Judicial Court of the Republic, judges are elected
by the Judicial Council
Political parties and leaders: Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia
or SDSM (former Communist Party) [Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president];
Party for Democratic Prosperity or PDP [Abdurahman ALITI, president];
Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Stojan ANDOV and Petar GOSEV];
Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubislav IVANOV-ZINGO,
president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic
Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Ljubcho
GEORGIEVSKI, president]; Democratic Party for Albanians or DPA [Arben
XHAFERI, president]; Democratic Alternative or DA [Vasil Tupur KOVSKI,
president]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Movement for All Macedonian
Action or MAAK; Democratic Party of Serbs; Democratic Party of Turks;
Party for Democratic Action (Slavic Muslim); Party for the Complete
Emancipation of Romas or PCER [Faik ABDI]
International organization participation: CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD,
ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, PFP, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ljubica Z. ACEVSKA
chancery: 3050 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 337 3063
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher Robert HILL (18 July 1996)
embassy: Bul. The economy slowly rebounded in 1996-97 after years of recession. The economy depends on outside sources for all of its oil and gas and
most of its modern machinery and parts. GDP: purchasing power parity-$2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 20.4%
industry: 38.6%
services: 41% (1995 est.) ); note-many employed workers are, in
fact, furloughees
Budget:
revenues: $1.06 billion
expenditures: $1 billion, including capital expenditures of $107
million (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 5 (relays 2)
Televisions: 327,011 (1992 est.) @Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of:Transportation
Railways:
total: 922 km
standard gauge: 922 km 1.435-m gauge (232 km electrified) (1997)
Highways:
total: 10,591 km
paved: 5,500 km (including 133 km of expressways)
unpaved: 5,091 km (1997 est.) Waterways: none, lake transport only
Pipelines: 0 km
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 16 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
under 914 m: 8 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.) @Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Police
Force
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 536,321 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 7 billion denars (1993 est. Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
Environment-current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation
and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw
sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna
unique to the island are endangered
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location
along Mozambique Channel
@Madagascar:People
Population: 14,462,509 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 3,272,236; female 3,196,565)
15-64 years: 52% (male 3,722,459; female 3,792,178)
65 years and over: 3% (male 231,582; female 247,489) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.81% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 41.89 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 13.83 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 90.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$10.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 33%
industry: 15%
services: 52% (1996 est.) commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves, shellfish, sugar,
petroleum products (1995 est.) partners: France 41%, US, Japan, Italy (1995)
Imports:
total value: $612 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%,
petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13% (1995 est.) partners: France 40%, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, US (1995)
Debt-external: $4.4 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $454 million (1992-96)
Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1-5,302.9 (December
1997), 5,090.9 (1997), 4,061.3 (1996), 4,265.6 (1995), 3,067.3 (1994),
1,913.8 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 96,000 (1988 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 36)
Televisions: 260,000 (1992 est.) Waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small
portions of Canal des Pangalanes
Ports and harbors: Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga,
Toamasina, Toliara
Merchant marine:
total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,624 GRT/28,621 DWT
ships by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil
tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 136 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 30
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 22
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 106
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 60
under 914 m: 42 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $29 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1% (1994)
@Madagascar:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island,
Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all
administered by France)
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild
varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point
for heroin
______________________________________________________________________
MALAWI
@Malawi:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 118,480 sq km
land: 94,080 sq km
water: 24,400 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 2,881 km
border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to
November)
Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills,
some mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary
with Mozambique 37 m
highest point: Mount Mlanje Sapitwa 3,002 m
Natural resources: limestone, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal,
and bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 20%
forests and woodland: 39%
other: 23% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water
pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes;
siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked
@Malawi:People
Population: 9,840,474 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 2,249,108; female 2,228,934)
15-64 years: 52% (male 2,512,768; female 2,584,516)
65 years and over: 2% (male 111,089; female 154,059) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.66% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 40.22 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 23.68 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.72 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 133.77 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy is predominately agricultural, with
about 90% of the population living in rural areas. The economy
depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF,
the World Bank, and individual donor nations. GDP: purchasing power parity-$8.6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 45%
industry: 30%
services: 25% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $530 million
expenditures: $674 million, including capital expenditures of $129
million (1993)
Industries: tea, tobacco, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer
goods
Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (1995)
Electricity-capacity: 185,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 800 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 82 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes,
cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; cattle, goats
Exports:
total value: $405 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts, wood products
partners: US, South Africa, Germany, Japan
Imports:
total value: $475 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer
goods, transportation equipment
partners: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Japan, US, UK, Germany
Debt-external: $2.3 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: donor pledges, $332 million (1996)
Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1-17.5300 (October 1997),
15.3085 (1996), 15.2837 (1995), 8.7364 (1994), 4.4028 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 43,000 (1985 est.) Televisions: NA
@Malawi:Transportation
Railways:
total: 789 km
narrow gauge: 789 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 28,400 km
paved: 5,254 km
unpaved: 23,146 km (1996 est.) Waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km
Ports and harbors: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota
Airports: 45 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 39
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 24 (1997 est.) @Malawi:Military
Military branches: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment),
Police (includes paramilitary Mobile Force Unit)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49 : 2,248,023 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $10.4 million (FY94/95)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Malawi:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in
Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
______________________________________________________________________
MALAYSIA
@Malaysia:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the
island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south
of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 329,750 sq km
land: 328,550 sq km
water: 1,200 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,669 km
border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km
Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607
km)
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;
specified boundary in the South China Sea
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast
(October to February) monsoons
Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kinabalu 4,100 m
Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural
gas, bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 12%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 68%
other: 17% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: flooding, landslides
Environment-current issues: air pollution from industrial and
vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation;
smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and
southern South China Sea
@Malaysia:People
Population: 20,932,901 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 3,832,040; female 3,635,136)
15-64 years: 60% (male 6,314,693; female 6,324,389)
65 years and over: 4% (male 359,006; female 467,637) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.11% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 26.5 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.36 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.77 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 22.45 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Malaysia:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Malaysia
former: Malayan Union
Data code: MY
Government type: constitutional monarchy
note: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; nominally headed by
the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament; Peninsular
Malaysian states-hereditary rulers in all but Melaka and Penang, where
governors are appointed by Malaysian Government; powers of state
governments are limited by the federal constitution;
Sabah-self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of
Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and
other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak-self-governing
state, holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign
affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to
federal government
National capital: Kuala Lumpur
Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular-negeri)
and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan,
singular-wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*,
Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah,
Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan*
note: the city of Kuala Lumpur is located within the federal territory
of Wilayah Persekutuan; the terms therefore are not interchangeable
Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957)
Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of
the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Paramount Ruler TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku
Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1994) and Deputy Paramount Ruler Sultan
TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin
Alam Shah (since 26 April 1994)
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16
July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister ANWAR bin Ibrahim (since 1 December
1993)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler
elections: paramount ruler and deputy paramount ruler elected by and
from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms;
election last held 4 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); prime
minister designated from among the members of the House of
Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader of the
party that wins a plurality of seats in the House of Representatives
becomes prime minister
election results: TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman
elected paramount ruler; Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni
Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah elected deputy paramount ruler
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of the
Senate or Dewan Negara (69 seats; 43 appointed by the paramount ruler,
26 elected by the state legislatures; elected members serve six-year
terms) and the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (192 seats;
members elected by popular vote directly weighted toward the rural
Malay population to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate-last held NA April 1995 (next to be held by 2000);
House of Representatives-last held 24-25 April 1995 (next to be held
by 2000)
election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-NA; House of Representatives-percent of vote by party-National
Front 63%, other 37%; seats by party-National Front 162, DAP 9, PBS 8,
PAS 7, Spirit of '46 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the paramount
ruler
Political parties and leaders:
Peninsular Malaysia: National Front, a confederation of 13 political
parties dominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNO
Baru), MAHATHIR bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), LING
Liong Sik; Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, LIM Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian
Congress (MIC), S. Samy VELLU; major opposition parties are Parti
Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), Ustaz Fadzil Mohamed NOOR and the Democratic
Action Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siang
Sabah: National Front, dominated by the UMNO; Sabah Progressive Party
(SAPP), Datuk YONG Teck Lee; Parti Democratic Sabah (PDS), Bernard
DOMPOK; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Datuk Joseph KURUP
Sarawak: National Front, composed of the Party Pesaka Bumiputra
Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud; Sarawak United
People's Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar Stephen YONG Kuat Tze; Sarawak
National Party (SNAP), Datuk Amar James WONG; Parti Bansa Dayak
Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo MOGGIE; major opposition party is Democratic
Action Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siang
note: subsequent to the election, the following parties were
dissolved-Spirit of '46 (Semangat '46), Tengku Tan Sri RAZALEIGH,
president, and Sabah United Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah, PBS), Datuk
Seri Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC,
CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNOMIL, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador DALI Mahmud Hashim
chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-2700
FAX: [1] (202) 483-7661
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John R. MALOTT
embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
mailing address: P. O. Box No. GDP: purchasing power parity-$227 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 45%
services: 41% (1995 est.) by occupation: manufacturing 25%, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
21%, local trade and tourism 17%, services 12%, government 11%,
construction 8% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 2.6% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $22.6 billion
expenditures: $22 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.3
billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $45 million (1993)
Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1-4.3985 (January 1998), 2.8133
(1997), 2.5159 (1996), 2.5044 (1995), 2.6243 (1994), 2.5741 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 2,550,957 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.) @Malaysia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,648 km
narrow gauge: 1,648 km 1.000-m gauge (148 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 94,500 km
paved: 70,970 km (including 580 km of expressways)
unpaved: 23,530 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 7,296 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,209 km, Sabah 1,569 km,
Sarawak 2,518 km)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km
Ports and harbors: Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat,
Labuan, Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Dickson,
Port Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjong Berhala, Tanjong Kidurong, Tawau
Merchant marine:
total: 359 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,586,576 GRT/6,747,771
DWT
ships by type: bulk 57, cargo 132, chemical tanker 23, container 48,
liquefied gas tanker 17, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 63,
refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, short-sea passenger 1,
specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 8 (1997 est.) Airports: 114 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 33
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 7 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 81
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 72 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Malaysia:Military
Military branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal
Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police,
Sarawak Border Scouts
Military manpower-military age: 21 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 5,402,322 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $2.5 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.6% (1997)
@Malaysia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly
Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei;
Sabah State claimed by the Philippines; Brunei may wish to purchase
the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into two parts; two islands
in dispute with Singapore; two islands in dispute with Indonesia
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to
Western markets despite severe penalties for drug trafficking
______________________________________________________________________
MALDIVES
@Maldives:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean,
south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total: 300 sq km
land: 300 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 644 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 35-310 nm as defined by geographic
coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with
India
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to
March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili 24 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 3%
forests and woodland: 3%
other: 84% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 47% (male 70,244; female 66,758)
15-64 years: 50% (male 73,784; female 70,539)
65 years and over: 3% (male 4,735; female 4,151) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.42% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 40.12 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.96 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.14 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 41.12 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Maldives:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
conventional short form: Maldives
local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa
local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Data code: MV
Government type: republic
National capital: Male (Maale)
Administrative divisions: 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and
1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu,
Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu,
Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani,
Thaa, Vaavu
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution: 4 June 1968
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common
law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November
1978); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November
1978); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Ministry of Atolls appointed by the president; note-need not
be members of Majilis
elections: president elected by secret ballot of the Majlis for a
five-year term; election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held NA
October 1998)
election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percent of
Majlis vote-Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 92.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council or Majlis (48 seats;
40 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members
serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December
1999)
election results: percent of vote-NA; seats-independents 40
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not
banned, none exist
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Maldives does not have an embassy
in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy
in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives
and makes periodic visits there
Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the center
bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is
on the hoist side of the flag
@Maldives:Economy
Economy-overview: Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for
about 18% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange
receipts. About 350,000 tourists visited the islands
in 1997. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign
investment. GDP: purchasing power parity-$500 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 22%
industry: 15%
services: 63% (1994 est.) by occupation: fishing industry and agriculture 25%, services 21%,
manufacturing and construction 21%, trade, restaurants, and hotels
16%, transportation and communication 10%, other 7%
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget:
revenues: $88 million (excluding foreign grants)
expenditures: $141 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1-11.770 (1995-January 1998),
11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 8,523 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 7,309 (1992 est.) @Maldives:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km; note-Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city
(1988 est.) Ports and harbors: Gan, Male
Merchant marine:
total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,703 GRT/108,485 DWT
ships by type: cargo 17, container 1, oil tanker 1, short-sea
passenger 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Maldives:Military
Military branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police
force)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 63,879 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Maldives:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
MALI
@Mali:Geography
Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 1.24 million sq km
land: 1.22 million sq km
water: 20,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 7,243 km
border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858
km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal
419 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy,
humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand;
savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Senegal River 23 m
highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium,
bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but
not exploited
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 25%
forests and woodland: 6%
other: 67% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry
seasons; recurring droughts
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion;
desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Geography-note: landlocked
@Mali:People
Population: 10,108,569 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 47% (male 2,405,624; female 2,383,728)
15-64 years: 49% (male 2,367,538; female 2,628,399)
65 years and over: 4% (male 152,999; female 170,281) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.24% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 49.88 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 19.04 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 121.72 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Economic activity is
largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. Industrial activity is concentrated on
processing farm commodities. GDP: purchasing power parity-$6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 49%
industry: 17%
services: 34% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3% (1997 est.) commodities: cotton, livestock, gold
partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Imports:
total value: $797 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction
materials, petroleum, textiles
partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Debt-external: $2.8 billion (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 11,000 (1982 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.) Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.) @Mali:Transportation
Railways:
total: 641 km; (linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes)
narrow gauge: 641 km 1.000-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 15,100 km
paved: 1,827 km
unpaved: 13,273 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 1,815 km navigable
Ports and harbors: Koulikoro
Airports: 28 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 22
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.) @Mali:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard,
National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,051,976 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $66 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.2% (1994)
@Mali:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
MALTA
@Malta:Geography
Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of
Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 320 sq km
land: 320 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 140 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal
cliffs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Dingli Cliffs 245 m
Natural resources: limestone, salt
Land use:
arable land: 38%
permanent crops: 3%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 59% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: very limited natural fresh water
resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography-note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the
three largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited;
numerous bays provide good harbors
@Malta:People
Population: 379,563 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 40,655; female 38,425)
15-64 years: 68% (male 128,958; female 127,391)
65 years and over: 11% (male 18,629; female 25,505) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.58% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 11.73 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.35 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Malta produces only
about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has
no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade,
manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism; the
state-owned Malta drydocks employs about 3,800 people. In 1996,
approximately 1 million tourists visited the island. GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 34%
services: 61% (1995 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1996 est.) Televisions: 300,000 (1996 est.) @Malta:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,582 km
paved: 1,471 km
unpaved: 111 km (1993 est.) Ports and harbors: Marsaxlokk, Valletta
Merchant marine:
total: 1,287 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,396,164
GRT/37,390,720 DWT
ships by type: bulk 350, cargo 404, chemical tanker 38, combination
bulk 20, combination ore/oil 15, container 55, liquefied gas tanker 1,
livestock carrier 2, multifunction large-load carrier 3, oil tanker
269, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated
cargo 43, roll-on/roll-off cargo 42, short-sea passenger 17,
specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 16
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 51 countries
among which includes Greece 477, Russia 61, Switzerland 51, Italy 50,
Norway 49, Croatia 39, Turkey 38, Germany 30, Georgia 23, and Monaco
23 (1997 est.) Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Malta:Military
Military branches: Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 99,066 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $65.5 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.7% (FY96/97)
@Malta:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the
commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their
countries, particularly for oil exploration
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa
to Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
MAN, ISLE OF
(British crown dependency)
@Man, Isle of:Geography
Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great
Britain and Ireland
Geographic coordinates: 54 15 N, 4 30 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 588 sq km
land: 588 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than three times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 113 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the
time
Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m
highest point: Snaefell 620 m
Natural resources: lead, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: NA% (extensive arable land and forests)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the
southwest, and is a bird sanctuary
@Man, Isle of:People
Population: 75,121 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 6,790; female 6,510)
15-64 years: 65% (male 24,466; female 24,366)
65 years and over: 17% (male 5,168; female 7,821) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.79% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.49 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 11.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 7.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 2.42 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$780 million (1994 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $333.7 million
expenditures: $333.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95 est.) Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 50% (male 16,073; female 15,432)
15-64 years: 48% (male 15,408; female 14,695)
65 years and over: 2% (male 669; female 754) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.85% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 45.39 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 44.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and
copra. GDP: purchasing power parity-$98 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 13%
services: 72% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4% (FY95/96)
Labor force:
total: 4,800 (1986)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 16% (1991 est.) Budget:
revenues: $80.1 million
expenditures: $77.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.5
million (FY95/96 est.) commodities: fish, coconut oil, fish, trochus shells
partners: US, Japan, Australia
Imports:
total value: $71.8 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and
tobacco
partners: US, Japan, Australia, NZ
Debt-external: $128 million (FY95/96)
Economic aid:
recipient: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US
is to provide approximately $68 million in aid annually
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 2,000 (1997 est.) Airports: 16 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an
average of one major natural disaster every five years)
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
@Martinique:People
Population: 407,284 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 47,431; female 46,457)
15-64 years: 67% (male 134,738; female 137,818)
65 years and over: 10% (male 17,216; female 23,624) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.05% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 16.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.91 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.89 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Banana
exports are increasing, going mostly to France. GDP: purchasing power parity-$3.95 billion (1995 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 11%
services: 83% (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 10
Televisions: 65,000 (1993 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows
primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil
erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification;
very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which
is the only perennial river
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: most of the population concentrated in the cities of
Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern
part of the country
@Mauritania:People
Population: 2,511,473 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 584,303; female 583,526)
15-64 years: 51% (male 624,144; female 660,478)
65 years and over: 3% (male 24,813; female 34,209) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.52% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 44.46 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 14.59 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -4.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 78.22 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Mauritania:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form: Mauritania
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
local short form: Muritaniyah
Data code: MR
Government type: republic
National capital: Nouakchott
Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular-region);
Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech
Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
note: there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution: 12 July 1991
Legal system: three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special
courts, and state security courts (in the process of being eliminated)
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12
December 1984)
head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Lamine Ould GUIG (since 7
December 1997)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
election last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held NA December
2003); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected
with 90% of the vote
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or
Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 17 up for election every two years;
members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the
National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (79 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate-last held 12 April 1996 (next to be held NA 1998);
National Assembly-last held 11 and 18 October 1996 (next to be held NA
2001)
election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-PRDS 16, UFD/NE 1; National Assembly-percent of vote by
party-NA; seats by party-PRDS 71, AC 1, independents and other 7
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: legalized by constitution passed 12
July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based; emerging
parties include Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic
Forces-New Era (UFD/NE), headed by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for
Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and
Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party
for Renewal (PMR), Hameida BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party
(PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center
(PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI; Action for Change (AC), Messoud Ould
BOULKHEIR
Political pressure groups and leaders: Mauritanian Workers Union
(UTM), Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general; General
Confederation of Mauritanian Workers (CGTM), Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED,
secretary general
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate),
ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77,
IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member),
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed OULD SID'AHMED
chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700
FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Timberlake FOSTER
embassy: Rue Abdallahi Ould Oubeid, Nouakchott
mailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott
telephone: [222] (2) 526-60, 526-63
FAX: [222] (2) 515-92
Flag description: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a
yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down;
the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
@Mauritania:Economy
Economy-overview: A majority of the population still depends on
agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the
nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by
recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive
deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks
in production. GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.1 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 26%
industry: 31%
services: 43% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4.7% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 465,000 (1981 est. ); 45,000 wage earners (1980)
by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce
14%, government 10%
Unemployment rate: 23% (1995 est.) Budget:
revenues: $329 million
expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $75
million (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.) Televisions: 50,000 (1992 est.) @Mauritania:Transportation
Railways:
total: 704 km (single track); note-owned and operated by government
mining company
standard gauge: 704 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 7,660 km
paved: 866 km
unpaved: 6,794 km (1996 est.) Waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Ports and harbors: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 26 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 18
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) @Mauritania:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie,
National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 555,492 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $33 million (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.5% (1995)
@Mauritania:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
MAURITIUS
@Mauritius:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 20 17 S, 57 33 E
Map references: World
Area:
total: 1,860 sq km
land: 1,850 sq km
water: 10 sq km
note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint
Brandon), and Rodrigues
Area-comparative: almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 177 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter
(May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)
Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains
encircling central plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire 828 m
Natural resources: arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land: 49%
permanent crops: 3%
permanent pastures: 3%
forests and woodland: 22%
other: 23% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: cyclones (November to April); almost completely
surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards
Environment-current issues: water pollution
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Mauritius:People
Population: 1,168,256 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 155,917; female 152,563)
15-64 years: 68% (male 393,330; female 397,285)
65 years and over: 6% (male 28,092; female 41,069) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.2% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 18.64 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Mauritius:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius
conventional short form: Mauritius
Data code: MP
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Port Louis
Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega
Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka,
Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart,
Rodrigues*, Savanne
Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968)
Constitution: 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements of
English common law in certain areas
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Cassam UTEEM (since 1 July 1992) and Vice
President Rabindranath GHURBURRUN (since 1 July 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM (since 27
December 1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president and vice president elected by the National
Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 28 June 1997 (next to
be held NA 2002); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed
by the president and are responsible to the National Assembly
election results: Cassam UTEEM elected president and Rabindranath
GHURBURRUN elected vice president; percent of vote by the National
Assembly-NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (66 seats-62
popularly elected, 4 appointed; members serve five-year terms);
note-the election commission appoints four members from the losing
political parties to give representation to various ethnic minorities
elections: last held on 20 December 1995 (next to be held by December
2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-MLP/MMM 65%, MSM/MMR 20%,
other 15%; seats by party-MLP 35, MMM 25, allies of MLP and MMM on
Rodrigues Island 2; appointed were Rodrigues Movement 2, PMSD 1,
Hizbullah 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
government party: Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra
RAMGOOLAM]
opposition parties: Hizbullah [Imam Mustapha BEEHARRY]; MSM/MMR
alliance consisting of the Militant Socialist Movement or MSM [Sir
Anerood JUGNAUTH] and the Mauritian Militant Renaissance or MMR [Dr.
Paramhansa NABABSING]; Mauritian Social Democrat Party or PMSD
[Xavier-Luc DUVAL]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul
BERENGER]; Organization of the People of Rodrigues or OPR [Louis Serge
CLAIR]; Rodrigues Movement [Nicholas Von MALLY, leader]
Political pressure groups and leaders: various labor unions
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC,
ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM,
OAU, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Chitmansing JESSERAMSING
chancery: Suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492
FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Harold Walter GEISEL (8 July 1996)
embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis
mailing address: International Mail: P.O. For most of the period, annual growth has been of the
order of 5% to 6%. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the
cultivated land area and accounts for 25% of export earnings. GDP: purchasing power parity-$11.7 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 29%
services: 63% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6.5% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 514,000 (1995)
by occupation: construction and industry 36%, services 24%,
agriculture and fishing 14%, trade, restaurants, hotels 16%,
transportation and communication 7%, finance 3% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 1.8% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $822 million (FY 94/95)
expenditures: $1 billion, including capital expenditures of $198
million (FY95/96 est.) commodities: clothing and textiles 55%, sugar 24% (1995)
partners: UK 34%, France 21%, US 15%, Germany 6%, Italy 4% (1995)
Imports:
total value: $2.2 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: manufactured goods 37%, capital equipment 19%, foodstuffs
13%, petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7% (1995)
partners: France 20%, India 8%, Hong Kong 7%, UK 6%, Germany 5% (1995)
Debt-external: $1.2 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1-22.220 (January
1998), 20.561 (1997), 17.948 (1996), 17.386 (1995), 17.960 (1994),
17.648 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 65,000 (1985 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.) note: two new subscription channels began operation in 1995
Televisions: 151,096 (1991 est.) @Mauritius:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,860 km
paved: 1,732 km (including 30 km of expressways)
unpaved: 128 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Port Louis
Merchant marine:
total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 241,799 GRT/336,316 DWT
ships by type: cargo 7, combination bulk 2, container 6, liquefied gas
tanker 1, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3
note: a flag of convenience registry; India owns 1 ship (1997 est.) Airports: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) @Mauritius:Military
Military branches: National Police Force (includes the paramilitary
Special Mobile Force or SMF, Special Support Units or SSU, and
National Coast Guard)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 336,655 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $13.9 million (FY94/95)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.1% (FY94/95)
@Mauritius:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims the island of Diego Garcia in
UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claims
French-administered Tromelin Island
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug
trade; heroin consumption and transshipment are growing problems
______________________________________________________________________
MAYOTTE
(territorial collectivity of France)
@Mayotte:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about
one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 12 50 S, 45 10 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 375 sq km
land: 375 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 185.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during
northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to
November)
Terrain: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic
peaks
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Benara 660 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: cyclones during rainy season
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: part of Comoro Archipelago
@Mayotte:People
Population: 141,944 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 33,067; female 33,016)
15-64 years: 52% (male 40,009; female 33,380)
65 years and over: 2% (male 1,214; female 1,258) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 5.16% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 46.96 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.22 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 13.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.2 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 71.13 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy and future development
of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance, an
important supplement to GDP. GDP: purchasing power parity-$63 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 38% (1991 est.) Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $73 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991
est.) Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 3,500 (1994 est.) @Mayotte:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 93 km
paved: 72 km
unpaved: 21 km
Ports and harbors: Dzaoudzi
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and
destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the
Gulf and Caribbean coasts
Environment-current issues: natural fresh water resources scarce and
polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme
southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in
urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification;
serious air pollution in the national capital and urban centers along
US-Mexico border
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location on southern border of US
@Mexico:People
Population: 98,552,776 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 17,883,007; female 17,193,082)
15-64 years: 60% (male 28,932,074; female 30,511,443)
65 years and over: 4% (male 1,808,581; female 2,224,589) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.77% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 25.49 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.91 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.81 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 25.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The number of state-owned enterprises in Mexico
has fallen from more than 1,000 in 1982 to fewer than 200 in 1998. After declining 6.2% in 1995, real GDP grew 5.1% in
1996 and 7.3% in 1997 and is expected to rise by 5% in 1998. GDP: purchasing power parity-$694.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 33%
services: 59% (1997 est.) urban; plus considerable
underemployment
Budget:
revenues: $92 billion
expenditures: $94 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997
est.) Imports:
total value: $109.8 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est. Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $85 million (1993)
Currency: 1 New Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1-8.1798
(January 1998), 7.9141 (1997), 7.5994(1996), 6.4194 (1995), 3.3751
(1994), 3.1156 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 11,890,868 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 238
Televisions: 13.1 million (1992 est.) Waterways: 2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals
Pipelines: crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural
gas 13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km
Ports and harbors: Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada,
Guaymas, La Paz, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso,
Salina Cruz, Tampico, Topolobampo, Tuxpan, Veracruz
Merchant marine:
total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 899,224 GRT/1,312,505 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 1,
container 4, liquefied gas tanker 7, oil tanker 29, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 2, short-sea passenger 3 (1997 est.) Airports: 1,810 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 231
over 3,047 m: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 25
1,524 to 2,437 m: 94
914 to 1,523 m: 78
under 914 m: 25 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1,579
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 65
914 to 1,523 m: 472
under 914 m: 1,040 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Mexico:Military
Military branches: National Defense Secretariat (includes Army and Air
Force), Navy Secretariat (includes Naval Air and Marines)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 25,114,890 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $2.2 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.3% (1997)
@Mexico:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of opium poppy (cultivation in
1997-4,000 hectares, a 22% decrease from 1996; potential production-46
metric tons, about a 15% decrease from 1996) and cannabis continues in
spite of increased government eradication; major supplier of heroin
and marijuana to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment
country for US-bound cocaine from South America; increasingly involved
in the production and distribution of methamphetamines
______________________________________________________________________
MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF
@Micronesia, Federated States of:Geography
Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 15 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 702 sq km
land: 702 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk) Islands, Yap Islands,
and Kosrae
Area-comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6,112 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the
eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with
occasionally severe damage
Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to
low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Totolom 791 m
Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography-note: four major island groups totaling 607 islands
@Micronesia, Federated States of:People
Population: 129,658 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 3.31% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 27.55 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.07 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 11.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 34.51 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$220 million (1996 est.) note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million
annually
GDP-real growth rate: 1% (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4% (1996 est.) commodities: fish, garments, bananas, black pepper
partners: Japan, US, Guam
Imports:
total value: $168 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment,
beverages
partners: US, Japan, Australia
Debt-external: $129 million
Economic aid:
recipient: under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will
provide $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 960
Telephone system:
domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used
mostly for government purposes)
international: satellite earth stations-4 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 1
Radios: 17,000 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 1,290 (1993 est.) Ports and harbors: Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: heavy use of agricultural chemicals,
including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and
groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ozone Layer
Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked
@Moldova:People
Population: 4,457,729 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 568,609; female 548,837)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,394,604; female 1,514,749)
65 years and over: 10% (male 159,972; female 270,958) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.04% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 14.35 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.42 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 43.72 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$10.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 42%
industry: 36%
services: 22% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 11.2% (1997 est.) Waterways: 424 km (1994)
Pipelines: natural gas 310 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 26 (1994 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
under 914 m: 3 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 18
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 8 (1994 est.) @Moldova:Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Republic
Security Forces (internal and border troops)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,145,260 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 203 million lei (1995);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Moldova:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: certain territory of Moldova and
Ukraine-including Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina-are considered by
Bucharest as historically a part of Romania; this territory was
incorporated into the former Soviet Union following the
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1940
Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly
for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western
Europe and Russia
______________________________________________________________________
MONACO
@Monaco:Geography
Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, on the
southern coast of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 1.95 sq km
land: 1.95 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about three times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 4.4 km
border countries: France 4.4 km
Coastline: 4.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mont Agel 140 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (urban area)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: second smallest independent state in world (after Holy
See); almost entirely urban
@Monaco:People
Population: 32,035 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 2,730; female 2,659)
15-64 years: 64% (male 9,934; female 10,463)
65 years and over: 19% (male 2,300; female 3,949) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.4% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 10.71 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 11.86 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 5.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$800 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 30,540 (1 January 1994)
Unemployment rate: 3.1% (1994)
Budget:
revenues: $623.3 million
expenditures: $638.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.) Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 10,000 kW standby
note: electricity imported from France
Electricity-production: NA kWh
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture-products: none
Exports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and
rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system
through customs union with France
Imports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and
rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system
through customs union with France
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1-6.0836 (January 1998),
5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 53,180 (1994 est.) Television broadcast stations: 5 (1987 est.) Televisions: 24,000 (1994 est.) @Monaco:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1.7 km
standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:
total: 50 km
paved: 50 km
unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Monaco
Merchant marine: none
Airports: linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service
@Monaco:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of France
@Monaco:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
MONGOLIA
@Mongolia:Geography
Location: Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total: 1.565 million sq km
land: 1.565 million sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 8,114 km
border countries: China 4,673 km, Russia 3,441 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature
ranges)
Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains; mountains in west and
southwest; Gobi Desert in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m
highest point: Tavan Bogd Uul 4,374 m
Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten,
phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 80%
forests and woodland: 9%
other: 10% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: dust storms can occur in the spring; grassland fires
Environment-current issues: limited natural fresh water resources;
policies of the former communist regime promoting rapid urbanization
and industrial growth have raised concerns about their negative
effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal and the
concentration of factories in Ulaanbaatar have severely polluted the
air; deforestation, overgrazing, the converting of virgin land to
agricultural production have increased soil erosion from wind and
rain; desertification
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: landlocked; strategic location between China and
Russia
@Mongolia:People
Population: 2,578,530 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 37% (male 483,795; female 468,700)
15-64 years: 59% (male 764,665; female 764,825)
65 years and over: 4% (male 41,488; female 55,057) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.54% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 23.56 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.19 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 66.34 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Mongolia:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Mongolia
local long form: none
local short form: Mongol Uls
former: Outer Mongolia
Data code: MG
Government type: republic
National capital: Ulaanbaatar
Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (aymguud, singular-aymag) and 3
municipalities* (hotuud, singular-hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor,
Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan*, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan,
Erdenet*, Govi-Altay, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Ovorhangay,
Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs
Independence: 13 March 1921 (from China)
National holiday: National Day, 11 July (1921)
Constitution: 12 February 1992
Legal system: blend of Russian, Chinese, and Turkish systems of law;
no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (since 20 June 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Tsahiagiyn ELBEGDORJ (since 23
April 1998)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural
elections: president nominated by parties in the State Great Hural and
elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 18
May 1997 (next to be held summer 2001); following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is
usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural
election results: Natsagiyn BAGABANDI elected president; percent of
vote-Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (MPRP) 60.8%, Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (MNDP
and MSDP) 29.8%, Jambyn GOMBOJAV (MUTP) 6.6%; following a vote of
no-confidence against former Prime Minister Mendsaihan ENHSAIHAN,
Tsahiagiyn ELBEGDORJ was elected prime minister on 23 April 1998 by a
vote in the State Great Hural of 61 to 6 (nine members abstained)
Legislative branch: unicameral State Great Hural (76 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 30 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-DUC 66%, MPRP 33%, MCP 1%;
seats by party - DUC 50 (MNDP 34, MSDP 13, independents 3), MPRP 25,
MCP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, serves as appeals court for people's
and provincial courts, but to date rarely overturns verdicts of lower
courts, judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts for
approval by the Great Hural
Political parties and leaders: Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party
(MPRP), N. ENKHBAYAR, general secretary; Democratic Union Coalition
(DUC), Mendsaihan ENHSAIHAN, general secretary (includes Mongolian
National Democratic Party or MNDP, T. ELBEGDORJ, chairman; Mongolian
Social Democratic Party or MSDP, Radnaasumbereliyn GONCHIGDORJ,
chairman; Green Party, NYAM; and Mongolian Democratic Party of
Believers or MDPB, leader NA); Mongolian Conservative Party (MCP),
JARGALSAIHAN; Democratic Power Coalition, D. BYAMBASUREN, chairman
(includes Mongolian Democratic Renaissance Party or MDRP, BYAMBASUREN,
chairman, and Mongolian People's Party or MPP, leader NA); Mongolian
National Solidarity Party (MNSP), leader NA; Bourgeois
Party/Capitalist Party, VARGALSAIHAN, chairman; United Heritage Party
(UHP), B. JAMTSAI (includes United Party of Herdsman and Farmers,
leader NA; Independence Party, leader NA; Traditional United
Conservative Party, leader NA; and Mongolian United Private Property
Owners Party, leader NA); Workers' Party, leader NA
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, NAM
(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jalbuugiyn CHOINHOR
chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117
FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alphonse F. LA PORTA
embassy: inner north side of the Big Ring, just west of the Selbe Gol,
Ulaanbaatar
mailing address: c/o American Embassy Beijing, Micro Region 11, Big
Ring Road; PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone: [976] (1) 329095
FAX: [976] (1) 320776
Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side),
blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the
national emblem ("soyombo"-a columnar arrangement of abstract and
geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the
yin-yang symbol)
@Mongolia:Economy
Economy-overview: The government has embraced free-market economics,
freezing spending, easing price controls, liberalizing domestic and
international trade. Economic activity traditionally has been based
on agriculture and the breeding of livestock. GDP: purchasing power parity-$5.6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 32%
services: 34% (1995 est.) by occupation: primarily herding/agricultural
Unemployment rate: 15% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Industries: copper, construction materials, mining (particularly
coal); food and beverage, processing of animal products
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1997 est.) commodities: copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool,
hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals
partners: Russia 21%, China 18% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $443.4 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial
consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea
partners: Russia 34%, China 15% (1996)
Debt-external: $500 million (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA $250 million (1998 est.) @Mongolia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,928 km
broad gauge: 1,928 km 1.524-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 46,470 km
paved: 3,730 km
unpaved: 42,740 km (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.) @Mongolia:Military
Military branches: Mongolian People's Army (includes Internal Security
Forces and Frontier Guards), Air Force
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 680,345 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $22.8 million (1992)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1% (1992)
@Mongolia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
MONTSERRAT
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Montserrat:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto
Rico
Geographic coordinates: 16 45 N, 62 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 100 sq km
land: 100 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal
lowland
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Chances Peak 914 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 10%
forests and woodland: 40%
other: 30% (1993 est.) note: demographic figures include an estimated 8,000 refugees who left
the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.23% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 14.27 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.86 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.91 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$43 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 18.4%
services: 76.8% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 6% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 4,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 15 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,178 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions,
peppers; livestock products
Exports:
total value: $12.1 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot
peppers, live plants, cattle
partners: US, Ireland
Imports:
total value: $29.9 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs,
manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
partners: NA
Debt-external: $10.2 million (December 1994)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 3,000
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 6,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject
