  Publication Information Afghanistan The Bahamas Cambodia Denmark Ecuador Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Gabon Haiti Iceland Jamaica Kazakhstan Laos Macau Namibia Oman Pacific Ocean Qatar Reunion Saint Helena Taiwan Uganda Vanuatu Wake Island Yemen Zaire Appendices ________________________________________________________________________ Publication Information for The World Factbook 1995 The printed version of the Factbook is published annually in July by Comments and queries are welcome and may be addressed to: Central Intelligence Agency US Government officials should obtain copies of The World Factbook This publication may be purchased by telephone (VISA or MasterCard) or Superintendent of Documents A subscription to this publication may be purchased from: Document Expediting (DOCEX) Project This publication may be purchased in printed form, photocopy, National Technical Information Service This publication may be purchased in photocopy or microform from: Photoduplication Service Library of Congress ________________________________________________________________________ NOTES, DEFINITIONS, AND ABBREVIATIONSThere have been some significant changes in this edition. The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands became the independent nation of Palau. The gross domestic product (GDP) of all countries is now presented on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis rather than on the old exchange rate basis. There is a new entry on Age structure and the Airports entry now includes unpaved runways. The Communications category has been restructured and now includes the entries of Telephone system, Radio, and Television. The remainder of the entries in the former Communications category-Railroads, Highways, Inland waterways, Pipelines, Ports, Merchant marine, and Airports-can now be found under a new category called Transportation. There is a new appendix listing estimates of gross domestic product on an exchange rate basis for all nations. A reference map of the Republic of South Africa is included. The electronic files used to produce the Factbook have been restructured into a database. As a result, the formats of some entries in this edition have been changed. Additional changes will occur in the 1996 Factbook. Abbreviations: (see Appendix B for abbreviations for international Administrative divisions: The numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions are generally those approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted. Airports: Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. Paved runways have concrete or asphalt surfaces; unpaved runways have grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces. Area: Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Comparative areas are based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states. 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: The average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. Dates of information: In general, information available as of 1 January 1995 is used in the preparation of this edition. Population figures are estimates for 1 July 1995, with population growth rates estimated for calendar year 1995. Major political events have been updated through April 1995. Death rate: The average annual number of deaths during a year per l,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. Digraphs: The digraph is a two-letter "country code" that precisely identifies every entity without overlap, duplication, or omission. AF, for example, is the digraph for Afghanistan. It is a standardized geopolitical data element promulgated in the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS) 10-3 by the National Bureau of Standards (now called National Institute of Standards and Technology) at the US Department of Commerce and maintained by the Office of the Geographer at the US Department of State. The digraph is used to eliminate confusion and incompatibility in the collection, processing, and dissemination of area-specific data and is particularly useful for interchanging data between databases. Diplomatic representation: The US Government has diplomatic relations with 184 nations, including 178 of the 185 UN members (excluded UN members are Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, former Yugoslavia, and the US itself). In addition, the US has diplomatic relations with 6 nations that are not in the UN - Holy See, Kiribati, Nauru, Switzerland, Tonga, and Tuvalu. Economic aid: This entry refers to bilateral commitments of official development assistance (ODA) and other official flows (OOF). ODA is defined as financial assistance which is concessional in character, has the main objective to promote economic development and welfare of LDCs, and contains a grant element of at least 25%. OOF transactions are also official government assistance, but with a main objective other than development and with a grant element less than 25%. OOF transactions include official export credits (such as Ex-Im Bank credits), official equity and portfolio investment, and debt reorganization by the official sector that does not meet concessional terms. Aid is considered to have been committed when agreements are initialed by the parties involved and constitute a formal declaration of intent. Entities: Some of the nations, dependent areas, areas of special sovereignty, and governments included in this publication are not independent, and others are not officially recognized by the US Government. "Nation" refers to a people politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory. "Dependent area" refers to a broad category of political entities that are associated in some way with a nation. Names used for page headings are usually the short-form names as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names. There are 266 entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows: NATIONS OTHER 1 — Taiwan DEPENDENT AREAS MISCELLANEOUS 6 — Antarctica, Gaza Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, West Bank, Western Sahara OTHER ENTITIES 4 — oceans—Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean 1 — World 266 — total Exchange rate: The official value of a nation's monetary unit at a given date or over a given period of time, as expressed in units of local currency per US dollar and as determined by international market forces or official fiat. GDP methodology: In the "Economy" section, GDP dollar estimates for all countries are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations rather than from conversions at official currency exchange rates. The PPP method normally involves the use of international dollar price weights, which are applied to the quantities of goods and services produced in a given economy. In addition to the lack of reliable data from the majority of countries, the statistician faces a major difficulty in specifying, identifying, and allowing for the quality of goods and services. The division of a GDP estimate in local currency by the corresponding PPP estimate in dollars gives the PPP conversion rate. On average, one thousand dollars will buy the same market basket of goods in the US as one thousand dollars - converted to the local currency at the PPP conversion rate - will buy in the other country. Whereas PPP estimates for OECD countries are quite reliable, PPP estimates for developing countries are often rough approximations. Most of the GDP estimates are based on extrapolation of numbers published by the UN International Comparison Program and by Professors Robert Summers and Alan Heston of the University of Pennsylvania and their colleagues. Currency exchange rates depend on a variety of international and domestic financial forces that often have little relation to domestic output. In developing countries with weak currencies the exchange rate estimate of GDP in dollars is typically one-fourth to one-half the PPP estimate. Furthermore, exchange rates may suddenly go up or down by 10% or more because of market forces or official fiat whereas real output has remained unchanged. On 12 January 1994, for example, the 14 countries of the African Financial Community (whose currencies are tied to the French franc) devalued their currencies by 50%. This move, of course, did not cut the real output of these countries by half. One important caution: the proportion of, say, defense expenditures as a percentage of GDP in local currency accounts may differ substantially from the proportion when GDP accounts are expressed in PPP terms, as, for example, when an observer tries to estimate the dollar level of Russian or Japanese military expenditures. Note: The numbers for GDP and other economic data can not be chained together from successive volumes of the Factbook because of changes in the US dollar measuring rod, revisions of data by statistical agencies, use of new or different sources of information, and changes in national statistical methods and practices. Gross domestic product (GDP): The value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. Gross national product (GNP): The value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year, plus income earned abroad, minus income earned by foreigners from domestic production. Gross world product (GWP): The aggregate value of all goods and services produced worldwide in a given year. Growth rate (population): The annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. Illicit drugs: There are five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside medical channels. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil). Coca (Erythroxylum coca) is a bush, and the leaves contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter. Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush. Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid). Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn). Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine. Mandrax is the Southwest Asian slang term for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Marijuana is the dried leaves of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, in slang referred to as Quaaludes in North America or Mandrax in Southwest Asia Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussan AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol, Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon, Lomotil). Opium is the milky exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for many natural and semisynthetic narcotics. Poppy straw concentrate is the alkaloid derived from the mature dried opium poppy. Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea. Quaaludes is the North American slang term for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate). Infant mortality rate: The number of deaths to infants under one year old in a given year per l,000 live births occurring in the same year. International disputes: This category includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international boundaries and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues. However, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government. Irrigated land: The figure refers to the land area that is artificially supplied with water. Land use: The land surface is categorized as arable land - land cultivated for crops that are replanted after each harvest (wheat, maize, rice); permanent crops - land cultivated for crops that are not replanted after each harvest (citrus, coffee, rubber); meadows and pastures - land permanently used for herbaceous forage crops; forest and woodland - under dense or open stands of trees; and other - any land type not specifically mentioned above (urban areas, roads, desert). Leaders: The chief of state is the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but is not involved with the day- to-day activities of the government. The head of government is the administrative leader who manages the day-to-day activities of the government. 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. Life expectancy at birth: The average number of years to be lived by a group of people all born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. Literacy: There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise noted, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of this publication. Maritime claims: The proximity of neighboring states may prevent some national claims from being extended the full distance. Merchant marine: 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. Also, a grouping of merchant ships by nationality or register. Captive register - A register of ships maintained by a territory, possession, or colony primarily or exclusively for the use of ships owned in the parent country; also referred to as an offshore register, the offshore equivalent of an internal register. Ships on a captive register will fly the same flag as the parent country, or a local variant of it, but will be subject to the maritime laws and taxation rules of the offshore territory. Although the nature of a captive register makes it especially desirable for ships owned in the parent country, just as in the internal register, the ships may also be owned abroad. The captive register then acts as a flag of convenience register, except that it is not the register of an independent state. Flag of convenience register - A national register offering registration to a merchant ship not owned in the flag state. The major flags of convenience (FOC) attract ships to their registers by virtue of low fees, low or nonexistent taxation of profits, and liberal manning requirements. True FOC registers are characterized by having relatively few of the ships registered actually owned in the flag state. Thus, while virtually any flag can be used for ships under a given set of circumstances, an FOC register is one where the majority of the merchant fleet is owned abroad. It is also referred to as an open register. Flag state - The nation in which a ship is registered and which holds legal jurisdiction over operation of the ship, whether at home or abroad. Flag state maritime legislation determines how a ship is manned and taxed and whether a foreign-owned ship may be placed on the register. Internal register - A register of ships maintained as a subset of a national register. Ships on the internal register fly the national flag and have that nationality but are subject to a separate set of maritime rules from those on the main national register. These differences usually include lower taxation of profits, manning by foreign nationals, and, usually, ownership outside the flag state (when it functions as an FOC register). The Norwegian International Ship Register and Danish International Ship Register are the most notable examples of an internal register. Both have been instrumental in stemming flight from the national flag to flags of convenience and in attracting foreign owned ships to the Norwegian and Danish flags. Merchant ship - A vessel that carries goods against payment of freight; commonly used to denote any nonmilitary ship but accurately restricted to commercial vessels only. Register - The record of a ship's ownership and nationality as listed with the maritime authorities of a country; also, the compendium of such individual ships' registrations. Registration of a ship provides it with a nationality and makes it subject to the laws of the country in which registered (the flag state) regardless of the nationality of the ship's ultimate owner. Money figures: All money figures are expressed in contemporaneous US dollars unless otherwise indicated. National product: The total output of goods and services in a country in a given year. See GDP methodology, Gross domestic product (GDP), and Gross national product (GNP). Net migration rate: The balance 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 (3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (-9.26 migrants/1,000 population). Population: Figures are estimates from the Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past, and on assumptions about future trends. Starting with the 1993 Factbook, demographic estimates for some countries (mostly African) have taken into account the effects of the growing incidence of AIDS infections; in 1993 these countries were Burkina, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Brazil, and Haiti. Telephone numbers: All telephone numbers presented in the Factbook consist of the country code in brackets, the city or area code (where required) in parentheses, and the local number. The one component that is not presented is the international access code which varies from country to country. For example, an international direct dial phone call placed from the United States to Madrid, Spain, would be as follows: 011 [34] (1) 577-xxxx where 011 is the international access code for station-to-station calls (01 is for calls other than station-to-station calls), [34] is the country code for Spain, (1) is the city code for Madrid, 577 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number. An international direct dial phone call placed from another country to the United States would be as follows: international access code + [1] (202) 939-xxxx where [1] is the country code for the United States, (202) is the area code for Washington, DC, 939 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number. Total fertility rate: The average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. Years: All year references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as fiscal year (FY). FY93/94 refers to the fiscal year that began in calendar year 1993 and ended in calendar year 1994 as defined in the Fiscal Year entry of the Economy section for each nation. FY90-94 refers to the four fiscal years that began in calendar year 1990 and ended in calendar year 1994. Note: Information for the US and US dependencies was compiled from material in the public domain and does not represent Intelligence Community estimates. The Handbook of International Economic Statistics, published annually in September by the Central Intelligence Agency, contains detailed economic information for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, Eastern Europe, the newly independent republics of the former nations of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, and selected other countries. The Handbook can be obtained wherever The World Factbook is available. ________________________________________________________________________ AFGHANISTAN@Afghanistan:Geography Location: Southern Asia, north of Pakistan Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 5,529 km, China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: periodic disputes with Iran over Helmand water rights; Iran supports clientsin country, private Pakistani and Saudi sources also are active; power struggles among various groups for control of Kabul, regional rivalries among emerging warlords, traditional tribal disputes continue; support to Islamic fighters in Tajikistan's civil war; border dispute with Pakistan (Durand Line); support to Islamic militants worldwide by some factions Climate: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, talc, barites, sulphur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 15% forest and woodland: 3% other: 39% Irrigated land: 26,600 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Afghanistan:People Population: 21,251,821 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 14.47% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 42.69 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 18.53 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 120.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 152.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.37 years male: 45.98 years female: 44.72 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.21 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan Ethnic divisions: Pashtun 38%, Tajik 25%, Uzbek 6%, Hazara 19%, minor ethnic groups (Chahar Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others) Religions: Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1% Languages: Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 4.98 million @Afghanistan:Government Names: Digraph: AF Type: transitional government Capital: Kabul Administrative divisions: 30 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Note: there may be two new provinces of Nurestan (Nuristan) and Khowst Independence: 19 August 1919 (from UK) National holiday: Victory of the Muslim Nation, 28 April; Remembrance Constitution: none Legal system: a new legal system has not been adopted but the Suffrage: undetermined; previously males 15-50 years of age, universal Executive branch: Note: term of present government expired 28 December 1994; factional fighting since 1 January 1994 has kept government officers from actually occupying ministries and discharging government responsibilities; the government's authority to remove cabinet members, including the Prime Minister, following the expiration of their term is questionable Legislative branch: a unicameral parliament consisting of 205 members was chosen by the shura in January 1993; non-functioning as of June 1993 Judicial branch: an interim Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has Political parties and leaders: current political organizations include Note: the former ruling Watan Party has been disbanded Other political or pressure groups: the former resistance commanders are the major power brokers in the countryside and their shuras (councils) are now administering most cities outside Kabul; tribal elders and religious students are trying to wrest control from them; ulema (religious scholars); tribal elders; religious students (talib) Member of: AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Abdul RAHIM chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-3770, 3771 FAX: [1] (202) 328-3516 consulate(s) general: New York consulate(s): Washington, DC US diplomatic representation: none; embassy was closed in January 1989 Flag: NA; note - the flag has changed at least twice since 1992 @Afghanistan:Economy Overview: Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on farming (wheat especially) and livestock raising (sheep and goats). Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during more than 15 years of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). Over the past decade, one-third of the population fled the country, with Pakistan sheltering more than 3 million refugees and Iran about 3 million. About 1.4 million Afghan refugees remain in Pakistan and about 2 million in Iran. Another 1 million probably moved into and around urban areas within Afghanistan. Although reliable data are unavailable, gross domestic product is lower than 13 years ago because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 56.7% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $188.2 million (f.o.b., 1991) Imports: $616.4 million (c.i.f., 1991) External debt: $2.3 billion (March 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.3% (FY90/91 est.); accounts for about 25% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 480,000 kW production: 550 million kWh consumption per capita: 39 kWh (1993) Industries: small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, and cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, oil, coal, copper Agriculture: largely subsistence farming and nomadic animal husbandry; cash products - wheat, fruits, nuts, karakul pelts, wool, mutton Illicit drugs: an illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis for Economic aid: Currency: 1 afghani (AF) = 100 puls Exchange rates: afghanis (Af) per US$1 - 1,900 (January 1994), 1,019 (March 1993), 850 (1991), 700 (1989-90), 220 (1988-89); note - these rates reflect the free market exchange rates rather than the official exchange rates Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March @Afghanistan:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 21,000 km paved: 2,800 km unpaved: gravel 1,650 km; earth 16,550 km (1984) Inland waterways: total navigability 1,200 km; chiefly Amu Darya, Pipelines: petroleum products - Uzbekistan to Bagram and Turkmenistan Ports: Keleft, Kheyrabad, Shir Khan Airports: @Afghanistan:Communications Telephone system: 31,200 telephones; limited telephone, telegraph, and Radio: Television: @Afghanistan:Defense Forces Branches: the military still does not exist on a national scale; some elements of the former Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard, Border Guard Forces, National Police Force (Sarandoi), and tribal militias still exist but are factionalized among the various mujahedin and former regime leaders Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,646,789; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $450 million, 15% of ________________________________________________________________________ ALBANIA@Albania:Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 720 km, Greece 282 km, The Former Yugoslav Coastline: 362 km Maritime claims: International disputes: the Albanian Government supports protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside of its borders; Albanian majority in Kosovo seeks independence from Serbian Republic; Albanians in Macedonia claim discrimination in education, access to public sector jobs and representation in government; Albania is involved in a bilaterlal dispute with Greece over border demarcation, the treatment of Albania's ethnic Greek minority, and migrant Albanian workers in Greece Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, timber, nickel Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 15% forest and woodland: 38% other: 22% Irrigated land: 4,230 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea @Albania:People Population: 3,413,904 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.16% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 21.7 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.22 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -4.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 28.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.81 years male: 70.83 years female: 77.02 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.71 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Albanian 95%, Greeks 3%, other 2% (Vlachs, Gypsies, Religions: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice Languages: Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek Literacy: age 9 and over can read and write (1955) Labor force: 1.5 million (1987) @Albania:Government Names: Digraph: AL Type: emerging democracy Capital: Tirane Administrative divisions: 26 districts (rrethe, singular - rreth); Independence: 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1912) Constitution: an interim basic law was approved by the People's Legal system: has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: there are at least 28 political Member of: BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LAKE embassy: Rruga E. Elbansanit 103, Tirane mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100 (A), APO AE 09624 telephone: [355] (42) 328-75, 335-20 FAX: [355] (42) 322-22 Flag: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center @Albania:Economy Overview: An extremely poor country by European standards, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more open-market economy. The economy rebounded in 1993-94 after a severe depression accompanying the collapse of the previous centrally planned system in 1990 and 1991. Stabilization policies - including a strict monetary policy, public sector layoffs, and reduced social services - have improved the government's fiscal situation and reduced inflation. The recovery was spurred by the remittances of some 20% of the population which works abroad, mostly in Greece and Italy. These remittances supplement GDP and help offset the large foreign trade deficit. Foreign assistance and humanitarian aid also supported the recovery. Most agricultural land was privatized in 1992, substantially improving peasant incomes. Albania's limited industrial sector, now less than one-sixth of GDP, continued to decline in 1994. A sharp fall in chromium prices reduced hard currency receipts from the mining sector. Large segments of the population, especially those living in urban areas, continue to depend on humanitarian aid to meet basic food requirements. Unemployment remains a severe problem accounting for approximately one-fifth of the work force. Growth is expected to continue in 1995, but could falter if Albania becomes involved in the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, workers' remittances from Greece are reduced, or foreign assistance declines. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $3.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 11% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,110 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16% (1994) Unemployment rate: 18% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $112 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $621 million (f.o.b., 1993) External debt: $920 million (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -10% (1993 est.); accounts for 16% of GDP (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 770,000 kW production: 4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,200 kWh (1994) Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing, lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower Agriculture: accounts for 55% of GDP; arable land per capita among lowest in Europe; 80% of arable land now in private hands; 60% of the work force engaged in farming; produces wide range of temperate-zone crops and livestock Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium production Economic aid: recipient: $303 million (1993) Currency: 1 lek (L) = 100 qintars Exchange rates: leke (L) per US$1 - 100 (January 1995), 99 (January 1994), 97 (January 1993), 50 (January 1992), 25 (September 1991) Fiscal year: calendar year @Albania:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 43 km plus Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake Pipelines: crude oil 145 km; petroleum products 55 km; natural gas 64 Ports: Durres, Sarande, Shergjin, Vlore Merchant marine: Airports: @Albania:Communications Telephone system: about 55,000 telephones; about 15 telephones/1,000 Radio: Television: @Albania:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior Ministry Manpower availability: males age 15-49 919,085; males fit for military Defense expenditures: 330 million leke, NA% of GNP (1993); note - ________________________________________________________________________ ALGERIA@Algeria:Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 6,343 km, Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Coastline: 998 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Libya claims part of southeastern Algeria; land boundary dispute with Tunisia settled in 1993 Climate: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer Terrain: mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 2% other: 82% Irrigated land: 3,360 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan) @Algeria:People Population: 28,539,321 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.25% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 29.02 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.05 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 50.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.01 years male: 66.94 years female: 69.13 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.7 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1% Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 6.2 million (1992 est.) @Algeria:Government Names: Digraph: AG Type: republic Capital: Algiers Administrative divisions: 48 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France) National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 1 November (1954) Constitution: 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 Legal system: socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral; note - suspended since 1992 National People's Assembly (Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani): elections first round held on 26 December 1991 (second round canceled by the military after President BENDJEDID resigned 11 January 1992, effectively suspending the Assembly); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (281 total); the fundamentalist FIS won 188 of the 231 seats contested in the first round; note - elections (provincial and municipal) were held in June 1990, the first in Algerian history; results - FIS 55%, FLN 27.5%, other 17.5%, with 65% of the voters participating Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Islamic Salvation Front (FIS, outlawed Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Osmane BENCHERIF chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANN embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers telephone: [213] (2) 69-11-86, 69-18-54, 69-38-75 FAX: [213] (2) 69-39-79 consulate(s): none (Oran closed June 1993) Flag: two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star within a red crescent; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion) @Algeria:Economy Overview: The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 57% of government revenues, 25% of GDP, and almost all export earnings; Algeria has the fifth largest reserves of natural gas in the world and ranks fourteenth for oil. Algiers' efforts to reform one of the most centrally planned economies in the Arab world began after the 1986 collapse of world oil prices plunged the country into a severe recession. In 1989, the government launched a comprehensive, IMF-supported program to achieve macroeconomic stabilization and to introduce market mechanisms into the economy. Despite substantial progress toward macroeconomic adjustment, in 1992 the reform drive stalled as Algiers became embroiled in political turmoil. In September 1993, a new government was formed, and one priority was the resumption and acceleration of the structural adjustment process. Buffeted by the slump in world oil prices and burdened with a heavy foreign debt, Algiers concluded a one-year standby arrangement with the IMF in April 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $97.1 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,480 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $9.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $9.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $26 billion (1994) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for 35% of GDP (including hydrocarbons) Electricity: capacity: 5,370,000 kW production: 18.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 587 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum, light industries, natural gas, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing Agriculture: accounts for 12% of GDP (1993) and employs 22% of labor Economic aid: Currency: 1 Algerian dinar (DA) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Algerian dinars (DA) per US$1 - 42.710 (January 1995), 35.059 (1994), 23.345 (1993), 21.836 (1992), 18.473 (1991), 8.958 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Algeria:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Pipelines: crude oil 6,612 km; petroleum products 298 km; natural gas Ports: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys, Djendjene, Merchant marine: ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 27, chemical tanker 7, liquefied gas Airports: @Algeria:Communications Telephone system: 822,000 telephones; excellent domestic and Radio: Television: @Algeria:Defense Forces Branches: National Popular Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 7,124,894; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion, 2.7% of ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 116 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages 124 inches; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island) Natural resources: pumice, pumicite Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 75% other: 10% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the @American Samoa:People Population: 57,366 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 3.82% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 36.21 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.01 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.91 years male: 71.03 years female: 74.85 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.3 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: American Samoan(s) adjective: American Samoan Ethnic divisions: Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, Religions: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Languages: Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 14,400 (1990) @American Samoa:Government Names: Abbreviation: AS Digraph: AQ Type: unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered Capital: Pago Pago Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US) Independence: none (territory of the US) National holiday: Territorial Flag Day, 17 April (1900) Constitution: ratified 1966, in effect 1967 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono) Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: NA Member of: ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, SPC Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US) Flag: blue with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club @American Samoa:Economy Overview: Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts 80%-90% of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. The tuna canneries and the government are by far the two largest employers. Other economic activities include a slowly developing tourist industry. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $128 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $2,600 (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1990) Unemployment rate: 12% (1991) Budget: Exports: $306 million (f.o.b., 1989) Imports: $360.3 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% partners: US 62%, Japan 9%, NZ 7%, Australia 11%, Fiji 4%, other 7% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 30,000 kW production: 90 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,505 kWh (1993) Industries: tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign fishing Agriculture: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, Economic aid: Currency: 1 United States dollar = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @American Samoa:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 350 km paved: 150 km unpaved: 200 km Ports: Aanu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago, Merchant marine: none Airports: @American Samoa:Communications Telephone system: 8,399 telephones; good telex, telegraph, and Radio: Television: @American Samoa:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ ANDORRA@Andorra:Geography Location: Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 125 km, France 60 km, Spain 65 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers Terrain: rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 56% forest and woodland: 22% other: 20% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: landlocked @Andorra:People Population: 65,780 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.72% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.92 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.25 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 21.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.52 years male: 75.65 years female: 81.66 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran Ethnic divisions: Spanish 61%, Andorran 30%, French 6%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic (predominant) Languages: Catalan (official), French, Castilian Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA @Andorra:Government Names: Digraph: AN Type: parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its heads of state a co-principality; the two princes are the president of France and Spanish bishop of Seo de Urgel, who are represented locally by officials called veguers Capital: Andorra la Vella Administrative divisions: 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - Independence: 1278 National holiday: Mare de Deu de Meritxell, 8 September Constitution: Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; adopted 14 March 1993 Legal system: based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Andorra at Perpignan (France) for Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Group (AND), Oscar Member of: ECE, IFRCS (associate), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, UN, UNESCO Diplomatic representation in US: Andorra has no mission in the US US diplomatic representation: Andorra is included within the Barcelona Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red @Andorra:Economy Overview: Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 13 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited by a scarcity of arable land, and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union; it is unclear what effect the European Single Market will have on the advantages Andorra obtains from its duty-free status. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $760 million (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $14,000 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: Exports: $30 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 35,000 kW production: 140 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,570 kWh (1992) Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), sheep, timber, tobacco, Agriculture: sheep raising; small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, Economic aid: none Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes; 1 peseta (Pta) = 100 centimos; the French and Spanish currencies are used Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.2943 (January 1995), 5,5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990); Spanish pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 132.61 (January 1995), 133.96 (1994), 127.26 (1993), 102.38 (1992), 103.91 (1991), 101.93 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Andorra:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 96 km paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: none Airports: none @Andorra:Communications Telephone system: 17,700 telephones; digital microwave network Radio: Television: @Andorra:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain ________________________________________________________________________ ANGOLA@Angola:Geography Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 5,198 km, Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zaire Coastline: 1,600 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 20 nm International disputes: none Climate: semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) Terrain: narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 23% forest and woodland: 43% other: 32% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: natural hazards: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on Note: Cabinda is separated from rest of country by Zaire @Angola:People Population: 10,069,501 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.68% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 45.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 18.1 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 142.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.28 years male: 44.18 years female: 48.49 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.42 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan Ethnic divisions: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico Religions: indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2.783 million economically active @Angola:Government Note: Civil war has been the norm since independence from Portugal on 11 November 1975; a cease-fire lasted from 31 May 1991 until October 1992 when the insurgent National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) refused to accept its defeat in internationally monitored elections and fighting resumed throughout much of the countryside. The two sides signed another peace accord on 20 November 1994; the cease-fire is generally holding but most provisions of the accord remain to be implemented. Names: Digraph: AO Type: transitional government nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system Capital: Luanda Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (provincias, singular - Independence: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 11 November (1975) Constitution: 11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992 Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal da Relacao) Political parties and leaders: Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, is the ruling party and has been in power since 1975; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, is a legal party despite its history of armed resistance to the government; five minor parties have small numbers of seats in the National Assembly Other political or pressure groups: Cabindan State Liberation Front Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC (observer), ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a @Angola:Economy Overview: Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 80%-90% of the population but accounts for less than 15% of GDP. Oil production is vital to the economy, contributing about 60% to GDP. Despite the signing of a peace accord in November 1994 between the Angola government and the UNITA insurgents, sporadic fighting continues and many farmers remain reluctant to return to their fields. As a result, much of the country's food requirements must still be imported. Angola has rich natural resources - notably gold, diamonds, and arable land, in addition to large oil deposits - but will need to observe the cease-fire, implement the peace agreement, and reform government policies if it is to achieve its potential. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.1 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -1% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $620 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% average per month (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% with considerable underemployment (1993 est.) Budget: Exports: $3 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: capital equipment (machinery and electrical equipment), food, vehicles and spare parts, textiles and clothing, medicines, substantial military deliveries partners: Portugal, Brazil, US, France, Spain External debt: $11.7 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for about 60% of GDP, including petroleum output Electricity: capacity: 620,000 kW production: 1.