to earthquakes; periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: land degradation/desertification (soil
erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing,
destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage;
siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
@Morocco:People
Population: 29,114,497 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 5,398,692; female 5,200,660)
15-64 years: 59% (male 8,525,344; female 8,682,277)
65 years and over: 5% (male 606,203; female 701,321) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.89% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 26.37 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 52.99 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Since the early 1980s the government has pursued an
economic program toward these objectives with the support of the IMF,
the World Bank, and the Paris Club of creditors. Favorable rainfalls in the fall of
1997 have led to forecasts of robust, 8%-9% real GDP growth in 1998. GDP: purchasing power parity-$107 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 33%
services: 53% (1997)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $10.4 billion
expenditures: $10.75 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.9
billion (1996 est.) partners: EU 63%, Japan 7.7%, India 6.6%, US 3.4%, Libya 3.4% (1996
est.) Imports:
total value: $9.7 billion (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: semiprocessed goods 26%, capital goods 25%, food and
beverages 18%, fuel and lubricants 15%, consumer goods 12%, raw
materials 4% (1995 est.) partners: EU 57%, US 6.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.3%, Brazil 2.8% (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $297 million (1993)
note: $2.8 billion debt canceled by Saudi Arabia (1991)
Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1-9.822 (January 1998),
9.527 (1997), 8.716 (1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993)
Fiscal year: July 1-June 30
Communications
Telephones: 270,100 (1987 est.) Television broadcast stations: 26 (repeaters 26)
Televisions: 1.21 million (1993 est.) @Morocco:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,907 km
standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1003 km electrified; 246 km
double track) (1994)
Highways:
total: 60,626 km
paved: 30,556 km (including 219 km of expressways)
unpaved: 30,070 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 362 km; petroleum products 491 km (abandoned);
natural gas 241 km
Ports and harbors: Agadir, El Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar,
Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi, Tangier; also
Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla
Merchant marine:
total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 205,053 GRT/259,339 DWT
ships by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 6, container 2, oil tanker 3,
refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 8, short-sea passenger 1
(1997 est.) Airports: 70 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 44
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 21
under 914 m: 11 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Morocco:Military
Military branches: Royal Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 7,505,524 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.313 billion (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.7% (1996)
@Morocco:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims and administers Western Sahara, but
sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a
referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in
effect since September 1991; Spain controls five places of sovereignty
(plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco-the coastal
enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which Morocco contests, as well as the
islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas
Chafarinas
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the
increase for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments
of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for
cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
MOZAMBIQUE
@Mozambique:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between
South Africa and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 S, 35 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 801,590 sq km
land: 784,090 sq km
water: 17,500 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,571 km
border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105
km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Coastline: 2,470 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical to subtropical
Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in
northwest, mountains in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m
Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 56%
forests and woodland: 18%
other: 22% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: severe droughts and floods occur in central and
southern provinces; devastating cyclones
Environment-current issues: a long civil war and recurrent drought in
the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population
to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences;
desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters
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
@Mozambique:People
Population: 18,641,469 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 4,129,779; female 4,232,091)
15-64 years: 53% (male 4,807,742; female 5,043,299)
65 years and over: 2% (male 177,895; female 250,663) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.57% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 43.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 17.81 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 120.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Mozambique:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form: Mozambique
local long form: Republica Popular de Mocambique
local short form: Mocambique
Data code: MZ
Government type: republic
National capital: Maputo
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias,
singular-provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo,
Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Constitution: 30 November 1990
Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November
1986); note-before being popularly elected, CHISSANO was elected
president by FRELIMO's Central Committee 4 November 1986 (reelected by
the Committee 30 July 1989)
head of government: Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since NA December
1994)
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 27 October 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO elected president; percent
of vote-Joaquim CHISSANO 53.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 33.3%
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia
da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote
on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 27-29 October 1994 (next to be held NA October
1999)
election results: percent of vote by party-Frelimo 44.33%, Renamo
33.78%, DU 5.15%, other 16.74%; seats by party-Frelimo 129, Renamo
112, DU 9
note: the presidential and legislative elections took place as called
for in the 1992 peace accords; Renamo participated in the elections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president and
judges elected by the Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique
(Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or Frelimo [Joaquim Alberto
CHISSANO, chairman]; Mozambique National Resistance (Resistencia
Nacional Mocambicana) or Renamo [Afonso DHLAKAMA, president];
Democratic Union or DU [Antonio PALANGE, general secretary]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,
G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marcos Geraldo NAMASHULUA
chancery: Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146
FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bryan Dean CURRAN
embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo
mailing address: P. O. GDP: purchasing power parity-$14.6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 35%
industry: 13%
services: 52% (1996 est.) commodities: shrimp 40%, cashews, cotton, sugar, copra, citrus
partners: Spain, South Africa, Japan, Portugal, US
Imports:
total value: $802 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum
partners: South Africa 38%, US, Japan, Portugal, France
Debt-external: $5.7 billion (December 1997)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: meticais (Mt) per US$1-11,635.0 (January 1998),
11.543.6 (1997), 11,293.8 (1996), 9,024.3 (1995), 6,038.6 (1994),
3,874.2 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 59,000 (1983 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 44,000 (1992 est.) @Mozambique:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,131 km
narrow gauge: 2,988 km 1.067-m gauge; 143 km 0.762-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 30,400 km
paved: 5,685 km
unpaved: 24,715 km (1996 est.) Airports: 174 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 22
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 152
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 38
under 914 m: 97 (1997 est.) @Mozambique:Military
Military branches: Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces,
Militia
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 4,265,778 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $84 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 5.3% (1994)
@Mozambique:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: Southern African transit hub for South American cocaine
probably destined for the European and US markets; producer of hashish
and methaqualone
______________________________________________________________________
NAMIBIA
@Namibia:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between
Angola and South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 825,418 sq km
land: 825,418 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 3,824 km
border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 855
km, Zambia 233 km
Coastline: 1,572 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari
Desert in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin,
lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected
deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 46%
forests and woodland: 22%
other: 31% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: prolonged periods of drought
Environment-current issues: very limited natural fresh water
resources; desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Namibia:People
Population: 1,622,328 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 362,310; female 354,386)
15-64 years: 52% (male 414,281; female 426,921)
65 years and over: 4% (male 27,001; female 37,429) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.6% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 35.84 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 19.82 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 66.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. GDP: purchasing power parity-$6.2 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 20%
services: 65% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% to 40%, including underemployment (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $1.1 billion
expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $193
million (FY96/97 est.) commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle,
processed fish, karakul skins
partners: UK, South Africa, Spain, Japan (1994)
Imports:
total value: $1.55 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and
equipment, chemicals
partners: South Africa 85%, Germany, US, Japan (1994 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Namibian dollar (N$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Nambian dollars (N$) per US$1-4.94193 (January 1998),
4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996), 3.62709 (1995), 3.55080 (1994),
3.26774 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 89,722 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 27,000 (1993 est.) @Namibia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,382 km
narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track (1995)
Highways:
total: 64,799 km
paved: 7,841 km
unpaved: 56,958 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 135 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 22
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 113
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 20
914 to 1,523 m: 70
under 914 m: 21 (1997 est.) @Namibia:Military
Military branches: National Defense Force (Army), Police
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 369,826 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $64 million (FY95/96)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.1% (FY95/96)
@Namibia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, and
Zimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Botswana over uninhabited
Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River is presently at the
ICJ; at least one other island in Linyanti River is contested
______________________________________________________________________
NAURU
@Nauru:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the
Marshall Islands
Geographic coordinates: 0 32 S, 166 55 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 21 sq km
land: 21 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 30 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February)
Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs
with phosphate plateau in center
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m
Natural resources: phosphates
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 100% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.33% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 18.03 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 40.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$100 million (1993 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: -3.6% (1993)
Labor force:
by occupation: employed in mining phosphates, public administration,
education, and transportation
Unemployment rate: 0%
Budget:
revenues: $23.4 million
expenditures: $64.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96)
Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconut products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 10,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 30 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 2,956 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: coconuts predominate
Exports:
total value: $25.3 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities: phosphates
partners: Australia, NZ
Imports:
total value: $21.1 million (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities: food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery
partners: Australia, UK, NZ, Japan
Debt-external: $33.3 million
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $2.25 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1991 est.) Televisions: NA
@Nauru:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3.9 km; note-used to haul phosphates from the center of the
island to processing facilities on the southwest coast
Highways:
total: 30 km
paved: 24 km
unpaved: 6 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Nauru
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought,
and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the
summer monsoons
Environment-current issues: the almost total dependence on wood for
fuel and cutting down trees to expand agricultural land without
replanting has resulted in widespread deforestation; soil erosion;
water pollution (use of contaminated water presents human health
risks)
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation
Geography-note: landlocked; strategic location between China and
India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks
@Nepal:People
Population: 23,698,421 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 5,087,855; female 4,779,941)
15-64 years: 55% (male 6,655,865; female 6,387,255)
65 years and over: 3% (male 392,141; female 395,364) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.52% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 35.66 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.44 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 75.98 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of
agricultural produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. GDP: purchasing power parity-$31.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 40%
industry: 21%
services: 39% (1997 est.) by occupation: agriculture 81%, services 16%, industry 3%
note: severe lack of skilled labor
Unemployment rate: NA%; substantial underemployment (1996)
Budget:
revenues: $536 million
expenditures: $818 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY96/97 est.) but does not include
unrecorded border trade with India
commodities: carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain
partners: India, US, Germany, UK
Imports:
total value: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: petroleum products 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10%
partners: India, Singapore, Japan, Germany
Debt-external: $2.6 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $411 million (FY97/98)
Currency: 1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1-63.265 (January 1998),
58.010 (1997), 56.692 (1996), 51.890 (1995), 49.398 (1994), 48.607
(1993)
Fiscal year: 16 July-15 July
Communications
Telephones: 115,911 (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 9 (1996 est.) Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.) @Nepal:Transportation
Railways:
total: 101 km; note-all in Kosi close to Indian border
narrow gauge: 101 km 0.762-m gauge
Highways:
total: 7,700 km
paved: 3,196 km
unpaved: 4,504 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 45 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 40
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 29 (1997 est.) @Nepal:Military
Military branches: Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air
Service, Nepalese Police Force
Military manpower-military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 5,739,283 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $36 million (FY92/93)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY92/93)
@Nepal:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: with Bhutan over 91,000 Bhutanese refugees in
Nepal
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and
international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast
Asia to the West
______________________________________________________________________
NETHERLANDS
@Netherlands:Geography
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and
Germany
Geographic coordinates: 52 30 N, 5 45 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 41,526 sq km
land: 33,889 sq km
water: 7,637 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,027 km
border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
Coastline: 451 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some
hills in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Prins Alexanderpolder -7 m
highest point: Vaalserberg 321 m
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil
Land use:
arable land: 27%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 31%
forests and woodland: 10%
other: 31% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: the extensive system of dikes and dams, protects
nearly one-half of the total area from being flooded
Environment-current issues: water pollution in the form of heavy
metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and
phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid
rain
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: Biodiversity
Geography-note: located at mouths of three major European rivers
(Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)
@Netherlands:People
Population: 15,731,112 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 1,472,236; female 1,406,919)
15-64 years: 68% (male 5,457,225; female 5,268,376)
65 years and over: 14% (male 862,574; female 1,263,782) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.5% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 11.62 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 2.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Industrial
activity features food-processing, oil-refining, and metalworking. Indeed, the Netherlands ranks third
worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind the US and France. GDP: purchasing power parity-$343.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 18%
services: 78% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 6.6 million (1997)
by occupation: services 75%, manufacturing and construction 23%,
agriculture 2% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 6.9% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $103.4 billion
expenditures: $112.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1998 draft)
Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical
machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction,
microelectronics
Industrial production growth rate: 3.75% (1997)
Electricity-capacity: 20.09 million kW (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 8 (repeaters 7)
Televisions: 7.4 million (1992 est.) @Netherlands:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,739 km
standard gauge: 2,739 km 1.435-m gauge; (1,991 km electrified) (1996)
Highways:
total: 127,000 km
paved: 114,427 km (including 2,360 km of expressways)
unpaved: 12,573 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 6,340 km, of which 35% is usable by craft of 1,000 metric
ton capacity or larger
Pipelines: crude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; natural gas
10,230 km
Ports and harbors: Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven,
Groningen, Haarlem, Ijmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen,
Utrecht
Merchant marine:
total: 453 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,141,630 GRT/3,597,975
DWT
ships by type : bulk 2, cargo 269, chemical tanker 33, combination
bulk 2, container 44, liquefied gas tanker 16, livestock carrier 1,
multifunction large-load carrier 7, oil tanker 28, passenger 6,
refrigerated cargo 28, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11, short-sea passenger
3, specialized tanker 3
note: many Dutch-owned ships are also operating under the registry of
Netherlands Antilles (1997 est.) Airports: 28 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 19
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 6 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Netherlands:Military
Military branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy
(includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air
Force, Royal Constabulary
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 4,136,224 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $8.2 billion (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.1% (1995)
@Netherlands:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish
entering Europe; European producer of illicit amphetamines and other
synthetic drugs
______________________________________________________________________
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
(part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
@Netherlands Antilles:Geography
Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea-one
includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela and the other is east
of the Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates: 12 15 N, 68 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 960 sq km
land: 960 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint
Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)
Area-comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 10.2 km
border countries: Guadeloupe (Saint Martin) 10.2 km
Coastline: 364 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds
Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m
Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 90% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 27,001; female 26,091)
15-64 years: 67% (male 64,964; female 72,329)
65 years and over: 7% (male 6,393; female 8,915) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.06% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 17.61 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.63 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.72 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.95 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Netherlands Antilles:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles
local long form: none
local short form: Nederlandse Antillen
Data code: NT
Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full
autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954
Government type: parliamentary
National capital: Willemstad
Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands)
note: each island has its own government
Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)
Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the
Netherlands, as amended
Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English
common law influence
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard of the Netherlands
(since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Jaime SALEH
(since NA October 1989)
head of government: Prime Minister Miguel POURIER (since 25 February
1994)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten
elections: the queen is a constitutional monarch; governor general
appointed by the queen for a six-year term; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime
minister by the Staten; election last held 30 January 1998 (next to be
held by NA 2002)
election results: Miguel POURIER elected prime minister; percent of
legislative vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral States or Staten (22 seats; members are
elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 30 January 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PAR 4,
PNP 3, SPA 1, PDB 2, UPB 1, MAN 2, PKLP 3, WIPM 1, SEA 1, DP-St.M 2,
FOL 2; no party won enough seats to form a government
note: the government of Prime Minister Miguel POURIER is a coalition
of several parties
Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice, are appointed by the
Netherlands monarch
Political parties and leaders:
Bonaire: Democratic Party of Bonaire (PDB), Jopi ABRAHAM; Patriotic
Union of Bonaire (UPB), Rudy ELLIS
Curacao: Antillean Restructuring Party (PAR), Miguel POURIER; National
People's Party (PNP), Suzy ROMER; New Antilles Movement (MAN),
Domenico Felip Don MARTINA; Workers' Liberation Front (FOL), Wilson
GODETT, Jr.; Socialist Independent (SI), George HUECK; Democratic
Party of Curacao (DP), Frank MAYNARD; Nos Patria, Chin BEHILIA; Social
Action Cause (KAS), Benny DEMEI; Labor Party People's Crusade (PLKP),
Errol COVA; Foundation Energetic Management Anti-Narcotics (FAME),
Eric LODEWIJKS; Pro Curacao Party (PPK), Winston LOURENS; C 93,
Stanley BROWN; People's Party (PAPU), Richard HODI
Saba: Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM Saba), Ray HASSELL;
Saba Democratic Labor Movement, Steve HASSELL; Saba Unity Party,
Carmen SIMMONDS
Sint Eustatius: Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius (DP-St. E), Julian
WOODLEY; Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM); St. Eustatius
Alliance (SEA), Ingrid WHITFIELD
Sint Maarten: Democratic Party of Sint Maarten (DP-St. M), Sarah
WESTCOTT-WILLIAMS; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten (SPA), William
MARLIN; Serious Alternative People's Party (SAPP) Julian ROLLOCKS
note: political parties are indigenous to each island
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ECLAC
(associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO, 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
consulate(s) general: J.B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao
mailing address: P. O. GDP: purchasing power parity-$2.4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 15%
services: 84% (1996 est.) commodities: crude petroleum 64%, food, manufactures (1993)
partners: Venezuela 26%, US 18%, Colombia 6%, Netherlands 6%, Japan 5%
(1993)
Debt-external: $1.95 billion (December 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA; the Netherlands Antilles received a $97 million
Dutch aid package in 1996, making it the Netherlands' second largest
aid recipient behind India
Currency: 1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (NAf.) =
100 cents
Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins
(NAf.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 64,000 (1992 est.) @Netherlands Antilles:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 600 km
paved: 300 km
unpaved: 300 km (1992 est.) Ports and harbors: Kralendijk, Philipsburg, Willemstad
Merchant marine:
total: 97 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 894,479 GRT/1,230,865 DWT
ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 32, chemical tanker 1, container 5,
liquefied gas tanker 4, multifunction large-load carrier 19, oil
tanker 6, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 17, roll-on/roll-off cargo 8
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 2 countries:
Belgium owns 9 ships, Germany 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Netherlands Antilles:Military
Military branches: Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal
Netherlands Air Force, National Guard, Police Force
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 52,845 (1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 30% (male 29,423; female 28,320)
15-64 years: 65% (male 63,444; female 62,055)
65 years and over: 5% (male 5,202; female 5,753) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.64% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 21.08 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.84 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.71 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Only a negligible amount of the land is suitable for
cultivation, and food accounts for about 25% of imports. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.5 billion (1995 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 35%
services: 60% (1992 est.) Imports:
total value: $930 million (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: foods, transport equipment, machinery and electrical
equipment, fuels, minerals
partners: France 45%, Australia 18%, Singapore 7%, New Zealand 6%,
Japan 4% (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 7
Televisions: 47,000 (1992 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 12 (1997 est.) Heliports: 7 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe;
volcanic activity
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; native flora
and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: about 80% of the population lives in cities
@New Zealand:People
Population: 3,625,388 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 427,776; female 407,074)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,188,468; female 1,181,002)
65 years and over: 12% (male 182,253; female 238,815) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.04% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 14.89 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.6 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 3.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.37 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Growth
continued strong in 1995, but tailed off in 1996-97. However,
the Asian economic crisis may slow GDP growth in 1998. GDP: purchasing power parity-$63.4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.3%
industry: 25.9%
services: 66.8% (1990)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2% (1997 est.) commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals,
forestry products, fruits and vegetables, manufactures, dairy
products, wood
partners: Australia 19%, Japan 15%, UK 15%, US 12%
Imports:
total value: $19.2 billion (1997 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft,
petroleum, consumer goods, plastics
partners: Australia 21%, US 18%, Japan 16%, UK 6%
Debt-external: $28.5 billion (FY95/96 est.) Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $98 million (1993)
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1-1.7283 (January
1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994),
1.8495 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 1.7 million (1986 est.) Television broadcast stations: 14 (1986 est.) Televisions: 1.53 million (1992 est.) @New Zealand:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,973 km
narrow gauge: 3,973 km 1.067-m gauge (519 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 92,200 km
paved: 53,568 km (including at least 144 km of expressways)
unpaved: 38,632 km (1994 est.) Waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation
Pipelines: petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; liquefied
petroleum gas or LPG 150 km
Ports and harbors: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga,
Wellington
Merchant marine:
total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 155,478 GRT/195,836 DWT
ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 3,
railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6 (1997 est.) Airports: 111 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 44
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 31
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 67
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 43 (1997 est.) @New Zealand:Military
Military branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New
Zealand Air Force
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 938,194 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.12 billion (FY97/98)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.05% (FY97/98)
@New Zealand:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross
Dependency)
______________________________________________________________________
NICARAGUA
@Nicaragua:Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the
North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 85 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 129,494 sq km
land: 120,254 sq km
water: 9,240 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than New York State
Land boundaries:
total: 1,231 km
border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km
Coastline: 910 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 25-nm security zone
continental shelf: natural prolongation
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior
mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m
Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber,
fish
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 46%
forests and woodland: 27%
other: 17% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and
occasionally severe hurricanes
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water
pollution
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
@Nicaragua:People
Population: 4,583,379 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 1,017,190; female 1,000,436)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,191,323; female 1,251,828)
65 years and over: 3% (male 52,836; female 69,766) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.92% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 36.04 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 42.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Nicaragua:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua
conventional short form: Nicaragua
local long form: Republica de Nicaragua
local short form: Nicaragua
Data code: NU
Government type: republic
National capital: Managua
Administrative divisions: 15 departments (departamentos,
singular-departamento), 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas,
singular-region autonomista); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales,
Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa,
Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 9 January 1987
Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review
administrative acts
Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January 1997);
Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997)
head of government: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January 1997);
Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997)
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); note-in
July 1995 the term of the office of the president was amended to five
years
election results: Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (Liberal Alliance) 51.03%,
Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 37.75%, Guillermo OSORNO (PCCN) 4.10%,
Noel VIDAURRE (PCN) 2.26%, Benjamin LANZAS (PRONAL) 0.53%, others (18
other candidates) remaining 4.33%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional
(93 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001)
election results: percent of vote by party-Liberal Alliance (ruling
party-includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%, FSLN 36.55%, PCCN
3.73%, PCN 2.12%, MRS 1.33%; seats by party-Liberal Alliance 42, FSLN
36, PCCN 4, PCN 3, PRONAL 2, MRS 1, PRN 1, PNC 1, PLI 1, AU 1, UNO-96
Alliance 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), 12 judges elected for
a seven-year term by the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders:
right: Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Road (PCCN), Guillermo
OSORNO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Jose
RIZO Castellon; Independent Liberal Party for National Unity (PLIUN),
Carlos GUERRA Gallardo; National Conservative Party (PCN), Adolfo
CALERO, Noel VIDAURRE; Nationalist Liberal Party (PLN), Enrique
SANCHEZ Herdocia
center right: Neoliberal Party (PALI), Adolfo GARCIA Esquivel;
Nicaraguan Resistance Party (PRN), Fabio GADEA; Independent Liberal
Party (PLI), Virgilio GODOY; National Project (PRONAL), Antonio LACAYO
Oyanguren; Conservative Action Movement (MAC), Hernaldo ZUNIGA
center left: Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS), Sergio RAMIREZ;
Social Democratic Party (PSD), Adolfo JARQUIN; Social Christian Party
(PSC), Erick RAMIREZ; Movement for Revolutionary Unity (MUR), NA;
Central American Integrationist Party (PIAC), NA; Unity Alliance (AU),
Alejandro SERRANO; Conservative Party of Nicaragua (PCN), Dr. Fernando
AGUERO Rocha; National Democratic Party (PND), Alfredo CESAR Aguirre;
Central American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJAS Echaverry; UNO-96
Alliance, Alfredo CESAR Aguirre; Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN),
Alfredo GUZMAN
left: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGA
Saavedra
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Workers Front (FNT) is
a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions: Sandinista Workers'
Central (CST); Farm Workers Association (ATC); Health Workers
Federation (FETASALUD); National Union of Employees (UNE); National
Association of Educators of Nicaragua (ANDEN); Union of Journalists of
Nicaragua (UPN); Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional
Associations (CONAPRO); and the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers
(UNAG); Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT) is an umbrella group of
four non-Sandinista labor unions: Confederation of Labor Unification
(CUS); Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN-A); Independent
General Confederation of Labor (CGT-I); and Labor Action and Unity
Central (CAUS); Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN) is an independent
labor union; Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is a
confederation of business groups
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO,
G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),
NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco AGUIRRE Sacasa
chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lino GUTIERREZ
embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managua
mailing address: APO AA 34021
telephone: [505] (2) 666010 through 666013, 666015 through 18, 666026,
666027, 666032 through 33
FAX: [505] (2) 669074
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band;
the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA
DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to
the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by
the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in
the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five
blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
@Nicaragua:Economy
Economy-overview: The Nicaraguan economy, devastated during the 1980s
by economic mismanagement and civil war, is beginning to rebound. GDP: purchasing power parity-$9.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 21%
services: 45% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 11.6% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 1.5 million
by occupation: services 54%, agriculture 31%, industry 15% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: 16%; underemployment 36% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $389 million
expenditures: $551 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: gold cordobas (C$) per US$1-9.76 (October 1997), 8.44
(1996), 7.55 (1995), 6.72 (1994), 5.62 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 66,810 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 7 (1994 est.) Televisions: 260,000 (1992 est.) @Nicaragua:Transportation
Railways:
total: 0 km
narrow gauge: 0 km 1.067-m gauge; note-part of the previous 376 km
system was closed and dismantled in 1993 and, in 1994, the remainder
was closed, the track and rolling stock being sold for scrap
Highways:
total: 18,000 km
paved: 1,818 km
unpaved: 16,182 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes
Pipelines: crude oil 56 km
Ports and harbors: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas,
Puerto Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 185 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 13
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 172
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 27
under 914 m: 144 (1997 est.) @Nicaragua:Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,067,336 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $27.48 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.35% (1996)
@Nicaragua:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: territorial disputes with Colombia over the
Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; with
respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca, the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) referred the disputants to an
earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite
resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be
required; maritime boundary dispute with Honduras
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US
______________________________________________________________________
NIGER
@Niger:Geography
Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 1.267 million sq km
land: 1,266,700 sq km
water: 300 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,697 km
border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km,
Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling
plains in south; hills in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Niger River 200 m
highest point: Mont Greboun 1,944 m
Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold,
petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 7%
forests and woodland: 2%
other: 88% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts
Environment-current issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation;
desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus,
giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat
destruction
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked
@Niger:People
Population: 9,671,848 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 2,374,482; female 2,277,176)
15-64 years: 50% (male 2,345,773; female 2,447,951)
65 years and over: 2% (male 119,644; female 106,822) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.96% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 53.01 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 23.38 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 114.39 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$6.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 41%
industry: 18%
services: 41% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 5.3% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 70,000 receive regular wages or salaries
by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government
4%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $370 million (including $160 million from foreign sources)
expenditures: $370 million, including capital expenditures of $186
million (1998 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA; bilateral donors: France, Germany, EU, Japan
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 14,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 18 stations in a single network (1995)
Televisions: 38,000 (1992 est.) @Niger:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 10,100 km
paved: 798 km
unpaved: 9,302 km (1996 est.) Waterways: Niger river is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the
Benin frontier from mid-December through March
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 27 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) @Niger:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Republican
Guard, National Police
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,049,296 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $23 million (FY97/98)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.3% (FY92/93)
@Niger:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern
Niger; demarcation 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
______________________________________________________________________
NIGERIA
@Nigeria:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin
and Cameroon
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 923,770 sq km
land: 910,770 sq km
water: 13,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,047 km
border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger
1,497 km
Coastline: 853 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 30 nm
Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in
north
Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus;
mountains in southeast, plains in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m
Natural resources: petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal,
limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 33%
permanent crops: 3%
permanent pastures: 44%
forests and woodland: 12%
other: 8% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: soil degradation; rapid deforestation;
desertification; recent droughts in north severely affecting marginal
agricultural activities
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Nigeria:People
Population: 110,532,242 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 24,871,855; female 24,661,134)
15-64 years: 52% (male 29,420,428; female 28,343,567)
65 years and over: 3% (male 1,627,452; female 1,607,806) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 2.96% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 42.24 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.95 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 70.74 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$132.7 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 39%
industry: 31%
services: 30% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $13.9 billion (1998 est.) expenditures: $13.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
billion (1998 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 naira (N) = 100 kobo
Exchange rates: naira (N) per US$1-21.886 (December 1997), 21.886
(1997), 21.895 (1995), 21.996 (1994), 22.065 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 492,204 (1990 est.) Television broadcast stations: 28
Televisions: 3.8 million (1992 est.) Airports: 72 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 36
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 36
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 20 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Nigeria:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police Force
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 25,228,197 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $685 million (1996 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: less than 1% (1996 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -3.65% (1998 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: Niuean(s)
adjective: Niuean
Ethnic groups: Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and
Tongans)
Religions: Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church) 75%-a Protestant church
closely related to the London Missionary Society, Latter-Day Saints
10%, other 15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses,
Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages: Polynesian closely related to Tongan and Samoan, English
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 95%
male: NA%
female: NA%
@Niue:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Niue
Data code: NE
Dependency status: self-governing in free association with New
Zealand; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand
retains responsibility for external affairs
Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy
National capital: Alofi
Administrative divisions: none; note-there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are 14 villages each with its own village council whose members are
elected and serve three-year terms
Independence: on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing
parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi
established British sovereignty)
Constitution: 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)
Legal system: English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952);
the queen and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High
Commissioner Warren SEARELL (since NA August 1993)
head of government: Premier Frank Fakaotimanava LUI (since 12 March
1993)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers
elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; premier elected by the
Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 23
February 1996 (next to be held NA March 1999)
election results: Frank Fakaotimanava LUI elected premier; percent of
Legislative Assembly vote-NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a
common roll and 14 are village representatives)
elections: last held 23 February 1996 (next to be held NA March 1999)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NPP 9,
independents 11
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue
Political parties and leaders: Niue People's Action Party (NPP), Young
VIVIAN
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing territory in
free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing territory
in free association with New Zealand)
Flag description: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed
stars-a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on
each arm of the bold red cross
@Niue:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy is heavily dependent on aid from New
Zealand and remittances as Niue has no indigenous export product. GDP: purchasing power parity-$2.4 million (1993 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 5% (1992)
Labor force:
total: 450 (1992 est.) by occupation: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only
in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $5.5 million
expenditures: $6.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1985 est.) Radios: 1,000
Television broadcast stations: 0
note: there is cable television
Televisions: 312 (1991 est.) @Niue:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 234 km
paved: 0 km
unpaved: 234 km
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -0.69% (1998 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: Norfolk Islander(s)
adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New
Zealander, Polynesians
Religions: Anglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in
Australia 16.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%, none 9.2%, unknown 16.9%,
other 2.4% (1986)
Languages: English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century
English and ancient Tahitian
@Norfolk Island:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form: Norfolk Island
Data code: NF
Dependency status: territory of Australia; Canberra administers
Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department
of Environment, Sport and Territories
Government type: NA
National capital: Kingston (administrative center); Burnt Pine
(commercial center)
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856)
Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1979
Legal system: based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and
acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either
Australian or Norfolk Island law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952);
the queen and Australia are represented by Administrator A.J. The number of visitors has increased steadily over the years
and reached 28,000 in FY92/93. GDP: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 1,395 (1991 est.) by occupation: tourism NA%, subsistence agriculture NA%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $4.6 million
expenditures: $4.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY92/93)
Industries: tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: NA kW
Electricity-production: NA kWh
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture-products: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed,
cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
Exports:
total value: $1.5 million (f.o.b., FY91/92)
commodities: postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and
Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados
partners: Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe
Imports:
total value: $17.9 million (c.i.f., FY91/92)
commodities: NA
partners: Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1-1.5281 (January
1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994),
1.4704 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 1,087 (1983 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 1,500 (1995 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 8,110; female 7,869)
15-64 years: 74% (male 23,847; female 25,659)
65 years and over: 2% (male 518; female 558) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 4.2% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.81 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 2.28 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 21.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.53 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Since 1992,
funding has been extended one year at a time. A rapidly growing chief
source of income is the tourist industry, which now employs about 50%
of the work force. GDP: purchasing power parity-$524 million (1994 est.) note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$10,500 (1994 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6.5% (1994 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
note: there is 1 cable TV station
Televisions: 15,460 (1995 est.) paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Saipan, Tinian
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: water pollution; acid rain damaging
forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air
pollution from vehicle emissions
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, 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: about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off
its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes
and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest
coastlines in world; Norway only NATO member having a land boundary
with Russia
@Norway:People
Population: 4,419,955 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 444,373; female 420,940)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,454,733; female 1,407,395)
65 years and over: 15% (male 288,056; female 404,458) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.44% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.9 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.17 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.01 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy consists of a combination of free market
activity and government intervention. GDP: purchasing power parity-$120.5 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 34.7%
services: 62.4% (1991)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2% (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 54 (repeaters 2,100)
Televisions: 1.5 million (1993 est.) @Norway:Transportation
Railways:
total: 4,023 km
standard gauge: 4,023 km 1.435-m gauge (2,422 km electrified; 96 km
double track) (1996)
Highways:
total: 91,323 km
paved: 65,753 km (including 106 km of expressways)
unpaved: 25,570 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 1,577 km along west coast; 2.4 m draft vessels maximum
Pipelines: refined products 53 km
Ports and harbors: Bergen, Drammen, Floro, Hammerfest, Harstad,
Haugesund, Kristiansand, Larvik, Narvik, Oslo, Porsgrunn, Stavanger,
Tromso, Trondheim
Merchant marine:
total: 762 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,042,709
GRT/33,839,476 DWT
ships by type: bulk 102, cargo 128, chemical tanker 91, combination
bulk 9, combination ore/oil 38, container 18, liquefied gas tanker 91,
multi-function large load carrier 1, oil tanker 145, passenger 13,
passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 13, roll-on/roll-off cargo 52,
short-sea passenger 23, vehicle carrier 37
note: the government has created an internal register, the Norwegian
International Ship register (NIS), as a subset of the Norwegian
register; ships on the NIS enjoy many benefits of flags of convenience
and do not have to be crewed by Norwegians (1997 est.) Airports: 102 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 65
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 11
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 28 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 37
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 32 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Norway:Military
Military branches: Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (includes
Coast Artillery and Coast Guard), Royal Norwegian Air Force, Home
Guard
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,107,727 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.7 billion (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.9% (1995)
@Norway:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud
Land); Svalbard is the focus of a maritime boundary dispute in the
Barents Sea between Norway and Russia
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for drugs shipped via the CIS
and Baltic states for the European market; increasing domestic
consumption of cannabis and amphetamines
______________________________________________________________________
OMAN
@Oman:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and
Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates: 21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 212,460 sq km
land: 212,460 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries:
total: 1,374 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline: 2,092 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong
southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain: vast central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and
south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal ash Sham 2,980 m
Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble,
limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 95% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust
storms in interior; periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: rising soil salinity; beach pollution from
oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location with small foothold on Musandam
Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for
world crude oil
@Oman:People
Population: 2,363,591 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 41% (male 488,244; female 469,831)
15-64 years: 57% (male 835,872; female 514,236)
65 years and over: 2% (male 28,966; female 26,442) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.45% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 37.83 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.37 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.63 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 25.55 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Box 202, Code No. GDP: purchasing power parity-$17.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 43%
services: 54% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1% (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 37% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $5.2 billion
expenditures: $6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.3
billion (1998 est.) commodities: petroleum 75%, reexports, fish, processed copper,
textiles
partners: Japan 29%, South Korea 17%, China 12%, Thailand 11%, US 7%
(1996)
Imports:
total value: $4.8 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods,
food, livestock, lubricants
partners: UAE 22% (largely reexports), Japan 15%, UK 15%, France 6%,
US 5% (1996)
Debt-external: $3 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $82 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Omani rial (RO) = 1,000 baiza
Exchange rates: Omani rials (RO) per US$1-0.3845 (fixed rate since
1986)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 150,000 (1994 est.) Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 1.195 million (1992 est.) @Oman:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 32,800 km
paved: 9,840 km (including 550 km of expressways)
unpaved: 22,960 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km
Ports and harbors: Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,306 GRT/8,210 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 138 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 132
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 57
914 to 1,523 m: 32
under 914 m: 35 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Oman:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Royal
Oman Police)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 740,901 (1998 est.) In 1985 over half (54%)
of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean, which is the
only ocean where the fish catch has increased every year since 1978. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited
petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 27%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 6%
forests and woodland: 5%
other: 61% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially
in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July
and August)
Environment-current issues: water pollution from raw sewage,
industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh
water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to
potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
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, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional
invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
@Pakistan:People
Population: 135,135,195 (July 1998 est.) note: population figures based on 1981 national census results-1998
census results are pending
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 29,083,284; female 27,425,172)
15-64 years: 54% (male 37,432,059; female 35,731,170)
65 years and over: 4% (male 2,716,739; female 2,746,771) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 2.2% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 34.38 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 93.48 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Pakistan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form: Pakistan
former: West Pakistan
Data code: PK
Government type: federal republic
National capital: Islamabad
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital
territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*,
Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab, Sindh
note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and
Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas
Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of the
republic)
Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with
amendments 30 December 1985
Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to
accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; separate electorates and
reserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslims and tribal areas
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohammad Rafiq TARAR (since 31 December
1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF (since 17
February 1997)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term;
election last held 31 December 1997 (next to be held no later than 1
January 2002); following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually elected
prime minister by the National Assembly; election last held 3 February
1997 (next to be held NA February 2002)
election results: Mohammad Rafiq TARAR elected president; percent of
Parliament and provincial vote-NA; Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF elected prime
minister; percent of National Assembly vote-NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists
of the Senate (87 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial
assemblies to serve six-year terms; one-third of the members up for
election every two years) and the National Assembly (217 seats; 207
represent Muslims and 10 represent non-Muslims; members elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate-last held 12 March 1997 (next to be held NA March
1999); National Assembly-last held 3 February 1997 (next to be held NA
February 2002)
election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-PML/N 30, PPP 17, ANP 7, MQM/A 6, JWP 5, BNP 4, JUI/F 2, PML/J
2, BNM/M 1, PKMAP 1, TJP 1, independents 6, vacant 5; National
Assembly-percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party-PML/N 137, PPP
18, MQM/A 12, ANP 10, BNP 3, JWP 2, JUI/F 2, PPP/SB 1, NPP 1,
independents 21, minorities 10
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed by the
president; Federal Islamic (Shari'at) Court
Political parties and leaders:
government: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction (PML/N),
Nawaz SHARIF; Balochistan National Movement/Mengal Group (BNM/M),
Sardar Akhtar MENGAL; Mutahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf faction (MQM/A),
Altaf HUSSAIN; Jamiat-al-Hadith (JAH); Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP),
Akbar Khan BUGTI; Pakistan People's Party/Shaheed Bhutto (PPP/SB),
Ghinva BHUTTO; Baluch National Party (BNP), leader NA
opposition: Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO; Pakistan
Muslim League, Junejo faction (PML/J), Hamid Nasir CHATTHA; National
People's Party (NPP), Ghulam Mustapha JATOI; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami
Party (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI; Balochistan National
Movement/Hayee Group (BNM/H), Dr. HAYEE Baluch; Pakhtun Quami Party
(PKQP), Mohammed AFZAL Khan; Awami National Party (ANP), Wali KHAN
frequently shifting: Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction (JUP/NI);
Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group (PML/F), Pir PAGARO; Pakistan
National Party (PNP); Milli Yakjheti Council (MYC) is an umbrella
organization which includes Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Qazi Hussain AHMED,
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-Haq faction (JUI/S), Tehrik-I-Jafria
Pakistan (TJP), Allama Sajid NAQVI, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan,
Noorani faction (JUP/NO)
note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently; subsequent
to the election Jamiat Ulema-i-Islami, Fazlur Rehman group (JUI/F) was
disbanded
Political pressure groups and leaders: military remains important
political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small
merchants also influential
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO,
ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA,
SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH,
UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,
WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Riaz KHOKAR
chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6200
FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas W. SIMONS, Jr.
embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad
mailing address: P. O. At the same time, the government must cope
with long-standing economic vulnerabilities-inadequate infrastructure,
low levels of literacy, and increasing sectarian, ethnic, and tribal
violence. GDP: purchasing power parity-$344 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 24.2%
industry: 26.4%
services: 49.4% (1997)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 11.8% (FY96/97)
Labor force:
total: 37.8 million (1998)
by occupation: agriculture 47%, mining and manufacturing 17%, services
17%, other 19%
note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of
child labor
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $9.6 billion
expenditures: $13.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY96/97)
Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, construction
materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate: 3.3% (FY96/97 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: $2.2 billion from all bilateral and multilateral sources
(FY96/97)
Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1-44.050 (January 1998),
41.112 (1997), 36.079 (1996), 31.643 (1995), 30.567 (1994), 28.1
(1993); note-annual average of official rate; parallel market rate is
higher
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 2.552 million (1997)
Telephone system: the domestic system is mediocre, but adequate for
government and business use, in part because major businesses have
established their own private systems; since 1988, the government has
promoted investment in the national telecommunications system on a
priority basis; despite major improvements in trunk and urban systems,
telecommunication services are still not readily available to the
major portion of the population
domestic: microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations-3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean
and 2 Indian Ocean); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 8, shortwave 11
Radios: 11.3 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 29
Televisions: 2.08 million (1993 est.) @Pakistan:Transportation
Railways:
total: 8,163 km
broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified; 1,037 km
double track)
narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (1996 est.) Highways:
total: 224,774 km
paved: 128,121 km
unpaved: 96,653 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas
4,044 km (1987)
Ports and harbors: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim
Merchant marine:
total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 416,875 GRT/684,580 DWT
ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 15, container 3, oil tanker 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 115 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 80
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 20
1,524 to 2,437 m: 31
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 35
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 18 (1997 est.) Heliports: 6 (1997 est.) @Pakistan:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National
Guard
Military manpower-military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 32,450,056 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.3 billion (FY96/97)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 5.3% (FY96/97)
@Pakistan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: status of Kashmir with India; water-sharing
problems with India over the Indus River (Wular Barrage)
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium and hashish for the
international drug trade (cultivation in 1997-4,100 hectares, a 21%
increase over 1996; potential production-85 metric tons, a 13%
increase over 1996); center for processing Afghan heroin and key
transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western markets
______________________________________________________________________
PALAU
@Palau:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean,
southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 458 sq km
land: 458 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,519 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
extended fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid
Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island
of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier
reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchauus 242 m
Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine
products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
Environment-current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of
solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral
dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou
(Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island
groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
@Palau:People
Population: 18,110 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 27% (male 2,555; female 2,405)
15-64 years: 68% (male 6,727; female 5,535)
65 years and over: 5% (male 416; female 472) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.96% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 21.26 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 6.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.22 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$160 million (1997 est.) note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
GDP-real growth rate: 10% (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 7%
Budget:
revenues: $52.9 million
expenditures: $59.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 1,600 (1993 est.) @Palau:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 61 km
paved: 36 km
unpaved: 25 km
Ports and harbors: Koror
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff
threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest;
land degradation
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: Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming
land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal
that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific
Ocean
@Panama:People
Population: 2,735,943 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 446,001; female 428,532)
15-64 years: 62% (male 864,382; female 841,870)
65 years and over: 6% (male 74,529; female 80,629) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.56% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 21.99 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.14 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) It also plans to sell other assets, including
the electric company. After two years of near stagnation, the reforms are beginning to
take root; GDP grew by 3.6% in 1997 and is expected to grow by more
than 5% in 1998. GDP: purchasing power parity-$18 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 18%
services: 74% (1997 est.) by occupation: government and community services 31.8%, agriculture,
hunting, and fishing 26.8%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 16.4%,
manufacturing and mining 9.4%, construction 3.2%, transportation and
communications 6.2%, finance, insurance, and real estate 4.3%
note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
Unemployment rate: 13.1% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $2.4 billion
expenditures: $2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $341
million (1997 est.) commodities: bananas 43%, shrimp 11%, sugar 4%, clothing 5%, coffee 2%
partners: US 37%, EU, Central America and Caribbean
Imports:
total value: $2.95 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: capital goods 21%, crude oil 11%, foodstuffs 9%, consumer
goods, chemicals
partners: US 48%, EU, Central America and Caribbean, Japan
Debt-external: $7.26 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: NA
Currency: 1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos
Exchange rates: balboas (B) per US$1-1.000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 273,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 23
Televisions: 420,000 (1992 est.) @Panama:Transportation
Railways:
total: 355 km
broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge
narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge
Highways:
total: 11,100 km
paved: 3,730 km (including 30 km of expressways)
unpaved: 7,370 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama
Canal
Pipelines: crude oil 130 km
Ports and harbors: Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Vacamonte, Manzanillo
Merchant marine:
total: 4,350 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 89,622,112
GRT/137,529,188 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1,240, cargo 1,033, chemical tanker 195,
combination bulk 67, combination ore/oil 19, container 426, liquefied
gas tanker 175, livestock carrier 9, multifunction large-load carrier
5, oil tanker 524, passenger 40, passenger-cargo 6, railcar carrier 1,
refrigerated cargo 296, roll-on/roll-off cargo 101, short-sea
passenger 40, specialized tanker 15, vehicle carrier 158
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 76 countries
among which are Japan 1,236, Greece 418, Hong Kong 273, South Korea
247, Taiwan 227, China 185, Singapore 119, US 112, Switzerland 85, and
Indonesia 60 (1997 est.) Airports: 109 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 40
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 19 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 69
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 52 (1997 est.) @Panama:Military
Military branches: an amendment to the Constitution abolished the
armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces
or PPF includes the National Police, National Maritime Service, and
National Air Service)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 733,019 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $78 million (1995); note-for
police and security forces
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Panama:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and major drug
money-laundering center; no recent signs of coca cultivation;
monitoring of financial transactions is improving
______________________________________________________________________
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
@Papua New Guinea:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands including the eastern
half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South
Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 462,840 sq km
land: 452,860 sq km
water: 9,980 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 820 km
border countries: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline: 5,152 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast
monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil,
fisheries
Land use:
arable land: 0.1%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 92.9%
other: 6% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 936,206; female 888,427)
15-64 years: 57% (male 1,374,471; female 1,263,750)
65 years and over: 3% (male 62,593; female 74,338) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.27% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 32.37 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.65 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 57.09 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Papua New Guinea:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form: Papua New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG
Data code: PP
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Port Moresby
Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu,
Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang,
Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern,
Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New
Britain
Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN
trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution: 16 September 1975
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General Silas ATOPARE (since 13 November 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Bill SKATE (since 22 July 1997);
Deputy Prime Minister Michael NALI (since 16 December 1997); note-NALI
replaces Deputy Prime Minister Chris HAIVETA (since 7 September 1994)
who Prime Minister SKATE fired on 12 December 1997 for his alleged
role in trying to discredit SKATE
cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general
on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general
appointed by the National Executive Council; prime minister and deputy
prime minister appointed by the governor general for up to five years
on the basis of majority support in National Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament-sometimes referred
to as the House of Assembly (109 seats-89 elected from open
electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 14-28 June 1997 (next to be held NA June 2002)
election results: percent of vote by party-PPP 15%, Pangu Pati 14%, NA
14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%, independents 33%;
seats by party-PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM 9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP
3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note-association with political
parties is very fluid
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the
governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council
after consultation with the minister responsible for justice, other
judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission
Political parties and leaders: Bougainville Unity Alliance (BUA),
Samuel AKOITAI; People's Progress Party (PPP), Michael NALI; Papua New
Guinea United Party (Pangu Pati), Chris HAIVETA; National Alliance
(NA), Michael SOMARE; People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Iario
LASARO; People's Action Party (PAP), Ted DIRO; United Party (UP),
Rimbiuk PATO; National Party (NP), Paul PORA; People's Unity Party
(PUP), Alfred KAIABE; Melanesian Alliance (MA), Fr. Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of
export earnings. GDP: purchasing power parity-$11.6 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 26.4%
industry: 41%
services: 32.6% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.5 billion
expenditures: $1.35 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 10,000 (1992 est.) @Papua New Guinea:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 19,600 km
paved: 686 km
unpaved: 18,914 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 10,940 km
Ports and harbors: Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul
Merchant marine:
total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 32,859 GRT/45,270 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, combination ore/oil
5, container 1, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 495 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 19
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 476
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 59
under 914 m: 404 (1997 est.) Heliports: 2 (1997 est.) @Papua New Guinea:Military
Military branches: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Ground,
Naval, and Air Forces, and Special Forces Unit)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,206,458 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $63 million (1997); note-includes
$12 million to cover leftover 1996 expenditures
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA
@Papua New Guinea:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
PARACEL ISLANDS
@Paracel Islands:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the
South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to
the northern Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: NA sq km
land: NA sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: NA
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 518 km
Maritime claims: NA
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: typhoons
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Paracel Islands:People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons
@Paracel Islands:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Data code: PF
@Paracel Islands:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
@Paracel Islands:Transportation
Ports and harbors: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and
Duncan Island being expanded
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: local flooding in southeast (early September to
June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Environment-current issues: deforestation (an estimated 2 million
hectares of forest land have been lost from 1958-85); water pollution;
inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many
urban residents
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Geography-note: landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and
Brazil
@Paraguay:People
Population: 5,291,020 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 1,061,972; female 1,026,983)
15-64 years: 56% (male 1,483,089; female 1,473,372)
65 years and over: 5% (male 113,298; female 132,306) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.68% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 32.21 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.29 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 37.39 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Paraguay:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
Data code: PA
Government type: republic
National capital: Asuncion
Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos,
singular-departamento); Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion,
Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion,
Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente
Hayes, San Pedro
Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)
Constitution: promulgated 20 June 1992
Legal system: based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes;
judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; does
not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Juan Carlos WASMOSY (since 15 August 1993)
and Vice President Roberto Angel SEIFART (since 15 August 1993);
note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Juan Carlos WASMOSY (since 15 August
1993) and Vice President Roberto Angel SEIFART (since 15 August 1993);
note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by
popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 9 May 1993 (next
to be held 10 May 1998)
election results: Juan Carlos WASMOSY elected president; percent of
vote-Juan Carlos WASMOSY 40.09%, Domingo LAINO 32.06%, Guillermo
CABALLERO VARGAS 23.04%
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the
Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of
Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators-last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held
10 May 1998); Chamber of Deputies-last held 9 May 1993 (next to be
held 10 May 1998)
election results: Chamber of Senators-percent of vote by party-NA;
seats by party - Colorado Party 20, PLRA 17, EN 8; Chamber of
Deputies-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-Colorado Party
38, PLRA 33, EN 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia),
judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates
(Consejo de la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders: Colorado Party, Luis Maria ARGANA,
president; Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), Domingo LAINO;
National Encounter (EN), Carlos FILIZZOLA; Christian Democratic Party
(PDC), Miguel MONTANER; Febrerista Revolutionary Party (PRF), Victor
SANCHEZ Villagra; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo Richer
Political pressure groups and leaders: Unitary Workers Central (CUT);
Roman Catholic Church; National Workers Central (CNT); Paraguayan
Workers Confederation (CPT)
International organization participation: AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC,
FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU,
LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jorge G. Andres PRIETO CONTI
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Maura A. HARTY
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
FAX: [595] (21) 213-728
Flag description: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white,
and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in
that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at
the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star
within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all
within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the
seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the
words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA
DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
@Paraguay:Economy
Economy-overview: Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large
informal sector. GDP: purchasing power parity-$21.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 26.4%
industry: 24.9%
services: 48.7% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6.2% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 1.8 million (1995 est.) by occupation: agriculture 45%
Unemployment rate: 8.2% (urban) (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $1.25 billion
expenditures: $1.66 billion, including capital expenditures of $357
million (1995 est.) commodities: cotton, soybeans, timber, vegetable oils, meat products,
coffee, tung oil
partners: Brazil 48%, Netherlands 22%, Argentina 9%, US 4%, Uruguay
3%, Chile 2% (1997)
Imports:
total value: $2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: capital goods, consumer goods, foodstuffs, raw materials,
fuels
partners: Brazil 29%, US 22%, Argentina 14%, Hong Kong 9% (1995)
Debt-external: $1.3 billion (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $38 million (1993)
Currency: 1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: guaranies (G) per US$-2,528.8 (January 1998), 2,191.0
(1997), 2,062.8 (1996), 1,970.4 (1995), 1,911.5 (1994), 1,744.3 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 88,730 (1985 est.) Television broadcast stations: 5
Televisions: 370,000 (1992 est.) @Paraguay:Transportation
Railways:
total: 971 km
standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 60 km 1.000-m gauge
other gauge: 470 km various gauges (privately owned)
Highways:
total: 29,500 km
paved: 2,803 km
unpaved: 26,697 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 3,100 km
Ports and harbors: Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 26,442 GRT/32,510 DWT
ships by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, oil tanker 3,
roll-on/roll-off 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 948 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 938
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 29
914 to 1,523 m: 353
under 914 m: 555 (1997 est.) @Paraguay:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air
Force
Military manpower-military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,274,297 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $94 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.6% (1994)
@Paraguay:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: short section of the boundary with Brazil,
just west of Salto del Guaira (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has
not been precisely delimited
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug
trade; transshipment country for Bolivian cocaine headed for Europe
and the US
______________________________________________________________________
PERU
@Peru:Geography
Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean,
between Chile and Ecuador
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 76 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total: 1,285,220 sq km
land: 1.28 million sq km
water: 5,220 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 6,940 km
border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,
Colombia 2,900 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline: 2,414 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west
Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in
center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron
ore, coal, phosphate, potash
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 21%
forests and woodland: 66%
other: 10% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild
volcanic activity
Environment-current issues: deforestation; overgrazing of the slopes
of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air
pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from
municipal and mining wastes
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
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest
navigable lake, with Bolivia
@Peru:People
Population: 26,111,110 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 4,745,363; female 4,589,017)
15-64 years: 60% (male 7,856,414; female 7,752,085)
65 years and over: 4% (male 535,566; female 632,665) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.97% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 26.69 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.81 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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 (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 43.42 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$110.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 41%
services: 45% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6.7% (1997 est.) by occupation: agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing,
construction, transport, services
Unemployment rate: 8.2%; extensive underemployment (1996)
Budget:
revenues: $8.5 billion
expenditures: $9.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $2
billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $363 million (1993)
Currency: 1 nuevo sol (S/.) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: nuevo sol (S/.) per US$1-2.750 (January 1998), 2.664
(1997), 2.453 (1996), 2.253 (1995), 2.195 (1994), 1.988 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 779,306 (1990 est.) Television broadcast stations: 140
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.) @Peru:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,041 km
standard gauge: 1,726 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 315 km 0.914-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 72,800 km
paved: 7,353 km
unpaved: 65,447 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208
km of Lago Titicaca
Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; natural gas and natural gas liquids 64 km
Ports and harbors: Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto
Maldonado, Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa,
Yurimaguas
note: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reaches
of the Amazon and its tributaries
Merchant marine:
total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 68,752 GRT/100,213 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 7 (1997 est.) Airports: 244 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 43
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 15
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 201
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 24
914 to 1,523 m: 73
under 914 m: 100 (1997 est.) @Peru:Military
Military branches: Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del
Peru; includes Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza
Aerea del Peru), National Police
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 6,756,771 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $998 million (1996); note-may not
include off-budget purchases related to military modernization program
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.9% (1996)
@Peru:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: three sections of the boundary with Ecuador
are in dispute
Illicit drugs: until recently the world's largest coca leaf producer,
Peru has reduced the area of coca under cultivation by 40%, from
115,300 hectares in 1995 to 68,800 hectares at the end of 1997; source
of supply for most of the world's cocaine base; most of cocaine base
is shipped to Colombian drug dealers for processing into cocaine for
the international drug market, but exports of finished cocaine are
increasing
______________________________________________________________________
PHILIPPINES
@Philippines:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea
and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 300,000 sq km
land: 298,170 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 36,289 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from
coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed
polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth
Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April);
southwest monsoon (May to October)
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold,
salt, copper
Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 12%
permanent pastures: 4%
forests and woodland: 46%
other: 19% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and
struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active
volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Environment-current issues: uncontrolled deforestation in watershed
areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing
pollution of coastal mangrove swamps which are important fish breeding
grounds
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification
@Philippines:People
Population: 77,725,862 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 14,867,972; female 14,379,722)
15-64 years: 59% (male 22,582,178; female 23,136,055)
65 years and over: 3% (male 1,232,813; female 1,527,122) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 2.09% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 28.43 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.52 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 34.56 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Philippines:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas
Data code: RP
Government type: republic
National capital: Manila
Administrative divisions: 72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra,
Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique,
Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*,
Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon,
Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*,
Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin,
Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*,
Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City* Davao, Davao del
Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General
Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo,
Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna,
Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union,
Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*,
Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental,
Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Naga*, Negros
Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva
Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*, Ozamis*,
Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, Puerto
Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*,
Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in
Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South
Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del
Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*,
Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*,
Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur
Independence: 4 July 1946 (from US)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 June (1898) (from Spain)
Constitution: 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Fidel Valdes RAMOS (since 30 June 1992) and
Vice President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA (since 30 June 1992); note-the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Fidel Valdes RAMOS (since 30 June 1992)
and Vice President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA (since 30 June 1992);
note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the
Commission of Appointments
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by
popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 11 May 1992 (next
to be held 11 May 1998)
election results: Fidel Valdes RAMOS elected president; percent of
vote-Fidel Valdes RAMOS 23.6% (a narrow plurality); Joseph Ejercito
ESTRADA elected vice president; percent of vote-NA%
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the
Senate or Senado (24 seats-one-half elected every three years; members
elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of
Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (204 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note-an additional
50 members may be appointed by the president)
elections: Senate-last held 8 May 1995 (next to be held 11 May 1998);
House of Representatives-elections last held 8 May 1995 (next to be
held 11 May 1998)
election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-LDP 15, Lakas-NUCD 6, NPC 1, PRP 1, independent 1; House of
Representatives-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-Lakas-NUCD
126, LDP 28, NPC 28, NP 2, KBL 2, other 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed for four-year
terms by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar
Council
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Filipino Struggle (Laban ng
Demokratikong Pilipino, LDP), Edgardo ANGARA; People Power-National
Union of Christian Democrats (Lakas ng EDSA-NUCD or Lakas-NUCD), Jose
DE VENECIA, secretary general; Liberal Party (LP), Alfredo LIM,
standard bearer; Laban Ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino (LMMP or Fight of
the Patriotic Filipino Masses), Joseph ESTRADA, standard bearer;
National People's Coalition (NPC), Eduardo COJUANGCO; People's Reform
Party (PRP), Miriam DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO; New Society Movement (Kilusan
Bagong Lipunan, KBL), Imelda MARCOS; Nacionalista Party (NP), Salvador
H. LAUREL, president; Filipino Democratic Party (Partido Demokratikong
Philipinas or PDP), Jose COJUANGCO, is part of the ruling coalition
with the LDP
note: political parties are highly fluid and personalistic; the major
parties as of May 1998 are-Lakas-NUCD, LMMP, and LP
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP,
ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raul Chaves RABE
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300
FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614
consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles,
New York, San Francisco, and Seattle
consulate(s): San Jose (Saipan)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. HUBBARD
embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila 1000
mailing address: FPO 96515
telephone: [63] (2) 523-1001
FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red
with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the
center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each
containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle
is a small yellow five-pointed star
@Philippines:Economy
Economy-overview: In 1997 the Philippine economy, primarily a mixture
of agriculture and light industry, continued its fifth year of
positive economic growth, led by expansion of exports and investment. GDP: purchasing power parity-$244 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 22%
industry: 32%
services: 46% (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 43.4%, services 22.6%, government services
17.9%, industry and commerce 16.1% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 8.7% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $16.3 billion
expenditures: $16.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.7
billion (1996 est.) commodities: electronics and telecommunications 51%, machinery and
transport 10%, garments 9%, other 30%
partners: US 34%, Japan 17%, EU 17%, ASEAN 14%, Hong Kong 4%, Taiwan
4% (1997 est.) Imports:
total value: $34 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: raw materials and intermediate goods 43%, capital goods
36%, consumer goods 9%, fuels 9%
partners: Japan 21%, US 20%, ASEAN 12%, EU 10%, Taiwan 5%, Hong Kong
4%, Saudi Arabia 4% (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 29
Televisions: 9.2 million (1998)
@Philippines:Transportation
Railways:
total: 897 km of which 492 km in operation
narrow gauge: 492 km 1.067-m gauge (1996)
Highways:
total: 156,997 km (1996 est.) paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
note: probably less than 30,000 km are designated arterial roads and
not all of these are all-weather roads
Waterways: 3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m)
vessels
Pipelines: petroleum products 357 km
Ports and harbors: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras
Island, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa,
San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga
Merchant marine:
total: 535 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,334,164 GRT/11,511,707
DWT
ships by type: bulk 206, cargo 130, chemical tanker 5, combination
bulk 12, container 11, liquefied gas tanker 10, livestock carrier 12,
oil tanker 48, passenger 4, passenger-cargo 13, refrigerated cargo 20,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 15, short-sea passenger 31, vehicle carrier 18
note: a flag of convenience registry; Japan owns 21 ships, Hong Kong
4, Cyprus 1, Denmark 1, Greece 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 1, Panama 1,
Singapore 1, and Taiwan 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 262 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 75
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 30
under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 187
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 63
under 914 m: 121 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Philippines:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps),
Air Force
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 19,734,347 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.3 billion (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.7% (1996)
@Philippines:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly
Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei;
claims Malaysian state of Sabah
Illicit drugs: exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East
Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for
heroin and crystal methamphetamine
______________________________________________________________________
PITCAIRN ISLANDS
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Pitcairn Islands:Geography
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half
of the way from Peru to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 06 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 47 sq km
land: 47 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 51 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds;
rainy season (November to March)
Terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m
Natural resources: miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish
note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been
discovered offshore
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (especially November to March)
Environment-current issues: deforestation (only a small portion of the
original forest remains because of burning and clearing for
settlement)
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
@Pitcairn Islands:People
Population: 50 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -0.6% (1998 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: Pitcairn Islander(s)
adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian
wives
Religions: Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Languages: English (official), Tahitian/English dialect
@Pitcairn Islands:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
Data code: PC
Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK
Government type: NA
National capital: Adamstown
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second
Saturday in June)
Constitution: Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Legal system: local island by-laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952),
represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor
(non-resident) of the Pitcairn Islands Robert John ALSTON (since NA
August 1994); Commissioner (non-resident) G. D. HARRAWAY (since NA; is
the liaison person between the governor and the Island Council)
head of government: Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island
Council Jay WARREN (since NA)
cabinet: NA
elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; island magistrate
elected by popular vote for a three-year term; last known election
held NA December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1996)
election results: Jay WARREN re-elected island magistrate; percent of
vote-NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Island Council (10 seats, 6 popularly
elected, 1 appointed by the 6 elected members, 2 appointed by the
governor, and the Island Secretary; members serve one-year terms)
elections: take place each December; last held NA December 1997 (next
to be held NA December 1998)
election results: percent of vote-NA; seats-all independents
Judicial branch: Island Court, island magistrate presides over the
court and is elected every three years
Political parties and leaders: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: SPC
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of
the UK)
Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer
half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue
with a shield featuring a yellow anchor
@Pitcairn Islands:Economy
Economy-overview: The inhabitants exist on fishing and subsistence
farming. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps
to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. GDP: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 14 able-bodied men (1993)
by occupation: no business community in the usual sense; some public
works; subsistence farming and fishing
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $729,884
expenditures: $878,119, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95
est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: situation has improved since 1989 due to
decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by
postcommunist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious
because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and
the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from
industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of
hazardous wastes
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: historically, an area of conflict because of flat
terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
@Poland:People
Population: 38,606,922 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 4,075,959; female 3,883,778)
15-64 years: 68% (male 12,956,689; female 13,129,495)
65 years and over: 11% (male 1,732,788; female 2,828,213) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: -0.04% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.79 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.76 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.18 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$280.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.6%
industry: 34.9%
services: 58.5% (1996 est.) by occupation: industry and construction 29.9%, agriculture 26%,
services 44.1% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 12% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $33.8 billion
expenditures: $35.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) commodities: intermediate goods 38%, machinery and transport equipment
23%, consumer goods 21%, foodstuffs 10%, fuels 7% (1996 est.) partners: Germany 34.5%, Russia 6.8%, France 5.9%, Italy 5.6%, US
4.8%, Netherlands 4.1% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $44.5 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 32%, intermediate goods
20%, chemicals 15%, consumer goods 9%, food 9%, fuels 8% (1996 est.) partners: Germany 26.5%, Italy 10.4%, Russia 7.3%, UK 6.3%,
Netherlands 4.8%, France 4.4% (1996)
Debt-external: $43 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: US, $210 million (1995-97)
Currency: 1 zloty (Zl) = 100 groszy
Exchange rates: zlotych (Zl) per US$1-3.54 (January 1998), 3.2793
(1997), 2.6961 (1996), 2.4250 (1995); note-a currency reform on 1
January 1995 replaced 10,000 old zlotys with 1 new zloty; 22,723
(1994), 18,115 (1993), 13,626 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 8.2 million (1996)
Telephone system: underdeveloped and outmoded system; government aims
to have 10 million phones in service by the year 2000; the process of
partial privatization of the state-owned telephone monopoly has begun
domestic: cable, open wire, and microwave radio relay; 3 cellular
networks
international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 2
Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions), and 1 Intersputnik
(Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 75, shortwave 1 (1994 est.) Waterways: 3,812 km navigable rivers and canals (1996)
Pipelines: crude oil and petroleum products 2,280 km; natural gas
17,000 km (1996)
Ports and harbors: Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin,
Swinoujscie, Ustka, Warsaw, Wrocaw
Merchant marine:
total: 90 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,574,637 GRT/2,446,849
DWT
ships by type: bulk 67, cargo 10, chemical tanker 3, container 2,
passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea
passenger 4
note: Poland owns an additional 35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
459,793 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas, Cyprus,
Liberia, Malta, and Vanuatu (1997 est.) Airports: 83 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 68
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 23
1,524 to 2,437 m: 34
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 15
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Heliports: 3 (1997 est.) @Poland:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Territorial
Defense Forces
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 10,374,242 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.46 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.3% (1997)
@Poland:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: major illicit producer of amphetamines for the
international market; transshipment point for Asian and Latin American
illicit drugs to Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
PORTUGAL
@Portugal:Geography
Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
west of Spain
Geographic coordinates: 39 30 N, 8 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 92,391 sq km
land: 91,951 sq km
water: 440 sq km
note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 1,214 km
border countries: Spain 1,214 km
Coastline: 1,793 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier
in south
Terrain: mountainous north of the Tagus, rolling plains in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Ponta do Pico in Azores 2,351 m
Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore, uranium
ore, marble
Land use:
arable land: 26%
permanent crops: 9%
permanent pastures: 9%
forests and woodland: 36%
other: 20% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: Azores subject to severe earthquakes
Environment-current issues: soil erosion; air pollution caused by
industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in
coastal areas
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, 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, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber 94
Geography-note: Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations
along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
@Portugal:People
Population: 9,927,556 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 881,091; female 834,775)
15-64 years: 68% (male 3,283,273; female 3,429,233)
65 years and over: 15% (male 612,221; female 886,963) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.07% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 10.63 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.26 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.87 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Portugal:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Portuguese Republic
conventional short form: Portugal
local long form: Republica Portuguesa
local short form: Portugal
Data code: PO
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Lisbon
Administrative divisions: 18 districts (distritos, singular-distrito)
and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular-regiao
autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo
Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*,
Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real,
Viseu
Dependent areas: Macau (scheduled to become a Special Administrative
Region of China on 20 December 1999)
Independence: 1140 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910)
National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
Constitution: 25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982, 1 June 1989, 5
November 1992, and 3 September 1997
Legal system: civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews
the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Manuel de Oliviera GUTERRES
(since 28 October 1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative
body to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 14 January 1996 (next to be held NA January 2001);
following assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or
leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by
the president
election results: Jorge SAMPAIO elected president; percent of
vote-Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 53.8%, Anibal CAVACO SILVA (Social
Democrat) 46.2%
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia
da Republica (230 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 1 October 1995 (next to be held by NA October
1999)
election results: percent of vote by party-PSD 34.0%, PS 43.8%, CDU
8.6%, CDS/PP 9.1%; seats by party-PSD 88, PS 112, CDU 15, CDS/PP 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica, judges
appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party or PSD [Marcelo
Rebelo DE SOUSA]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Antonio GUTERRES];
Portuguese Communist Party or PCP [Carlos CARVALHAS]; Popular Party or
PP (formerly known as Center Democratic Party or CDS) [Rebelo DE
SOUSA]; National Solidarity Party or PSN [Manuel SERGIO]; United
Democratic Coalition or CDU (communists; includes the PCP and a number
of small leftist groups)
International organization participation: AfDB, Australia Group, BIS,
CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA
(observer), MINURSO, MONUA, MTCR, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS
(observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary),
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando Antonio de Lacerda ANDRESEN
GUIMARAES
chancery: 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610
FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726
consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and San
Francisco
consulate(s): Los Angeles, New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence
(Rhode Island)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gerald S. MCGOWAN
embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600 Lisbon
mailing address: PSC 83, APO AE 09726
telephone: [351] (1) 727-3300
FAX: [351] (1) 726-9109
consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)
Flag description: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths)
and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on
the dividing line
@Portugal:Economy
Economy-overview: Portugal's short-term economic fundamentals remain
strong: 1997 was marked by a reduction in inflation, a rise in the GDP
growth rate, a reduction in the fiscal deficit, and a lowering of
interest rates. GDP: purchasing power parity-$149.5 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 36%
services: 58% (1995 est.) by occupation: services 56%, manufacturing 23%, agriculture, forestry,
fisheries 11%, construction 8%, utilities 1%, mining 1% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 7% (January 1998)
Budget:
revenues: $48 billion
expenditures: $52 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.4
billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $220 million (1996)
recipient: ODA, $70 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Portuguese escudo (Esc) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Portuguese escudos (Esc) per US$1-185.81 (January