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 189 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum; mining - diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, Agriculture: cash crops - bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, cane, manioc, tobacco; food crops - cassava, corn, vegetables, plantains; livestock production accounts for 20%, fishing 4%, forestry 2% of total agricultural output Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for cocaine Economic aid: Currency: 1 new kwanza (NKz) = 100 lwei Exchange rates: new kwanza (NKz) per US$1 - 900,000 (official rate 25 Fiscal year: calendar year @Angola:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 1,295 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 179 km Ports: Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malogo, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Merchant marine: Airports: @Angola:Communications Telephone system: 40,300 telephones; 4.1 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Angola:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,315,717; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, 31% of ________________________________________________________________________ ANGUILLA(dependent territory of the UK) @Anguilla:Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 61 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone Natural resources: negligible; salt, fish, lobster Land use: Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Anguilla:People Population: 7,099 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.66% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 24.09 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.03 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -9.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.1 years male: 71.32 years female: 76.91 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.05 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan Ethnic divisions: black African Religions: Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Languages: English (official) Literacy: age 12 and over can read and write (1984) Labor force: 4,400 (1992) @Anguilla:Government Names: Digraph: AV Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: The Valley Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May Constitution: Anguilla Constitutional Orders 1 April 1982; amended 1990 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: cabinet: Executive Council; appointed by the governor from the elected Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: Anguilla National Alliance (ANA); Member of: CARICOM (observer), CDB, INTERPOL (subbureau) Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: two horizontal bands of white (top, almost triple width) and light blue with three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design centered in the white band; a new flag may have been in use since 30 May 1990 @Anguilla:Economy Overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on lobster fishing, offshore banking, tourism, and remittances from emigrants. In recent years the economy has benefited from a boom in tourism and construction. Development plans center around the improvement of the infrastructure, particularly transport and tourist facilities, and also light industry. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $49 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 7.5% (1992) National product per capita: $7,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 7% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $556,000 (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $33.5 million (f.o.b., 1992) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 2,000 kW production: 6 million kWh consumption per capita: 862 kWh (1992) Industries: tourism, boat building, salt Agriculture: pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes, sheep, goats, pigs, Economic aid: Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: NA @Anguilla:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 105 km (1992 est.) paved: 65 km unpaved: gravel and earth 40 km Ports: Blowing Point, Road Bay Merchant marine: none Airports: @Anguilla:Communications Telephone system: 890 telephones; modern internal telephone system Radio: Television: @Anguilla:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ ANTARCTICA@Antarctica:Geography Location: continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle Map references: Antarctic Region Area: Land boundaries: none, but see entry on International disputes Coastline: 17,968 km Maritime claims: none, but see entry on International Disputes International disputes: Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary below); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France (Adelie Land), New Zealand (Ross Dependency), Norway (Queen Maud Land), and UK; the US and most other nations do not recognize the territorial claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves (the US reserves the right to do so); no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west Climate: severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing Terrain: about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to 4,897 meters high; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent Natural resources: none presently exploited; iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small, uncommercial quantities Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: the coldest, windiest, highest, and driest continent; during summer more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable @Antarctica:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are seasonally @Antarctica:Government Names: Digraph: AY Type: Legal system: US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply to areas not under jurisdiction of other countries. Some US laws directly apply to Antarctica. For example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: The taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected or scientific areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica. Violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and 1 year in prison. The Departments of Treasury, Commerce, Transportation, and Interior share enforcement responsibilities. Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs, Room 5801, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty. For more information contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230 (703-306-1031). @Antarctica:Economy Overview: No economic activity at present except for fishing off the coast and small-scale tourism, both based abroad. @Antarctica:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage Airports: 42 landing facilities at different locations operated by 15 national governments party to the Treaty; one additional air facility operated by commercial (nongovernmental) tourist organization; helicopter pads at 36 of these locations; runways at 14 locations are gravel, sea ice, glacier ice, or compacted snow surface suitable for wheeled fixed-wing aircraft; no paved runways; 15 locations have snow-surface skiways limited to use by ski-equipped planes - 11 runways/skiways 1,000 to 3,000 m, 5 runways/skiways less than 1,000 m, 8 runways/skiways greater than 3,000 m, and 5 of unspecified or variable length; airports generally subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; airports do not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective governmental or non-governmental operating organization required for landing @Antarctica:Communications Telephone system: local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: Television: @Antarctica:Defense Forces Note: the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes ________________________________________________________________________ ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA@Antigua And Barbuda:Geography Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 153 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands with some higher volcanic areas Natural resources: negligible; pleasant climate fosters tourism Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 16% other: 59% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); @Antigua And Barbuda:People Population: 65,176 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.68% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 17.08 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.35 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -4.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.4 years male: 71.32 years female: 75.57 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan Ethnic divisions: black African, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian Religions: Anglican (predominant), other Protestant sects, some Roman Languages: English (official), local dialects Literacy: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of Labor force: 30,000 @Antigua And Barbuda:Government Names: Digraph: AC Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Saint John's Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Independence: 1 November 1981 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 November (1981) Constitution: 1 November 1981 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Antigua Labor Party (ALP), Lester Other political or pressure groups: United Progressive Party (UPP), Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: the post was closed 30 June 1994; the US Flag: red with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of @Antigua And Barbuda:Economy Overview: The economy is primarily service oriented, with tourism the most important determinant of economic performance. In 1993, tourism made a direct contribution to GDP of about 17%, and also spurred growth in other sectors such as construction and transport. While only accounting for roughly 5% of GDP in 1993, agricultural production increased by 4%. Tourist arrivals remained strong in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $400 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.4% (1993) National product per capita: $6,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1993) Unemployment rate: 6% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $54.7 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $260.9 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil partners: US 27%, UK 16%, Canada 4%, OECS 3%, other 50% External debt: $250 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -4.9% (1993 est.); accounts for 6.5% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 52,100 kW production: 95 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,242 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Agriculture: accounts for 5% of GDP; expanding output of cotton, fruits, vegetables, and livestock; other crops - bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; not self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: a long-time but relatively minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe and recent transshipment point for heroin from Europe to the US; more significant as a drug money laundering center Economic aid: Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Antigua And Barbuda:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Ports: Saint John's Merchant marine: Airports: @Antigua And Barbuda:Communications Telephone system: 6,700 telephones; good automatic telephone system Radio: Television: @Antigua And Barbuda:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 million, 1% of ________________________________________________________________________ ARCTIC OCEAN@Arctic Ocean:Geography Location: body of water mostly north of the Arctic Circle Map references: Arctic Region Area: Coastline: 45,389 km International disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral states); Climate: polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow Terrain: central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that averages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure ridges may be three times that size; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight line movement from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland); the ice pack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling land masses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonsov Ridge); maximum depth is 4,665 meters in the Fram Basin Natural resources: sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, Environment: Note: major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to @Arctic Ocean:Government Digraph: XQ @Arctic Ocean:Economy Overview: Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals. @Arctic Ocean:Transportation Ports: Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US) Note: sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the @Arctic Ocean:Communications Telephone system: international: no submarine cables ________________________________________________________________________ ARGENTINA@Argentina:Geography Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: total 9,665 km, Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Coastline: 4,989 km Maritime claims: International disputes: short section of the boundary with Uruguay is Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in Terrain: rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling Natural resources: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 52% forest and woodland: 22% other: 13% Irrigated land: 17,600 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); @Argentina:People Population: 34,292,742 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.11% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 19.51 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.62 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 28.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.51 years male: 68.22 years female: 74.97 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.65 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine Ethnic divisions: white 85%, mestizo, Indian, or other nonwhite groups Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 90% (less than 20% practicing), Languages: Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 10.9 million @Argentina:Government Names: Digraph: AR Type: republic Capital: Buenos Aires Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (provincias, singular - 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: Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) Senate: elections last held May 1989, but provincial elections in late 1991 set the stage for indirect elections by provincial senators for one-third of 48 seats in the national senate in May 1992; seats (48 total) - PJ 29, UCR 11, others 7, vacant 1 Chamber of Deputies: elections last held 3 October 1993 ( next to be held October 1995); elections are held every two years and half of the total membership is elected each time for four year terms; seats - (257 total) PJ 122, UCR 83, MODIN 7, UCD 5, other 40 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Political parties and leaders: Justicialist Party (PJ), Carlos Saul Other political or pressure groups: Peronist-dominated labor movement; Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, CCC, ECLAC, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador James R. CHEEK embassy: 4300 Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires mailing address: Unit 4334; APO AA 34034 telephone: [54] (1) 777-4533, 4534 FAX: [54] (1) 777-0197 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May @Argentina:Economy Overview: Argentina, rich in natural resources, benefits also from a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Nevertheless, following decades of mismanagement and statist policies, the economy in the late 1980s was plagued with huge external debts and recurring bouts of hyperinflation. Elected in 1989, in the depths of recession, President MENEM has implemented a comprehensive economic restructuring program that shows signs of putting Argentina on a path of stable, sustainable growth. Argentina's currency has traded at par with the US dollar since April 1991, and inflation has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years. Argentines have responded to the relative price stability by repatriating flight capital and investing in domestic industry. The economy registered an impressive 6% advance in 1994, fueled largely by inflows of foreign capital and strong domestic consumption spending. The government's major short term objective is encouraging exports, e.g., by reducing domestic costs of production. At the start of 1995, the government had to deal with the spillover from international financial movements associated with the devaluation of the Mexican peso. In addition, unemployment had become a serious issue for the government. Despite average annual 7% growth in 1991-94, unemployment surprisingly has doubled - due mostly to layoffs in government bureaus and in privatized industrial firms and utilities and, to a lesser degree, to illegal immigration. Much remains to be done in the 1990s in dismantling the old statist barriers to growth, extending the recent economic gains, and bringing down the rate of unemployment. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $270.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 6% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $7,990 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 12% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $15.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $21.4 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, fuels and lubricants, agricultural products partners: US 22%, Brazil, Germany, Bolivia, Japan, Italy, Netherlands External debt: $73 billion (April 1994) Industrial production: growth rate 12.5% accounts for 31% of GDP (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 17,330,000 kW production: 54.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,610 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel Agriculture: accounts for 8% of GDP (including fishing); produces abundant food for both domestic consumption and exports; among world's top five exporters of grain and beef; principal crops - wheat, corn, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets Illicit drugs: increasing use as a transshipment country for cocaine Economic aid: Currency: 1 nuevo peso argentino = 100 centavos Exchange rates: pesos per US$1 - 0.99870 (December 1994), 0.99901 (1994), 0.99895 (1993), 0.99064 (1992), 0.95355 (1991), 0.48759 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Argentina:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 208,350 km paved: 57,000 km unpaved: gravel 39,500 km; improved/unimproved earth 111,850 km Inland waterways: 11,000 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 4,090 km; petroleum products 2,900 km; natural Ports: Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion del Merchant marine: Airports: @Argentina:Communications Telephone system: 2,650,000 telephones; 12,000 public telephones; 78 Radio: Television: @Argentina:Defense Forces Branches: Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic, Argentine Manpower availability: males age 15-49 8,573,780; males fit for Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ ARMENIA@Armenia:Geography Location: Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States - European States Area: Land boundaries: total 1,254 km, Azerbaijan (east) 566 km, Azerbaijan Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: supports ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh in their separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani government; traditional demands on former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters Terrain: high Armenian Plateau with mountains; little forest land; Natural resources: small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, Land use: arable land: 17% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 0% other: 60% Irrigated land: 3,050 sq km (1990) Environment: Note: landlocked @Armenia:People Population: 3,557,284 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.94% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 22.79 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.66 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -6.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.36 years male: 68.94 years female: 75.95 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.06 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Armenian 93%, Azeri 3%, Russian 2%, other (mostly Religions: Armenian Orthodox 94% Languages: Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2% Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 1.578 million @Armenia:Government Names: Digraph: AM Type: republic Capital: Yerevan Administrative divisions: 37 regions (shrjanner, singular - shrjan) Independence: 28 May 1918 (First Armenian Republic); 23 September 1991 National holiday: Referendum Day, 21 September Constitution: adopted NA April 1978; referendum on new constitution to be held 5 July 1995 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Armenian National Movement (ANM), Member of: BSEC, CCC, CIS, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Harry J. GILMORE embassy: 18 Gen Bagramian, Yerevan mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (8852) 151-144, 524-661 FAX: [7] (8852) 151-138 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and gold @Armenia:Economy Overview: Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a more modern industrial sector, supplying machine building equipment, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy resources. Armenia is a large food importer and its mineral deposits (gold, bauxite) are small. The economic decline in recent years (1991-94) has been particularly severe due to the ongoing conflict over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and Turkey have blockaded pipeline and railroad traffic to Armenia for its support of the Karabakh Armenians. This has left Armenia with chronic energy shortages because of a lack of capacity and frequent disruptions of natural gas deliveries through unstable Georgia, as well as difficulties in obtaining other types of fuel. In addition, bread is strictly rationed and there are shortages of other goods. In 1994, the economy seemed to bottom out. The government has managed to increase its financial and budgetary discipline, bringing inflation down from around 40% per month in first half 1994 to single digits in second half 1994 and the first quarter of 1995. A full economic recovery cannot be expected until the conflict is settled and the blockade lifted. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $8.1 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: -2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,290 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 27% per month average (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.5% of officially registered unemployed but large numbers of underemployed (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $43 million to countries outside the FSU (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $120 million from countries outside the FSU (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 7% (1994 est.); accounts for 41% of Electricity: capacity: 4,620,000 kW production: 5.