1998), 175.31 (1997), 154.24 (1996), 151.11 (1995), 165.99 (1994),
160.80 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 358.61 million (1995 est.) Television broadcast stations: 66 (repeaters 23)
Televisions: 2,970,892 (1993 est.) @Portugal:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,072 km
broad gauge: 2,769 km 1.668-m gauge (528 km electrified; 426 km double
track)
narrow gauge: 303 km 1.000-m gauge (1996)
Highways:
total: 68,732 km
paved: 59,110 km (including 687 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,622 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 820 km navigable; relatively unimportant to national
economy, used by shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton cargo
capacity
Pipelines: crude oil 22 km; petroleum products 58 km; natural gas 700
km
note: the secondary lines for the natural gas pipeline that will be
300 km long have not yet been built
Ports and harbors: Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores),
Leixoes, Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria
(Azores), Setubal, Viana do Castelo
Merchant marine:
total: 107 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 736,478 GRT/1,139,180
DWT
ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 60, chemical tanker 10, container 6,
liquefied gas tanker 9, oil tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 3
note: Portugal has created a captive register on Madeira for
Portuguese-owned ships; ships on the Madeira Register (MAR) will have
taxation and crewing benefits of a flag of convenience (1997 est.) Airports: 69 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 41
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 27 (1997 est.) @Portugal:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National
Republican Guard, Fiscal Guard, Public Security Police
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,545,464 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $2.07 billion (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.9% (1996)
@Portugal:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor
province) disputed with Indonesia and not recognized by the UN
Illicit drugs: important gateway country for Latin American cocaine
entering the European market; transshipment point for hashish from
North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin
______________________________________________________________________
PUERTO RICO
(commonwealth associated with the US)
@Puerto Rico:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 66 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 9,104 sq km
land: 8,959 sq km
water: 145 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Rhode
Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 501 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains
precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal
areas
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
Natural resources: some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and
offshore oil
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 5%
permanent pastures: 26%
forests and woodland: 16%
other: 49% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: occasional drought has caused water levels
in reservoirs to drop and has prompted water rationing
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: important location along the Mona Passage-a key
shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and
best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high
central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively
dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
@Puerto Rico:People
Population: 3,857,070 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 483,268; female 461,632)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,206,385; female 1,310,406)
65 years and over: 11% (male 171,889; female 223,490) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.68% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 16.7 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.08 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.09 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US
firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. GDP: purchasing power parity-$32.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 5.5% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $5.1 billion
expenditures: $5.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95)
Industries: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products;
tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1994 est.) 1996)
commodities: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum,
beverage concentrates, medical equipment
partners: US 88% (1995 est.) Imports:
total value: $19.1 billion (c.i.f. 1996)
commodities: chemicals, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products
partners: US 62% (1995 est.) ); cellular telephone service
international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat; submarine cable to
US
Radio broadcast stations: AM 50, FM 63, shortwave 0
note: there were 118 radio stations in 1995
Radios: 2.6 million (1994 est.) Television broadcast stations: 15 (1995)
note: cable television available with US programs (1990 est.) Televisions: 973,000 (1994 est.) Ports and harbors: Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce, San
Juan
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 30 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 21
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 7 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Environment-current issues: limited natural fresh water resources are
increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer
Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography-note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major
petroleum deposits
@Qatar:People
Population: 697,126 (July 1998 est.) note: includes 516,508 non-nationals (July 1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 27% (male 97,317; female 93,532)
15-64 years: 71% (male 353,700; female 138,564)
65 years and over: 2% (male 9,731; female 4,282) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.82% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 16.97 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 3.53 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 24.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.55 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.27 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.09 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$11.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 49%
services: 50% (1996 est.) note: 83% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national
(July 1997 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $3.7 billion
expenditures: $4.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $700
million (FY97/98 est.) commodities: petroleum products 80%, fertilizers, steel
partners: Japan 55%, Singapore 11%, South Korea 6%, Australia 3%, UAE
3% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $5 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, food, chemicals
partners: Italy 14%, UK 12%, France 11%, Japan 10%, Germany 9% (1996)
Debt-external: $11 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Qatari riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams
Exchange rates: Qatari riyals (QR) per US$1-3.6400 riyals (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 160,717 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1988 est.) Televisions: 205,000 (1992 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 km
Ports and harbors: Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id
Merchant marine:
total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 618,447 GRT/1,031,135 DWT
ships by type: combination ore/oil 2, container 3, cargo 11, oil
tanker 5 (1997 est.) Airports: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Qatar:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 294,205 (1998 est.) note: includes non-nationals
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 154,436 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $400 million (1996 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.5% (1996 est.) Natural hazards: periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April);
Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
@Reunion:People
Population: 705,053 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 116,705; female 111,262)
15-64 years: 62% (male 214,914; female 221,502)
65 years and over: 6% (male 16,846; female 23,824) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.81% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.78 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.67 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a
century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The economic well-being of Reunion depends heavily on
continued financial assistance from France. GDP: purchasing power parity-$3 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 242,169 (1993)
by occupation: agriculture 8%, industry 19%, services 73% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 35% (1994)
Budget:
revenues: $856.7 million
expenditures: $2.2437 billion, including capital expenditures of NA
(1993)
Industries: sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items, flower oil
extraction
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 299,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 1.105 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,659 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits,
vegetables, corn
Exports:
total value: $171.776 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%,
lobster 3%, (1993)
partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy, Madagascar
Imports:
total value: $2.354 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery
and transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products
partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy, Madagascar
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: substantial annual subsidies from France
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1-6.0836 (January 1998),
5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 191,647 (1993 est.) @Reunion:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,784 km
paved: 2,187 km
unpaved: 597 km (1987 est.) Ports and harbors: Le Port, Pointe des Galets
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Reunion:Military
Military branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and
Gendarmerie)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 182,620 (1998 est.) Natural hazards: earthquakes most severe in south and southwest;
geologic structure and climate promote landslides
Environment-current issues: soil erosion and degradation; water
pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents;
contamination of Danube delta wetlands
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, 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: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Geography-note: controls most easily traversable land route between
the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
@Romania:People
Population: 22,395,848 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 2,169,581; female 2,078,515)
15-64 years: 68% (male 7,571,619; female 7,668,689)
65 years and over: 13% (male 1,213,406; female 1,694,038) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: -0.32% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.33 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 11.62 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) In 1998, GDP will
likely be unchanged; and inflation is projected to fall to 45% from
151% in 1997. GDP: purchasing power parity-$114.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 19%
industry: 36%
services: 45% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 151% (1997 est.) by occupation: industry 28.6%, agriculture 34.4%, trade 10.4%,
construction 5.1%, other 21.5% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 8.8% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $10 billion
expenditures: $11.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.3
billion (1997 est.) commodities: textiles and footwear 27.5%, metals and metal products
16.2%, mineral products 9.0%, chemicals 11.2%, other 36.1% (1996)
partners: Germany 18.1%, Italy 16.7%, France 5.6%, Turkey 5%,
Netherlands 4.2%, China 3.0% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $10.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: fuels and minerals 24%, machinery and transport equipment
25%, food and agricultural goods 7.6%, chemicals 12.5%, other 30.9%
(1996)
partners: Germany 17.1%, Italy 15.6%, Russia 12.6%, France 5.0%, US
3.8%, Egypt 3.8% (1996)
Debt-external: $10 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 leu (L) = 100 bani
Exchange rates: lei (L) per US$1-8,293.40 (January 1998), 7,167.94
(1997), 3,084.22 (1996), 2,033.28 (1995), 1,655.09 (1994), 760.05
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 2.6 million (1993 est.) international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat; new digital
international direct-dial exchanges are in Bucharest (1993 est.) Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 5, shortwave 0
note: in 1995, 135 local radio stations were registered
Radios: 4.64 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 436 cable TV stations, 66 local TV
stations
Televisions: 4.58 million (1992 est.) Waterways: 1,724 km (1984)
Pipelines: crude oil 2,800 km; petroleum products 1,429 km; natural
gas 6,400 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Braila, Constanta, Galati, Mangalia, Sulina, Tulcea
Merchant marine:
total: 227 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,332,117 GRT/3,464,613
DWT
ships by type: bulk 39, cargo 160, container 2, oil tanker 12,
passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 10
note: Romania owns an additional 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
827,625 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas, Cyprus,
Liberia, and Malta (1997 est.) Airports: 24 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 19
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Romania:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces,
Paramilitary Forces, Civil Defense
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 5,888,775 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $650 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.5% (1996)
@Romania:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: dispute with Ukraine over continental shelf of
the Black Sea under which significant gas and oil deposits may exist;
agreed in 1997 to two-year negotiating period, after which either
party can refer dispute to the International Court of Justice
Illicit drugs: important transshipment point for Southwest Asian
heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American
cocaine bound for Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
RUSSIA
@Russia:Geography
Location: Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is sometimes
included with Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and
the North Pacific Ocean
Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 100 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total: 17,075,200 sq km
land: 16,995,800 sq km
water: 79,400 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than 1.8 times the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 19,917 km
border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast)
3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 294 km, Finland 1,313 km,
Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km, Latvia 217 km,
Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,441 km, Norway 167
km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Ukraine 1,576 km
Coastline: 37,653 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in
much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the
polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in
Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic
coast
Terrain: broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous
forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern
border regions
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Mount El'brus 5,633 m
Natural resources: wide natural resource base including major deposits
of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber
note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder
exploitation of natural resources
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 4%
forests and woodland: 46%
other: 42% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment
to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and
earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula
Environment-current issues: air pollution from heavy industry,
emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major
cities; industrial and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and
sea coasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from
improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of
sometimes intense radioactive contamination
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94
Geography-note: largest country in the world in terms of area but
unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world;
despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates
(either too cold or too dry) for agriculture
@Russia:People
Population: 146,861,022 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 14,756,787; female 14,189,564)
15-64 years: 68% (male 48,138,173; female 51,366,412)
65 years and over: 12% (male 5,699,334; female 12,710,752) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: -0.31% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.57 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 14.89 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 2.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.44 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 23.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Moscow continued to make strides in its battle against
inflation, which fell to 11%, half the 1996 rate. On the downside, Moscow continued to struggle with a
severe fiscal imbalance. GDP: purchasing power parity-$692 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 39%
services: 54% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 11% (1997 est.) with considerable additional
underemployment
Budget:
revenues: $59 billion
expenditures: $70 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997
est.) )(radio receivers with multiple speaker
systems for program diffusion 74,300,000)
Television broadcast stations: 7,183
Televisions: 54.85 million (1992 est.) Waterways: total navigable routes in general use 101,000 km; routes
with navigation guides serving the Russian River Fleet 95,900 km;
routes with night navigational aids 60,400 km; man-made navigable
routes 16,900 km (1 January 1994)
Pipelines: crude oil 48,000 km; petroleum products 15,000 km; natural
gas 140,000 km (30 June 1993)
Ports and harbors: Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', Kaliningrad, Kazan',
Khabarovsk, Kholmsk, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Murmansk, Nakhodka,
Nevel'sk, Novorossiysk, Petropavlovsk, St. Petersburg, Rostov, Sochi,
Tuapse, Vladivostok, Volgograd, Vostochnyy, Vyborg
Merchant marine:
total: 540 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,531,937 GRT/6,253,940
DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 18, cargo 291, combination bulk
21, combination ore/oil 12, container 24, multifunction large-load
carrier 2, oil tanker 107, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 4,
refrigerated cargo 20, roll-on/roll-off cargo 28, short-sea passenger
9, specialized tanker 1
note: Russia owns an additional 176 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
3,240,776 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas, Cambodia,
Cyprus, Honduras, Liberia, Malta, Panama, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines, and Singapore (1997 est.) Airports: 2,517 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 630
over 3,047 m: 54
2,438 to 3,047 m: 202
1,524 to 2,437 m: 108
914 to 1,523 m: 115
under 914 m: 151 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1,887
over 3,047 m: 25
2,438 to 3,047 m: 45
1,524 to 2,437 m: 134
914 to 1,523 m: 291
under 914 m: 1,392 (1994 est.) @Russia:Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Forces, Air Defense
Forces, Strategic Rocket Forces
note: the air force and air defense force are to merge in mid-1998
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 38,585,841 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
note: the Intelligence Community estimates that defense spending in
Russia fell by about 10% in real terms in 1996, reducing Russian
defense outlays to about one-sixth of peak Soviet levels in the late
1980s (1997 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Russia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: two disputed sections of the boundary with
China remain to be settled; islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and
Shikotan and the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945,
now administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; Caspian Sea boundaries
are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and
Turkmenistan; Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical
border agreement in December 1996 which has not been ratified; Estonia
claimed over 2,000 sq km of territory in the Narva and Pechora regions
of Russia - based on boundary established under the 1920 Peace Treaty
of Tartu; based on the 1920 Treaty of Riga, Latvia had claimed the
Abrene/Pytalovo section of border ceded by the Latvian Soviet
Socialist Republic to Russia in 1944; draft treaty delimiting the
boundary with Latvia has not been signed; has made no territorial
claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not
recognize the claims of any other nation; 1997 border agreement with
Lithuania not yet ratified; Svalbard is the focus of a maritime
boundary dispute in the Barents Sea between Norway and Russia
Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly
for domestic consumption; government has active eradication program;
increasingly used as transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast
Asian opiates and cannabis and Latin American cocaine to Western
Europe, the US, and growing domestic market
______________________________________________________________________
RWANDA
Introduction
in April 1994 between Tutsi and Hutu factions, more than 2 million
refugees fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire, now
called Democratic Republic of the Congo. Natural hazards: periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are
in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the
Congo
Environment-current issues: deforestation results from uncontrolled
cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the
Sea
Geography-note: landlocked; predominantly rural population
@Rwanda:People
Population: 7,956,172 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 1,785,650; female 1,772,609)
15-64 years: 53% (male 2,070,401; female 2,106,809)
65 years and over: 2% (male 90,941; female 129,762) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.5% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 38.99 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 19 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 5.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 113.31 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) In 1994-96, peace was restored throughout much of the country. Sketchy data suggest that GDP dropped 50% in 1994 and came back
partially, by 25%, in 1995. The economy continues to face significant challenges in
rehabilitating infrastructure, agriculture, health care facilities,
and capital plant. GDP: purchasing power parity-$3 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 37%
industry: 17%
services: 46% (1995 est.) commodities: coffee 74%, tea, cassiterite, wolframite, pyrethrum
(1995)
partners: Brazil, EU
Imports:
total value: $202.4 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs 35%, machines and equipment, capital goods,
steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material (1995)
partners: US, EU, Kenya, Tanzania
Debt-external: $1 billion (December 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: in October 1990 Rwanda launched a Structural Adjustment Program
with the IMF; since September 1991, the EU has given $46 million and
the US $25 million in support of this program (1993)
Currency: 1 Rwandan franc (RF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Rwandan francs (RF) per US$1-302.28 (January 1998),
301.53 (1997), 306.82 (1996), 262.20 (1995), 144.31 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 6,400 (1983 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
@Rwanda:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 12,000 km
paved: 1,000 km
unpaved: 11,000 km (1997 est.) Waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft
Ports and harbors: Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye
Airports: 7 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) @Rwanda:Military
Military branches: Army, Gendarmerie
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,892,503 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $112.5 million (1992)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 7% (1992)
@Rwanda:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
SAINT HELENA
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Saint Helena:Geography
Location: islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about mid-way between
South America and Africa
Geographic coordinates: 15 56 S, 5 42 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 410 sq km
land: 410 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ascension, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island,
Nightingale Island, and Tristan da Cunha Island
Area-comparative: slightly more than two times the size of Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 60 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Saint Helena-tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds;
Tristan da Cunha-temperate; marine, mild, tempered by trade winds
(tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)
Terrain: Saint Helena-rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and
plains
note: the other islands of the group have a volcanic origin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Queen Mary's Peak 2,060 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: 6%
forests and woodland: 6%
other: 82% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 718; female 694)
15-64 years: 71% (male 2,643; female 2,423)
65 years and over: 9% (male 249; female 364) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.76% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 14.1 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.49 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 28.81 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 2,416 (1991 est.) by occupation: professional, technical, and related workers 8.7%,
managerial, administrative, and clerical 12.8%, sales people 8.1%,
farmer, fishermen, etc. Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Communications-note: Gough Island has a meteorological station
@Saint Helena:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension NA km, Tristan da Cunha
NA km)
paved: 180.7 km (Saint Helena 98 km, Ascension 80 km, Tristan da Cunha
2.70 km)
unpaved: NA km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension NA km, Tristan da Cunha
NA km)
Ports and harbors: Georgetown (on Ascension), Jamestown
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 7,217; female 6,860)
15-64 years: 61% (male 12,860; female 12,748)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,058; female 1,548) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.23% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.87 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.51 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -2.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.89 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$235 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 22%
services: 72% (1996 est.) commodities: machinery, food, electronics, beverages and tobacco
partners: US 46.6%, UK 26.4%, Caricom nations 9.8% (1994)
Imports:
total value: $131.5 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery, manufactures, food, fuels
partners: US 45%, Caricom nations 18.8%, UK 12.5%, Canada 4.2%, Japan
4.2%, (1994)
Debt-external: $56 million (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 3,800 (1986 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: 9,500 (1993 est.) Ports and harbors: Basseterre, Charlestown
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes and volcanic activity
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly
in the northern region
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
@Saint Lucia:People
Population: 152,335 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 26,261; female 25,747)
15-64 years: 60% (male 45,182; female 46,956)
65 years and over: 6% (male 3,095; female 5,094) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.11% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.48 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.64 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -5.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.95 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Indeed, the destructive effect of Tropical Storm
Iris in mid-1995 caused the loss of 20% of the year's banana crop. GDP: purchasing power parity-$600 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.7%
industry: 32.3%
services: 57% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $155 million
expenditures: $169 million, including capital expenditures of $48
million (FY96/97 est.) commodities: bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut
oil
partners: UK 50%, US 24%, Caricom countries 16% (1995)
Imports:
total value: $270.6 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and
transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels
partners: US 36%, Caricom countries 22%, UK 11%, Japan 5%, Canada 4%
(1995)
Debt-external: $131 million (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 26,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 (two commercial stations and one
cable)
Televisions: 26,000 (1992 est.) Ports and harbors: Castries, Vieux Fort
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.76% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.45 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.49 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.62 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy has been declining, however,
because the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre has dropped
steadily over the years. GDP: purchasing power parity-$74 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 2,971 (1995)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 11% (1996)
Budget:
revenues: $28 million
expenditures: $28 million, including capital expenditures of $7.8
million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0 (programs from France, Canada, and
the US are rebroadcast)
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.) Ports and harbors: Saint Pierre
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint
Vincent is a constant threat
Environment-current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines
from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas
pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography-note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines
group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:People
Population: 119,818 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 18,630; female 17,994)
15-64 years: 64% (male 38,562; female 37,979)
65 years and over: 5% (male 2,740; female 3,913) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.6% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 18.74 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.28 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -7.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 15.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The
services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also
important. GDP: purchasing power parity-$259 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.6%
industry: 17.5%
services: 71.9% (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 26%, industry 17%, services 57% (1980 est.) Unemployment rate: 35%-40% (1994 est.) Budget:
revenues: $80 million
expenditures: $118 million, including capital expenditures of $39
million (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 cable
Televisions: 20,600 (1992 est.) Ports and harbors: Kingstown
Merchant marine:
total: 799 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,063,755 GRT/12,629,612
DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 136, cargo 383, chemical tanker
27, combination bulk 11, combination ore/oil 9, container 44,
liquefied gas tanker 4, livestock carrier 4, multi-function large load
carrier 2, oil tanker 70, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated
cargo 37, roll-on/roll-off cargo 53, short-sea passenger 10,
specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 1
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 24 countries
among which are Croatia 22, Slovenia 8, China 7, Greece 7, UAE 4,
Norway 3, India 2, Japan 2, Russia 2, and Ukraine 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) note: other estimates range as low as 162,000
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 44,991; female 43,537)
15-64 years: 57% (male 66,201; female 60,764)
65 years and over: 4% (male 4,352; female 4,868) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.33% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 29.62 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.51 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 31.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$450 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 40%
industry: 25%
services: 35% (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $52 million
expenditures: $99 million, including capital expenditures of $37
million (FY96/97 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA; $8.7 million bilateral aid from Australia (FY96/97
est. Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.) @Samoa:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 790 km
paved: 332 km
unpaved: 458 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa
Merchant marine:
total: 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
3,838 GRT/5,536 DWT (1997 est.) Airports: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 16% (male 1,994; female 2,013)
15-64 years: 67% (male 8,480; female 8,282)
65 years and over: 17% (male 1,732; female 2,393) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.7% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 10.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.11 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 4.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The key
industries are banking, wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. GDP: purchasing power parity-$500 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 5.3% (1995)
Labor force:
total: 15,600 (1995)
by occupation: services 55%, industry 43%, agriculture 2% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 3.6% (April 1996)
Budget:
revenues: $320 million
expenditures: $320 million, including capital expenditures of $26
million (1995 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1991 est.) note: receives broadcasts from Italy
Televisions: 9,000 (1994 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification
@Sao Tome and Principe:People
Population: 150,123 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 36,127; female 35,253)
15-64 years: 48% (male 34,980; female 37,555)
65 years and over: 4% (male 2,813; female 3,395) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.1% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 43.48 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.31 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -4.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 54.55 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Sao Tome and Principe:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe
local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe
local short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Data code: TP
Government type: republic
National capital: Sao Tome
Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular-concelho);
Principe, Sao Tome
Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Constitution: approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990
Legal system: based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991)
head of government: Prime Minister Raul Wagner BRAGANCA NETO (since 20
November 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
proposal of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 30 June and 15 July 1996 (next to be held in 2001);
prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the
president
election results: Miguel TROVOADA reelected president in Sao Tome's
second multiparty presidential election; percent of vote-NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia
Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to
serve five-year terms)
elections: parliament dissolved by President TROVOADA in July 1994;
early elections held 2 October 1994 (next to be held October 1998)
election results: percent of vote by party-MLSTP 49%, PCD-GR 25.5%,
ADI 25.5%; seats by party-MLSTP 27, PCD-GR 14, ADI 14
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the National
Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Party for Democratic
Convergence-Reflection Group or PCD-GR [Armindo AGUIAR, secretary
general]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe or
MLSTP [Francisco Fortunas PIRES]; Christian Democratic Front or FDC
[Alphonse Dos SANTOS]; Democratic Opposition Coalition or CODO;
Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; other small
parties
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO,
G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: Sao Tome and Principe does not
have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the
UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos AUGUSTO Ferreira, located at
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604, New York, NY 10168, telephone [1]
(212) 697-4211
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy
in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao
Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to
the islands
Flag description: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow
(double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed
side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles
triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors
of Ethiopia
@Sao Tome and Principe:Economy
Economy-overview: This small poor island economy has become
increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence over 20 years ago. GDP: purchasing power parity-$154 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 21%
industry: 26%
services: 53% (1995 est.) Budget:
revenues: $58 million
expenditures: $114 million, including capital expenditures of $54
million (1993 est.) commodities: cocoa 95%, copra, coffee, palm oil
partners: Netherlands 75.7%, Germany 1.2%, Portugal 1.1%
Imports:
total value: $19.6 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products,
petroleum products
partners: Portugal 32.2%, France 16.8%, Belgium 6.6%, Japan, Angola
Debt-external: $266 million (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 dobra (Db) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: dobras (Db) per US$1-7,003.9 (December 1997), 4,552.5
(1997), 2,203.2 (1996), 1,420.3 (1995), 732.6 (1994), 429.9 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 2,200 (1986 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1992 est.) Televisions: NA
@Sao Tome and Principe:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 320 km
paved: 218 km
unpaved: 102 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Santo Antonio, Sao Tome
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,096 GRT/1,105 DWT
(1997 est.) Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Sao Tome and Principe:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Security Police
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 30,573 (1988 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Sao Tome and Principe:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
SAUDI ARABIA
@Saudi Arabia:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea,
north of Yemen
Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 1,960,582 sq km
land: 1,960,582 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 4,415 km
border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676
km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline: 2,640 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature
Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 56%
forests and woodland: 1%
other: 41% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms
Environment-current issues: desertification; depletion of underground
water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water
bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination
facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
Environment-international agreements:
party to: 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: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea
provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through
Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
@Saudi Arabia:People
Population: 20,785,955 (July 1998 est.) note: includes 5,244,058 non-nationals (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 4,547,971; female 4,398,628)
15-64 years: 55% (male 6,738,820; female 4,591,477)
65 years and over: 2% (male 268,136; female 240,923) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.41% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 37.63 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.46 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 41.34 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Economic (as well as political) ties
with the US are especially strong. The petroleum sector accounts for
roughly 75% of budget revenues, 35% of GDP, and 90% of export
earnings. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the
world (26% of the proved total), ranks as the largest exporter of
petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. GDP: purchasing power parity-$206.5 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 46%
services: 48% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 0% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $47.5 billion
expenditures: $52.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1998 est.) Imports:
total value: $25.4 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor
vehicles, textiles
partners: US 22%, UK 12%, Japan 9%, Germany 8%, Italy 5%, France 4%
(1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 80
Televisions: 4.5 million (1993 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural gas
2,200 km (includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km)
Ports and harbors: Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh,
Ra's al Khafji, Al Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Yanbu' al
Sinaiyah
Merchant marine:
total: 76 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,009,059 GRT/1,329,377
DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 13, chemical tanker 6, container 3,
liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 5, oil tanker 22, passenger
1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea
passenger 8 (1997 est.) Airports: 202 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 70
over 3,047 m: 30
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 132
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 77
914 to 1,523 m: 36
under 914 m: 13 (1997 est.) Heliports: 4 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $18.1 billion (1997 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 12% (1997 est.) Natural hazards: lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: wildlife populations threatened by
poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification;
overfishing
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping
Geography-note: The Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal
@Senegal:People
Population: 9,723,149 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 2,331,388; female 2,343,654)
15-64 years: 49% (male 2,273,200; female 2,504,063)
65 years and over: 3% (male 132,671; female 138,173) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.33% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 44.38 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 11.05 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 61.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) This reform began with a 50%
devaluation of Senegal's currency, the CFA franc, which is linked at a
fixed rate to the French franc. As a
member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA),
Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified
external tariff. GDP: purchasing power parity-$15.6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 19%
industry: 17%
services: 64% (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 61,000 (1993 est.) Waterways: 897 km total; 785 km on the Senegal river, and 112 km on
the Saloum river
Ports and harbors: Dakar, Kaolack, Matam, Podor, Richard-Toll,
Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor
Merchant marine:
total: 1 bulk ship, 1,995 GRT/3,775 DWT (1997 est.) Airports: 20 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Senegal:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie,
National Police (Surete Nationale)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,016,128 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $81 million (1996 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.1% (1996 est.) (Montenegro-679,904;
Serbia-10,526,135)
Age structure:
0-14 years: Montenegro-22% (male 76,764; female 71,647); Serbia- 20%
(male 1,121,483; female 1,043,535)
15-64 years: Montenegro-67% (male 231,849; female 227,268); Serbia-
67% (male 3,539,198; female 3,487,318)
65 years and over: Montenegro-11% (male 29,837; female 42,539);
Serbia- 13% (male 575,697; female 758,904) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: Montenegro-0.07%; Serbia--0.02% (1998 est.) Birth rate: Montenegro-13.55 births/1,000 population; Serbia-12.62
births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: Montenegro-7.40 deaths/1,000 population; Serbia-9.67
deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: Montenegro: -5.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population;
Serbia: -3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: Montenegro-1.09 male(s)/female; Serbia-1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: Montenegro-1.07 male(s)/female; Serbia-1.07
male(s)/female
15-64 years: Montenegro-1.02 male(s)/female; Serbia-1.01
male(s)/female
65 years and over: Montenegro-0.70 male(s)/female; Serbia-0.75
male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: Montenegro-11.24 deaths/1,000 live births;
Serbia-17.11 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Reliable
statistics continue to be hard to come by, and the GDP estimate is
extremely rough. The economic boom anticipated by the government after
the suspension of UN sanctions in December 1995 has failed to
materialize. GDP: purchasing power parity-$24.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 25%
industry: 50%
services: 25% (1994 est.) Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: machine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles; tanks
and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural machinery); metallurgy
(steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, antimony, bismuth,
cadmium); mining (coal, bauxite, nonferrous ore, iron ore, limestone);
consumer goods (textiles, footwear, foodstuffs, appliances);
electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate: 8% (1997 est.) commodities: manufactured goods, food and live animals, raw materials
partners: Russia, Italy, Germany
Imports:
total value: $6.2 billion (1996 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, fuels and lubricants,
manufactured goods, chemicals, food and live animals, raw materials
partners: Germany, Italy, Russia
Debt-external: $11.2 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Yugoslav New Dinar (YD) = 100 paras
Exchange rates: Yugoslav New Dinars (YD) per US $1-official rate: 5.85
(December 1997), 5.02 (September 1996), 1.5 (early 1995); black market
rate: 8.9 (December 1997), 2 to 3 (early 1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 700,000
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: 27 (public or state-owned 1, private 26)
Radios: 2.015 million
Television broadcast stations: 8 (state owned 1, privately owned 7)
plus 1 Satellite TV down link and 48 cable distribution systems
Televisions: 1 million
@Serbia and Montenegro:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,987 km
standard gauge: 3,987 km 1.435-m gauge (1,341 km partially
electrified) (1997)
Highways:
total: 49,525 km
paved: 28,873 km
unpaved: 20,652 km (1996 est.) Waterways: NA km
Pipelines: crude oil 415 km; petroleum products 130 km; natural gas
2,110 km
Ports and harbors: Bar, Belgrade, Kotor, Novi Sad, Pancevo, Tivat,
Zelenika
Merchant marine:
total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 322,391 GRT/533,935 DWT
(owned by Montenegro)
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 11, container 3
note: Montenegrin ships operate under the flag of Malta (1997 est.) Airports: 48 (Serbia 43, Montenegro 5) (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 18
over 3,047 m: 2 (Serbia 2, Montenegro 0)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 (Serbia 3, Montenegro 2)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (Serbia 4, Montenegro 1)
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (Serbia 2, Montenegro 0)
under 914 m: 4 (Serbia 4, Montenegro 0) (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 30
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (Serbia 2, Montenegro 0)
914 to 1,523 m: 14 (Serbia 13, Montenegro 1)
under 914 m: 14 (Serbia 13, Montenego 1) (1997 est.) ); Serbia-2,187,111 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 6.55 billion dinars (1998 est. Age structure:
0-14 years: 30% (male 11,787; female 11,694)
15-64 years: 64% (male 24,555; female 25,681)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,700; female 3,224) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.67% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 19.71 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.61 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -6.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Seychelles:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form: Seychelles
Data code: SE
Government type: republic
National capital: Victoria
Administrative divisions: 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins,
Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie
Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand'
Anse (on Mahe Island), Grand' Anse (on Praslin Island), La Digue, La
Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue,
Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 18 June (1993) (adoption of new
constitution)
Constitution: 18 June 1993
Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and
customary law
Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977);
note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977);
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 20-22 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2003)
election results: President France Albert RENE reelected; percent of
vote-France Albert RENE (SPPF) 61%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 27%, Sir James
MANCHAM (DP) 12%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee
Nationale (35 seats, 25 popularly elected by direct vote, 10 allocated
on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 9 percent of the
vote; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 20-22 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2003)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party
(elected)-SPPF 24, DP 1; seats by party (awarded)-SPPF 6, DP 1, UO 3
note: the 10 awarded seats are apportioned according to the share of
each party in the total vote
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the
president; Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: ruling party-Seychelles People's
Progressive Front or SPPF [France Albert RENE]; Democratic Party or
DP; United Opposition or UO [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] - a coalition of the
following parties: Seychelles Party or PS [Wavel RAMKALAWAN],
Seychelles Democratic Movement or MSPD [Jacques HONDOUL], and
Seychelles Liberal Party or SLP [Ogilvie BERLOUIS]; New Democratic
Party [Christopher GILL (former member of DP)]
Political pressure groups and leaders: trade unions; Roman Catholic
Church
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
InOC, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Claude MOREL
chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of Seychelles to
the United Nations, 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785
FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy
in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to the
Seychelles
Flag description: five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow,
red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist
side
@Seychelles:Economy
Economy-overview: Since independence in 1976, per capita output in
this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the
old near-subsistence level. GDP: purchasing power parity-$550 million (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 15%
services: 81% (1994)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: -0.3% (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Seychelles rupee (SRe) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1-5.1901 (January
1998), 5.0263 (1997), 4.9700 (1996), 4.7620 (1995), 5.0559 (1994),
5.1815 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 13,000 (1995 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2 (in a government network)
Televisions: 6,000 (1993 est.) @Seychelles:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 280 km
paved: 176 km
unpaved: 104 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Victoria
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 14 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.) @Seychelles:Military
Military branches: Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard,
Presidential Protection Unit, Police Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 22,107 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $13.7 million (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Seychelles:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims Chagos Archipelago in British Indian
Ocean Territory
______________________________________________________________________
SIERRA LEONE
Introduction
Current issues: On 25 May 1997, the democratically-elected government
of President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH was overthrown by disgruntled army
personnel under the command of Major Johnny Paul KOROMA; President
KABBAH fled to exile in Guinea. @Sierra Leone:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Guinea and Liberia
Geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 71,740 sq km
land: 71,620 sq km
water: 120 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 958 km
border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December);
winter dry season (December to April)
Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland
plateau, mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold,
chromite
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 31%
forests and woodland: 28%
other: 33% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara
(November to May); sandstorms, dust storms
Environment-current issues: rapid population growth pressuring the
environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing,
and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil
exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban,
Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
@Sierra Leone:People
Population: 5,080,004 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 1,130,728; female 1,167,084)
15-64 years: 52% (male 1,257,901; female 1,367,902)
65 years and over: 3% (male 79,113; female 77,276) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 4.01% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 46.16 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 17.25 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 11.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 129.38 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Sierra Leone:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form: Sierra Leone
Data code: SL
Government type: constitutional democracy
National capital: Freetown
Administrative divisions: 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern,
Southern, Western*
Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK)
National holiday: Republic Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution: 1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times
Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to
local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (inaugurated 29 March
1996); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (inaugurated 29 March
1996); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the
approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible
to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election held 26-27 February 1996 (next to be held NA 2001);
note-president's tenure of office is limited to 2 five-year terms
election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH elected president; percent of
popular vote-first round KABBAH 36.0%, second round KABBAH 59.5%
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (80 seats, 68
elected, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections;
members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 26-27 February 1996 (next to be held 2001)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-SLPP 27,
UNPP 17, PDP 12, APC 5, NUP 4, DCP 3; note-first elections since the
former House of Representatives was shut down by the military coup of
29 April 1992
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: 15 parties registered for the February
1996 elections; National Peoples Party or NPP [Andrew TURAY];
Democratic Center Party or DCP [Abu KOROMA]; Peoples Progressive Party
or PPP [Edward KAMARA, chairman]; Coalition for Progress Party or CPP
[Geredine WILLIAMS-SARHO]; National Unity Movement or NUM [John
Desmond Fashole LUKE]; United National Peoples Party or UNPP [John
KARIFA-SMART]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Thaimu BANGURA,
chairman]; All Peoples Congress or APC [Edward Mohammed TURAY,
chairman]; National Republican Party or NRP [Sahr Stephen MAMBU];
Social Democratic Party or SDP [Andrew Victor LUNGAY]; Peoples
National Convention or PNC [Edward John KARGBO, chairman]; National
Unity Party or NUP [Dr. John KARIMU, chairman]; Sierra Leone Peoples
Party or SLPP [President Tejan KABBAH, chairman]; National Democratic
Alliance or NDA [Amadu M. B. JALLOH]; National Alliance for Democracy
Party or NADP [Mohamed Yahya SILLAH]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,
ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John Ernest LEIGH
chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263
FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John L. HIRSCH
embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485
FAX: [232] (22) 225471
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top),
white, and light blue
@Sierra Leone:Economy
Economy-overview: Sierra Leone has substantial mineral, agricultural,
and fishery resources. The major source of hard currency is found in the mining of
diamonds, the large majority of which are smuggled out of the country. GDP: purchasing power parity-$2.65 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 39%
industry: 27%
services: 34% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 40% (1997 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981 est.) note: only about 65,000 wage earners (1985)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $96 million
expenditures: $150 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.) @Sierra Leone:Transportation
Railways:
total: 84 km used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa is
closed
narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 11,700 km
paved: 1,287 km
unpaved: 10,413 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round
Ports and harbors: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 10 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Sierra Leone:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Police, Security Forces
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,074,728 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $14 million (FY92/93)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.6% (FY92/93)
@Sierra Leone:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
SINGAPORE
@Singapore:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 647.5 sq km
land: 637.5 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined
in treaties and practice
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry
seasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April)
Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water
catchment area and nature preserve
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 6%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: 5%
other: 87% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 383,960; female 361,244)
15-64 years: 72% (male 1,252,427; female 1,255,795)
65 years and over: 7% (male 105,417; female 131,513) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.2% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 13.79 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.68 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 2.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Singapore:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Singapore
conventional short form: Singapore
Data code: SN
Government type: republic within Commonwealth
National capital: Singapore
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)
National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution: 3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependence
State of Singapore Constitution)
Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President ONG Teng Cheong (since 1 September 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November
1990) and Deputy Prime Ministers LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November
1990) and Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 August 1995)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
election last held 28 August 1993 (next to be held NA August 1999);
following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or
the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister
by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
election results: ONG Teng Cheong elected president in the country's
first popular election for president; percent of vote-ONG Teng Cheong
59%, CHUA Kim Yeow 41%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (83 seats; members elected
by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 2 January 1997 (next to be held by 2002)
election results: percent of vote by party-PAP 65% (in contested
constituencies), other 35%; seats by party-PAP 81, WP 1, SPP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is appointed by the
president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are
appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice; Court
of Appeals
Political parties and leaders:
government: People's Action Party (PAP), GOH Chok Tong, secretary
general
opposition: Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), CHEE Soon Juan; Workers'
Party (WP), J. GDP: purchasing power parity-$84.6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NEGL%
industry: 28%
services: 72%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.8% (1997 est.) by occupation: financial, business, and other services 33.5%,
manufacturing 25.6%, commerce 22.9%, construction 6.6%, other 11.4%
(1994)
Unemployment rate: 3% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $16.3 billion
expenditures: $13.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY97/98 est.) commodities: computer equipment, rubber and rubber products, petroleum
products, telecommunications equipment
partners: Malaysia 19%, US 18%, Hong Kong 9%, Japan 8%, Thailand 6%
(1995)
Imports:
total value: $133.9 billion (1997 est.) commodities: aircraft, petroleum, chemicals, foodstuffs
partners: Japan 21%, Malaysia 15%, US 15%, Thailand 5%, Taiwan 4%,
South Korea 4% (1995)
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1-1.7533 (January 1998),
1.4848 (1997), 1.4100 (1996), 1.4174 (1995), 1.5274 (1994), 1.6158
(1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 1.4 million (1997 est.) @Singapore:Transportation
Railways:
total: 38.6 km
narrow gauge: 38.6 km 1.000-m gauge
note: there is a 67 km mass transit system with 42 stations
Highways:
total: 3,010 km
paved: 2,932 km (including 150 km of expressways)
unpaved: 78 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Singapore
Merchant marine:
total: 856 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,463,338
GRT/29,322,743 DWT
ships by type: bulk 135, cargo 146, chemical tanker 42, combination
bulk 5, combination ore/oil 6, container 143, liquefied gas tanker 30,
livestock carrier 1, multifunction large-load carrier 7, oil tanker
284, refrigerated cargo 9, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11, short-sea
passenger 1, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 29
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 22 countries
among which are Japan 42, Denmark 32, Hong Kong 31, Sweden 24,
Thailand 24, Germany 18, Taiwan 12, Belgium 12, China 11, and
Indonesia 11; Singapore also owns an additional 196 ships (1,000 GRT
or over) totaling 10,052,598 DWT that operate under the registries of
The Bahamas, Belize, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Honduras, Liberia, Malta,
Panama, Philippines, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1997 est.) Airports: 9 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 9
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Singapore:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force,
Police Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,040,147 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $4.03 billion (FY96/97)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 4.3% (FY96/97)
@Singapore:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: two islands in dispute with Malaysia
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the
US, Western Europe, and the Third World; also a money-laundering
center
______________________________________________________________________
SLOVAKIA
@Slovakia:Geography
Location: Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 48,845 sq km
land: 48,800 sq km
water: 45 sq km
Area-comparative: about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total: 1,355 km
border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515
km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and
lowlands in the south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m
highest point: Gerlachovka 2,655 m
Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore,
copper and manganese ore; salt
Land use:
arable land: 31%
permanent crops: 3%
permanent pastures: 17%
forests and woodland: 41%
other: 8% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants
presents human 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, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Geography-note: landlocked
@Slovakia:People
Population: 5,392,982 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 570,515; female 546,088)
15-64 years: 68% (male 1,819,831; female 1,845,800)
65 years and over: 11% (male 235,926; female 374,822) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.08% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.96 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.48 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.62 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.73 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP then rose by 6.8% in 1995, 7% in 1996, and 5.9% in 1997,
rates among the highest in Central and Eastern Europe. Inflation
dropped from 26% in 1993 to 6% annually in 1996-97, the lowest rate in
the region. At the same time that the budget deficit is growing, the
money supply has been rapidly increasing, which could apply upward
pressure on inflation. GDP: purchasing power parity-$46.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.2%
industry: 39.4%
services: 55.4% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 2.352 million
by occupation: industry 29.3%, agriculture 8.9%, construction 8.0%,
transport and communication 8.2%, services 45.6% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 12.8% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $5.7 billion
expenditures: $6.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996)
Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity,
gas, coke, oil, and nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers;
machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport
vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 7.115 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 23.223 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 4,698 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit;
hogs, cattle, poultry; forest products
Exports:
total value: $8.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 22.8%; chemicals 12.2%;
miscellaneous manufactured goods 11.9%; raw materials 4.4% (1996)
partners: EU 41.3% (Germany 20.9%, Austria 6.0%), Czech Republic
30.6%, FSU 7.1% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $11.1 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 35.4%; fuels 17.0%;
intermediate manufactured goods 15.5%; miscellaneous manufactured
goods 9.0% (1996)
partners: EU 36.9% (Germany 14.7%, Italy 6.0%), Czech Republic 24.8%,
FSU 17.7% (1996)
Debt-external: $9.5 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 koruna (Sk) = 100 halierov
Exchange rates: koruny (Sk) per US$1-35.50 (January 1998), 33.616
(1997), 30.654 (1996), 29.713 (1995), 32.045 (1994), 30.770 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1,362,178 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 56 private broadcast stations, 2 public
(state) broadcast stations (1995 est.) Televisions: 1.2 million (1995 est.) @Slovakia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,665 km
broad gauge: 107 km 1.520-m gauge
standard gauge: 3,507 km 1.435-m gauge (1424 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (1996)
Highways:
total: 36,608 km
paved: 36,059 km (including 215 km of expressways)
unpaved: 549 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 172 km on the Danube
Pipelines: petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 km
Ports and harbors: Bratislava, Komarno
Merchant marine:
total: 3 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 15,041 GRT/19,517
DWT (1997 est.) Airports: 13 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 8
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) @Slovakia:Military
Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Reserve Force
(Home Guards)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,471,103 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $423 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.7% (1996)
@Slovakia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary (to be
resolved March 1998); unresolved property issues with Czech Republic
over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal property
Illicit drugs: minor, but increasing, transshipment point for
Southwest Asian heroin and hashish bound for Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
SLOVENIA
@Slovenia:Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic
Sea, between Austria and Croatia
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 20,256 sq km
land: 20,256 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,334 km
border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Italy 232 km,
Hungary 102 km
Coastline: 46.6 km
Maritime claims: NA
Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with
mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to
the east
Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain
region adjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous
rivers to the east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 3%
permanent pastures: 28%
forests and woodland: 51%
other: 6% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: flooding and earthquakes
Environment-current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and
industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and
toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution
(originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid
rain
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94
@Slovenia:People
Population: 1,971,739 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 168,633; female 160,202)
15-64 years: 70% (male 692,043; female 686,707)
65 years and over: 13% (male 96,023; female 168,131) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.08% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 8.58 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.56 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.57 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) However,
GDP has posted slower growth since reaching a zenith of 5.5% in 1994. This export-led trend is predicted to continue, with an
expected GDP growth rate of 3.8% for 1998. GDP: purchasing power parity-$19.5 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 33%
services: 62% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 9.7% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 857,400
by occupation: services 62%, industry 36%, agriculture 2% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $8.48 billion
expenditures: $8.53 billion, including capital expenditures of $455
million (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $5 million (1993)
Currency: 1 tolar (SlT) = 100 stotins
Exchange rates: tolars (SlT) per US$1-171.30 (January 1998), 159.69
(1997), 135.36 (1996), 118.52 (1995), 128.81 (1994), 113.24 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 691,240 (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 7
note: there are more than 20 local cable television broadcast stations
Televisions: 454,400 (1993 est.) @Slovenia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,201 km
standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 499 km) (1996)
Highways:
total: 14,910 km
paved: 12,226 km (including 231 km of expressways)
unpaved: 2,684 km (1996 est.) Waterways: NA
Pipelines: crude oil 290 km; natural gas 305 km
Ports and harbors: Izola, Koper, Piran
Merchant marine:
total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 223,976 GRT/373,462 DWT
(controlled by Slovenian owners)
ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 5
note: ships operate under the flags of Antigua and Barbuda, Liberia,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Singapore; no ships remain under
the Slovenian flag (1997 est.) Airports: 14 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.) @Slovenia:Military
Military branches: Slovenian Army (includes Air and Naval Forces)
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 531,429 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.1% (1997)
@Slovenia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: significant progress has been made with
Croatia toward resolving a maritime border dispute over direct access
to the sea in the Adriatic; Italy is negotiating with Slovenia over
property and minority rights issues dating from World War II
Illicit drugs: transit point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for
Western Europe and for precursor chemicals
______________________________________________________________________
SOLOMON ISLANDS
@Solomon Islands:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east
of Papua New Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 159 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 28,450 sq km
land: 27,540 sq km
water: 910 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 5,313 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead,
zinc, nickel
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 1%
forests and woodland: 88%
other: 9% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 101,338; female 97,584)
15-64 years: 52% (male 116,045; female 112,840)
65 years and over: 3% (male 6,571; female 6,661) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.24% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 36.62 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.21 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.99 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 23.93 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.27 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 11.8% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 26,842
by occupation: services 41.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing
23.7%, commerce, transport, and finance 21.7%, construction,
manufacturing, and mining 13.1% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $147 million
expenditures: $168 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) commodities: plant and machinery, manufactured goods, food and live
animals, fuel
partners: Australia 34%, Japan 16%, Singapore 14%, NZ 9%
Debt-external: $100 million (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $8.625 million from Australia (FY96/97 est. Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.) Ports and harbors: Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor,
Yandina
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 32 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 30
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 20 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern
plains in summer
Environment-current issues: famine; use of contaminated water
contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil
erosion; desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography-note: strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern
approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
@Somalia:People
Population: 6,841,695 (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 4.43% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 46.75 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 18.5 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 16.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 125.77 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy has been growing and in February 1996
the EU agreed to finance the reconstruction of the port of Berbera;
since then, other aid projects have been assumed by the EU and by a
non-governmental Italian organization. @Somalia:Economy
Economy-overview: One of the world's poorest and least developed
countries, Somalia has few resources. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are
dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion
of the population. After livestock, bananas are the
principal export; sugar, sorghum, corn, and fish are products for the
domestic market. GDP: purchasing power parity-$8 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 59%
industry: 10%
services: 31% (1995 est.) by occupation: agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry
and services 29%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: a few small industries, including sugar refining,
textiles, petroleum refining (mostly shut down)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 144,000 kW prior to the civil war, but now
largely shut down due to war damage; some localities operate their own
generating plants, providing limited municipal power; note-UN and
relief organizations use their own portable power systems
Electricity-production: 245 million kWh (1995 est.) commodities: bananas, live animals, fish, hides (1997)
partners: Saudi Arabia 57%, Yemen 14%, Italy 13%, UAE 10%, US
(bananas) (1995 est.) Imports:
total value: $269 million (1994 est.) commodities: manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs,
construction materials (1995)
partners: Kenya 24%, Djibouti 18%, Pakistan 6% (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Somali shilling (So. Sh.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Somali shillings (So. Sh.) per US$1-7,500 (November
1997 est. ), 7,000 (January 1996 est. ), 5,000 (1 January 1995), 2,616
(1 July 1993), 4,200 (December 1992)
note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent country
not recognized by any government, issues its own currency, the
Somaliland shilling (Sol. Sh. ); estimated exchange rate, Sol. Sh. per
US$1-4,000 (November 1997)
Fiscal year: NA
Communications
Telephones: 9,000 (1991 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0 (Somalia's only TV station was
demolished during the civil strife, sometime in 1991)
Televisions: 118,000 (1993 est.) @Somalia:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 22,100 km
paved: 2,608 km
unpaved: 19,492 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 15 km
Ports and harbors: Bender Cassim (Boosaaso), Berbera, Chisimayu
(Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 61 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 7
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 54
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 27
under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.) @Somalia:Military
Military branches: NA; note-no functioning central government military
forces; clan militias continue to battle for control of key economic
or political prizes
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,669,645 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Somalia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: most of the southern half of the boundary with
Ethiopia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute
with Ethiopia over the Ogaden
______________________________________________________________________
SOUTH AFRICA
@South Africa:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of
Africa
Geographic coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 1,219,912 sq km
land: 1,219,912 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward
Island)
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 4,750 km
border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491
km, Namibia 855 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km
Coastline: 2,798 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days,
cool nights
Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow
coastal plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m
Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore,
manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum,
copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 67%
forests and woodland: 7%
other: 15% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: prolonged droughts
Environment-current issues: lack of important arterial rivers or lakes
requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in
water usage threatens to outpace supply; pollution of rivers from
agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in
acid rain; soil erosion; desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost
completely surrounds Swaziland
@South Africa:People
Population: 42,834,520 (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.42% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 26.43 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.28 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 52.04 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @South Africa:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of South Africa
conventional short form: South Africa
abbreviation: RSA
Data code: SF
Government type: republic
National capital: Pretoria (administrative); Cape Town (legislative);
Bloemfontein (judicial)
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State,
Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape,
Northern Province, Western Cape
Independence: 31 May 1910 (from UK)
National holiday: Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)
Constitution: 10 December 1996; this new constitution was certified by
the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was signed by President
MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and entered into effect on 3 February
1997; it is being implemented in phases
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nelson MANDELA (since 10 May 1994);
Executive Deputy President Thabo MBEKI (since 10 May 1994); note-the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Nelson MANDELA (since 10 May 1994);
Executive Deputy President Thabo MBEKI (since 10 May 1994); note-the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and executive deputy presidents elected by the
National Assembly; election last held 9 May 1994 (next scheduled for
sometime between May and July 1999)
election results: Nelson MANDELA elected president; percent of
National Assembly vote - 100% (by acclamation); Thabo MBEKI and
Frederik W. DE KLERK elected executive deputy presidents; percent of
National Assembly vote-100% (by acclamation)
note: the initial governing coalition, made up of the ANC, the IFP,
and the NP, which constituted a Government of National Unity or GNU,
no longer includes the NP which was withdrawn by DE KLERK on 30 June
1996 when he voluntarily gave up his position as executive deputy
president and distanced himself from the programs of the ANC
Legislative branch: bicameral parliament consisting of the National
Assembly (400 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a
system of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) and
the National Council of Provinces (90 seats, ten members elected by
each of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms; has
special powers to protect regional interests, including the
safeguarding of cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic
minorities); note-following the implementation of the new constitution
on 3 February 1997 the former Senate was disbanded and replaced by the
National Council of Provinces with essentially no change in membership
and party affiliations, although the new institution's
responsibilities have been changed somewhat by the new constitution
elections: National Assembly and Senate-last held 26-29 April 1994
(next to be held between May and July 1999); note-the Senate was
disbanded and replaced by the National Council of Provinces on 6
February 1997
election results: National Assembly-percent of vote by party-ANC
62.6%, NP 20.4%, IFP 10.5%, FF 2.2%, DP 1.7%, PAC 1.2%, ACDP 0.5%,
other 0.9%; seats by party - ANC 252, NP 82, IFP 43, FF 9, DP 7, PAC
5, ACDP 2; Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-ANC 61,
NP 17, FF 4, IFP 5, DP 3
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High
Courts; Magistrate Courts
Political parties and leaders: African Christian Democratic Party or
ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE, president]; African National Congress or ANC
[Thabo MBEKI, president]; Democratic Party or DP [Tony LEON,
president]; Freedom Front or FF [Constand VILJOEN, president]; Inkatha
Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI, president]; National Party
or NP [Marthinus VAN SCHALKWYK, executive director]; Pan-Africanist
Congress or PAC [Stanley MOGOBA, president]; United Democratic
Movement or UDM [Roelf MEYER and Bantu HOLOMISA, leaders]
note: 11 other parties won votes in the April 1994 elections but not
enough to gain seats in the National Assembly; moreover, in September
1997, a substantial new party, the United Democratic Movement or UDM,
was formed, with Roelf MEYER and Bantu HOLOMISA as leaders
Political pressure groups and leaders: Congress of South African Trade
Unions or COSATU [Sam SHILOWA, general secretary]; South African
Communist Party or SACP [Charles NQAKULA, general secretary]; South
African National Civics Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi HLONGWANE,
national president]; note-COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance
with the ANC
International organization participation: AfDB, BIS, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,
G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO,
ITU, MTCR, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Franklin SONN
chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607
consulate(s) general: Beverly Hills (California), Chicago, and New
York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James A. JOSEPH
embassy: 877 Pretorius St., Arcadia 0083
mailing address: P.O. GDP: purchasing power parity-$270 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 37%
services: 58% (1995 est.) ); note-an additional 11% of the
workforce is underemployed
Budget:
revenues: $30.5 billion
expenditures: $38 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.6
billion (FY94/95 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: current aid pledges include US $600 million over three years,
1994-96; UK $150 million over three years; Australia $21 million over
three years; Japan $1.3 billion over two years ending in 1996; EU $833
million over five years
Currency: 1 rand (R) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: rand (R) per US$1-4.94193 (January 1998), 4.60796
(1997), 4.29935 (1996), 3.62709 (1995), 3.55080 (1994), 3.26774 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 5,206,235 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 67 (1987 est.) Televisions: 3.45 million (1990 est.) @South Africa:Transportation
Railways:
total: 21,431 km
narrow gauge: 20,995 km 1.067-m gauge (9,087 km electrified); 436 km
0.610-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 331,265 km
paved: 137,475 km (including 1,142 km of expressways)
unpaved: 193,790 km (1995 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 931 km; petroleum products 1,748 km; natural gas
322 km
Ports and harbors: Cape Town, Durban, East London, Mosselbaai, Port
Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha
Merchant marine:
total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 274,797 GRT/270,837 DWT
ships by type: container 6, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
(1997 est.) Airports: 750 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 143
over 3,047 m: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 46
914 to 1,523 m: 74
under 914 m: 9 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 607
1,524 to 2,437 m: 35
914 to 1,523 m: 308
under 914 m: 264 (1997 est.) @South Africa:Military
Military branches: South African National Defense Force or SANDF
(includes Army, Navy, Air Force, and Medical Services), South African
Police Service or SAPS
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 11,144,895 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $2.9 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.2% (FY95/96)
@South Africa:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Swaziland has asked South Africa to open
negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories
that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the
Swazi Kingdom
Illicit drugs: transshipment center for heroin and cocaine; cocaine
consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit
methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various
east African countries; illicit cultivation of marijuana
______________________________________________________________________
SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS
(dependent territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)
@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands:Geography
Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean,
east of the tip of South America
Geographic coordinates: 54 30 S, 37 00 W
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 4,066 sq km
land: 4,066 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Shag Rocks, Clerke Rocks, Bird Island
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: NA km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year,
interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as
snow
Terrain: most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged
and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep,
glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic
origin with some active volcanoes
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Paget 2,915 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some
sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather
conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship;
they are also subject to active volcanism
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: the north coast of South Georgia has several large
bays, which provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in this
century, live on South Georgia
@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands:People
Population: no indigenous population
note: there is a small military garrison on South Georgia, and the
British Antarctic Survey has a biological station on Bird Island; the
South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited
@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
conventional short form: none
Data code: SX
Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK, also claimed by
Argentina; administered from London by a civil commissioner who is
also the governor of the Falkland Islands; Grytviken on South Georgia
is the garrison town
National capital: none; Grytviken on South Georgia is the garrison
town
Legal system: NA
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the
UK, also claimed by Argentina)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of
the UK, also claimed by Argentina)
Flag description: the flag of the UK is used
@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands:Economy
Economy-overview: Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. Budget:
revenues: $291,777
expenditures: $451,000, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988
est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from
raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas;
water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation;
desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Desertification
Geography-note: strategic location along approaches to Strait of
Gibraltar
@Spain:People
Population: 39,133,996 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 15% (male 3,057,919; female 2,879,109)
15-64 years: 69% (male 13,407,270; female 13,408,685)
65 years and over: 16% (male 2,651,149; female 3,729,864) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.08% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.73 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.62 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.51 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The deficit-to-GDP ratio
is 2.3%, the debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to be around 68%, and
inflation is approximately 2%. Unemployment, nonetheless, remains the highest in the EU at 21%. GDP: purchasing power parity-$642.4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 33.6%
services: 62.8% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: 21% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $113 billion
expenditures: $139 billion, including capital expenditures of $15
billion (1995)
Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and
beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding,
automobiles, machine tools, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: -0.8% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 39.583 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 154.144 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 4,026 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar
beets, citrus; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish catch of
867,000 metric tons in 1993
Exports:
total value: $94.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: cars and trucks, semifinished manufactured goods,
foodstuffs, machinery (1994)
partners: EU 72.1%, US 4.2%, other developed countries 7.9% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $118.3 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery, transport equipment, fuels, semifinished
goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals (1994)
partners: EU 65.6%, US 6.6%, other developed countries 11.5%, Middle
East 6.2% (1996)
Debt-external: $90 billion (1993 est.) Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $1.213 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 peseta (Pta) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: pesetas (Ptas) per US$1-153.94 (January 1998), 146.41
(1997), 126.66 (1996), 124.69 (1995), 133.96 (1994), 127.26 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 12.6 million (1990 est.) Television broadcast stations: 100 (repeaters 1,297)
Televisions: 15.7 million (1992 est.) Waterways: 1,045 km, but of minor economic importance
Pipelines: crude oil 265 km; petroleum products 1,794 km; natural gas
1,666 km
Ports and harbors: Aviles, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Cartagena,
Castellon de la Plana, Ceuta, Huelva, La Coruna, Las Palmas (Canary
Islands), Malaga, Melilla, Pasajes, Gijon, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
(Canary Islands), Santander, Tarragona, Valencia, Vigo
Merchant marine:
total: 135 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,043,747 GRT/1,651,634
DWT
ships by type: bulk 10, cargo 30, chemical tanker 7, combination
ore/oil 1, container 8, liquefied gas tanker 3, oil tanker 29,
passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 8, roll-on/roll-off cargo 30,
short-sea passenger 6, specialized tanker 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 98 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 64
over 3,047 m: 15
2,438 to 3,047 m: 11
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 9 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 34
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 21 (1997 est.) Heliports: 2 (1997 est.) @Spain:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Civil Guard,
National Police, Coastal Civil Guard
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 10,387,539 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $6.3 billion (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.4% (1995)
@Spain:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Gibraltar question with UK; Spain controls
five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast
of Morocco-the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which Morocco
contests, as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez
de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas
Illicit drugs: key European gateway country for Latin American cocaine
and North African hashish entering the European market; transshipment
point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin
______________________________________________________________________
SPRATLY ISLANDS
@Spratly Islands:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South
China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the
southern Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 8 38 N, 111 55 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: less than 5 sq km
land: less than 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered
over a large area of the central South China Sea
Area-comparative: NA
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 926 km
Maritime claims: NA
Climate: tropical
Terrain: flat
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m
Natural resources: fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas
potential
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous
reefs and shoals
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategically located near several primary shipping
lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands,
atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
@Spratly Islands:People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several
claimant states
@Spratly Islands:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Spratly Islands
Data code: PG
@Spratly Islands:Economy
Economy-overview: Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: occasional cyclones and tornadoes
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife
populations threatened by poaching; coastal degradation from mining
activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being
polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes
@Sri Lanka:People
Population: 18,933,558 (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.12% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 18.4 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.96 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.33 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Sri Lanka:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form: Sri Lanka
former: Ceylon
Data code: CE
Government type: republic
National capital: Colombo
Administrative divisions: 8 provinces; Central, North Central, North
Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
Independence: 4 February 1948 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence and National Day, 4 February (1948)
Constitution: adopted 16 August 1978
Legal system: a highly complex mixture of English common law,
Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12
November 1994); note-Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE is the prime minister; in
Sri Lanka the president is considered to be both the chief of state
and the head of the government, this is in contrast to the more common
practice of dividing the roles between the president and the prime
minister when both offices exist
head of government: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA
(since 12 November 1994); note-Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE is the prime
minister; in Sri Lanka the president is considered to be both the
chief of state and the head of the government, this is in contrast to
the more common practice of dividing the roles between the president
and the prime minister when both offices exist
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the
prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
election last held 9 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 2000)
election results: Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA elected
president; percent of vote - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA
(People's Alliance) 62%, Srima DISSANAYAKE (United National Party)
37%, other 1%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected
by popular vote on the basis of a modified proportional representation
system to serve six-year terms)
elections: last held 16 August 1994 (next to be held by August 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-PA 49.0%, UNP 44.0%, SLMC
1.8%, TULF 1.7%, SLPF 1.1%, EPDP 0.3%, UPF 0.3%, PLOTE 0.1%, other
1.7%; seats by party-PA 105, UNP 94, EPDP 9, SLMC 7, TULF 5, PLOTE 3,
SLPF 1, UPF 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the Judicial
Service Commission; Court of Appeals
Political parties and leaders: All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), C. G.
Kumar PONNAMBALAM; Ceylon Workers Congress (CLDC), S. THONDAMAN;
Communist Party, K. P. SILVA; Communist Party/Beijing (CP/B), N.
SHANMUGATHASAN; Democratic People's Liberation Front (DPLF), leader
NA; Democratic United National (Lalith) Front (DUNLF), Srimani
ATHULATHMUDALI; Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), Douglas
DEVANANDA; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRL),
Suresh PREMACHANDRAN; Eelam Revolutionary Organization of Students
(EROS), Shankar RAJI; Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Somawansa
AMERASINGHE; Lanka Socialist Party/Trotskyite (LSSP, or Lanka Sama
Samaja Party), Batty WEERAKOON; Liberal Party (LP), Rajira WIJESINGHE;
New Socialist Party (NSSP, or Nava Sama Samaja Party), Vasudeva
NANAYAKKARA; People's Alliance (PA), Chandrika Bandaranaike
KUMARATUNGA; People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE),
Uma MAHESWARAN; People's United Front (MEP, or Mahajana Eksath
Peramuna), Dinesh GUNAWARDENE; Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP),
Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC),
M. H. M. ASHRAFF; Sri Lanka People's Party (SLMP, or Sri Lanka
Mahajana Party), Y. P. DE SILVA; Sri Lanka Progressive Front (SLPF),
Ariya BULEGODA; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), M. K.
SIVAJILINGHAM; Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), M.