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,620 kWh (1994) Industries: traditionally diverse, including (as a percent of output of former USSR) metalcutting machine tools (5.5%), forging-pressing machines (1.9%), electric motors (9%), tires (1.5%), knitted wear (4.4%), hosiery (3.0%), shoes (2.2%), silk fabric (0.8%), washing machines (2.0%), chemicals, trucks, watches, instruments, and microelectronics (1990); currently, much of industry is shut down Agriculture: only 17% of land area is arable; employs 31% of labor force as residents increasingly turn to subsistence agriculture; fruits (especially grapes) and vegetable farming, minor livestock sector; vineyards near Yerevan are famous for brandy and other liqueurs Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis mostly for domestic Economic aid: Currency: 1 dram = 100 luma (introduced new currency in November 1993) Exchange rates: dram per US$1 - 406 (end December 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Armenia:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: natural gas 900 km (1991) Ports: none Airports: @Armenia:Communications Telephone system: about 650,000 telephones; 177 telephones/1,000 Radio: Television: @Armenia:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard, Security Manpower availability: males age 15-49 877,414; males fit for military Defense expenditures: 250 million rubles, NA% of GDP (1992 est.); note ________________________________________________________________________ ARUBA(part of the Dutch realm) @Aruba:Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 68.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation Natural resources: negligible; white sandy beaches Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Aruba:People Population: 65,974 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.65% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 14.6 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.17 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.56 years male: 72.89 years female: 80.42 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban Ethnic divisions: mixed European/Caribbean Indian 80% Religions: Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: most employment is in the tourist industry (1995) @Aruba:Government Names: Digraph: AA Type: part of the Dutch realm; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles Capital: Oranjestad Administrative divisions: none (self-governing part of the Independence: none (part of the Dutch realm; in 1990, Aruba requested National holiday: Flag Day, 18 March Constitution: 1 January 1986 Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice Political parties and leaders: Electoral Movement Party (MEP), Nelson Member of: ECLAC (associate), INTERPOL, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing part of the US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing part of the Flag: blue with two narrow horizontal yellow stripes across the lower @Aruba:Economy Overview: Tourism is the mainstay of the Aruban economy, although offshore banking and oil refining and storage are also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. Additionally, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and less than 1% unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.1 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $17,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 0.6% (1992) Budget: Exports: $1.3 billion (including oil re-exports) (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: food, consumer goods, manufactures, petroleum products, crude oil for refining and re-export partners: US 8%, EC External debt: $81 million (1987) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 90,000 kW production: 330 million kWh consumption per capita: 4,761 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining Agriculture: poor quality soils and low rainfall limit agricultural Illicit drugs: drug money laundering center and transit point for Economic aid: Currency: 1 Aruban florin (Af.) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Aruban florins (Af.) per US$1 - 1.7900 (fixed rate since 1986) Fiscal year: calendar year @Aruba:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Merchant marine: none Airports: @Aruba:Communications Telephone system: 72,168 telephones; 1,100 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Aruba:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands ________________________________________________________________________ ASHMORE AND CARTIER ISLANDS(territory of Australia) @Ashmore And Cartier Islands:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 74.1 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical Terrain: low with sand and coral Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 @Ashmore And Cartier Islands:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are only seasonal caretakers @Ashmore And Cartier Islands:Government Names: Digraph: AT Type: territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for the Environment, Sport, and Territories Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) Legal system: relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) @Ashmore And Cartier Islands:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Ashmore And Cartier Islands:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only @Ashmore And Cartier Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ________________________________________________________________________ ATLANTIC OCEAN@Atlantic Ocean:Geography Location: body of water between Africa, Antarctica, and the Western Map references: World Area: Coastline: 111,866 km International disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Climate: tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Terrain: surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin; maximum depth is 8,605 meters in the Puerto Rico Trench Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and Environment: Note: major choke points include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, @Atlantic Ocean:Government Digraph: ZH @Atlantic Ocean:Economy Overview: The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily @Atlantic Ocean:Transportation Ports: Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Note: Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways @Atlantic Ocean:Communications Telephone system: ________________________________________________________________________ AUSTRALIA@Australia:Geography Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 25,760 km Maritime claims: International disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Australian Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Natural resources: bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 58% forest and woodland: 14% other: 22% Irrigated land: 18,800 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: 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: 18,322,231 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.31% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 14.13 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.37 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 6.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.78 years male: 74.67 years female: 81.04 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian Ethnic divisions: Caucasian 95%, Asian 4%, aboriginal and other 1% Religions: Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3% Languages: English, native languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 8.63 million (September 1991) @Australia:Government Names: Digraph: AS Type: federal parliamentary state Capital: Canberra Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Dependent areas: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos 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: Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Parliament Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: Australian Democratic Labor Party Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars @Australia:Economy Overview: Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP comparable to levels in industrialized West European countries. Rich in natural resources, Australia is a major exporter of agricultural products, minerals, metals, and fossil fuels. Primary products account for more than 60% of the value of total exports, so that, as in 1983-84, a downturn in world commodity prices can have a big impact on the economy. The government is pushing for increased exports of manufactured goods, but competition in international markets continues to be severe. Australia has suffered from the low growth and high unemployment characterizing the OECD countries in the early 1990s. In 1992-93 the economy recovered slowly from the prolonged recession of 1990-91, a major restraining factor being weak world demand for Australia's exports. Growth picked up so strongly in 1994 that the government felt the need for fiscal and monetary tightening by yearend. Australia's GDP grew 6.4% in 1994, largely due to increases in industrial output and business investment. A severe drought in 1994 is expected to reduce the value of Australia's net farm production by $825 million in the twelve months through June 1995, but rising world commodity prices are likely to boost rural exports by 7.7% to $14.5 billion in 1995/96, according to government statistics. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $374.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 6.4% (1994) National product per capita: $20,720 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1994) Unemployment rate: 8.9% (December 1994) Budget: Exports: $50.4 billion (1994) Imports: $51.1 billion (1994) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, crude oil and petroleum products partners: US 23%, Japan 18%, UK 6%, Germany 5.7%, NZ 4% (1992) External debt: $147.2 billion (1994) Industrial production: growth rate 3.9% (FY93/94); accounts for 32% of Electricity: capacity: 34,540,000 kW production: 155 billion kWh consumption per capita: 8,021 kWh (1993) Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel Agriculture: accounts for 5% of GDP and over 30% of export revenues; world's largest exporter of beef and wool, second-largest for mutton, and among top wheat exporters; major crops - wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruit; livestock - cattle, sheep, poultry Illicit drugs: Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $10.4 billion Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3058 (January 1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Australia:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 8,368 km; mainly by small, shallow-draft craft Pipelines: crude oil 2,500 km; petroleum products 500 km; natural gas Ports: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport, Fremantle, Merchant marine: Airports: @Australia:Communications Telephone system: 8,700,000 telephones; good international and Radio: Television: @Australia:Defense Forces Branches: Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 4,934,175; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $7.2 billion, 2.2% of ________________________________________________________________________ AUSTRIA@Austria:Geography Location: Central Europe, north of Italy Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 2,496 km, Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers Terrain: in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the Natural resources: iron ore, petroleum, timber, magnesite, aluminum, Land use: arable land: 17% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 24% forest and woodland: 39% other: 19% Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central @Austria:People Population: 7,986,664 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.35% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 11.21 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.27 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 2.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.9 years male: 73.7 years female: 80.27 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.48 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Austrian(s) adjective: Austrian Ethnic divisions: German 99.4%, Croatian 0.3%, Slovene 0.2%, other 0.1% Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 6%, other 9% Languages: German Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1974 est.) Labor force: 3.47 million (1989) @Austria:Government Names: Digraph: AU Type: federal republic Capital: Vienna Administrative divisions: 9 states (bundeslaender, singular - Independence: 12 November 1918 (from Austro-Hungarian Empire) National holiday: National Day, 26 October (1955) Constitution: 1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945) Legal system: civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by a Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung) Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party of Austria Other political or pressure groups: Federal Chamber of Commerce and Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Helmut TUERK chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035 telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Swanee G. HUNT chancery: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091, Vienna mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [43] (1) 313-39 FAX: [43] (1) 310-0682 consulate(s) general: none (Salzburg closed September 1993) Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red @Austria:Economy Overview: Austria boasts a prosperous and stable market economy with a sizable but falling proportion of nationalized industry and with extensive welfare benefits. Thanks to its raw material endowment, a technically skilled labor force, and strong links to German industrial firms, Austria occupies specialized niches in European industry and services (tourism, banking) and produces almost enough food to feed itself with only 8% of the labor force in agriculture. After 11 consecutive years of growth, the Austrian economy experienced a mild recession in 1993, but growth resumed in 1994. Unemployment is 4.3% and will likely stay at that level as companies adjust to the competition of EU membership beginning 1 January 1995. To prepare for EU membership, Austria's government has taken measures to open the economy by introducing a major tax reform, privatizing state-owned firms, and liberalizing cross-border capital movements. Problems for the 1990s include an aging population, the high level of industrial subsidies, and the struggle to keep welfare benefits within budgetary capabilities - the deficit climbed to over 4% of GDP in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $139.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $17,500 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1994) Unemployment rate: 4.3% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $44.1 billion (1994 est.) Imports: $53.8 billion (1994 est.) commodities: petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals, textiles and clothing, pharmaceuticals partners: EC 66.8% (Germany 41.3%), EFTA 6.7%, Eastern Europe/FSU 7.5%, Japan 4.4%, US 4.4% (1993) External debt: $21.5 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.5% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 17,230,000 kW production: 50.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,824 kWh (1993) Industries: foods, iron and steel, machines, textiles, chemicals, electrical, paper and pulp, tourism, mining, motor vehicles Agriculture: accounts for 3.2% of GDP (including forestry); principal crops and animals - grains, fruit, potatoes, sugar beets, sawn wood, cattle, pigs, poultry; 80%-90% self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin Economic aid: Currency: 1 Austrian schilling (S) = 100 groschen Exchange rates: Austrian schillings (S) per US$1 - 10.774 (January 1995), 11.422 (1994), 11.632 (1993), 10.989 (1992), 11.676 (1991), 11.370 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Austria:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 446 km Pipelines: crude oil 554 km; petroleum products 171 km; natural gas 2,611 km Ports: Linz, Vienna Merchant marine: Airports: @Austria:Communications Telephone system: 4,014,000 telephones; highly developed and efficient local: NA Radio: Television: @Austria:Defense Forces Branches: Army (includes Flying Division) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,026,567; males fit for military service 1,695,879; males reach military age (19) annually 46,821 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - about $1.8 billion, 0.9% of GDP (1994) ________________________________________________________________________ AZERBAIJANNote—Azerbaijan continues to be plagued by an unresolved seven-year-old conflict with Armenian separatists over its Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Karabakh Armenians have declared independence and seized almost 20% of the country's territory, creating almost 1 million Azeri displaced persons in the process. Both sides have generally observed a Russian-mediated cease-fire in place since May 1994, and support the OSCE-mediated peace process, now entering its fourth year. Nevertheless, Baku and Xankandi (Stepanakert) remain far apart on most substantive issues from the placement and composition of a peacekeeping force to the enclave's ultimate political status, and prospects for a negotiated settlement remain dim. @Azerbaijan:Geography Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States - European States Area: Land boundaries: total 2,013 km, Armenia (west) 566 km, Armenia Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: violent and longstanding dispute with ethnic 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 Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 0% other: 53% Irrigated land: 14,010 sq km (1990) Environment: Note: landlocked @Azerbaijan:People Population: 7,789,886 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.32% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 22.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.56 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 33.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.09 years male: 67.4 years female: 74.97 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.64 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani Ethnic divisions: Azeri 90%, Dagestani Peoples 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; actual practicing adherents are much lower Languages: Azeri 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 2.789 million @Azerbaijan:Government Names: Digraph: AJ Type: republic Capital: Baku (Baki) Administrative divisions: 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 Independence: 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 May Constitution: adopted NA April 1978; writing a new constitution Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Azerbaijan Popular Front (APF), Ebulfez Other political or pressure groups: self-proclaimed Armenian Member of: BSEC, CCC, CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a @Azerbaijan:Economy Overview: Azerbaijan is less developed industrially than either Armenia or Georgia, the other Transcaucasian states. It resembles the Central Asian states in its majority nominally Muslim population, high structural unemployment, and low standard of living. The economy's most prominent products are oil, cotton, and gas. Production from the Caspian oil and gas field has been in decline for several years, but the November 1994 ratification of the $7.5 billion oil deal with a consortium of Western companies should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Azerbaijan accounted for 1.5% to 2% of the capital stock and output of the former Soviet Union. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the ex-Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures have yet to be replaced. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $13.8 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: -22% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,790 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 28% monthly average (1994) Unemployment rate: 0.9% includes officially registered unemployed; Budget: Exports: $366 million to non-FSU countries (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $296 million from non-FSU countries (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate -25% (1994) Electricity: capacity: 4,900,000 kW production: 17.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,270 kWh (1994) Industries: petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles Agriculture: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep and goats Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: recipient: wheat from Turkey Currency: 1 manat = 100 gopik Exchange rates: manats per US$1 - 4500 (April 1995), 4168 (end of Fiscal year: calendar year @Azerbaijan:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Pipelines: crude oil 1,130 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural gas Ports: Baku (Baki) Airports: @Azerbaijan:Communications Telephone system: 710,000 telephones; 90 telephones/1,000 persons Radio: Television: @Azerbaijan:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, Navy, Maritime Border Guard, National Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,927,955; males fit for Defense expenditures: 70.5 billion rubles, 10% of GDP (1993 budget ________________________________________________________________________ THE BAHAMAS@The Bahamas:Geography Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,542 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 32% other: 67% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island @The Bahamas:People Population: 256,616 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.09% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 19.23 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.79 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -2.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.12 years male: 67.37 years female: 76.97 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian Ethnic divisions: black 85%, white 15% Religions: Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2% Languages: English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write but definition of Labor force: 136,900 (1993) @The Bahamas:Government Names: Digraph: BF Type: commonwealth Capital: Nassau Administrative divisions: 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 10 July (1973) Constitution: 10 July 1973 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Sir Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Sidney WILLIAMS embassy: Mosmar Building, Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau telephone: [1] (809) 322-1181, 328-2206 FAX: [1] (809) 328-7838 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side @The Bahamas:Economy Overview: The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation whose economy is based primarily on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone provides about 50% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs about 50,000 people or 40% of the local work force. The economy has slackened in recent years, as the annual increase in the number of tourists slowed. Nonetheless, per capita GDP is one of the highest in the region. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $15,900 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (1994) Unemployment rate: 13.1% (1993) Budget: Exports: $257 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.15 billion (f.o.b,,1993 est.) External debt: $455 million (December 1993) Industrial production: growth rate 3% (1990); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 424,000 kW production: 929 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,200 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, Agriculture: accounts for 5% of GDP; dominated by small-scale Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for Economic aid: Currency: 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1 - 1.00 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @The Bahamas:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 2,400 km paved: 1,350 km unpaved: gravel 1,050 km Ports: Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau Merchant marine: Airports: @The Bahamas:Communications Telephone system: 99,000 telephones; totally automatic system; highly Radio: Television: @The Bahamas:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $65 million, 2.7% of ________________________________________________________________________ BAHRAIN@Bahrain:Geography Location: Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment Natural resources: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 0% other: 90% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic @Bahrain:People Population: 575,925 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.58% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 24.12 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 3.31 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 4.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.94 years male: 71.46 years female: 76.49 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.12 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Ethnic divisions: Bahraini 63%, Asian 13%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%, other 6% Religions: Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30% Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991) Labor force: 140,000 @Bahrain:Government Names: Digraph: BA Type: traditional monarchy Capital: Manama Administrative divisions: 12 districts (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Independence: 15 August 1971 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 December (1961) Constitution: 26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973 Legal system: based on Islamic law and English common law Suffrage: none Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 Judicial branch: High Civil Appeals Court Political parties and leaders: political parties prohibited; several Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist @Bahrain:Economy Overview: Tiny in area, Bahrain is well-to-do in economic resources and per capita income. Petroleum production and processing account for about 80% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. Economic conditions have fluctuated with the changing fortunes of oil since 1985, for example, during and following the Gulf crisis of 1990-91. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from imported crude. Prospects for 1995 are good, with private enterprise the main driving force, e.g., in banking and construction. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of both oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $7.1 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $12,100 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1991 est.) Budget: Exports: $3.69 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $3.83 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) External debt: $2.6 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 13% (1992); accounts for 38% of Electricity: capacity: 1,050,000 kW production: 3.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,453 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing Agriculture: including fishing, accounts for less than 2% of GDP; not Economic aid: Currency: 1 Bahraini dinar (BD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Bahraini dinars (BD) per US$1 - 0.3760 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year @Bahrain:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 2,670 km paved: 2,010 km unpaved: 660 km (1991 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32 km Ports: Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah Merchant marine: Airports: @Bahrain:Communications Telephone system: 98,000 telephones; 170 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Bahrain:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense, Coast Guard, Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 210,725; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $247 million, 5.5% of ________________________________________________________________________ BAKER ISLAND(territory of the US) @Baker Island:Geography Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4.8 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain: low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until 1891) Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife @Baker Island:People Population: uninhabited; note - American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and cemetery ruins are located near the middle of the west coast @Baker Island:Government Names: Digraph: FQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC @Baker Island:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Baker Island:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Airports: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m Note: there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast @Baker Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the ________________________________________________________________________ BANGLADESH@Bangladesh:Geography Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 4,246 km, Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km Coastline: 580 km Maritime claims: International disputes: a portion of the boundary with India is in Climate: tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humid Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Natural resources: natural gas, arable land, timber Land use: arable land: 67% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 16% other: 11% Irrigated land: 27,380 sq km (1989) Environment: @Bangladesh:People Population: 128,094,948 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.32% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 34.62 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 11.43 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 104.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.46 years male: 55.69 years female: 55.22 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.39 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladesh Ethnic divisions: Bengali 98%, Biharis 250,000, tribals less than 1 million Religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, Buddhist, Christian, other Languages: Bangla (official), English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 50.1 million @Bangladesh:Government Names: Digraph: BG Type: republic Capital: Dhaka Administrative divisions: 4 divisions; Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, 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: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Member of: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David N. MERRILL embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1212 telephone: [880] (2) 884700 through 884722 FAX: [880] (2) 883-744 Flag: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; green is the traditional color of Islam @Bangladesh:Economy Overview: Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains one of the world's poorest, most densely populated, and least developed nations. Its economy is overwhelmingly agricultural, with the cultivation of rice the single most important activity in the economy. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, the inefficiency of state-owned enterprises, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), and inadequate power supplies. Excellent rice crops and expansion of the export garment industry led to real growth of 4% in 1992 and again in 1993. Policy measures intended to reduce government regulation of private industry, to curb population growth, and to expand employment opportunities have had only partial success given the serious nature of Bangladesh's basic problems. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $130.1 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,040 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $2.38 billion (1993) Imports: $3.99 billion (1993) External debt: $13.5 billion (June 1993) Industrial production: growth rate 6.9% (FY92/93 est.); accounts for 9.4% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 2,740,000 kW production: 9.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 70 kWh (1993) Industries: jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizer Agriculture: accounts for 33% of GDP, 65% of employment, and one-fifth of exports; world's largest exporter of jute; commercial products - jute, rice, wheat, tea, sugarcane, potatoes, beef, milk, poultry; shortages include wheat, vegetable oils, cotton Illicit drugs: transit country for illegal drugs produced in Economic aid: Currency: 1 taka (Tk) = 100 poiska Exchange rates: taka (Tk) per US$1 - 40.250 (January 1995), 40.212 (1994), 39.567 (1993), 38.951 (1992), 36.596 (1991), 34.569 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Bangladesh:Transportation Railroads: total: 2,892 km broad gauge: 978 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,914 km 1.000-m gauge (1992) Highways: total: 7,240 km paved: 3,840 km unpaved: 3,400 km (1985) Inland waterways: 5,150-8,046 km navigable waterways (includes 2,575-3,058 km main cargo routes) Pipelines: natural gas 1,220 km Ports: Barisal, Chandpur, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Dacca, Khulna, Merchant marine: Airports: @Bangladesh:Communications Telephone system: 241,250 telephones; 1 telephone/522 persons; poor Radio: Television: @Bangladesh:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 33,039,035; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $448 million, 1.7% of ________________________________________________________________________ BARBADOS@Barbados:Geography Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 97 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Natural resources: petroleum, fishing, natural gas Land use: arable land: 77% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 0% other: 14% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: easternmost Caribbean island @Barbados:People Population: 256,395 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.24% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15.45 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.27 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -4.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.16 years male: 71.47 years female: 77.06 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Barbadian(s) adjective: Barbadian Ethnic divisions: African 80%, European 4%, other 16% Religions: Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, unknown 3%, other 9% (1980) Languages: English Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 124,800 (1992) by occupation: services and government 41%, commerce 15%, manufacturing and construction 18%, transportation, storage, communications, and financial institutions 8%, agriculture 6%, utilities 2% (1992 est.) @Barbados:Government Names: Digraph: BB Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Bridgetown Administrative divisions: 11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, 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: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament House of Assembly: election last held 6 September 1994 (next to be Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature Political parties and leaders: Democratic Labor Party (DLP),David Other political or pressure groups: Barbados Workers Union, Leroy Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident) @Barbados:Economy Overview: A per capita income of $9,200 gives Barbados one of the highest standards of living of all the small island states of the eastern Caribbean. Historically, the economy was based on the cultivation of sugarcane and related activities. In recent years, however, the economy has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. A moderate recovery that began in late 1993 after 3 years of contraction is mainly due to increased tourism and expansion in the construction sector. Economic prospects for 1995 depend mostly on continued growth in the industrialized countries, especially in Europe, which would spur further expansion in tourism. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $9,200 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 20.5% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $161 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $703 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $652 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2% (FY93/94 est.); accounts for about 10% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 152,100 kW production: 510 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,841 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly Agriculture: accounts for 6% of GDP; major cash crop is sugarcane; Illicit drugs: one of many Caribbean transshipment points for Economic aid: Currency: 1 Barbadian dollar (Bds$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Barbadian dollars (Bds$) per US$1 - 2.0113 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Barbados:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,570 km paved: 1,475 km unpaved: gravel, earth 95 km Ports: Bridgetown Merchant marine: Airports: @Barbados:Communications Telephone system: 89,000 telephones Radio: Television: @Barbados:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Barbados Defense Force (includes the Ground Forces and Manpower availability: males age 15-49 71,153; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 35.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: a volcanic rock 2.4 meters high Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all rock) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: international agreements: NA @Bassas Da India:People Population: uninhabited @Bassas Da India:Government Names: Digraph: BS Type: French possession administered by a Commissioner of the Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion Independence: none (possession of France) @Bassas Da India:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Bassas Da India:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only @Bassas Da India:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ BELARUS@Belarus:Geography Location: Eastern Europe, east of Poland Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States - European States Area: Land boundaries: total 3,098 km, Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime Terrain: generally flat and contains much marshland Natural resources: forest land, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas Land use: arable land: 29% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 15% forest and woodland: 0% other: 55% Irrigated land: 1,490 sq km (1990) Environment: Note: landlocked @Belarus:People Population: 10,437,418 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.3% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.98 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 11.23 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.03 years male: 66.36 years female: 75.93 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.87 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Byelorussian 77.9%, Russian 13.2%, Polish 4.1%, Religions: Eastern Orthodox, other Languages: Byelorussian, Russian, other Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 4.887 million @Belarus:Government Names: Digraph: BO Type: republic Capital: Minsk Administrative divisions: 6 voblastsi (singular - voblasts') and one municipality* (harady, singular - horad); Brestskaya (Brest), Homyel'skaya (Homyel'), Horad Minsk*, Hrodzyenskaya (Hrodna), Mahilyowskaya (Mahilyow), Minskaya, Vitsyebskaya (Vitsyebsk) note: the administrative centers of the voblastsi are included in parentheses Independence: 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 July (1990) Constitution: adopted 15 March 1994; replaces constitution of April 1978 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Belarusian Popular Front (BPF), Zenon Member of: CCC, CE (guest), CEI (associate members), CIS, EBRD, ECE, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sergey Nikolayevich MARTYNOV chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604 FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth Spencer YALOWITZ embassy: Starovilenskaya #46, Minsk mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (0172) 34-65-37 Flag: three horizontal bands of white (top), red, and white @Belarus:Economy Overview: Belarus ranks among the most developed of the former Soviet states, with a relatively modern - by Soviet standards - and diverse machine building sector and a robust agriculture sector. It also serves as a transport link for Russian oil exports to the Baltic states and Eastern and Western Europe. The breakup of the Soviet Union and its command economy has resulted in a sharp economic contraction as traditional trade ties have collapsed. The Belarusian government has lagged behind the governments of most other former Soviet states in economic reform, with privatization almost nonexistent. The system of state orders and distribution persists. In mid-1994, the Belarusian government embarked on an austerity program with IMF support to slash state credits and consumer subsidies in order to bring down the budget deficit and reduce inflation. However, despite its promising start, the regime's drive to reinvigorate the economy has fallen short, and the IMF has criticized its failure to implement the reforms that the Fund had negotiated. As a result, the IMF has suspended talks on introducing a stand-by arrangement. Economic relations with Russia, which will have an important bearing on the future course of the economy, will be strengthened if Minsk adopts the necessary legislation to implement a customs union agreed to in January 1995. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $53.4 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: -20% (1994) National product per capita: $5,130 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 29% per month (1994) Unemployment rate: 1.4% officially registered unemployed (December 1993); large numbers of underemployed workers Budget: Exports: $968 million to outside of the FSU countries (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $534 million from outside the FSU countries (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $1.5 billion (July 1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -19% (1994); accounts for about 40% of GDP (1992) Electricity: capacity: 7,010,000 kW production: 31.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,010 kWh (1994) Industries: employ about 40% of labor force and produced a wide variety of products including (in percent share of total output of former Soviet Union): tractors (12%); metal-cutting machine tools (11%); off-highway dump trucks up to 110-metric-ton load capacity (100%); wheel-type earthmovers for construction and mining (100%); eight-wheel-drive, high-flotation trucks with cargo capacity of 25 metric tons for use in tundra and roadless areas (100%); equipment for animal husbandry and livestock feeding (25%); motorcycles (21.3%); television sets (11%); chemical fibers (28%); fertilizer (18%); linen fabric (11%); wool fabric (7%); radios; refrigerators; and other consumer goods Agriculture: accounts for almost 25% of GDP and 5.7% of total agricultural output of former Soviet Union; employs 21% of the labor force; in 1988 produced the following (in percent of total Soviet production): grain (3.6%), potatoes (12.2%), vegetables (3.0%), meat (6.0%), milk (7.0%); net exporter of meat, milk, eggs, flour, potatoes Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis; mostly Economic aid: $NA Currency: Belarusian rubel (BR) Exchange rates: Belarusian rubels per US$1 - 10,600 (end December 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Belarus:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: crude oil 1,470 km; refined products 1,100 km; natural gas 1,980 km (1992) Ports: Mazyr Merchant marine: Airports: @Belarus:Communications Telephone system: 1,849,000 telephones (December 1991); 18 Radio: Television: @Belarus:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,550,500; males fit for Defense expenditures: 56.5 billion rubles, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); ________________________________________________________________________ BELGIUM@Belgium:Geography Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,385 km, France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Coastline: 64 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy Terrain: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast Natural resources: coal, natural gas Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 21% other: 34% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals @Belgium:People Population: 10,081,880 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.17% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 11.46 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.22 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.21 years male: 73.94 years female: 80.67 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.62 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian Ethnic divisions: Fleming 55%, Walloon 33%, mixed or other 12% Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Languages: Dutch 56%, French 32%, German 1%, legally bilingual 11% Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 4.126 million @Belgium:Government Names: Digraph: BE Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Brussels Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (French: provinces, singular - Independence: 4 October 1830 (from the Netherlands) National holiday: National Day, 21 July (ascension of King Leopold to Constitution: 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament Legal system: civil law system influenced by English constitutional Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Flemish - Hof van Cassatie, Political parties and leaders: Flemish Christian Democrats (CVP - Other political or pressure groups: Christian and Socialist Trade Member of: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Alan J. BLINKEN embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: APO AE 09724; PSC 82, Box 002, Brussels telephone: [32] (2) 513 38 30 FAX: [32] (2) 511 27 25 Flag: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France @Belgium:Economy Overview: This small private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north, although the government is encouraging reinvestment in the southern region of Walloon. With few natural resources Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Three-fourths of its trade is with other EU countries. The economy grew at a strong 4% pace during the period 1988-90, slowed to 1% in 1991-92, dropped by 1.5% in 1993, and recovered with 2.3% growth in 1994. Belgium's public debt has risen to 140% of GDP, and the government is trying to control its expenditures to bring the figure more into line with other industrialized countries. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $181.5 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $18,040 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1994) Unemployment rate: 14.1% (December 1994) Budget: Exports: $117 billion (f.o.b., 1992) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union commodities: iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds, petroleum products partners: EC 75.5%, US 3.7%, former Communist countries 1.4% (1991) Imports: $120 billion (c.i.f., 1992) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union commodities: fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs partners: EC 73%, US 4.8%, oil-exporting less developed countries 4%, former Communist countries 1.8% (1991) External debt: $31.3 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -0.1% (1993 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 14,040,000 kW production: 66 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,334 kWh (1993) Industries: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal Agriculture: accounts for 2.0% of GDP; emphasis on livestock production - beef, veal, pork, milk; major crops are sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; net importer of farm products Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American Economic aid: Currency: 1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Belgian francs (BF) per US$1 - 31.549 (January 1995), 33.456 (1994), 34.597 (1993), 32.150 (1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Belgium:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) Pipelines: crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas Ports: Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Merchant marine: Airports: @Belgium:Communications Telephone system: 4,720,000 telephones; highly developed, Radio: Television: @Belgium:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,559,077; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.9 billion, 1.8% of ________________________________________________________________________ BELIZE@Belize:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: total 516 km, Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: International disputes: border with Guatemala in dispute; talks to Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February) Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 44% other: 52% Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize City to Belmopan @Belize:People Population: 214,061 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.42% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 33.71 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.86 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -3.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 34.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.32 years male: 66.37 years female: 70.36 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.25 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean Ethnic divisions: mestizo 44%, Creole 30%, Maya 11%, Garifuna 7%, Religions: Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist Languages: English (official), Spanish, Maya, Garifuna (Carib) Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 51,500 @Belize:Government Names: Digraph: BH Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Belmopan Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange 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: Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: People's United Party (PUP), George Other political or pressure groups: Society for the Promotion of Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland @Belize:Economy Overview: The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing importance. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 75% of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost 40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner, is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with an agricultural diversification program. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $575 million (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,750 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1991) Unemployment rate: 10% (1993 est.) Budget: Exports: $115 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $281 million (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $158 million (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 3.7% (1990); accounts for 12% of Electricity: capacity: 34,532 kW production: 110 million kWh consumption per capita: 490 kWh (1993) Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction Agriculture: commercial crops: bananas, coca, citrus fruits, fish, cultured shrimp, lumber Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit producer of Economic aid: Currency: 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Belize:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: Inland waterways: 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; Ports: Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda Merchant marine: Airports: @Belize:Communications Telephone system: 8,650 telephones; above-average system based on Radio: Television: @Belize:Defense Forces Branches: Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, and Manpower availability: males age 15-49 50,499; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11 million, 2.2% of ________________________________________________________________________ BENIN@Benin:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 1,989 km, Burkina 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 35% other: 45% Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: no natural harbors @Benin:People Population: 5,522,677 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.33% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 47.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 13.93 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 107.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.24 years male: 50.34 years female: 54.2 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.72 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15% Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1.9 million (1987) @Benin:Government Names: Digraph: BN Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule dropped Capital: Porto-Novo Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1990) Constitution: 2 December 1990 Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: as of August 1994, 72 political parties Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Ruth A. DAVIS embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92 FAX: [229] 41-15-22 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side @Benin:Economy Overview: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a sound 4% in 1991-94 but this rate barely exceeds the rapid population growth of 3.3%. Inflation jumped to 35% in 1994 (compared to 3% in 1993) following the 50% currency devaluation in January. Commercial and transport activities, which make up almost 36% of GDP, are extremely vulnerable to developments in Nigeria as evidenced by decreased reexport trade in 1994 due to a severe contraction in Nigerian demand. The industrial sector accounts for less than 10% of GDP and mainly produces foods, beverages, cement, and textiles. Support by the Paris Club and official bilateral creditors has eased the external debt situation in recent years. The government, still burdened with money-losing state enterprises and a bloated civil service, is gradually implementing a World Bank supported structural adjustment program. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,260 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $332 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $571 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate goods, capital goods, light consumer goods partners: France 20%, Thailand 8%, Netherlands 7%, US 5% External debt: $1 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -0.7% (1988); accounts for 10% of Electricity: capacity: 30,000 kW production: 10 million kWh consumption per capita: 25 kWh (1993) Industries: textiles, cigarettes, construction materials, beverages, food, petroleum Agriculture: accounts for 35% of GDP; small farms produce 90% of agricultural output; production is dominated by food crops - corn, sorghum, cassava, yams, beans, rice; cash crops include cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry and livestock output has not kept up with consumption Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics associated with Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 Fiscal year: calendar year @Benin:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: navigable along small sections, important only Ports: Cotonou, Porto-Novo Merchant marine: none Airports: @Benin:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; fair system of open wire and Radio: Television: @Benin:Defense Forces Branches: Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,165,463; females age 15-49 Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $33 million, 3.2% of ________________________________________________________________________ BERMUDA(dependent territory of the UK) @Bermuda:Geography Location: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US) Map references: North America Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 103 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 20% other: 80% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, @Bermuda:People Population: 61,629 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.76% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15.07 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.03 years male: 73.36 years female: 76.97 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian Ethnic divisions: black 61%, white and other 39% Religions: Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist Languages: English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970) Labor force: 32,000 @Bermuda:Government Names: Digraph: BD Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Hamilton Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Bermuda Day, 24 May Constitution: 8 June 1968 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party (UBP), John W. D. Other political or pressure groups: Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Member of: CARICOM (observer), CCC, ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; PSC 1002, FPO AE Flag: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and @Bermuda:Economy Overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing luxury tourist facilities and financial services. The tourist industry attracts more than 90% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.5% (1994) National product per capita: $28,000 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1993) Unemployment rate: 6% (1991) Budget: Exports: $60 million (f.o.b., 1991) Imports: $519 million (f.o.b.,1993) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 140,000 kW production: 504 million kWh consumption per capita: 7,745 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing Agriculture: accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must Economic aid: Currency: 1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Bermuda:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: Ports: Hamilton, Saint George Merchant marine: Airports: @Bermuda:Communications Telephone system: 52,670 telephones; modern, fully automatic telephone Radio: Television: @Bermuda:Defense Forces Branches: Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ BHUTAN@Bhutan:Geography Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 1,075 km, China 470 km, India 605 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 70% other: 23% Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls @Bhutan:People Population: 1,780,638 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.34% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 39.02 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 15.61 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 118.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.03 years male: 51.56 years female: 50.48 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.39 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Ethnic divisions: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects; Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA @Bhutan:Government Names: Digraph: BT Type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India Capital: Thimphu Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India) National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king) Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Tshogdu); no Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: no legal parties Other political or pressure groups: Buddhist clergy; Indian merchant Member of: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, Diplomatic representation in US: Bhutan has no embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by Ugyen TSERING, located at 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017, telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; note - the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York honorary consulate(s): San Francisco; Washington, DC US diplomatic representation: no formal diplomatic relations, although Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is orange and the lower triangle is red; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side @Bhutan:Economy Overview: The economy, one of the world's least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about half of GDP. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links. The industrial sector is small and technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources; however, the government limits the number of tourists to 4,000 per year to minimize foreign influence. Much of the impetus for growth has come from large public-sector companies. Nevertheless, in recent years, Bhutan has shifted toward decentralized development planning and greater private initiative. The government privatized several large public-sector firms, is revamping its trade regime and liberalizing administerial procedures over industrial licensing. The government's industrial contribution to GDP decreased from 13% in 1988 to about 11% in 1993. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $700 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (October 1994) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $66.8 million (f.o.b., FY93/94) Imports: $97.6 million (c.i.f., FY93/94 est.) commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice partners: India 79%, Japan, UK, Germany, US External debt: $141 million (October 1994) Industrial production: growth rate 7.6% (1992 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP; primarily cottage industry and home based handicrafts Electricity: capacity: 360,000 kW production: 1.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 143 kWh (1993) note: Bhutan exports electricity to India Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic Agriculture: rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, dairy products, Economic aid: Currency: 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is Exchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 31.374 (January 1995), 31.374 Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Bhutan:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 2,165 km paved: NA unpaved: gravel 1,703 km undifferentiated: 462 km Ports: none Airports: @Bhutan:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; domestic telephone service is very Radio: Television: @Bhutan:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia, Royal Bhutan Manpower availability: males age 15-49 434,586; males fit for military Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ BOLIVIA@Bolivia:Geography Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: total 6,743 km, Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid Terrain: rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 52% other: 20% Irrigated land: 1,650 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest @Bolivia:People Population: 7,896,254 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.25% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 31.61 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.12 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 70.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.85 years male: 61.39 years female: 66.43 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.1 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Quechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mestizo (mixed European and Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992) Labor force: 3.54 million @Bolivia:Government Names: Digraph: BL Type: republic Capital: La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departamentos, singular - Independence: 6 August 1825 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1825) Constitution: 2 February 1967 Legal system: based on Spanish law and Code Napoleon; has not accepted Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Political parties and leaders: Member of: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Curt Warren KAMMAN embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 telephone: [591] (2) 430251 FAX: [591] (2) 4339000 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band @Bolivia:Economy Overview: With its long history of semifeudal social controls, dependence on volatile prices for its mineral exports, and bouts of hyperinflation, Bolivia has remained one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries. However, Bolivia has experienced generally improving economic conditions since the PAZ Estenssoro administration (1985-89) introduced market-oriented policies which reduced inflation from 11,700% in 1985 to about 20% in 1988. PAZ Estenssoro was followed as President by Jaime PAZ Zamora (1989-93) who continued the free-market policies of his predecessor, despite opposition from his own party and from Bolivia's once powerful labor movement. By maintaining fiscal discipline, PAZ Zamora helped reduce inflation to 9.3% in 1993, while GDP grew by an annual average of 3.25% during his tenure. Inaugurated in August 1993, President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA has vowed to advance the market-oriented economic reforms he helped launch as PAZ Estenssoro's planning minister. His successes so far have included an inflation rate that continues to decrease - the 1994 rate of 8.5% was the lowest in ten years - the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico, and progress on his unique privatization plan. The main privatization bill was passed by the Bolivian legislature in late March 1994. Related laws - one that establishes SIRESE, the regulatory agency that will oversee the privatizations, and another that outlines the rules for privatization in the electricity sector - were approved later in the year. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $18.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,370 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.5% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.2% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $1.21 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $4.2 billion (January 1995) Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 756,200 kW production: 2.116 billion kWh consumption per capita: 367 kWh (1994) Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverage, tobacco, Agriculture: accounts for about 21% of GDP (including forestry and Illicit drugs: world's second-largest producer of coca (after Peru) with an estimated 48,100 hectares under cultivation in 1994; voluntary and forced eradication programs unable to prevent production from rising to 89,800 metric tons in 1994 from 84,400 tons in 1993; government considers all but 12,000 hectares illicit; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia and Brazil to the US and other international drug markets; alternative crop program aims to reduce illicit coca cultivation Economic aid: Currency: 1 boliviano ($B) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: bolivianos ($B) per US$1 - 4.72 (January 1995), 4.6205 (1994), 4.2651 (1993), 3.9005 (1992), 3.5806 (1991), 3.1727 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Bolivia:Transportation Railroads: total: 3,684 km (single track) narrow gauge: 3,652 km 1.000-m gauge; 32 km 0.760-m gauge Highways: total: 42,815 km paved: 1,865 km unpaved: gravel 12,000 km; improved/unimproved earth 28,950 km Inland waterways: 10,000 km of commercially navigable waterways Pipelines: crude oil 1,800 km; petroleum products 580 km; natural gas Ports: none; however, Bolivia has free port privileges in the maritime Merchant marine: Airports: @Bolivia:Communications Telephone system: about 150,000 telephones; about 2.0 telephones/100 Radio: Television: @Bolivia:Defense Forces Branches: Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,885,485; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $134 million; 1.9% of ________________________________________________________________________ BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINANote—Bosnia and Herzegovina is set to enter its third year of interethnic civil strife which began in the spring of 1992 after the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina held a referendum on independence. Bosnia's Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to 'greater Serbia'. In March 1994, Bosnia's Muslims and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement in Washington, DC, creating the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A group of rebel Muslims, however, continues to battle government forces in the northwest enclave of Bihac. A Contact Group of countries, the US, UK, France, Germany, and Russia, continues to seek a resolution between the Federation and the Bosnian Serbs. In July of 1994 the Contact Group presented a plan to the warring parties that roughly equally divides the country between the two, while maintaining Bosnia in its current internationally recognized borders. The Federation agreed to the plan almost immediately, while the Bosnian Serbs rejected it. @Bosnia And Herzegovina:Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,459 km, Croatia 932 km, Serbia and Montenegro Coastline: 20 km Maritime claims: NA International disputes: as of January 1995, Bosnian Government and Bosnian Serb leaders remain far apart on territorial and constitutional solutions for Bosnia; the two sides did, however, sign a four-month cessation of hostilities agreement effective January 1; the Bosnian Serbs continue to reject the Contact Group Plan submitted by the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Russia, and accepted by the Bosnian Government, which stands firm in its desire to regain lost territory and preserve Bosnia as a multiethnic state within its current borders; Bosnian Serb forces control approximately 70% of Bosnian territory 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 Natural resources: coal, iron, bauxite, manganese, timber, wood products, copper, chromium, lead, zinc Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 36% other: 17% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Bosnia And Herzegovina:People Population: 3,201,823 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.65% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 11.29 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.51 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 2.