SIVASITHAMBARAM; United National Party (UNP), Ranil WICHREMESINGHE;
Upcountry People's Front (UPF), Periyasamy CHANDRASEKARAN; Desha
Vimukthi Janatha Party (DVJP), P.M. Podi APPUHAMY; several ethnic
Tamil and Muslim parties, represented in either parliament or
provincial councils
note: the United Socialist Alliance (USA), which was formed in 1987
and included the NSSP, LSSP, SLMP, CP/M, and CP/B, was defunct as of
1993, following the formation of the People's Alliance Party (PA)
Political pressure groups and leaders: Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE); other radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups; Buddhist
clergy; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups; labor unions
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP,
FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ISO, ITU, NAM, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Warnasena RASAPUTRAM
chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028
FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Shaun E. DONNELLY
embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3
mailing address: P. O. By 1996
plantation crops made up only 20% of exports, while textiles and
garments accounted for 63%. The economy rebounded in
second half 1996, however, and continued to perform well in 1997 with
growth of 6%. GDP: purchasing power parity-$72.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 18.4%
industry: 18%
services: 63.6% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 9.6% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 6.2 million (1997)
by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 37%, industry 17% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 11% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $3 billion
expenditures: $4.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1
billion (1997 est.) ); note-in addition, there are 114,888
mobile telephones (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 5
Televisions: 1.6 million (1996 est.) @Sri Lanka:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,501 km
broad gauge: 1,442 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 99,200 km
paved: 39,680 km
unpaved: 59,520 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 430 km; navigable by shallow-draft craft
Pipelines: crude oil and petroleum products 62 km (1987)
Ports and harbors: Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Trincomalee
Merchant marine:
total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 204,542 GRT/317,253 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 13, container 1, oil tanker 2,
refrigerated cargo 6 (1997 est.) Airports: 13 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 12
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Sri Lanka:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 5,147,100 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $736 million (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 5.7% (1997)
@Sri Lanka:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
SUDAN
@Sudan:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and
Eritrea
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 2,505,810 sq km
land: 2.376 million sq km
water: 129,810 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 7,687 km
border countries: Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km,
Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605
km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km
Coastline: 853 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season (April
to October)
Terrain: generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in east and west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Red Sea 0 m
highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m
Natural resources: petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper,
chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 46%
forests and woodland: 19%
other: 30% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: dust storms
Environment-current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water;
wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion;
desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and
its tributaries
@Sudan:People
Population: 33,550,552 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 7,769,266; female 7,449,510)
15-64 years: 52% (male 8,818,018; female 8,778,485)
65 years and over: 3% (male 410,170; female 325,103) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.73% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 39.94 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.88 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 1.26 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 72.64 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$26.6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 33%
industry: 17%
services: 50% (1992 est.) by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 10%, government
6%
note: labor shortages for almost all categories of skilled employment
(1983 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (FY92/93 est.) Budget:
revenues: $482 million
expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $30
million (1996)
Industries: cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap
distilling, shoes, petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $387 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Sudanese pound (£Sd) = 100 piastres
Exchange rates: Sudanese pounds (£Sd) per US$1-official rate: 1,602.70
(July 1997), 1,250.79 (1996), 580.87 (1995), 289.61 (1994), 159.31
(1993); market rate: 1,612.90 (July 1997), 1,250.79 (1996), 571.02
(August 1995), 289.61 (1994), 159.31 (1993), 97.43 (1992)
note: the market rate is a unified exchange rate determined by a
committee of local bankers, without official intervention, and is
quoted uniformly by all commercial banks
Fiscal year: calendar year
note: prior to July 1995, Sudan had a fiscal year that began on 1 July
and ended on 30 June; as a transition to their new fiscal year, a
six-month budget was implemented for 1 July-31 December 1995; the new
calendar year (1 January-31 December) fiscal year became effective 1
January 1996
Communications
Telephones: 77,215 (1983 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 2.06 million (1992 est.) @Sudan:Transportation
Railways:
total: 5,516 km
narrow gauge: 4,800 km 1.067-m gauge; 716 km 1.6096-m gauge plantation
line
Highways:
total: 11,900 km
paved: 4,320 km
unpaved: 7,580 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 5,310 km navigable
Pipelines: refined products 815 km
Ports and harbors: Juba, Khartoum, Kusti, Malakal, Nimule, Port Sudan,
Sawakin
Merchant marine:
total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 38,093 GRT/49,727 DWT
ships by type: cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 65 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 12
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 53
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 29
under 914 m: 11 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Sudan:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Popular Defense Force
Militia
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 7,690,798 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Sudan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: administrative boundary with Kenya does not
coincide with international boundary; administrative boundary with
Egypt does not coincide with international boundary creating the
"Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km
______________________________________________________________________
SURINAME
@Suriname:Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between French Guiana and Guyana
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 56 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total: 163,270 sq km
land: 161,470 sq km
water: 1,800 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,707 km
border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km
Coastline: 386 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
highest point: Wilhelmina Gebergte 1,286 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower potential, fish, kaolin, shrimp,
bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: NA
permanent crops: NA
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 96%
other: 4% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: deforestation as timber is cut for export;
pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography-note: mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora
and fauna which for the most part is increasingly threatened by new
development; relatively small population most of which lives along the
coast
@Suriname:People
Population: 427,980 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 72,945; female 69,468)
15-64 years: 62% (male 133,840; female 129,452)
65 years and over: 5% (male 10,309; female 11,966) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.77% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.48 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.79 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -8.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 27.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.44 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 33%
services: 53% (1994)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 8% (1997 est.) commodities: alumina, aluminum, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
partners: Norway 33%, Netherlands 26%, US 13%, Japan 6%, Brazil 6%, UK
3% (1994)
Imports:
total value: $490 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton,
consumer goods
partners: US 40%, Netherlands 24%, Trinidad and Tobago 11%, Japan 3%
(1994)
Debt-external: $216 million (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: the Netherlands provided a 1996 aid package of $224 million
to Suriname, Aruba, and the Netherlands Antilles
Currency: 1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) Television broadcast stations: 10 (1998 est.) Televisions: 59,598 (1993 est.) Waterways: 1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing
vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the
principal waterways
Ports and harbors: Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam,
Wageningen
Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, container 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 45 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 40
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 33 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $8.5 million (1997 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.6% (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -3.55% (1998 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
Ethnic groups: Russian and Ukrainian 62%, Norwegian 38%, other NEGL%
(1994)
Languages: Russian, Norwegian
@Svalbard:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as
Spitzbergen)
Data code: SV
Dependency status: territory of Norway; administered by the Ministry
of Industry, Oslo, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in
Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was
given to Norway
Government type: NA
National capital: Longyearbyen
Independence: none (territory of Norway)
National holiday: NA
Legal system: NA
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991)
head of government: Governor Ann-Krisitin OLSEN (since NA) and
Assistant Governor Jan-Atle HANSEN (since NA September 1993)
elections: none; the king is a hereditary monarch; governor and
assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry
of Justice
International organization participation: none
Flag description: the flag of Norway is used
@Svalbard:Economy
Economy-overview: Coal mining is the major economic activity on
Svalbard. There is also some trapping
of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus. Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: limited supplies of potable water;
wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting;
overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South
Africa
@Swaziland:People
Population: 966,462 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 223,649; female 224,782)
15-64 years: 51% (male 238,547; female 255,137)
65 years and over: 3% (male 9,625; female 14,722) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.96% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 41 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 21.4 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 103.37 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Swaziland:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland
conventional short form: Swaziland
Data code: WZ
Government type: monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth
National capital: Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative)
Administrative divisions: 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini,
Shiselweni
Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK)
National holiday: Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968)
Constitution: none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended 12
April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but
has not been formally presented to the people
Legal system: based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory
courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA; note-no suffrage before September 1993; 55 of the 65
seats in the House of Assembly were filled by popular vote in the
elections of September and October 1993; of a population of less than
1 million, the electorate numbered 283,693
Executive branch:
chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
head of government: Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas DLAMINI (since 9
August 1996)
cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by
the king
elections: none; the king is a hereditary monarch; prime minister
appointed by the king
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory
body, consists of the Senate (20 seats, 10 appointed by the House of
Assembly and 10 appointed by the king; members serve five-year terms)
and the House of Assembly (65 seats, 10 appointed by the king and 55
elected by secret, popular vote; members serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Assembly-last held 26 September and 11 October
1993 (next to be held NA 1998)
election results: House of Assembly-balloting is done on a nonparty
basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local council of
each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with
the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single
winner by a second round
Judicial branch: High Court, judges are appointed by the king; Court
of Appeal, judges are appointed by the king
Political parties and leaders:
note: political parties are banned by the constitution promulgated on
13 October 1978; illegal parties are prohibited from holding large
public gatherings
illegal parties: Peoples' United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario
MASUKU]; Swaziland Youth Congress or SWAYOCO (included in PUDEMO);
Swaziland Communist Party or SWACOPA [Mphandlana SHONGWE]; Swaziland
Liberation Front or FROLISA; Convention for Full Democracy in
Swaziland or COFUDESWA [Sabelo DLAMINI]; Swaziland National Front or
SWANAFRO; Ngwane Socialist Revolutionary Party or NGWASOREP; Swaziland
Democratic Alliance (represents key opposition parties) [Jerry
NXUMALO]; Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions or SFTU [Jan SITHOLE]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,
G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KANYA
chancery: Suite 3M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 362-6683
FAX: [1] (202) 244-8059
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alan R. McKEE
embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane
mailing address: P. O. Exports of soft drink concentrate, sugar and wood pulp are the main
earners of hard currency. Overgrazing, soil depletion, and drought persist
as problems for the future. GDP: purchasing power parity-$3.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 42%
services: 48% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $400 million
expenditures: $450 million, including capital expenditures of $115
million (FY96/97)
Industries: mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink
concentrates
Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (FY95/96)
Electricity-capacity: 130,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 407 million kWh (1995)
note: imports 60% of its electricity from South Africa
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,062 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: sugarcane, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, citrus,
pineapples, corn, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep
Exports:
total value: $893 million (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn
(1995)
partners: South Africa 58%, EU 20%, Mozambique 6% (1994)
Imports:
total value: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment,
foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals (1995)
partners: South Africa 88%, Japan, UK, US (FY94/95)
Debt-external: $194 million (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 lilangeni (E) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: emalangeni (E) per US$1-4.9417 (January 1998), 4.5998
(1997), 4.2706 (1996), 3.6266 (1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993);
note-the Swazi emalangeni are at par with the South African rand
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 30,364 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 10
Televisions: 12,500 (1992 est.) @Swaziland:Transportation
Railways:
total: 297 km; note-includes 71 km which are not in use
narrow gauge: 297 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 2,885 km
paved: 814 km
unpaved: 2,071 km (1994 est.) Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 18 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.) @Swaziland:Military
Military branches: Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (Army), Royal
Swaziland Police Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 215,708 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $22 million (FY93/94)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Swaziland:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Swaziland has asked South Africa to open
negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories
that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the
Swazi Kingdom
______________________________________________________________________
SWEDEN
@Sweden:Geography
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia,
Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 449,964 sq km
land: 410,928 sq km
water: 39,036 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 2,205 km
border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km
Coastline: 3,218 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines
territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of
straits to high seas)
Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly
cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Natural resources: zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber,
uranium, hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 1%
forests and woodland: 68%
other: 24% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in
the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Environment-current issues: acid rain damaging soils and lakes;
pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic
and North Seas
@Sweden:People
Population: 8,886,738 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 852,520; female 808,600)
15-64 years: 64% (male 2,885,783; female 2,792,964)
65 years and over: 17% (male 653,631; female 893,240) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.26% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 11.7 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.78 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Sweden has harmonized its economic policies with those of the EU,
which it joined at the start of 1995. Sweden has decided not to join
the EMU (European Monetary Union). GDP: purchasing power parity-$176.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 27%
services: 71% (1993)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $109.4 billion
expenditures: $146.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96)
Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and
telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed
foods, motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 2.6% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 35.462 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 142.913 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 15,996 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: grains, sugar beets, potatoes; meat, milk
Exports:
total value: $84.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood,
iron and steel products, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products
partners: EU 59.1% (Germany 13.2%, UK 10.2%, Denmark 6.9%, France
5.1%), Norway 8.1%, Finland 4.8%, US 8.0% (1994)
Imports:
total value: $66.6 billion (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals,
motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing
partners: EU 62.6% (Germany 18.4%, UK 9.5%, Denmark 6.6%, France
5.5%), Finland 6.3%, Norway 6.1%, US 8.5% (1994)
Debt-external: $66.5 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $1.769 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1-8.0085 (January 1998),
7.6349 (1997), 6.7060 (1996), 7.1333 (1995), 7.7160 (1994), 7.7834
(1993)
Fiscal year: 1 January-31 December (Sweden changed its fiscal year
from 1 July - 30 June in 1995)
Communications
Telephones: 13 million (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 880 (mostly repeaters)
Televisions: 3.5 million
@Sweden:Transportation
Railways:
total: 11,837 km (includes 1,955 km of privately-owned railways)
standard gauge: 11,837 km 1.435-m gauge (7,317 km electrified and
1,152 km double track) (1996)
Highways:
total: 138,000 km
paved: 105,018 km (including 1,330 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,982 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges
Pipelines: natural gas 84 km
Ports and harbors: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall,
Kalmar, Karlshamn, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall
Merchant marine:
total: 164 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,036,831 GRT/1,919,367
DWT
ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 33, chemical tanker 27, combination
ore/oil 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 29, railcar carrier 1,
refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 41, short-sea passenger
7, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 12 (1997 est.) Airports: 255 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 145
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 83
914 to 1,523 m: 27
under 914 m: 24 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 110
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 105 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Sweden:Military
Military branches: Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,088,061 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $5.8 billion (FY94/95)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY94/95)
@Sweden:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for and consumer of narcotics
shipped via the CIS and Baltic states; increasing consumer of European
amphetamines
______________________________________________________________________
SWITZERLAND
@Switzerland:Geography
Location: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 41,290 sq km
land: 39,770 sq km
water: 1,520 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,852 km
border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,
Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy,
rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with
occasional showers
Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a
central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m
highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 28%
forests and woodland: 32%
other: 28% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: avalanches, landslides, flash floods
Environment-current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions and
open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of
agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
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: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern
Europe; along with southeastern France and northern Italy, contains
the highest elevations in Europe
@Switzerland:People
Population: 7,260,357 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 642,365; female 613,931)
15-64 years: 68% (male 2,506,653; female 2,415,647)
65 years and over: 15% (male 436,804; female 644,957) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.22% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 10.81 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.03 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.92 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$172.4 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.8%
industry: 31.1%
services: 66.1% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: -0.1% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 3.8 million (850,000 foreign workers, mostly Italian)
by occupation: services 67%, manufacturing and construction 29%,
agriculture and forestry 4% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 5% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $25.8 billion
expenditures: $30.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.3
billion (1997)
Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision
instruments
Industrial production growth rate: 0% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 14.27 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 55 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 6,850 kWh (1996 est.) Waterways: 65 km; Rhine (Basel to Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen to
Bodensee); 12 navigable lakes
Pipelines: crude oil 314 km; natural gas 1,506 km
Ports and harbors: Basel
Merchant marine:
total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 424,261 GRT/733,551 DWT
ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 1, chemical tanker 5, oil tanker 2,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 67 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 42
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 15 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 24 (1997 est.) @Switzerland:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification
Guards
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,878,453 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.2 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.2% (1997)
@Switzerland:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: because of more stringent government regulations,
significantly less used as a money-laundering center; transit country
for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin
______________________________________________________________________
SYRIA
@Syria:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between
Lebanon and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 185,180 sq km
land: 184,050 sq km
water: 1,130 sq km
note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory
Area-comparative: slightly larger than North Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 2,253 km
border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon
375 km, Turkey 822 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 41 nm
territorial sea: 35 nm
Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and
mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather
with snow or sleet periodically hitting Damascus
Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain;
mountains in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m
highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m
Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores,
asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum
Land use:
arable land: 28%
permanent crops: 4%
permanent pastures: 43%
forests and woodland: 3%
other: 22% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms
Environment-current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;
desertification; water pollution from dumping of raw sewage and wastes
from petroleum refining; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous
Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography-note: there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use
sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 1997 est.) @Syria:People
Population: 16,673,282 (July 1998 est.) note: in addition, there are 35,150 people living in the
Israeli-occupied Golan Heights-18,150 Arabs (16,500 Druze and 1,650
Alawites) and 17,000 Israeli settlers (August 1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 3,937,575; female 3,748,881)
15-64 years: 51% (male 4,342,022; female 4,157,268)
65 years and over: 3% (male 240,603; female 246,933) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.23% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 37.83 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.55 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 37.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) 2, Damascus
mailing address: P. O. GDP: purchasing power parity-$106.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 14%
services: 58% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 15%-20% (1997 est.) by occupation: services 40%, agriculture 40%, industry 20% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 12% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $3.9 billion
expenditures: $4.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.9
billion (1996 est.) partners: EU 57% (Germany 17%, Italy 16%, France 11%), Lebanon 14%,
Saudi Arabia 7% (1995 est.) Imports:
total value: $5.7 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
commodities: machinery and equipment 40%, foodstuffs/animals 15%,
metal and metal products 15%, textiles 10%, chemicals 10%, consumer
goods 5% (1997 est.) partners: EU 33% (Italy 9%, Germany 8%, France 4%), South Korea 5%, US
4%, Japan 4% (1995 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: $4.2 billion (1990-92)
Currency: 1 Syrian pound (£S) = 100 piastres
Exchange rates: Syrian pounds (£S) per US$1-41.9 (January 1997);
official fixed rate 11.225
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 541,465 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 17
Televisions: 700,000 (1993 est.) Waterways: 870 km; minimal economic importance
Pipelines: crude oil 1,304 km; petroleum products 515 km
Ports and harbors: Baniyas, Jablah, Latakia, Tartus
Merchant marine:
total: 125 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 376,903 GRT/555,679 DWT
ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 110, livestock carrier 3,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 104 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 24
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 80
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 63 (1997 est.) Heliports: 2 (1997 est.) @Syria:Military
Military branches: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air
Force, Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces, Police and Security Force
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 3,899,714 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $800 million-$1 billion (1997
est. ); note-based on official budget data that understate actual
spending
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 8% (1995 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 2,543,524; female 2,367,077)
15-64 years: 69% (male 7,730,185; female 7,472,525)
65 years and over: 9% (male 963,797; female 831,027) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.94% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 14.79 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.42 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.34 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) While the economy remains sound (the government
forecasts 6% GDP growth for 1998), the New Taiwan Dollar depreciated
20% in 1997. Real growth in GDP has averaged about 8.5% a year during
the past three decades. The tightening of
labor markets has led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal and
illegal. GDP: purchasing power parity-$308 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.3%
industry: 35.7%
services: 61% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 0.9% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 9.4 million (1997)
by occupation: services 52%, industry 38%, agriculture 10% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.7% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $40 billion
expenditures: $55 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998
est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 New Taiwan dollar (NT$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars per US$1-32.45 (yearend 1997), 27.5
(1996), 27.4 (1995), 26.2 (1994), 26.6 (1993), 25.4 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 10,010,614 (1996)
Telephone system:
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay trunk system on east and
west coasts
international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean
and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to Japan (Okinawa), Philippines,
Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Middle East, and
Western Europe
Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 23, shortwave 0
Radios: 8.62 million
Television broadcast stations: 15 (repeaters 13)
Televisions: 10.8 million (1996 est.) Pipelines: petroleum products 615 km; natural gas 97 km
Ports and harbors: Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao,
T'ai-chung
Merchant marine:
total: 193 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,621,906 GRT/8,583,808
DWT
ships by type: bulk 49, cargo 30, combination bulk 2, container 81,
oil tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1997
est.) Airports: 40 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 36
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) @Taiwan:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, Coastal
Patrol and Defense Command, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined
Service Forces
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 6,476,878 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $11.5 billion (FY96/97)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.6% (FY96/97)
@Taiwan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: involved in complex dispute over the Spratly
Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly
Brunei; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and
Taiwan; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku
Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does China
Illicit drugs: considered an important heroin transit point; major
problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamines and heroin
______________________________________________________________________
TAJIKISTAN
Introduction
Current issues: Tajikistan has experienced three changes of government
and a civil war since it gained independence in September 1991. A peace agreement was signed in June
1997, but implementation is progressing slowly. @Tajikistan:Geography
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total: 143,100 sq km
land: 142,700 sq km
water: 400 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Wisconsin
Land boundaries:
total: 3,651 km
border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870
km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid
to polar in Pamir Mountains
Terrain: Pamirs and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana
Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Syrdariya 300 m
highest point: Qullai Kommunizm 7,495 m
Natural resources: significant hydropower potential, some petroleum,
uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 25%
forests and woodland: 4%
other: 65% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: inadequate sanitation facilities;
increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive
pesticides; part of the basin of the shrinking Aral Sea suffers from
severe overutilization of available water for irrigation and
associated pollution
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Ozone Layer
Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked
@Tajikistan:People
Population: 6,020,095 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 41% (male 1,258,424; female 1,230,891)
15-64 years: 54% (male 1,616,257; female 1,636,732)
65 years and over: 5% (male 118,485; female 159,306) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.3% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 27.67 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.77 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -6.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 112.14 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Tajikistan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan
conventional short form: Tajikistan
local long form: Jumhurii Tojikistan
local short form: none
former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: TI
Government type: republic
National capital: Dushanbe
Administrative divisions: 2 oblasts (viloyatho, singular-viloyat) and
one autonomous oblast* (viloyati avtonomii); Viloyati Avtonomii
Badakhshoni Kuni* (Khorugh-formerly Khorog), Viloyati Khatlon
(Qurghonteppa-formerly Kurgan-Tyube), Viloyati Leninobod
(Khujand-formerly Leninabad)
note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses
Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 9 September (1991)
Constitution: 6 November 1994
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994;
head of state and Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Yahyo AZIMOV (since 8 February
1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president who proposes
them to the Supreme Assembly for approval
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 6 November 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Emomali RAHMONOV elected president; percent of
vote-Emomali RAHMONOV 58%, Abdumalik ABDULLOJANOV 40%
Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli (181
seats; members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 26 February and 12 March 1995 (next to be held NA
2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; estimated seats by
party-Communist Party and affiliates 100, People's Party 10, Party of
People's Unity 6, Party of Economic and Political Renewal 1, other 64
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan
or PPT [Emomali RAHMONOV]; National Revival Bloc (Party of Popular
Unity and Accord or PPUA) [Abdumalik ABDULLOJONOV]; Tajik Communist
Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV]; Democratic Party or TDP [Jumaboy
NIYAZOV, chairman]; Islamic Renaissance Party or IRP [Mohammed Sharif
HIMATZODA, chairman]; Rebirth (Rastokhez) [Takhir ABDUZHABOROV]; Lali
Badakhshan Society [Atobek AMIRBEKOV]; Tajikistan Party of Economic
and Political Renewal or TPEPR; Citizenship, Patriotism, Unity Party
[Bobokhon MAHMADOV]; Adolatho "Justice" Party [Abdurahmon KARIMOV,
chairman]; Congress of Popular Unity [Saifuddin TURAYEV]; Party of
Justice and Development [Rahmutullo ZAINAV]
International organization participation: CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO,
ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, IOC,
IOM, ITU, OIC, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: Tajikistan does not have an
embassy in the US, but has a mission at the UN: address-136 East 67th
Street, New York, NY 10021, telephone-[1] (212) 472-7645, FAX-[1]
(212) 628-0252; permanent representative to the UN is Rashid ALIMOV
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador R. Grant SMITH
embassy: interim chancery, Oktyabrskaya Hotel, 105A Prospect Rudaki,
Dushanbe 734001
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [7] (3772) 21-03-56
FAX: Telex [7] (3772) 20-03-62
Flag description: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider
stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven
five-pointed gold stars is located in the center of the white stripe
@Tajikistan:Economy
Economy-overview: Tajikistan has the lowest per capita GDP among the
former Soviet republics. GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 25%
industry: 35%
services: 40% (1997)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 40% (1996 est.) commodities: cotton, aluminum, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles
partners: FSU 78%, Netherlands (1994)
Imports:
total value: $657 million (1996 est.) commodities: fuel, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment,
textiles, foodstuffs
partners: FSU 55%, Switzerland, UK (1994)
Debt-external: $635 million (of which $250 million to Russia) (1995
est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $22 million (1993)
note: commitments, $885 million (disbursements $115 million) (1992-95)
Currency: the Tajikistani ruble (TJR) = 100 tanga; Tajikistan
introduced its own currency in May 1995
Exchange rates: Tajikistani rubles (TJR) per US$1-350 (January 1997),
284 (January 1996)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 303,000 (1991 est.) Pipelines: natural gas 400 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 59 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 14
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 45
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 36 (1994 est.) @Tajikistan:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Presidential National Guard,
Security Forces (internal and border troops)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,432,800 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 180 billion rubles (1995);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.4% (1995)
@Tajikistan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: most of the boundary with China in dispute;
territorial dispute with Kyrgyzstan on northern boundary in Isfara
Valley area
Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium
poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; increasingly used as
transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia to Russia
and Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
TANZANIA
@Tanzania:Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya
and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 35 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 945,090 sq km
land: 886,040 sq km
water: 59,050 sq km
note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Area-comparative: slightly larger than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 3,402 km
border countries: Burundi 451 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km,
Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km
Coastline: 1,424 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north,
south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential, tin, phosphates, iron ore,
coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 40%
forests and woodland: 38%
other: 18% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: the tsetse fly; flooding on the central plateau
during the rainy season
Environment-current issues: soil degradation; deforestation;
desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats;
recent droughts affected marginal agriculture
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa
@Tanzania:People
Population: 30,608,769 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 6,804,194; female 6,844,815)
15-64 years: 53% (male 7,835,705; female 8,236,949)
65 years and over: 2% (male 408,827; female 478,279) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.14% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 40.75 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 16.71 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -2.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 96.94 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Tanzania:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania
conventional short form: Tanzania
former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar
Data code: TZ
Government type: republic
National capital: Dar es Salaam
note: some government offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which
is planned as the new national capital by the end of the 1990s; the
National Assembly now meets there on regular basis
Administrative divisions: 25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma,
Iringa, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara,
Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga,
Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North,
Zanzibar Urban/West, Ziwa Magharibi
note: although some recent maps have referred to Ziwa Magharibi as
Kagera, the US Board on Geographic Names has not approved the change
Independence: 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December
1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became
independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with
Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and
Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964
National holiday: Union Day, 26 April (1964)
Constitution: 25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23 November
1995); Vice President Omar Ali JUMA (since 23 November 1995); note the
president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23
November 1995); Vice President Omar Ali JUMA (since 23 November 1995);
note-the president is both chief of state and head of government
note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for
matters internal to Zanzibar; Dr. Salmin AMOUR was elected to that
office on 22 October 1995 in a popular election
cabinet: Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are
appointed by the president from among the members of the National
Assembly
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by
popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 29 October-19
November 1995 (next to be held NA October 2000); prime minister
appointed by the president
election results: percent of vote-Benjamin William MKAPA 62%, MREMA
28%, LIPUMBA 6%, CHEYO 4%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274
seats-232 directly elected by universal adult suffrage, 37 allocated
to women nominated by the president, five to members of the Zanzibar
House of Representatives; members serve five-year terms); note-in
addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of
Tanzania, the Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland;
Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives to make laws especially
for Zanzibar (the Zanzibar House of Representatives has 50 seats,
directly elected by universal suffrage to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 29 October-19 November 1995 (next to be held NA
October 2000)
election results: National Assembly: percent of vote by party-NA;
seats by party-CCM 186, CUF 24, NCCR-Mageuzi 16, CHADEMA 3, UDP 3;
Zanzibar House of Representatives: percent of vote by party-NA; seats
by party-CCM 26, CUF 24
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court, judges appointed by the
president
Political parties and leaders: Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM
(Revolutionary Party) [Benjamin William MKAPA]; Civic United Front or
CUF [Seif Sharif HAMAD]; National Convention for Construction and
Reform or NCCR [Lyatonga (Augustine) MREMA]; Union for Multiparty
Democracy or UMD [Abdullah FUNDIKIRA]; Chama Cha Demokrasia na
Maendeleo or CHADEMA [Edwin I. M. MTEI, chairman]; Democratic Party
(unregistered) [Reverend MTIKLA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John
CHEYO]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB,
ECA, FAO, G- 6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MONUA, NAM,
OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mustafa Salim NYANG'ANYI
chancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125
FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires John LANGE
embassy: 36 Laibon Road (off Bagamoyo Road), Dar es Salaam
mailing address: P. O. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts
for 57% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 90% of the work
force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated
crops to only 4% of the land area. The economic recovery program announced in mid-1986
has generated notable increases in agricultural production and
financial support for the program by bilateral donors. GDP: purchasing power parity-$21.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 57%
industry: 17%
services: 26% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $959 million
expenditures: $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $214
million (FY96/97 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Tanzanian shilling (TSh) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Tanzanian shillings (TSh) per US$1-631.61 (January
1998), 612.12 (1997), 579.98 (1996), 574.76 (1995), 509.63 (1994),
405.27 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 137,000 (1989 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1995 est. ); note-all on Zanzibar
Televisions: 55,000 (1993 est.) @Tanzania:Transportation
Railways:
total: 3,569 km (1995)
narrow gauge: 2,600 km 1.000-m gauge; 969 km 1.067-m gauge
note: the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which operates
1,860 km of 1.067-m narrow gauge track between Dar es Salaam and New
Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia (of which 969 km are in Tanzania and 891 km
are in Zambia) is not a part of Tanzania Railways Corporation; because
of the difference in gauge, this system does not connect to Tanzania
Railways
Highways:
total: 88,200 km
paved: 3,704 km
unpaved: 84,496 km (1996 est.) Waterways: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa
Pipelines: crude oil 982 km
Ports and harbors: Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Kilwa Masoko, Lindi,
Mtwara, Mwanza, Pangani, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar
Merchant marine:
total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,371 GRT/41,269 DWT
ships by type: cargo 3, oil tanker 2, passenger-cargo 2,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 123 (1997 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: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 112
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 60
under 914 m: 35 (1997 est.) @Tanzania:Military
Military branches: Tanzanian People's Defense Force or TPDF (includes
Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary Police Field Force Unit,
Militia
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 6,935,184 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $69 million (FY94/95)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Tanzania:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: dispute with Malawi over the boundary in Lake
Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Democratic Republic of the Congo-Tanzania-Zambia
tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it has
been informally reported that the indefinite section of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo-Zambia boundary has been settled
Illicit drugs: growing role in transshipment of Southwest and
Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for
European and US markets and of South Asian methaqualone bound for
Southern Africa
______________________________________________________________________
THAILAND
@Thailand:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of
Thailand, southeast of Burma
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 514,000 sq km
land: 511,770 sq km
water: 2,230 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
Land boundaries:
total: 4,863 km
border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km,
Malaysia 506 km
Coastline: 3,219 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to
September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March);
southern isthmus always hot and humid
Terrain: central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains
elsewhere
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum,
timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite
Land use:
arable land: 34%
permanent crops: 6%
permanent pastures: 2%
forests and woodland: 26%
other: 32% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the
depletion of the water table; droughts
Environment-current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions;
water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil
erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and
Singapore
@Thailand:People
Population: 60,037,366 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 7,440,863; female 7,169,837)
15-64 years: 70% (male 20,605,197; female 21,210,697)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,596,267; female 2,014,505) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.97% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 16.76 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.79 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 30.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Thailand:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form: Thailand
Data code: TH
Government type: constitutional monarchy
National capital: Bangkok
Administrative divisions: 76 provinces (changwat, singular and
plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat,
Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon,
Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep
Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son,
Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom,
Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat,
Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani,
Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit,
Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri,
Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo,
Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri,
Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat
Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai
Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927)
Constitution: new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October
1997
Legal system: based on civil law system, with influences of common
law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)
head of government: Prime Minister CHUAN Likphai (since 15 November
1997)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
note: there is also a Privy Council
elections: none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime minister
designated from among the members of the House of Representatives;
following a national election for the House of Representatives, the
leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually
becomes prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists
of the Senate or Wuthisapha (a 270-member appointed body; members
serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha
Phuthaen Ratsadon (393 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve
four-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives-last held 17 November 1996 (next
must be held by 17 November 2000, but may be held earlier)
election results: House of Representatives-percent of vote by
party-NA; seats by party - NAP 125, DP 123, NDP 52, TNP 39, SAP 20,
TCP 18, SP 8, LDP 4, MP 2, other 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the king
Political parties and leaders: Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai
Party), BANHAN Sinlapa-acha; Democratic Party (DP or Prachathipat
Party), CHUAN Likphai; New Aspiration Party (NAP or Khwamwang Mai),
Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut; National Development Party (NDP or Chat
Phattana), leader NA; Phalang Dharma Party (PDP or Phalang Tham),
SUDARAT Keyuraphan; Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom Party),
MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or Prachakon Thai),
SAMAK Sunthonwet; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), PHINIT
Charusombat; Solidarity Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI
Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. GDP: purchasing power parity-$525 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 28.7%
services: 61.3% (1997)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 5.6% (1997 est.) by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry 15%, services (including
government) 31% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.5%
Budget:
revenues: $24 billion
expenditures: $25 billion, including capital expenditures of $8
billion (FY96/97)
Industries: tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing,
beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry;
electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated
circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten
producer and third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate: -15% (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 11 (in government-controlled network)
Televisions: 3.3 million (1993 est.) @Thailand:Transportation
Railways:
total: 4,623 km
narrow gauge: 4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)
Highways:
total: 64,600 km
paved: 62,985 km
unpaved: 1,615 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable
depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; numerous minor waterways
navigable by shallow-draft native craft
Pipelines: petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km
Ports and harbors: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip,
Si Racha, Songkhla
Merchant marine:
total: 304 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,997,060 GRT/3,270,988
DWT
ships by type: bulk 48, cargo 145, chemical tanker 7, container 9,
liquefied gas tanker 13, multi-function large load carrier 3, oil
tanker 62, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo
2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 106 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 55
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 20
under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 51
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 34 (1997 est.) Heliports: 3 (1997 est.) @Thailand:Military
Military branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal
Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 17,296,871 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $4 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY94/95)
@Thailand:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: parts of the border with Laos are indefinite;
maritime boundary with Vietnam resolved, August 1997; parts of border
with Cambodia are indefinite; maritime boundary with Cambodia not
clearly defined
Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major
illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug
market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area
of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring
countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication
efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; role in amphetamine
production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of
methamphetamines and heroin
______________________________________________________________________
TOGO
@Togo:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin
and Ghana
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 56,790 sq km
land: 54,390 sq km
water: 2,400 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,647 km
border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km
Coastline: 56 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 30 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern
plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pic Agou 986 m
Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble
Land use:
arable land: 38%
permanent crops: 7%
permanent pastures: 4%
forests and woodland: 17%
other: 34% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in
north during winter; periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: deforestation attributable to
slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; recent
droughts affecting agriculture
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Togo:People
Population: 4,905,827 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 1,190,812; female 1,180,739)
15-64 years: 49% (male 1,175,570; female 1,252,274)
65 years and over: 3% (male 48,483; female 57,949) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.52% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 45.23 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 79.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Cocoa, coffee, and
cotton together generate about 30% of export earnings. Political unrest, including private and public sector strikes
throughout 1992 and 1993, has jeopardized the reform program, shrunk
the tax base, and disrupted vital economic activity. GDP: purchasing power parity-$6.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 32%
industry: 23%
services: 45% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 15.7% (1995)
Labor force:
total: 1.538 million (1993 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $232 million
expenditures: $252 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.) Imports:
total value: $404 million (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, petroleum
products
partners: Ghana 17.1%, China 13.3%, France 12.5%, Cameroon 6.0% (1995
est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 (relays 2)
Televisions: 24,000 (1992 est.) @Togo:Transportation
Railways:
total: 525 km (1995)
narrow gauge: 525 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 7,520 km
paved: 2,376 km
unpaved: 5,144 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 50 km Mono river
Ports and harbors: Kpeme, Lome
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 9 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) @Togo:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,058,480 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $48 million (1993)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.9% (1993)
@Togo:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers
______________________________________________________________________
TOKELAU
(territory of New Zealand)
@Tokelau:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of three islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 10 sq km
land: 10 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 101 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)
Terrain: low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile)
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -1.35% (1998 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: Tokelauan(s)
adjective: Tokelauan
Ethnic groups: Polynesian
Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%,
other 2%
note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on
Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the
Congregational Christian Church predominant
Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English
@Tokelau:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tokelau
Data code: TL
Dependency status: territory of New Zealand; note-Tokelauans are
drafting a constitution, developing institutions and patterns of
self-government as Tokelau moves toward fee association with
Wellington
Government type: NA
National capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center
Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand)
Independence: none (territory of New Zealand)
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi
established British sovereignty over New Zealand)
Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as
amended in 1970
Legal system: British and local statutes
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952);
the queen and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay
WATT (since NA March 1993)
head of government: Aliki Faipule FALIMATEAO (since NA 1997)
cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders,
one from each atoll; functions as a cabinet
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; administrator
appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand;
the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and
serves a one-year term
Legislative branch: unicameral General Fono (45 seats-15 from each of
the three atolls; members chosen by each atoll's Council of Elders or
Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note-the Tokelau Amendment Act
of 1996 confers legislative power on the General Fono
Judicial branch: Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and
criminal jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: SPC, WHO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of New Zealand)
Flag description: the flag of New Zealand is used
@Tokelau:Economy
Economy-overview: Tokelau's small size, isolation, and lack of
resources greatly restrain economic development and confine
agriculture to the subsistence level. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.5 million (1993 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $430,830
expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300
(1987 est.) Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
@Tokelau:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports: none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Western
Samoa
@Tokelau:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
@Tokelau:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
TONGA
@Tonga:Geography
Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 748 sq km
land: 718 sq km
water: 30 sq km
Area-comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 419 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to
May), cool season (May to December)
Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral
formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m
Natural resources: fish, fertile soil
Land use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 43%
permanent pastures: 6%
forests and woodland: 11%
other: 16% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.81% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 26.43 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.07 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 38.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The economy grew at a declining rate in 1993-96. GDP: purchasing power parity-$239 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 32%
industry: 10%
services: 58% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.8% (FY93/94)
Budget:
revenues: $49 million
expenditures: $120 million, including capital expenditures of $75
million (FY96/97 est.) Imports:
total value: $82.9 million (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: food products, live animals, machinery and transport
equipment, manufactures, fuels, chemicals
partners: NZ 34%, Australia 16%, US 10%, UK 8%, Japan 6% (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1995)
Televisions: 2,000 (1994 est.) @Tonga:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 680 km
paved: 184 km
unpaved: 496 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai
Merchant marine:
total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,278 GRT/16,441 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo
1 (1997 est.) Airports: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical
storms
Environment-current issues: water pollution from agricultural
chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of
beaches; deforestation; soil erosion
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Trinidad and Tobago:People
Population: 1,116,595 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 159,353; female 152,898)
15-64 years: 65% (male 375,889; female 347,115)
65 years and over: 7% (male 36,627; female 44,713) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -1.27% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 14.89 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -19.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.84 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Trinidad and Tobago:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago
Data code: TD
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Port-of-Spain
Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**;
Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint
David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria
Independence: 31 August 1962 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962)
Constitution: 1 August 1976
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Arthur Napoleon Raymond ROBINSON (since 19
March 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Basdeo PANDAY (since 9 November
1995)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament
elections: president elected by an electoral college that consists of
the members of the Senate and House of Representatives for a five-year
term; election last held NA February 1997 (next to be held NA 2002);
prime minister appointed from among the members of Parliament;
following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in
the House of Representatives is usually appointed prime minister
election results: Arthur Napoleon Raymond ROBINSON elected president;
percent of electoral college vote-69%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate (31
seats; members appointed by the president for a maximum term of five
years) and a House of Representatives (36 seats; members are elected
by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives-last held 6 November 1995 (next to
be held by December 2000)
election results: House of Representatives-percent of vote-PNM 52%,
UNC 42.2%, NAR 5.2%; seats by party-PNM 15, UNC 19, NAR 1, independent
1; note-the UNC formed a coalition with the NAR
note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly with 15 members
serving four-year terms
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the
president on the advice of the prime minister; Supreme Court, judges
are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: People's National Movement (PNM),
Patrick MANNING; United National Congress (UNC), Basdeo PANDAY;
National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), Nizam MOHAMMED; Movement
for Social Transformation (MOTION), David ABDULLAH; National Joint
Action Committee (NJAC), Makandal DAAGA; National Development Party
(NDP), Carson CHARLES; Movement for Unity and Progress (MUP), Hulsie
BHAGGAN
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES,
NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Michael A. ARNEAUD
chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490
FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130
consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward E. SHUMAKER, III
embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain
mailing address: P. O. Unemployment - a main cause of the country's
socio-economic problems-is high, but has decreased to its lowest point
in five years. GDP: purchasing power parity-$13.2 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 45%
services: 53% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: 16.1% (December 1996)
Budget:
revenues: $1.7 billion
expenditures: $1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $243
million (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $10 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$) per US$1-6.2840
(January 1998), 6.2503 (1997), 6.0051 (1996), 5.9478 (1995), 5.9249
(1994), 5.3511 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 170,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1995 est.) Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.) @Trinidad and Tobago:Transportation
Railways:
note: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; railway
service was discontinued in 1968
Highways:
total: 8,320 km
paved: 4,252 km
unpaved: 4,068 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 1,032 km; petroleum products 19 km; natural gas
904 km
Ports and harbors: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas,
Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,336 GRT/2,567 DWT
(1997 est.) Airports: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.) @Trinidad and Tobago:Military
Military branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (includes Ground
Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 313,018 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $83 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Trinidad and Tobago:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined
for the US and Europe and producer of cannabis
______________________________________________________________________
TROMELIN ISLAND
(possession of France)
@Tromelin Island:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 1 sq km
land: 1 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3.7 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: sandy
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (scattered bushes)
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: climatologically important location for forecasting
cyclones; wildlife sanctuary
@Tromelin Island:People
Population: uninhabited
@Tromelin Island:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Tromelin
Data code: TE
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
@Tromelin Island:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
Communications
Communications-note: important meteorological station
@Tromelin Island:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: toxic and hazardous waste disposal is
ineffective and presents human health risks; water pollution from raw
sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation;
overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
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, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: strategic location in central Mediterranean
@Tunisia:People
Population: 9,380,404 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 1,526,743; female 1,433,503)
15-64 years: 63% (male 2,933,487; female 2,947,189)
65 years and over: 5% (male 275,411; female 264,071) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.43% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 20.07 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.06 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 32.64 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Real growth averaged 4.6% in 1992-96 and reached 5.6% in 1997, down
from 6.9% in 1996, which benefited from a record cereal crop. GDP: purchasing power parity-$56.5 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 28%
services: 58% (1996 est.) by occupation: services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor
Unemployment rate: 15% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $6.3 billion
expenditures: $6.8 billion, including capital expenditures to $1.5
billion (1997 est.) commodities: hydrocarbons, textiles, agricultural products, phosphates
and chemicals
partners: EU 80%, North African countries 6%, Asia 4%, US 1% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $7.4 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: industrial goods and equipment 57%, hydrocarbons 13%,
food 12%, consumer goods
partners: EU countries 80%, North African countries 5.5%, Asia 5.5%,
US 5% (1996)
Debt-external: $10.6 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $221 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes
Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars (TD) per US$1-1.1612 (January 1998),
1.1059 (1997), 0.9734 (1996), 0.9458 (1995), 1.0116 (1994), 1.0037
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 560,000 (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 19
Televisions: 1.4 million
Communications-note: Internet access is available through two private
service providers licensed by the government
@Tunisia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,260 km
standard gauge: 492 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,758 km 1.000-m gauge
dual gauge: 10 km 1.000-m and 1.435-m gauges (1993 est.) Highways:
total: 23,100 km
paved: 18,226 km
unpaved: 4,874 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 797 km; petroleum products 86 km; natural gas 742
km
Ports and harbors: Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis,
Zarzis
Merchant marine:
total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 157,475 GRT/165,922 DWT
ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 5, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas
tanker 1, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger
3, specialized tanker 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 32 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 17
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 7 (1997 est.) @Tunisia:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,534,929 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $535 million (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.8% (1995)
@Tunisia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: maritime boundary dispute with Libya; Malta
and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the
continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil
exploration
______________________________________________________________________
TURKEY
@Turkey:Geography
Location: southwestern Asia (that part west of the Bosporus is
sometimes included with Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between
Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the
Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 35 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 780,580 sq km
land: 770,760 sq km
water: 9,820 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 2,627 km
border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km,
Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 331 km, Syria 822 km
Coastline: 7,200 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only-to the maritime boundary
agreed upon with the former USSR
territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea,; 12 nm in the Black Sea and
in the Mediterranean Sea
Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher
in interior
Terrain: mostly mountains; narrow coastal plain; high central plateau
(Anatolia)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m
Natural resources: antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate,
sulfur, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 32%
permanent crops: 4%
permanent pastures: 16%
forests and woodland: 26%
other: 22% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: very severe earthquakes, especially in northern
Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van
Environment-current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals
and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas;
deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship
traffic
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Environmental Modification
Geography-note: strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits
(Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean
Seas
@Turkey:People
Population: 64,566,511 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 10,165,804; female 9,802,232)
15-64 years: 63% (male 20,790,422; female 20,106,320)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,706,939; female 1,994,794) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.6% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 21.38 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.35 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 38.27 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$388.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 28.4%
services: 56.6% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 99% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 21.6 million
by occupation: agriculture 43.1%, services 30.1%, industry 14.4%,
construction 6.0% (1996)
note: about 1.5 million Turks work abroad (1994)
Unemployment rate: 5.9% another 5.1% officially considered
underemployed (April 1997)
Budget:
revenues: $38.5 billion
expenditures: $52.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.2
billion (1997)
Industries: textiles, food processing, mining (coal, chromite, copper,
boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper
Industrial production growth rate: 10.8% (1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: 15 national, 15 regional, 229 local
Televisions: 10.53 million (1993 est.) @Turkey:Transportation
Railways:
total: 10,386 km
standard gauge: 10,386 km 1.435-m gauge (1,093 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 381,631 km
paved: 95,408 km (including 1,405 km of expressways)
unpaved: 286,223 km (1996 est.) Waterways: about 1,200 km
Pipelines: crude oil 1,738 km; petroleum products 2,321 km; natural
gas 708 km
Ports and harbors: Gemlik, Hopa, Iskenderun, Istanbul, Izmir, Kocaeli
(Izmit), Icel (Mersin), Samsun, Trabzon
Merchant marine:
total: 528 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,205,399 GRT/10,400,716
DWT
ships by type: bulk 169, cargo 232, chemical tanker 26, combination
bulk 5, combination ore/oil 10, container 5, liquefied gas tanker 5,
oil tanker 40, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 3,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 2
note: Turkey owns an additional 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
313,523 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas, Malta, and
Panama (1997 est.) Airports: 114 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 80
over 3,047 m: 17
2,438 to 3,047 m: 21
1,524 to 2,437 m: 18
914 to 1,523 m: 19
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 34
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 25 (1997 est.) Heliports: 2 (1997 est.) @Turkey:Military
Military branches: Land Forces, Navy (includes Naval Air and Naval
Infantry), Air Force, Coast Guard, Gendarmerie
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 17,761,347 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $4.3 billion (1996); note-figures
do not include about $7 billion for the government's counterinsurgency
effort
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.5% (1996)
@Turkey:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: complex maritime, air and territorial disputes
with Greece in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Greece; Hatay question
with Syria; dispute with downstream riparian states (Syria and Iraq)
over water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers;
traditional demands on former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided
Illicit drugs: major transit route for Southwest Asian heroin and
hashish to Western Europe and the US via air, land, and sea routes;
major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking
organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert
imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey as
well as near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas
of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate
______________________________________________________________________
TURKMENISTAN
@Turkmenistan:Geography
Location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and
Kazakhstan
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 60 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total: 488,100 sq km
land: 488,100 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 3,736 km
border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km,
Uzbekistan 1,621 km
Coastline: 0 km
note: Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: subtropical desert
Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains
in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian
Sea in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sarygamysh Koli -110 m
highest point: Ayrybaba 3,139 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulfur, salt
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 63%
forests and woodland: 8%
other: 26% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with
agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salinization, water-logging of
soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion
of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation
contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea;
desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous
Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked
@Turkmenistan:People
Population: 4,297,629 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 843,839; female 813,837)
15-64 years: 57% (male 1,211,477; female 1,249,085)
65 years and over: 4% (male 67,842; female 111,549) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.6% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 26.24 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.7 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 72.89 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Turkmenistan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turkmenistan
local long form: none
local short form: Turkmenistan
former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: TX
Government type: republic
National capital: Ashgabat
Administrative divisions: 5 welayatlar (singular-welayat): Ahal
Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Nebitdag), Dashhowuz Welayaty
(formerly Tashauz), Lebap Welayaty (Charjew), Mary Welayaty
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their
administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name
following in parentheses)
Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991)
Constitution: adopted 18 May 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers
Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct
presidential election occurred); note-the president is both the chief
of state and head of government
head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers
Saparmurat NIYAZOV; note-the president is both the chief of state and
head of government; Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers
Mukhamed ABALAKOV (since NA), Orazgeldy AYDOGDIYEV (since NA 1992),
Hudaayguly HALYKOV (since NA 1996), Rejep SAPAROV (since NA 1992),
Boris SHIKHMURADOV (since NA 1993), Batyr SARJAYEV (since NA 1993),
Ilaman SHIKHIYEV (since NA 1995), Yolly GURBANMURADOV (since NA 1997),
Saparmurat NURIYEV (since NA 1997)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
note: NIYAZOV has been asked by various local groups, most recently on
26 October 1995 at the annual elders meeting, to be "president for
life," but he has declined, saying the status would require an
amendment to the constitution
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held NA 2002;
note-extension of President NIYAZOV's term for an additional five
years overwhelmingly approved-99.9% of total vote in favor-by national
referendum held 15 January 1994); deputy chairmen of the cabinet of
ministers are appointed by the president
election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without
opposition; percent of vote-Saparmurad NIYAZOV 99.5%
Legislative branch: under the 1992 constitution, there are two
parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People's Council or Halk Maslahaty
(more than 100 seats, some of which are popularly elected and some are
appointed; meets infrequently) and a unicameral Assembly or Majlis (50
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: People's Council-no elections; Assembly-last held 11
December 1994 (next to be held NA 1999)
election results: Assembly-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-Democratic Party 45, other 5; note-all 50 preapproved by
President NIYAZOV
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT
[Saparmurat NIYAZOV]
note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small
opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries
International organization participation: CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE,
ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OSCE,
PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Halil UGUR
chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500
FAX: [1] (202) 588-0697
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. COTTER
embassy: 9 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [9] (9312) 35-00-45, 35-00-46, 35-00-42, 51-13-06, Tie Line
[8] 962-0000
FAX: [9] (9312) 51-13-05
Flag description: green field, including a vertical stripe on the
hoist side, with a claret vertical stripe in between containing five
white, black, and orange carpet guls (an asymmetrical design used in
producing rugs associated with five different tribes); a white
crescent and five white stars in the upper left corner to the right of
the carpet guls
note: a new flag has been reported
@Turkmenistan:Economy
Economy-overview: Turkmenistan is largely desert country with nomadic
cattle raising, intensive agriculture in irrigated oases, and huge gas
and oil resources. The economy
bottomed out in 1996, but high inflation continued. GDP: purchasing power parity-$12.5 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 18%
industry: 50%
services: 32% (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $10 million (1993)
note: commitments, $1,830 million ($375 million drawn), 1992-95
Currency: 1 Tukmen manat (TMM) = 100 tenesi; Turkmenistan introduced
its national currency on 1 November 1993
Exchange rates: manats per US$1-4,070 (January 1997), 2,400 (January
1996)
note: government established a unified rate in mid-January 1996
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: poorly developed
domestic: NA
international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS
republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow
international gateway switch; a new telephone link from Ashgabat to
Iran has been established; a new exchange in Ashgabat switches
international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth
stations-1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: 1 state-owned radio broadcast station of NA
type
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 state-run
Televisions: NA
@Turkmenistan:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,187 km
broad gauge: 2,187 km 1.520-m gauge (1996 est.) Highways:
total: 24,000 km
paved: 19,488 km (note-these roads are said to be hard-surfaced,
meaning that some are paved and some are all-weather gravel surfaced
unpaved: 4,512 km (1996 est.) Waterways: the Amu Darya is an important inland waterway
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; natural gas 4,400 km
Ports and harbors: Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnowodsk)
Merchant marine:
total: 1 oil tanker ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,896 GRT/3,389
DWT (1997 est.) Airports: 64 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 22
2,438 to 3,047 m: 13
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 42
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 35 (1994 est.) @Turkmenistan:Military
Military branches: Ministry of Defense (Army, Air and Air Defense,
Navy, Border Troops, and Internal Troops), National Guard
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,080,486 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 4.5 billion manats (1995);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3% (1995)
@Turkmenistan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined
among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan
Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivator of opium poppy, mostly for
domestic consumption; limited government eradication program;
increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs from
Southwest Asia to Russia and Western Europe; also a transshipment
point for acetic anhydride destined for Afghanistan
______________________________________________________________________
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Turks and Caicos Islands:Geography
Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean,
southeast of The Bahamas
Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 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: 389 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and
relatively dry
Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 98% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: (male 2,666; female 2,588)
15-64 years: (male 5,418; female 4,907)
65 years and over: (male 293; female 377) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.77% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 27.14 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 15.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 21.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The US was the leading source
of tourists in 1996, accounting for more than half of the 87,000
visitors. GDP: purchasing power parity-$110 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 8% (1994 est.) by occupation: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and
fishing; large numbers in tourism and financial and other services
(1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $31.9 million
expenditures: $30.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: tourism, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 4,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 5 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 359 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: corn, beans, cassava, citrus fruits; fish
Exports:
total value: $6.8 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
partners: US, UK
Imports:
total value: $42.8 million (1993)
commodities: food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures,
construction materials
partners: US, UK
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1,359 (1988 est.) Television broadcast stations: television programs are available from
a cable network, and broadcasts from the Bahamas can be received in
the islands
Televisions: NA
@Turks and Caicos Islands:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 121 km
paved: 24 km
unpaved: 97 km
Ports and harbors: Grand Turk, Providenciales
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 7 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 1,875; female 1,804)
15-64 years: 60% (male 2,980; female 3,290)
65 years and over: 5% (male 226; female 269) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.4% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.6 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.62 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.23 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) About 1,000 Tuvaluans work in Nauru in the phosphate
mining industry. GDP: purchasing power parity-$7.8 million (1995 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.9% (average 1985-93)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: NA
note: people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea,
reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those working abroad
(mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $4.3 million
expenditures: $4.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1989 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
@Tuvalu:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 8 km (1996 est.) paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Funafuti, Nukufetau
Merchant marine:
total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 53,220 GRT/83,118 DWT
ships by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 4, oil tanker 1,
passenger-cargo 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: draining of wetlands for agricultural use;
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching is widespread
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography-note: landlocked
@Uganda:People
Population: 22,167,195 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 51% (male 5,682,510; female 5,643,962)
15-64 years: 47% (male 5,157,818; female 5,199,080)
65 years and over: 2% (male 236,374; female 247,451) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.85% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 49.21 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 18.95 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) note: Uganda is host to refugees from a number of neighboring
countries, including: Sudan 175,000, Rwanda possibly 10,000, and
Democratic Republic of the Congo about 5,000
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 92.86 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$34.6 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 49%
industry: 13%
services: 38% (1995 est.) by occupation: agriculture 86%, industry 4%, services 10% (1980 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $869 million
expenditures: $985 million, including capital expenditures of $69
million (FY95/96)
Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement
Industrial production growth rate: 19.7% (FY95/96)
Electricity-capacity: 162,000 kW (1998)
Electricity-production: 807 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 35 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca),
potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry
Exports:
total value: $604 million (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: coffee, gold, cotton, tea, corn, fish
partners: Spain 23%, France 14%, Germany 14%, Italy 10%, Netherlands
8% (1995)
Imports:
total value: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: machinery, chemicals, fuel, cotton piece goods,
transportation equipment, food
partners: Kenya 26%, UK 12%, Japan 8%, Germany 8%, India 5.5% (1995)
Debt-external: $3.5 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Ugandan shilling (USh) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Ugandan shillings (USh) per US$1-1,148.1 (January
1998), 1,083.0 (1997), 1,046.1 (1996), 968.9 (1995), 979.4 (1994),
1,195.0 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 61,600 (1990 est.) Television broadcast stations: 9 (1987 est.) Televisions: 220,000 (1993 est.) @Uganda:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,241 km
narrow gauge: 1,241 km 1.000-m gauge
note: a program to rehabilitate the railroad is underway (1995)
Highways:
total: 27,000 km
paved: 1,800 km
unpaved: 25,200 km (of which about 4,800 km are all-weather roads)
(1990 est.) Waterways: Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake
Edward, Victoria Nile, Albert Nile
Ports and harbors: Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell
Merchant marine:
total: 3 roll-on/roll-off cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
5,091 GRT/8,229 DWT (1997 est.) Airports: 29 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 24
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 8 (1997 est.) @Uganda:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Wing
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 4,672,307 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $56 million (FY93/94)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.7% (FY93/94)
@Uganda:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
UKRAINE
@Ukraine:Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland and
Russia
Geographic coordinates: 49 00 N, 32 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total: 603,700 sq km
land: 603,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 4,558 km
border countries: Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km,
Poland 428 km, Romania (south) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia
1,576 km, Slovakia 90 km
Coastline: 2,782 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern
Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest
in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from
cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm
across the greater part of the country, hot in the south
Terrain: most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and
plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians),
and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m
Natural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt,
sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber
Land use:
arable land: 58%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 13%
forests and woodland: 18%
other: 9% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; air
and water pollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the
northeast from 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: strategic position at the crossroads between Europe
and Asia; second-largest country in Europe
@Ukraine:People
Population: 50,125,108 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 4,852,461; female 4,656,688)
15-64 years: 67% (male 16,096,737; female 17,481,600)
65 years and over: 14% (male 2,284,960; female 4,752,662) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: -0.64% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.53 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 16.31 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 21.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Ukraine depends on imports of energy, especially natural gas. GDP: purchasing power parity-$124.9 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 30%
services: 56% (1997 est.) commodities: ferrous and nonferrous metals, chemicals, machinery and
transport equipment, food products
partners: Russia, China, Belarus, Turkey, Germany (1997)
Imports:
total value: $20.2 billion (1997 est.) commodities: energy, machinery and parts, transportation equipment,
chemicals, plastics and rubber
partners: Russia, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Germany, China
Debt-external: $9.6 billion (including $2.1 billion to Russia)
(yearend 1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $220 million (1993)
note: commitments, 1992-95, $4.5 billion ($4.1 billion drawn)
Currency: on 2 September 1996, Ukraine introduced the long-awaited
hryvnia as its national currency, replacing the karbovanets (in
circulation since 12 November 1992) at a rate of 100,000 karbovantsi
to 1 hryvnia
Exchange rates: hryvnia per US$1-1.9359 (February 1998), 1.8617
(1997), 1.8295 (1996), 1.4731 (1995), 0.3275 (1994), 0.0453 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: system is unsatisfactory both for business and for
personal use; 3.56 million applications for telephones had not been
satisfied as of January 1991; electronic mail services have been
established in Kiev, Odessa, and Luhans'k by Sprint
domestic: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in
Kiev (Kyyiv) and allows direct dialing of international calls through
Kiev's digital exchange
international: calls to other CIS countries are carried by landline or
microwave radio relay; calls to 167 other countries are carried by
satellite or by the 150 leased lines through the Moscow international
gateway switch; satellite earth stations-NA Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat
(Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions), and NA Intersputnik
Radio broadcast stations: 2 radio broadcast stations of NA type
Radios: 15 million (1990)
Television broadcast stations: at least 2
Televisions: 17.3 million (1992)
@Ukraine:Transportation
Railways:
total: 23,350 km
broad gauge: 23,350 km 1.524-m gauge (8,600 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 172,565 km
paved: 163,937 km (including 1,875 km of expressways); note-these
roads are said to be hard-surfaced, meaning that some are paved and
some are all-weather gravel surfaced
unpaved: 8,628 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 4,400 km navigable waterways, of which 1,672 km were on the
Pryp''yat' and Dnistr (1990)
Pipelines: crude oil 2,010 km; petroleum products 1,920 km; natural
gas 7,800 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Berdyans'k, Illichivs'k, Izmayil, Kerch, Kherson,
Kiev (Kyyiv), Mariupol', Mykolayiv, Odesa, Reni
Merchant marine:
total: 202 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,498,653 GRT/1,709,393
DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 3, bulk 13, cargo 122, chemical tanker 2,
combination bulk 1, container 3, multifunction large-load carrier 2,
oil tanker 19, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 4, railcar carrier 2,
refrigerated cargo 6, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea passenger 5
note: Ukraine owns an additional 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
515,743 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas, Cyprus,
Liberia, Malta, Panama, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1997
est.) Airports: 706 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 163
over 3,047 m: 14
2,438 to 3,047 m: 55
1,524 to 2,437 m: 34
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 57 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 543
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 37
under 914 m: 476 (1994 est.) @Ukraine:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Internal
Troops, National Guard, Border Troops
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 12,431,318 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 1.71 billion hryvni (Ukrainian
Government's forecast for 1998); note - conversion of defense
expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could
produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Ukraine:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: dispute with Romania over continental shelf of
the Black Sea under which significant gas and oil deposits may exist;
agreed in 1997 to two-year negotiating period, after which either
party can refer dispute to the International Court of Justice; has
made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to
do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation; certain
territory of Moldova and Ukraine-including Bessarabia and Northern
Bukovina-are considered by Bucharest as historically a part of
Romania; this territory was incorporated into the former Soviet Union
following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1940
Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly
for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; used as
transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs to Western
Europe and Russia
______________________________________________________________________
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
@United Arab Emirates:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian
Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 82,880 sq km
land: 82,880 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
total: 867 km
border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km
Coastline: 1,318 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of
vast desert wasteland; mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 2%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 98% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms
Environment-current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources being
overcome by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from
oil spills
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait
of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
@United Arab Emirates:People
Population: 2,303,088 (July 1998 est.) note: includes 1,561,840 non-nationals (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 372,413; female 356,834)
15-64 years: 66% (male 995,798; female 535,014)
65 years and over: 2% (male 29,169; female 13,860) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.78% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 18.61 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 3.06 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 2.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.86 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.1 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.77 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @United Arab Emirates:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: United Arab Emirates
conventional short form: none
local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
local short form: none
former: Trucial States
abbreviation: UAE
Data code: TC
Government type: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE
federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates
National capital: Abu Dhabi
Administrative divisions: 7 emirates (imarat, singular-imarah); Abu
Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy
(Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn
Independence: 2 December 1971 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1971)
Constitution: 2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)
Legal system: federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates
except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah have joined the federal
system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal,
and high courts
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state: President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2
December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 6 August 1966)
and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990),
ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)
head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since
8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN
bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) which is composed
of the seven emirate rulers; the council is the highest constitutional
authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions
federal legislation, Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers
have effective veto power; meets four times a year
elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of
seven electors) for five-year terms; election last held NA October
1996 (next to be held NA 2001); prime minister and deputy prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan reelected president;
percent of FSC vote - NA, but believed to be unanimous; MAKTUM bin
Rashid al-Maktum elected vice president; percent of FSC vote-NA, but
believed to be unanimous
Legislative branch: unicameral Federal National Council or Majlis
al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the
constituent states to serve two-year terms)
elections: none
note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto
Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court, judges appointed by the
president
Political parties and leaders: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF,
CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Husayn al-SHAALI
chancery: Suite 700, 1255 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 955-7999
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador David C. LITT
embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi
mailing address: P. O. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the
fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those
commodities. At
present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for
over 100 years. GDP: purchasing power parity-$54.2 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 55%
services: 42% (1996 est.) by occupation: services 65%, industry and commerce 30%, agriculture 5%
(1996 est.) note: 75% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national
(July 1998 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $5.1 billion
expenditures: $5.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $294
million (1997 est.) commodities: crude oil 66%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates
partners: Japan 38%, South Korea 7%, Singapore 7%, India 6%, Oman 4%,
Iran 3% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $23.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment,
chemicals, food
partners: US 10%, Japan 9%, UK 8%, Italy 6%, South Korea 6%, India 6%
(1996)
Debt-external: $14 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Emirian dirham (Dh) = 100 fils
Exchange rates: Emirian dirhams (Dh) per US$1-3.6710 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 677,793 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 12
Televisions: 170,000 (1993 est.) @United Arab Emirates:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 4,835 km
paved: 4,835 km
unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 830 km; natural gas, including natural gas
liquids, 870 km
Ports and harbors: 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan,
Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid,
Umm al Qaywayn
Merchant marine:
total: 67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 945,320 GRT/1,592,164 DWT
ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 18, chemical tanker 3, container 7,
liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 27,
refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6 (1997 est.) Airports: 40 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 22
over 3,047 m: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 18
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Heliports: 2 (1997 est.) @United Arab Emirates:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes
Federal Police Force)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 791,770 (1998 est.) note: includes non-nationals
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 425,373 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.59 billion (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 4.3% (1994)
@United Arab Emirates:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: location and status of boundary with Saudi
Arabia is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; no
defined boundary with most of Oman, but Administrative Line in far
north; claims two islands in the Persian Gulf occupied by Iran: Lesser
Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e
Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in
Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran); claims
island in the Persian Gulf jointly administered with Iran (called Abu
Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran)-over
which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992,
including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island;
the UAE has garnered significant diplomatic support in the region in
protesting these Iranian actions
Illicit drugs: growing role as heroin transshipment and
money-laundering center due to its proximity to southwest Asian
producing countries and the bustling free trade zone in Dubai
______________________________________________________________________
UNITED KINGDOM
@United Kingdom:Geography
Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of
the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North
Sea, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates: 54 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 244,820 sq km
land: 241,590 sq km
water: 3,230 sq km
note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 360 km
border countries: Ireland 360 km
Coastline: 12,429 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in
accordance with agreed upon boundaries
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the
North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast
Terrain: mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling
plains in east and southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Fenland -4 m
highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m
Natural resources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron
ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica
Land use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 46%
forests and woodland: 10%
other: 19% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants
contribute to air pollution; some rivers polluted by agricultural
wastes and coastal waters polluted because of large-scale disposal of
sewage at sea
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, 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: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km
from France and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel;
because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km
from tidal waters
@United Kingdom:People
Population: 58,970,119 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 19% (male 5,832,086; female 5,530,679)
15-64 years: 65% (male 19,304,762; female 19,032,024)
65 years and over: 16% (male 3,807,710; female 5,462,858) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.25% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.01 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.72 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.87 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) note: the UK does not include a question on religion in its census
Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales),
Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of
schooling
total population: 99% (1978 est.) Unemployment is gradually falling. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.242 trillion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.8%
industry: 31.4%
services: 66.8% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $416.1 billion
expenditures: $470 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.) Waterways: 3,200 km under British Waterways Board
Pipelines: crude oil (almost all insignificant) 933 km; petroleum
products 2,993 km; natural gas 12,800 km
Ports and harbors: Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Dover,
Falmouth, Felixstowe, Grangemouth, Hull, Leith, Liverpool, London,
Manchester, Peterhead, Plymouth, Scapa Flow, Sullom Voe, Tees, Tyne
Merchant marine:
total: 142 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,192,956 GRT/2,224,715
DWT
ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 26, chemical tanker 5, combination
ore/oil 1, container 21, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 47,
passenger 8, passenger-cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea
passenger 12, specialized tanker 1
note: UK owns 337 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
13,511,240 DWT that operate under the registries of Bermuda, The
Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Liberia,
Malta, Panama, Singapore, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1997
est.) Airports: 497 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 356
over 3,047 m: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 32
1,524 to 2,437 m: 170
914 to 1,523 m: 90
under 914 m: 54 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 141
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 24
under 914 m: 116 (1997 est.) Heliports: 12 (1997 est.) @United Kingdom:Military
Military branches: Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal
Air Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 14,468,079 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $35.1 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.1% (FY95/96)
@United Kingdom:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Northern Ireland question with Ireland
(historic peace agreement approved 10 April 1998); Gibraltar question
with Spain; Argentina claims Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas);
Argentina claims South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands;
Mauritius claims island of Diego Garcia in British Indian Ocean
Territory; Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark,
Iceland, and Ireland (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary
agreement in the Rockall area); territorial claim in Antarctica
(British Antarctic Territory); Seychelles claims Chagos Archipelago in
British Indian Ocean Territory
Illicit drugs: gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the
European market; producer of synthetic drugs, precursor chemicals;
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering
center
______________________________________________________________________
UNITED STATES
@United States:Geography
Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and
the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 38 00 N, 97 00 W
Map references: North America
Area:
total: 9,629,091 sq km
land: 9,158,960 sq km
water: 470,131 sq km
note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia
Area-comparative: about one-half the size of Russia; about
three-tenths the size of Africa; about one-half the size of South
America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China;
about two and one-half times the size of Western Europe
Land boundaries:
total: 12,248 km
border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska),
Cuba 29 km (US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay), Mexico 3,326 km
note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part
of Cuba
Coastline: 19,924 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 12 nm
continental shelf: not specified
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida and
arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi
River and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter
temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January
and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the
Rocky Mountains
Terrain: vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low
mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska;
rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Death Valley -86 m
highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m
Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates,
uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver,
tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 25%
forests and woodland: 30%
other: 26% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around
Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic coast; tornadoes in the
midwest; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding;
permafrost in northern Alaska is a major impediment to development
Environment-current issues: air pollution resulting in acid rain in
both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon
dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff
of pesticides and fertilizers; very limited natural fresh water
resources in much of the western part of the country require careful
management; desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, 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-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes
Geography-note: world's third-largest country (after Russia and
Canada)
@United States:People
Population: 270,311,756 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 29,952,220; female 28,560,357)
15-64 years: 66% (male 88,113,895; female 89,399,501)
65 years and over: 12% (male 14,088,571; female 20,197,212) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 0.87% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 14.4 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.8 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) At the same time, they face higher
barriers to entry in their rivals' home markets than the barriers to
entry of foreign firms in US markets. The years 1994-97 witnessed moderate
gains in real output, low inflation rates, and a drop in unemployment
below 6%. GDP: purchasing power parity-$8.083 trillion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 23%
services: 75% (1997 est.) Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $9.721 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: British pounds (£) per US$-0.6115 (January 1998),
0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658
(1993); Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$-1.4408 (January 1998), 1.3846
(1997), 1.3635 (1996), 1.3724 (1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993);
French francs (F) per US$-6.0836 (January 1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155
(1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993); Italian lire
(Lit) per US$-1,787.7 (January 1997), 1,703.1 (1997), 1,542.9 (1996),
1,628.9 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993); Japanese yen (¥) per
US$-129.45 (January 1998), 120.99 (1997), 108.78 (1996), 94.06 (1995),
102.21 (1994), 111.20 (1993); German deutsche marks (DM) per US$ -
1.8167 (January 1998), 1.7341 (1997), 1.5048 (1996), 1.4331 (1995),
1.6228 (1994), 1.6533 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 182.558 million (1987 est.) ), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific
and Atlantic Ocean regions)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4,987, FM 4,932, shortwave 0
Radios: 540.5 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1,092 (in addition, there are about
9,000 cable TV systems)
Televisions: 215 million (1993 est.) Waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland channels, exclusive of the
Great Lakes
Pipelines: petroleum products 276,000 km; natural gas 331,000 km
(1991)
Ports and harbors: Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago,
Duluth, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles,
New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Portland
(Oregon), Prudhoe Bay, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo
Merchant marine:
total: 286 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,627,000 GRT/13,257,000
DWT
ships by type: bulk 15, container 79, chemical tanker 15,
roll-on/roll-off 28, liquefied gas tanker 13, cruise/passenger 3,
tanker 94, tanker tug-barge 12, other 27
note: in addition, there are 192 government-owned vessels (1997 est.) Airports: 14,574 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5,167
over 3,047 m: 181
2,438 to 3,047 m: 218
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,280
914 to 1,523 m: 2,450
under 914 m: 1,038 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 9,407
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 164
914 to 1,523 m: 1,686
under 914 m: 7,550 (1997 est.) Heliports: 109 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $267.2 billion (1997 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.4% (1997 est.) Natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and
occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas),
droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as
weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid
changes in weather fronts
Environment-current issues: substantial pollution from Brazilian
industry along border; one-fifth of country affected by acid rain
generated by Brazil; water pollution from meat packing/tannery
industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
@Uruguay:People
Population: 3,284,841 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 405,894; female 386,479)
15-64 years: 63% (male 1,019,682; female 1,048,844)
65 years and over: 13% (male 176,467; female 247,475) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.71% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 16.92 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.89 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.11 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$29.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.8%
industry: 27.4%
services: 61.8% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 15.2% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 1.38 million (1997 est.) by occupation: government 25%, manufacturing 19%, agriculture 11%,
commerce 12%, utilities, construction, transport, and communications
12%, other services 21% (1988 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.3% (December 1997)
Budget:
revenues: $4 billion
expenditures: $4.3 billion, with capital expenditures of $385 million
(1997 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $63 million (1994)
Currency: 1 Uruguayan peso ($Ur) = 100 centesimos
Exchange rates: Uruguayan pesos ($Ur) per US$1-9.98 (January 1998),
9.4448 (1997), 7.9718 (1996), 6.3491 (1995), 5.0529 (1994), 3.9484
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 767,333 (1997)
Telephone system: some modern facilities
domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new
nationwide microwave radio relay network
international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 72, FM 0, shortwave 28
Radios: 1.89 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 42
Televisions: 1,131,065 (1996)
@Uruguay:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,998 km (918 km closed) (1997)
standard gauge: 2,075 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:
total: 8,420 km
paved: 7,578 km
unpaved: 842 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 1,600 km; used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft
Ports and harbors: Fray Bentos, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu,
Punta del Este, Colonia, Piriapolis
Merchant marine:
total: 2 oil tanker ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 44,042
GRT/83,684 DWT (1997 est.) Airports: 64 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 15
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 49
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 33 (1997 est.) @Uruguay:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard,
Marines), Air Force, Police (Coracero Guard, Grenadier Guard)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 799,977 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $172 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.9% (1996)
@Uruguay:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: two short sections of the boundary with Brazil
are in dispute-Arroyo de la Invernada (Arroio Invernada) area of the
Rio Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio
Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the Uruguay River
______________________________________________________________________
UZBEKISTAN
@Uzbekistan:Geography
Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total: 447,400 sq km
land: 425,400 sq km
water: 22,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 6,221 km
border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan
1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km
Coastline: 0 km
note: Uzbekistan borders the Aral Sea (420 km)
Maritime claims: none (doubly landlocked)
Climate: mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters;
semiarid grassland in east
Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat
intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Sirdaryo,
and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m
highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium,
silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 46%
forests and woodland: 3%
other: 41% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: drying up of the Aral Sea is resulting in
growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these
substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and
contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes
and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many
human health disorders; increasing soil salinization; soil
contamination from agricultural chemicals, including DDT
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly
landlocked countries in the world
@Uzbekistan:People
Population: 23,784,321 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 4,591,140; female 4,451,246)
15-64 years: 57% (male 6,755,371; female 6,874,483)
65 years and over: 5% (male 435,036; female 677,045) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.33% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 23.69 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 7.68 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -2.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 71.04 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Uzbekistan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan
conventional short form: Uzbekistan
local long form: Uzbekiston Respublikasi
local short form: none
former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: UZ
Government type: republic; effectively authoritarian presidential
rule, with little power outside the executive branch and executive
power concentrated in the presidency
National capital: Tashkent (Toshkent)
Administrative divisions: 12 wiloyatlar (singular-wiloyat), 1
autonomous republic* (respublikasi), and 1 city** (shahri); Andijon
Wiloyati, Bukhoro Wiloyati, Jizzakh Wiloyati, Farghona Wiloyati,
Qoraqalpoghiston* (Nukus), Qashqadaryo Wiloyati (Qarshi), Khorazm
Wiloyati (Urganch), Namangan Wiloyati, Nawoiy Wiloyati, Samarqand
Wiloyati, Sirdaryo Wiloyati (Guliston), Surkhondaryo Wiloyati
(Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Wiloyati
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their
administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name
following in parentheses)
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991)
Constitution: new constitution adopted 8 December 1992
Legal system: evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent
judicial system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he
was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet)
head of government: Prime Minister Otkir SULTONOV (since 21 December
1995); First Deputy Prime Minister Ismoil JURABEKOV (since NA 1991);
Deputy Prime Ministers Viktor CHZHEN (since NA 1994), Bakhtiyor
HAMIDOV (since NA 1992), Kayim HAKKULOV (since NA 1991), Dilbar
GHOLOMOVA (since NA 1995), Alisher AZIZKHOJAYEV (since NA 1996),
Mirabror USMONOV (since NA 1995), Rustam YUNUSOV (since NA 1994)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval
of the Supreme Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 29 December 1991 (next to be held NA January 2000;
note-extension of President KARIMOV's term for an additional four
years overwhelmingly approved - 99.6% of total vote in favor-by
national referendum held 26 March 1995); prime minister and deputy
prime ministers appointed by the president
election results: Islom KARIMOV elected president; percent of
vote-Islom KARIMOV 86%, Muhammed SOLIH 12%, other 2%
Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis (250
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 25 December 1994 (next to be held NA December
1999)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-People's
Democratic Party 207, Fatherland Progress Party 12, other 31;
note-final runoffs were held 22 January 1995; seating was as follows:
People's Democratic Party 69, Fatherland Progress Party 14, Social
Democratic Party 47, local government 120
note: all parties in parliament support President KARIMOV
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the president
and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly
Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Party or HDP
(formerly Communist Party) [Abdulkhafiz JALOLOV, first secretary];
Fatherland Progress Party (Vatan Tarakiyoti) or VTP [Anwar YULDASHEV,
chairman]; Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Turgunpulat
DAMINOV, first secretary]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly
Tiklanish) or MTP [Ibrahim GAFUROV, chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Birlik (Unity) Movement
[Abdurakhim PULATOV, chairman]; Islamic Rebirth Party or IRP [Abdullah
UTAYEV, chairman], note-is banned; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party
[Muhamd SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992
note: all of the above groups are illegal; UTAYEV disappeared in 1992
and probably was detained by the government, but his whereabouts is
unknown
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD,
ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sadyk SAFAYEV
chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 887-5300, 293-6801 through 6803
FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph A. PRESEL (since November 1997)
embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent 700115
mailing address: use embassy street address; Embassy Tashkent,
Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7110
telephone: [7] (3712) 77-14-07, 77-10-81, 77-69-86, 77-11-32, 77-12-62
FAX: [7] (3712) 40-63-35
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and
12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
@Uzbekistan:Economy
Economy-overview: Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 10%
consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. GDP: purchasing power parity-$60.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 26%
industry: 27%
services: 47% (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture and forestry 44%, industry and construction
20%, other 36% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 5% plus another 10% underemployed (December 1996
est.) Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy,
natural gas
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 11.822 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 45.42 billion kWh (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $71 million (1993)
note: commitments, $2,915 million ($135 million in disbursements)
(1992-95)
Currency: introduced provisional som-coupons 10 November 1993 which
circulated parallel to the Russian rubles; became the sole legal
currency 31 January 1994; was replaced in July 1994 by the som
currency
Exchange rates: Uzbekistani soms (UKS) per US$1-75.8 (September 1997),
41.1 (1996), 30.2 (1995), 11.4 (1994), 1.0 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1.458 million (1995 est.) Waterways: 1,100 (1990)
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 810
km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Termiz (Amu Darya river)
Airports: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) @Uzbekistan:Military
Military branches: Ministry of Defense (Army, Air, and Air Defense),
Security Forces (internal and border troops)
note: National Guard is a component of the Army
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 5,996,041 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: 39.2 billion soms (1996);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 7% (1996)
@Uzbekistan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and small
amounts of opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; limited
government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment
point for illicit drugs from Afghanistan to Russia and Western Europe
and for acetic anhydride destined for Afghanistan
______________________________________________________________________
VANUATU
@Vanuatu:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 S, 167 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 14,760 sq km
land: 14,760 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes more than 80 islands
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2,528 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds
Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Tabwemasana 1,877 m
Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 10%
permanent pastures: 2%
forests and woodland: 75%
other: 11% (1993 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 36,865; female 35,576)
15-64 years: 58% (male 55,066; female 52,142)
65 years and over: 3% (male 3,013; female 2,542) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.07% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 29.18 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.44 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.19 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 61.27 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$231 million (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 23%
industry: 13%
services: 64% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.2% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $94.4 million
expenditures: $99.8 million, including capital expenditures of $30.4
million (1996 est.) Imports:
total value: $97 million (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: machines and vehicles, food and beverages, basic
manufactures, raw materials and fuels, chemicals
partners: Japan 47%, Australia 23%, Singapore 8%, New Zealand 6%,
France 3%, Fiji (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $9.6 million from Australia (FY96/97 est. Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 2,000 (1994 est.) @Vanuatu:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,070 km
paved: 256 km
unpaved: 814 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)
Merchant marine:
total: 88 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,407,737 GRT/1,761,413
DWT
ships by type: bulk 31, cargo 24, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk
1, liquefied gas tanker 4, oil tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 13,
vehicle carrier 8
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 15 countries
among which are ships of Japan 30, India 10, US 8, Netherlands 6,
Greece 4, Hong Kong 4, Australia 2, Canada 1, China 1, and Poland 1
(1997 est.) Airports: 31 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 18 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: subject to floods, rockslides, mud slides; periodic
droughts
Environment-current issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil
and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil
degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the
Caribbean coast
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping
Geography-note: on major sea and air routes linking North and South
America
@Venezuela:People
Population: 22,803,409 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 3,979,045; female 3,733,364)
15-64 years: 62% (male 7,054,525; female 7,011,814)
65 years and over: 4% (male 469,799; female 554,862) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.77% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22.96 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 27.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$185 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 63%
services: 33% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.5% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $11.99 billion
expenditures: $11.48 billion, including capital expenditures of $3
billion (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 59
Televisions: 3.3 million (1992 est.) Waterways: 7,100 km; Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept
oceangoing vessels
Pipelines: crude oil 6,370 km; petroleum products 480 km; natural gas
4,010 km
Ports and harbors: Amuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La
Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz,
Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon
Merchant marine:
total: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 526,832 GRT/933,135 DWT
ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 5, combination bulk 1, container 1,
liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 9, passenger-cargo 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 1 (1997 est.) Airports: 377 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 126
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 35
914 to 1,523 m: 61
under 914 m: 15 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 251
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 96
under 914 m: 147 (1997 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $902 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.4% (1996)
@Venezuela:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo
River; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of
Venezuela
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, opium, and coca leaf for
the international drug trade on a small scale; however, large
quantities of cocaine and heroin transit the country from Colombia;
important money-laundering hub; active eradication program primarily
targeting opium
______________________________________________________________________
VIETNAM
@Vietnam:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of
Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 106 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 329,560 sq km
land: 325,360 sq km
water: 4,200 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 4,639 km
border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km
Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season
(mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to
mid-March)
Terrain: low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly,
mountainous in far north and northwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Ngoc Linh 3,143 m
Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate,
offshore oil and gas deposits, forests
Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 4%
permanent pastures: 1%
forests and woodland: 30%
other: 48% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive
flooding
Environment-current issues: logging and slash-and-burn agricultural
practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water
pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations;
groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban
industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading
environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
@Vietnam:People
Population: 76,236,259 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 13,570,312; female 12,796,687)
15-64 years: 60% (male 22,222,286; female 23,621,122)
65 years and over: 5% (male 1,613,103; female 2,412,749) (July 1998
est.) Population growth rate: 1.43% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 21.55 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 36.02 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Administrative and legal barriers are also causing costly
delays for foreign investors and are raising similar doubts about
Vietnam's ability to maintain the inflow of foreign capital. GDP: purchasing power parity-$128 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 30%
services: 42% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1995 est.) Budget:
revenues: $5.6 billion
expenditures: $6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.7
billion (1996 est.) commodities: crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea,
garments, shoes
partners: Japan, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, France, South
Korea
Imports:
total value: $11.1 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer,
steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles
partners: Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan
Debt-external: $7.3 billion Western countries; $4.5 billion CEMA debts
primarily to Russia; $9 billion to $18 billion nonconvertible debt
(former CEMA, Iraq, Iran)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: $2.4 billion in credits and grants pledged by international
donors for 1997
Currency: 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu
Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1-12,300 (January 1998), 11,100
(December 1996), 11,193 (1995 average), 11,000 (October 1994), 10,800
(November 1993), 8,100 (July 1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 800,000 (1995 est.) Television broadcast stations: 36 (repeaters 77)
Televisions: 2.9 million (1992 est.) Waterways: 17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at all
times by vessels up to 1.8 m draft
Pipelines: petroleum products 150 km
Ports and harbors: Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong
Gai, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang
Merchant marine:
total: 121 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 487,427 GRT/750,000 DWT
ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 97, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk
1, oil tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
note: Vietnam owns an additional 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
97,531 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas, Honduras,
Liberia, Malta, and Panama (1997 est.) Airports: 48 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 36
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 7 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.) @Vietnam:Military
Military branches: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes Ground
Forces, Navy, and Air Force), Coast Guard
Military manpower-military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 19,818,187 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $544 million (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.7% (1995)
@Vietnam:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: maritime boundary with Cambodia not defined;
involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China,
Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei; maritime boundary
with Thailand resolved, August 1997; maritime boundary dispute with
China in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China but
claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; offshore islands and sections of
boundary with Cambodia are in dispute; sections of land border with
China are indefinite
Illicit drugs: key growing areas in Vietnam cultivated 6,150 hectares
of poppy in 1997 (an increase of 95% over 1996), with a potential
production of 45 metric tons (an increase of 80% over 1996) of opium;
opium producer and probably minor transit point for Southeast Asian
heroin destined for the US and Europe; growing opium addiction;
possible small-scale heroin production
______________________________________________________________________
VIRGIN ISLANDS
(territory of the US)
@Virgin Islands:Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 352 sq km
land: 349 sq km
water: 3 sq km
Area-comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 188 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low
humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to
November
Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf
Land use:
arable land: 15%
permanent crops: 6%
permanent pastures: 26%
forests and woodland: 6%
other: 47% (1993 est.) note: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born
elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%,
other 8%
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29% (male 17,310; female 16,502)
15-64 years: 64% (male 34,434; female 40,645)
65 years and over: 7% (male 4,065; female 5,255) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.16% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 16.45 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.01 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) The number of US tourists in the first
five months of 1996 was down by 55% from the same period in 1995, the
lingering result of the fierce hurricanes of 1995. Unemployment rose
sharply in 1996. The
agricultural sector is small, most food being imported. International
business and financial services are a small but growing component of
the economy. GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.2 billion (1987 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 47,443 (1990 est.) by occupation: agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 62%, other 17%
(1990)
Unemployment rate: 6.2% (March 1994)
Budget:
revenues: $364.4 million
expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1990 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1988 est.) Televisions: 66,000 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.06% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 23.02 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.78 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -7.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 20.93 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$28.7 million (1995 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA
by occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4%
(est.) Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $22 million
expenditures: $22 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997
est.) commodities: copra, handicrafts
partners: NA
Imports:
total value: $13.5 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment,
fuel, clothing
partners: France, Australia, New Zealand
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per
US$1-110.60 (January 1998), 106.11 (1997), 93.00 (1996), 90.75 (1995),
100.94 (1994), 102.96 (1993); note-linked at the rate of 18.18 to the
French franc
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 340 (1985 est.) Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) note: in addition, there are 155,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank
and 164,000 in East Jerusalem (August 1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 359,848; female 342,173)
15-64 years: 52% (male 405,929; female 396,928)
65 years and over: 3% (male 21,853; female 30,188) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.71% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 36.65 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 4.35 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 4.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.72 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.35 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) An estimated 147,000 people were in
refugee camps in 1996. GDP: purchasing power parity-$2.8 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 33%
industry: 25%
services: 42% (1995 est., includes Gaza Strip)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 8.4% (1996 est.) Budget:
revenues: $684 million
expenditures: $779 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Industries: generally small family businesses that produce cement,
textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs;
the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in
the settlements and industrial centers
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: NA kW
note: most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric
Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East
Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric
Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and
military facilities; at the same time, some Palestinian
municipalities, such as Nabulus and Janin, generate their own
electricity from small power plants
Electricity-production: NA kWh
note: most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric
Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East
Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric
Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and
military facilities; at the same time, some Palestinian
municipalities, such as Nabulus and Janin, generate their own
electricity from small power plants
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture-products: olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables;
beef, dairy products
Exports:
total value: $630 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) Television broadcast stations: about 25 low-powered stations
Televisions: NA; note-54% of Palestinian households have televisions
(1992 est.) note: Israelis have developed many highways to service Jewish
settlements
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 2.4% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 45.78 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 17.05 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -4.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 139.74 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) GDP: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: 40%-45% (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, El Aaiun
Airports: 12 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) Heliports: 1 (1997 est.) Natural hazards: large areas subject to severe weather (tropical
cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis,
volcanic eruptions)
Environment-current issues: large areas subject to overpopulation,
industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic
substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation,
desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion,
erosion
Environment-international agreements: selected international
environmental agreements are included under the
Environment-international agreements entry for each country and in the
Selected International Environmental Agreements appendix
@World:People
Population: 5,926,466,814 (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.3% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 22 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 58 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @World:Government
Data code: none; there is no FIPS 10-4 country code for the World, so
the Factbook uses the "W" data code from DIAM 65-18 "Geopolitical Data
Elements and Related Features," Data Standard No. And, once more, results varied widely among
regions and countries. With its solid 3.8% growth, the US again
accounted for 21% of GWP in 1997. Western Europe grew at 2.5%, not
enough to cut into its high unemployment, and accounted for another
21% of GWP. The advanced countries as a whole accounted for an
estimated 53% of GWP, with overall growth at 3.0%. China and India, with a combined population of 2.2
billion or 37% of the world total, grew at 8.8% and 5%, respectively. (China's official GDP statistics probably are overstated.) (For specific economic developments in each
country of the world in 1997, see the individual country entries.) GDP: GWP (gross world product)-purchasing power parity-$38 trillion
(1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: all countries 25%; developed
countries 2% to 4% typically; developing countries 10% to 60%
typically (1997 est.) note: national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from
stable prices in Japan to hyperinflation in a number of Third World
countries
Labor force:
total: 2.24 billion (1992)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 30% combined unemployment and underemployment in
many non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically
5%-12% unemployment (1997 est.) commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and
services
partners: in value, about 75% of exports from the developed countries
Imports:
total value: $5.1 trillion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and
services
partners: in value, about 75% of imports by the developed countries
Debt-external: $2 trillion for less developed countries (1997 est.) Economic aid: worldwide traditional foreign aid $50 billion (1995
est.) @World:Military
Military branches: ground, maritime, and air forces at all levels of
technology
Military expenditures-dollar figure: aggregate real expenditure on
arms worldwide in 1997 remained at about the 1996 level, about
three-quarters of a trillion dollars in money terms (1997 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: roughly 2% of gross world
product (1997 est.) Natural hazards: sandstorms and dust storms in summer
Environment-current issues: very limited natural fresh water
resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil
erosion; desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, 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: strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait
linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active
shipping lanes
@Yemen:People
Population: 16,387,963 (July 1998 est.) note: other estimates range as high as 16.6 million
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 4,016,052; female 3,859,079)
15-64 years: 49% (male 4,066,601; female 3,902,686)
65 years and over: 3% (male 280,152; female 263,393) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 3.31% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 43.36 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.27 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 72.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Since the Gulf crisis,
however, remittances have dropped substantially. GDP: purchasing power parity-$31.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 39%
services: 46% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 5% (1997 est.) Budget:
revenues: $2.6 billion
expenditures: $2.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.1
billion (1998 est.) commodities: crude oil, cotton, coffee, dried and salted fish
partners: China 23%, South Korea 19%, Thailand 14%, Brazil 13%, Japan
12%, Thailand 7% (1995)
Imports:
total value: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: textiles and other manufactured consumer goods, petroleum
products, foodstuffs, cement, machinery, chemicals
partners: US 12%, France 11%, UAE 10%, Saudi Arabia 7%, UK 5% (1995)
Debt-external: $8 billion (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $148 million (1993)
Currency: Yemeni rial (YRl) (new currency)
Exchange rates: Yemeni rials (YRl) per US$1-129.158 (1997), 94.157
(1996), 40.839 (1995), 12.010 (official fixed rate 1991-94)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 131,655 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 10
Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 644 km; petroleum products 32 km
Ports and harbors: Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla, As Salif, Mocha,
Nishtun
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,059 GRT/18,563 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, oil tanker 2 (1997 est.) Airports: 48 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 37
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) @Yemen:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes
Police)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 3,611,419 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $407 million (1998 est.) Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 5% (1998 est.) Natural hazards: tropical storms (November to April)
Environment-current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain in
the mineral extraction and refining region; poaching seriously
threatens rhinoceros and elephant populations; deforestation; soil
erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents
human health risks
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked
@Zambia:People
Population: 9,460,736 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 49% (male 2,342,043; female 2,316,357)
15-64 years: 48% (male 2,244,251; female 2,326,159)
65 years and over: 3% (male 106,950; female 124,976) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.13% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 44.6 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 22.55 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 92.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Inflation, while
slowing somewhat, continues to be a major concern to the CHILUBA
government. Zambia's copper mining sector, which accounts for over 80%
of the nation's foreign currency intake, is struggling. GDP: purchasing power parity-$8.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 23%
industry: 40%
services: 37% (1997 est.) commodities: copper, zinc, cobalt, lead, tobacco
partners: EU countries, Japan, South Africa, US, Saudi Arabia, India,
Thailand, Malaysia
Imports:
total value: $990 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, fuels,
petroleum products, electricity, miscellaneous manufactured goods
partners: South Africa, EU countries, Japan, Saudi Arabia, US
Debt-external: $7.2 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $2 billion (1995 est.) Waterways: 2,250 km, including Zambezi and Luapula rivers, Lake
Tanganyika
Pipelines: crude oil 1,724 km
Ports and harbors: Mpulungu
Airports: 111 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 12
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 99
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 64
under 914 m: 32 (1997 est.) @Zambia:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, paramilitary forces, Police
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,037,123 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $96 million (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.7% (1995)
@Zambia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and
Zimbabwe is in disagreement; Democratic Republic of the
Congo-Tanzania-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be
indefinite since it has been informally reported that the indefinite
section of the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Zambia boundary has
been settled
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for methaqualone, heroin, and
cocaine bound for Southern Africa and Europe; regional
money-laundering center
______________________________________________________________________
ZIMBABWE
@Zimbabwe:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, northeast of Botswana
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 390,580 sq km
land: 386,670 sq km
water: 3,910 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 3,066 km
border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa
225 km, Zambia 797 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to
March)
Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld);
mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Lundi and Savi rivers 162 m
highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m
Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper,
iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 13%
forests and woodland: 23%
other: 57% (1993 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land
degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd-once
the largest concentration of the species in the world-has been
significantly reduced by poaching
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked
@Zimbabwe:People
Population: 11,044,147 (July 1998 est.) Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 2,439,907; female 2,397,761)
15-64 years: 54% (male 2,914,336; female 3,000,442)
65 years and over: 2% (male 133,232; female 158,469) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.12% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 31.32 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 20.09 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there is a small but steady flow of Zimbabweans into South
Africa in search of better paid employment
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 61.75 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) @Zimbabwe:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe
conventional short form: Zimbabwe
former: Southern Rhodesia
Data code: ZI
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Harare
Administrative divisions: 8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial
status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central,
Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North,
Matabeleland South, Midlands
Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980)
Constitution: 21 December 1979
Legal system: mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31
December 1987); Co-Vice Presidents Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31
December 1987) and Joshua M. NKOMO (since 6 August 1990); note-the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since
31 December 1987); Co-Vice Presidents Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31
December 1987) and Joshua M. NKOMO (since 6 August 1990); note-the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House
of Assembly
elections: president nominated by the House of Assembly for a six-year
term (if more than one nomination, an electoral college consisting of
members of the House of Assembly elects the president); election last
held 26-27 March 1996 (next to be held NA March 2002); co-vice
presidents appointed by the president
election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE elected president; percent of
electoral college vote-Robert Gabriel MUGABE 92.7%, Abel MUZOREWA
4.8%; Ndabaningi SITHOLE 2.4%
Legislative branch: unicameral parliament, called House of Assembly
(150 seats, 120 of which are directly elected by popular vote for
six-year terms; of the other 30 seats, 12 are nominated by the
president, 10 are occupied by traditional chiefs chosen by their
peers, and 8 by provincial governors)
elections: last held 8-9 April 1995 (next to be held NA April 2001)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-ZANU-PF
117, ZANU-Ndonga 2, independent 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Zimbabwe African National
Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert MUGABE]; Zimbabwe African
National Union-NDONGA or ZANU-NDONGA [Ndabaningi SITHOLE]; Zimbabwe
Unity Movement or ZUM [Edgar TEKERE]; Democratic Party or DP [Emmanuel
MAGOCHE]; Forum Party of Zimbabwe [Enock DUMBUTSHENA]; United Parties
[Abel MUZOREWA]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,
G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUA, NAM,
OAU, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Amos Bernard Muvengwa MIDZI
chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100
FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tom McDONALD
embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare
mailing address: P. O. Mining accounts
for only 5% of both GDP and employment, but minerals and metals
account for about 20% of exports. GDP: purchasing power parity-$24.9 billion (1996 est.) GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 18.3%
industry: 35.3%
services: 46.4% (1993 est.) by occupation: agriculture 27%, transport and services 46%, industry
27%
Unemployment rate: at least 45% (1994 est.) Budget:
revenues: $2.5 billion
expenditures: $2.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $279
million (FY96/97 est.) commodities: agricultural 38% (tobacco 28%), manufactures 34%, gold
12%, textiles 4%, ferrochrome 7% (1996 est.) partners: South Africa 12%, UK 12%, Germany 6%, Japan 6% (1996 est.) Imports:
total value: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 41%, other
manufactures 24%, chemicals 13%, fuels 10% (1996 est.) partners: South Africa 38%, UK 9%, US 5%, Japan 5% (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 8 (1986 est.) Televisions: 280,000 (1992 est.) @Zimbabwe:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,759 km (1995)
narrow gauge: 2,759 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified; 42 km double
track) (1995 est.) Highways:
total: 18,338 km
paved: 8,692 km
unpaved: 9,646 km (1996 est.) Waterways: the Mazoe and Zambezi rivers are used for transporting
chrome ore from Harare to Mozambique
Pipelines: petroleum products 212 km
Ports and harbors: Binga, Kariba
Airports: 468 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways:
total: 20
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 10 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 448
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 221
under 914 m: 224 (1997 est.) @Zimbabwe:Military
Military branches: Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe,
Zimbabwe Republic Police (includes Police Support Unit, Paramilitary
Police)
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,662,702 (1998 est.) Military expenditures-dollar figure: $236 million (FY95/96)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.4% (FY95/96)
@Zimbabwe:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia
is in disagreement
Illicit drugs: significant transit point for African cannabis and
South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the
South African and European markets
______________________________________________________________________
@NOTES AND DEFINITIONS
There have been some significant changes in this edition. In the future, this category may be added to
more countries. 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). Age structure: This entry provides the distribution of the population
according to age. 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. 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. Airports-with paved runways: This entry gives the total number of
airports with paved runways (concrete or asphalt surfaces). Airports-with unpaved runways: This entry gives the total number of
airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces). Area: This entry includes three subfields. 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). The smaller entities are
compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in
Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres). Birth rate: This entry gives the average annual number of births
during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude
birth rate. Budget: This entry includes revenues, total expenditures, and capital
expenditures. Climate: This entry includes a brief description of typical weather
regimes throughout the year. Coastline: This entry gives the total length of the boundary between
the land area (including islands) and the sea. 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. 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. 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. 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. Dates of information: The information cutoff date was 1 January 1998,
although a few important changes after that date have been included. Death rate: This entry gives the average annual number of deaths
during a year per l,000 population at midyear; also known as crude
death rate. 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). 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. Economic aid: This entry refers to bilateral commitments of official
development assistance (ODA) and other official flows (OOF). OOF transactions
are also official government assistance, but with a main objective
other than economic development and with a grant element less than
25%. OOF transactions include official export credits (such as Ex-Im
Bank credits), official equity and portfolio investment, and debt
reorganization by the official sector that does not meet concessional
terms. Economy: This category includes the entries dealing with the size,
development, and management of productive resources, i.e., land,
labor, and capital. 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. Executive branch: This entry includes several subfields. Elections includes
the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last
election, and date of the next election. In the UK,
the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head
of government. In the US, the President is both the chief of state and
the head of government. Exports: This entry includes three subfields. basis. Fiscal year: This entry identifies the beginning and ending months for
a country's accounting period of 12 months, which often is the
calendar year but may begin in any month. All yearly references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated
as a noncalendar fiscal year (FY). 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 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. When converted at PPP rates, $1,000 will buy the same market basket of
goods in any country. 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. GDP-composition by sector: This entry gives the percentage
contribution of agriculture, industry, and services to total GDP. Spellings
are normally, but not always, those approved by the US Board on
Geographic Names (BGN). 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. 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. Illicit drugs: This entry gives information on the five categories of
illicit drugs- narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives),
hallucinogens, and cannabis. 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. 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. 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. 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. Imports: This entry includes three subfields. or f.o.b. basis. Independence: For most countries, this entry gives the date that
sovereignty was achieved, and from what nation, empire, or
trusteeship. Industrial production growth rate: This entry gives the annual
percentage increase in industrial production (includes manufacturing,
mining, and construction). Infant mortality rate: This entry gives the number of deaths of
infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births
occurring in the same year. 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. At present it appears in only a few country
profiles, but may be added to others in the future. Judicial branch: This entry contains the name(s) of the highest
court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members. Land use: This entry contains the percentage shares of total land area
for five different types of land use. Other- any land
type not specifically mentioned above, such as urban areas, roads,
desert, etc. 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. Literacy: This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census
Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. Unless
otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common
definition-the ability to read and write at a specified age. 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. 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. 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. Total includes the total number of ships (1,000 GRT or
over), total DWT for those ships, and total GRT for those ships. The captive register then acts as a flag of
convenience register, except that it is not the register of an
independent 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. An internal register is a register of ships maintained as a subset of
a 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). Military: This category includes the entries dealing with a country's
military structure, manpower, and expenditures. Military branches: This entry lists the names of the ground, naval,
air, marine, and other defense or military-type forces. Military expenditures-dollar figure: This entry gives current military
expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying
the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross
domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not
purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Military expenditures-percent of GDP: This entry gives current
military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic
product (GDP). National capital: This entry gives the location of the seat of
government. 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. The sex ratio
at birth for the World is 1.06 (1998 est.). The one component that is not
presented is the international access code, which varies from country
to country. 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. The
following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:
Arabsat-Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia). 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). 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.) 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). SHF-super-high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000-
to 30,000-MHz range. UHF-ultra-high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 300- to
3,000-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. Terrain: This entry contains a brief description of the topography. 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. Unemployment rate: This entry contains the percent of the labor force
that is without jobs. 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). Box 7128, Kampala, Uganda, or Bruce House,
P.O. Box 47685, Nairobi Kenya, or Nic Investment House, P.O. 5 Khayahan-A-Hejab, Bd Keshavarz, P.O. Box
891, Maseru 100, Lesotho, or Chief Customs Officer, P.O. Box 700, A-1400 Vienna,
Austria
telephone-[43] (1) 21345, ext. ISO 3166: Codes for the Representation of Names of Countries (ISO
3166) is prepared by the International Organization for
Standardization. Spellings are
normally, but not always, those approved by the US Board on Geographic
Names (BGN). 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) CIA's World Factbook. In 1943, Gen. George B. Between April 1943 and July 1947, the board published 34
JANIS studies. 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. . . . The first classified Factbook was published in August 1962,
and the first unclassified version was published in June 1971. 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). Comments and queries are welcome and may be addressed to:
Central Intelligence Agency
Attn.