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.47 years male: 72.75 years female: 78.37 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian Ethnic divisions: Muslim 38%, Serb 40%, Croat 22% (est.) Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10% Languages: Serbo-Croatian 99% Literacy: NA% Labor force: 1,026,254 by occupation: NA% @Bosnia And Herzegovina:Government Note: The US recognizes the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Names: Digraph: BK Type: emerging democracy Capital: Sarajevo Administrative divisions: 109 districts (opstinas, singular - opstina) Independence: NA April 1992 (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: NA Constitution: promulgated in 1974 (under the Communists), amended 1989, 1990, and 1991; the Assembly planned to draft a new constitution in 1991, before conditions deteriorated; constitution of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (including Muslim and Croatian controlled parts of Republic) ratified April 1994 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Party of Democratic Action (SDA), Alija Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CE (guest), CEI, ECE, FAO, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMO, INTELSAT Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: white with a large blue shield; the shield contains white Roman @Bosnia And Herzegovina:Economy Overview: Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation. Although agriculture has been almost all in private hands, farms have been small and inefficient, and the republic traditionally has been a net importer of food. Industry has been greatly overstaffed, one reflection of the rigidities of Communist central planning and management. TITO had pushed the development of military industries in the republic with the result that Bosnia hosted a large share of Yugoslavia's defense plants. As of February 1995, Bosnia and Herzegovina was being torn apart by the continued bitter interethnic warfare that has caused production to plummet, unemployment and inflation to soar, and human misery to multiply. No economic statistics for 1992-94 are available, although output clearly has fallen substantially below the levels of earlier years and almost certainly is well below $1,000 per head. The country receives substantial amounts of humanitarian aid from the international community. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $NA Imports: $NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA%; production is sharply down because of interethnic and interrepublic warfare (1991-94) Electricity: capacity: 3,800,000 kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh (1993) Industries: steel production, mining (coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, and bauxite), manufacturing (vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, 40% of former Yugoslavia's armaments including tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances), oil refining (1991) Agriculture: accounted for 9.0% of GDP in 1989; regularly produces less than 50% of food needs; the foothills of northern Bosnia support orchards, vineyards, livestock, and some wheat and corn; long winters and heavy precipitation leach soil fertility reducing agricultural output in the mountains; farms are mostly privately held, small, and not very productive (1991) Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 dinar = 100 para; Croatian dinar used in Croat-held area, presumably to be replaced by new Croatian kuna; old and new Serbian dinars used in Serb-held area; hard currencies probably supplanting local currencies in areas held by Bosnian government Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year @Bosnia And Herzegovina:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 21,168 km paved: 11,436 km unpaved: gravel 8,146 km; earth 1,586 km (1991) Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: crude oil 174 km; natural gas 90 km (1992); note - pipelines now disrupted Ports: Bosanski Brod Merchant marine: none Airports: @Bosnia And Herzegovina:Communications Telephone system: 727,000 telephones; telephone and telegraph network local: NA Radio: Television: @Bosnia And Herzegovina:Defense Forces Branches: Army Manpower availability: males age 15-49 815,055; males fit for military service 657,454; males reach military age (19) annually 38,201 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ BOTSWANA@Botswana:Geography Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 4,013 km, Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: short section of boundary with Namibia is indefinite; quadripoint with Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Namibia over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River remained unresolved in mid-February 1995 and the parties agreed to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Terrain: predominately flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 75% forest and woodland: 2% other: 21% Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the @Botswana:People Population: 1,392,414 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.36% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 31.01 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.41 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 38 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.56 years male: 60.54 years female: 66.67 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.86 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Batswana 95%, Kalanga, Basarwa, and Kgalagadi 4%, Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50% Languages: English (official), Setswana Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 428,000 (1992) @Botswana:Government Names: Digraph: BC Type: parliamentary republic Capital: Gaborone Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Central, Chobe, Ghanzi, Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 September (1966) Constitution: March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Sir Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Howard F. JETER embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 353982 FAX: [267] 356947 Flag: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center @Botswana:Economy Overview: The economy has historically been based on cattle raising and crops. Agriculture today provides a livelihood for more than 80% of the population but supplies only about 50% of food needs and accounts for only 5% of GDP. Subsistence farming and cattle raising predominate. The driving force behind the rapid economic growth of the 1970s and 1980s has been the mining industry. This sector, mostly on the strength of diamonds, has gone from generating 25% of GDP in 1980 to 39% in 1994. No other sector has experienced such growth, especially not agriculture, which is plagued by erratic rainfall and poor soils. The unemployment rate remains a problem at 25%. Hampered by a still sluggish diamond market in 1994, GDP grew by only 1%. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 1% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,130 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b. 1994) Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1992) External debt: $344 million (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate 4.6% (FY92/93); accounts for about 43% of GDP, including mining Electricity: capacity: 220,000 kW production: 900 million kWh consumption per capita: 694 kWh (1993) Industries: mining of diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, Agriculture: sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts, beans, Economic aid: Currency: 1 pula (P) = 100 thebe Exchange rates: pula (P) per US$1 - 1.7086 (January 1995), 2.6976 Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Botswana:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Ports: none Airports: @Botswana:Communications Telephone system: 26,000 telephones; sparse system; telephone density Radio: Television: @Botswana:Defense Forces Branches: Botswana Defense Force (includes Army and Air Wing), Manpower availability: males age 15-49 306,878; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $198 million, 5.2% of ________________________________________________________________________ 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) Map references: Antarctic Region Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29.6 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 4 nm International disputes: none Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 meters; coast is mostly inaccessible Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all ice) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: covered by glacial ice @Bouvet Island:People Population: uninhabited @Bouvet Island:Government Names: Digraph: BV Type: territory of Norway Capital: none; administered from Oslo, Norway Independence: none (territory of Norway) @Bouvet Island:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Bouvet Island:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only @Bouvet Island:Communications Telephone system: *** No data for this item *** Note: automatic meteorological station @Bouvet Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Norway ________________________________________________________________________ BRAZIL@Brazil:Geography Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: total 14,691 km, Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia 1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km, Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km Coastline: 7,491 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: short section of the boundary with Paraguay, just west of Salto das Sete Quedas (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, is in dispute; two short sections of boundary with Uruguay are in dispute - Arroio Invernada (Arroyo de la Invernada) area of the Rio Quarai (Rio Cuareim) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay River Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, Natural resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 19% forest and woodland: 67% other: 6% Irrigated land: 27,000 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with @Brazil:People Population: 160,737,489 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.22% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 21.16 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.98 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 57.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.82 years male: 56.57 years female: 67.32 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.39 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Caucasion (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 70% Languages: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991) Labor force: 57 million (1989 est.) @Brazil:Government Names: Digraph: BR Type: federal republic Capital: Brasilia Administrative divisions: 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 September (1822) Constitution: 5 October 1988 Legal system: based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ Suffrage: voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congresso Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal Political parties and leaders: National Reconstruction Party (PRN), Other political or pressure groups: left wing of the Catholic Church Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Melvyn LEVITSKY embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 3, Brasilia, Distrito Federal mailing address: Unit 3500; APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 321-7272 FAX: [55] (61) 225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Porto Alegre, Recife Flag: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) @Brazil:Economy Overview: The economy, with large agrarian, mining, and manufacturing sectors, entered the 1990s with declining real growth, runaway inflation, an unserviceable foreign debt of $122 billion, and a lack of policy direction. In addition, the economy remained highly regulated, inward-looking, and protected by substantial trade and investment barriers. Ownership of major industrial and mining facilities is divided among private interests - including several multinationals - and the government. Most large agricultural holdings are private, with the government channeling financing to this sector. Conflicts between large landholders and landless peasants have produced intermittent violence. The COLLOR government, which assumed office in March 1990, launched an ambitious reform program that sought to modernize and reinvigorate the economy by stabilizing prices, deregulating the economy, and opening it to increased foreign competition. Itamar FRANCO, who assumed the presidency following President COLLOR's resignation in December 1992, was out of step with COLLOR's reform agenda; initiatives to redress fiscal problems, privatize state enterprises, and liberalize trade and investment policies lost momentum. Galloping inflation - by June 1994 the monthly rate had risen to nearly 50% - had undermined economic stability. In response, the then finance minister, Fernando Henrique CARDOSO, launched the third phase of his stabilization plan, known as Plano Real, that called for a new currency, the real, which was introduced on 1 July 1994. Inflation subsequently dropped to under 3% per month through the end of 1994. The newly elected President CARDOSO has called for the implementation of sweeping market-oriented reform, including public sector and fiscal reform, privatization, deregulation, and elimination of barriers to increased foreign investment. Brazil's natural resources remain a major, long-term economic strength. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $886.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $5,580 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1,094% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.9% (1993) Budget: Exports: $43.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $33.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $134 billion (1994) Industrial production: growth rate 9.5% (1993); accounts for 39% of Electricity: Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, mining (iron Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GDP; world's largest producer and exporter of coffee and orange juice concentrate and second-largest exporter of soybeans; other products - rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, beef; self-sufficient in food, except for wheat Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and coca, mostly for Economic aid: Currency: 1 real (R$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: R$ per US$1 - 0.85 (January 1995); CR$ per US$1 - Fiscal year: calendar year @Brazil:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 1,670,148 km paved: 161,503 km unpaved: gravel/earth 1,508,645 km (1990) Inland waterways: 50,000 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 2,000 km; petroleum products 3,804 km; natural Ports: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Merchant marine: Airports: @Brazil:Communications Telephone system: 9.86 million telephones; telephone density - Radio: Television: @Brazil:Defense Forces Branches: Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes Marines), Brazilian Manpower availability: males age 15-49 44,301,765; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5.0 billion, 0.9% of ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: World Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 698 km Maritime claims: International disputes: the entire Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation) Natural resources: coconuts, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and @British Indian Ocean Territory:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are UK-US military personnel; civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK-US military facilities @British Indian Ocean Territory:Government Names: Abbreviation: BIOT Digraph: IO Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: none Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Executive branch: Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: white with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and six blue wavy horizontal stripes bearing a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag @British Indian Ocean Territory:Economy Overview: All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. Electricity: provided by the US military @British Indian Ocean Territory:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: Ports: Diego Garcia Airports: total: 1 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 @British Indian Ocean Territory:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; minimal facilities Radio: Television: @British Indian Ocean Territory:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS(dependent territory of the UK) @British Virgin Islands:Geography Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 33% forest and woodland: 7% other: 33% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico @British Virgin Islands:People Population: 13,027 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.27% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 20.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.07 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.33 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.73 years male: 70.88 years female: 74.7 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.27 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander Ethnic divisions: black 90%, white, Asian Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of God 7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic 6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981) Languages: English (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970) Labor force: 4,911 (1980) @British Virgin Islands:Government Names: Abbreviation: BVI Digraph: VI Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Road Town Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July Constitution: 1 June 1977 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Member of: CARICOM (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), INTERPOL Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) @British Virgin Islands:Economy Overview: The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean area, is highly dependent on the tourist industry, which generates about 21% of the national income. In 1985 the government offered offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and, in consequence, incorporation fees generated about $2 million in 1987. The economy slowed in 1991 because of the poor performances of the tourist sector and tight commercial bank credit. Livestock raising is the most significant agricultural activity. The islands' crops, limited by poor soils, are unable to meet food requirements. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $133 million (1991) National product real growth rate: 2% (1991) National product per capita: $10,600 (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992) Budget: Exports: $2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988) Imports: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988) External debt: $4.5 million (1985) Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1985) Electricity: capacity: 10,500 kW production: 50 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,148 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Agriculture: livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @British Virgin Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 106 km (1983) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Road Town Merchant marine: none Airports: @British Virgin Islands:Communications Telephone system: 3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone Radio: Television: @British Virgin Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ BRUNEI@Brunei:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 381 km, Malysia 381 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides the country; all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef, but has not publicly claimed the island Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 79% other: 18% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian @Brunei:People Population: 292,266 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.63% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 25.83 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.07 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 5.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.24 years male: 69.65 years female: 72.91 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.41 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian Ethnic divisions: Malay 64%, Chinese 20%, other 16% Religions: Muslim (official) 63%, Buddhism 14%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs and other 15% (1981) Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991) Labor force: 119,000 (1993 est.); note - includes members of the Army @Brunei:Government Names: Digraph: BX Type: constitutional sultanate Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan Administrative divisions: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong Independence: 1 January 1984 (from UK) National holiday: National Day 23 February (1984) Constitution: 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a Legal system: based on Islamic law Suffrage: none Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Brunei United National Party Member of: APEC, ASEAN, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, ICAO, IDB, IMO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands @Brunei:Economy Overview: The economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation and welfare measures, and village tradition. It is almost totally supported by exports of crude oil and natural gas, with revenues from the petroleum sector accounting for more than 40% of GDP. Per capita GDP is among the highest in the Third World, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes food and housing. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.43 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: -4% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $16,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 5% (1993 est.) Budget: Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $0 Industrial production: growth rate 12.9% (1987); accounts for 41.6% of Electricity: capacity: 380,000 kW production: 1.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,971 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, Agriculture: imports about 80% of its food needs; principal crops and Economic aid: Currency: 1 Bruneian dollar (B$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (B$) per US$1 - 1.4524 (January 1995), 1.5274 (1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992), 1.7276 (1991), 1.8125 (1990); note - the Bruneian dollar is at par with the Singapore dollar Fiscal year: calendar year @Brunei:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 Pipelines: crude oil 135 km; petroleum products 418 km; natural gas Ports: Bandar Seri Begawar, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong Merchant marine: Airports: @Brunei:Communications Telephone system: 33,000 telephones (1987); service throughout country Radio: Television: @Brunei:Defense Forces Branches: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 81,560; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $312 million, 6.2% of ________________________________________________________________________ BULGARIA@Bulgaria:Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,808 km, Greece 494 km, The Former Yugoslav Coastline: 354 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 34% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 35% other: 10% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land @Bulgaria:People Population: 8,775,198 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: -0.25% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 11.75 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 11.31 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -2.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.68 years male: 70.43 years female: 77.1 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian Ethnic divisions: Bulgarian 85.3%, Turk 8.5%, Gypsy 2.6%, Macedonian Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 85%, Muslim 13%, Jewish 0.8%, Roman Languages: Bulgarian; secondary languages closely correspond to ethnic Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992) Labor force: 4.3 million @Bulgaria:Government Names: Digraph: BU Type: emerging democracy Capital: Sofia Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Independence: 22 September 1908 (from Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day 3 March (1878) Constitution: adopted 12 July 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system, with Soviet law influence; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Zhan Other political or pressure groups: Democratic Alliance for the Member of: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI (associate members), EBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation from Nazi control) @Bulgaria:Economy Overview: The Bulgarian economy continued its painful adjustment in 1994 from the misdirected development undertaken during four decades of Communist rule. Many aspects of a market economy have been put in place and have begun to function, but much of the economy, especially the industrial sector, has yet to re-establish market links lost with the collapse of the other centrally planned Soviet Bloc economies. The prices of many imported industrial inputs, especially energy products, have risen markedly, and falling real wages have not sufficed to restore competitiveness. The government plans more extensive privatization in 1995 to improve the management of enterprises and to encourage foreign investment. Bulgaria resumed payments on its $10 billion in commercial debt in 1993 following the negotiation of a 50% write-off. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $33.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,830 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 122% (1994) Unemployment rate: 16% (1994) Budget: Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $4.3 billion (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $12 billion (1994) Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1994); accounts for about 37% of GDP (1990) Electricity: capacity: 11,500,000 kW production: 35.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,827 kWh (1993) Industries: machine building and metal working, food processing, chemicals, textiles, building materials, ferrous and nonferrous metals Agriculture: climate and soil conditions support livestock raising and the growing of various grain crops, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, and tobacco; more than one-third of the arable land devoted to grain; world's fourth-largest tobacco exporter; surplus food producer Illicit drugs: transshipment point for southwest Asian heroin and Economic aid: Currency: 1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki Exchange rates: leva (Lv) per US$1 - 67.04 (January 1995), 32.00 Fiscal year: calendar year @Bulgaria:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 470 km (1987) Pipelines: crude oil 193 km; petroleum products 525 km; natural gas 1,400 km (1992) Ports: Burgas, Lom, Nesebur, Ruse, Varna, Vidin Merchant marine: Airports: @Bulgaria:Communications Telephone system: 2,600,000 telephones; 29 telephones/100 persons Radio: Television: @Bulgaria:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Troops, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,171,414; males fit for Defense expenditures: 13 billion leva, NA% of GDP (1994 est.); note - ________________________________________________________________________ BURKINA@Burkina:Geography Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 3,192 km, Benin 306 km, Ghana 548 km, Cote Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: following mutual acceptance of an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in December 1986 on their international boundary dispute, Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger Climate: tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast Natural resources: manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, antimony, copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc, silver Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 37% forest and woodland: 26% other: 27% Irrigated land: 160 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked @Burkina:People Population: 10,422,828 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.79% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 48.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 18.22 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 116.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.6 years male: 45.71 years female: 47.51 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.88 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Mossi (about 2.5 million), Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Languages: French (official), tribal languages belonging to Sudanic Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: NA (most adults are employed in subsistance agriculture) @Burkina:Government Names: Digraph: UV Type: parliamentary Capital: Ouagadougou Administrative divisions: 30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba, Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 4 August (1983) Constitution: 2 June 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law Suffrage: none Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of People's Deputies: elections last held 24 May 1992 (next to be held 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (107 total), ODP-MT 78, CNPP-PSD 12, RDA 6, ADF 4, other 7 note: the current law also provides for a second consultative chamber, which has not been formally constituted Judicial branch: Appeals Court Political parties and leaders: Organization for People's Democracy - Other political or pressure groups: committees for the defense of the Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. McCONNELL embassy: Avenue Raoul Follerau, Ouagadougou mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou telephone: [226] 306723 through 306725 FAX: [226] 312368 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia @Burkina:Economy Overview: One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina has a high population density and a high population growth rate, few natural resources, and a fragile soil. Economic development is hindered by a poor communications network within a landlocked country. Agriculture provides about 40% of GDP and is mainly of a subsistence nature. Industry, dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations, accounts for about 15% of GDP. Following the 50% currency devaluation in January 1994, the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies. Even with the best of plans, however, the government faces formidable problems on all sides. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.4% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $660 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.6% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $273 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $636 million (f.o.b., 1993) External debt: $865 million (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6.7% (1992); accounts for about 15% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 60,000 kW production: 190 million kWh consumption per capita: 17 kWh (1993) Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold mining and extraction Agriculture: accounts for about 40% of GDP; cash crops - peanuts, shea Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 529.43 (January 1995), Fiscal year: calendar year @Burkina:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Ports: none Airports: @Burkina:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; all services only fair Radio: Television: @Burkina:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,081,999; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $104 million, 6.4% of ________________________________________________________________________ BURMA@Burma:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 5,876 km, Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, Coastline: 1,930 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) Terrain: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands Natural resources: petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 49% other: 34% Irrigated land: 10,180 sq km (1989) Environment: natural hazards: destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and Note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes @Burma:People Population: 45,103,809 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.84% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 28.02 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.63 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 61.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.47 years male: 58.38 years female: 62.69 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.58 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Burmese (singular and plural) adjective: Burmese Ethnic divisions: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese Religions: Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Languages: Burmese; minority ethnic groups have their own languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 16.007 million (1992) @Burma:Government Names: Digraph: BM Type: military regime Capital: Rangoon (regime refers to the capital as Yangon) Administrative divisions: 7 divisions* (yin-mya, singular - yin) and 7 Independence: 4 January 1948 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 January (1948) Constitution: 3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988); National Convention started on 9 January 1993 to draft a new constitution; chapter headings and three of 15 sections have been approved Legal system: has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: Judicial branch: limited; remnants of the British-era legal system in Political parties and leaders: Union Solidarity and Development Other political or pressure groups: National Coalition Government of Member of: AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador U THAUNG chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9044, 9045 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Marilyn A. MEYERS embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521) mailing address: American Embassy, Box B, APO AP 96546 telephone: [95] (1) 82055, 82182 (operator assistance required) FAX: [95] (1) 80409 Flag: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14 administrative divisions @Burma:Economy Overview: Burma has a mixed economy with about 75% private activity, mainly in agriculture, light industry, and transport, and with about 25% state-controlled activity, mainly in energy, heavy industry, and foreign trade. Government policy in the last six years, 1989-94, has aimed at revitalizing the economy after four decades of tight central planning. Thus, private activity has markedly increased; foreign investment has been encouraged, so far with moderate success; and efforts continue to increase the efficiency of state enterprises. Published estimates of Burma's foreign trade are greatly understated because of the volume of black market trade. A major ongoing problem is the failure to achieve monetary and fiscal stability. Although Burma remains a poor Asian country, its rich resources furnish the potential for substantial long-term increases in income, exports, and living standards. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $41.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 6.4% (1994) National product per capita: $930 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 38% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $674 million (FY93/94 est.) Imports: $1.2 billion (FY93/94 est.) External debt: $5.4 billion (FY93/94 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.9% (FY92/93 est.); accounts for 10% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 1,100,000 kW production: 2.6 billion kWh consumption per capita: 55 kWh (1993) Industries: agricultural processing; textiles and footwear; wood and wood products; petroleum refining; mining of copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer Agriculture: accounts for 65% of GDP and 65% of employment (including fishing, animal husbandry, and forestry); self-sufficient in food; principal crops - paddy rice, corn, oilseed, sugarcane, pulses; world's largest stand of hardwood trees; rice and timber account for 55% of export revenues Illicit drugs: world's largest illicit producer of opium (2,030 metric tons in 1994 - dropped 21% due to regional drought in 1994) and minor producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; opium production continues to be almost double since the collapse of Rangoon's antinarcotic programs; growing role in amphetamine production for regional consumption Economic aid: Currency: 1 kyat (K) = 100 pyas Exchange rates: kyats (K) per US$1 - 5.8640 (January 1995), 5.9749 (1994), 6.1570 (1993), 6.1045 (1992), 6.2837 (1991), 6.3386 (1990); unofficial - 120 Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Burma:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 27,000 km paved: bituminous 3,200 km unpaved: gravel, improved earth 17,700 km; unimproved earth 6,100 km Inland waterways: 12,800 km; 3,200 km navigable by large commercial vessels Pipelines: crude oil 1,343 km; natural gas 330 km Ports: Bassein, Bhamo, Chauk, Mandalay, Moulmein, Myitkyina, Rangoon, Merchant marine: Airports: @Burma:Communications Telephone system: 53,000 telephones (1986); meets minimum requirements Radio: Television: @Burma:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 11,553,094; females age 15-49 Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ BURUNDI@Burundi:Geography Location: Central Africa, east of Zaire Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 974 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km, Zaire Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: temperate; warm; occasional frost in uplands; dry season from Terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxide, peat, cobalt, Land use: arable land: 43% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 35% forest and woodland: 2% other: 12% Irrigated land: 720 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed @Burundi:People Population: 6,262,429 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.18% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 43.35 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 21.51 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: in a number of waves since April 1994, hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled the civil strife between the Hutu and Tutsi factions in Burundi and crossed into Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zaire; the refugee flows are continuing in 1995 as the ethnic violence has persisted Infant mortality rate: 111.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 39.86 years male: 37.84 years female: 41.95 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.63 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Religions: Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1.9 million (1983 est.) @Burundi:Government Names: Digraph: BY Type: republic Capital: Bujumbura Administrative divisions: 15 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Constitution: 13 March 1992; provides for establishment of a plural Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 29 June 1993 (next to be held NA); results - FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%; seats - (81 total) FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16; other parties won too small shares of the vote to win seats in the assembly note: The National Unity Charter outlining the principles for constitutional government was adopted by a national referendum on 5 February 1991 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Unity for National Progress (UPRONA); Other political or pressure groups: NA; Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert C. KRUEGER embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura telephone: [257] (2) 23454 FAX: [257] (2) 22926 Flag: divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below) @Burundi:Economy Overview: A landlocked, resource-poor country in an early stage of economic development, Burundi since October 1993 has suffered from massive ethnic-based violence that has displaced an estimated million people, disrupted production, and set back needed reform programs. Burundi is predominately agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Its economic health depends on the coffee crop, which accounts for 80% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports therefore continues to rest largely on the vagaries of the climate and the international coffee market. As part of its economic reform agenda, launched in February 1991 with IMF and World Bank support, Burundi is trying to diversify its agricultural exports, attract foreign investment in industry, and modernize government budgetary practices. Although the government remains committed to reforms, it fears new austerity measures would add to ethnic tensions. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $3.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -13.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $600 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $68 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $203 million (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $1.05 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 11% (1991 est.); accounts for about 15% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 55,000 kW production: 100 million kWh consumption per capita: 20 kWh (1993) Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; cash crops - coffee, cotton, Economic aid: Currency: 1 Burundi franc (FBu) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Burundi francs (FBu) per US$1 - 248.51 (December 1994), 252.66 (1994), 242.78 (1993), 208.30 (1992), 181.51 (1991), 171.26 (1990), 158.67 (1989), 140.40 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year @Burundi:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: Inland waterways: Lake Tanganyika Ports: Bujumbura Airports: @Burundi:Communications Telephone system: 8,000 telephones; primative system; telephone Radio: Television: @Burundi:Defense Forces Branches: Army (includes naval and air units), paramilitary Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,350,042; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $25 million, 2.6% of ________________________________________________________________________ CAMBODIA@Cambodia:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 2,572 km, Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam Coastline: 443 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: offshore islands and sections of the boundary with Vietnam are in dispute; maritime boundary with Vietnam not defined; parts of border with Thailand in dispute; maritime boundary with Thailand not clearly defined Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north Natural resources: timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 16% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 76% other: 4% Irrigated land: 920 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and @Cambodia:People Population: 10,561,373 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.83% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 44.42 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 16.16 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 109.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.46 years male: 48 years female: 51 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.81 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian Ethnic divisions: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% Religions: Theravada Buddhism 95%, other 5% Languages: Khmer (official), French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2.5 million to 3 million @Cambodia:Government Names: Digraph: CB Type: multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993 Capital: Phnom Penh Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (khet, singular and plural); Independence: 9 November 1949 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November 1949 Constitution: promulgated September 1993 Legal system: currently being defined Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral; a 120-member constituent assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court provided for by the constitution has Political parties and leaders: National United Front for an Member of: ACCT, AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, Diplomatic representation in US: Ambassador SISOWATH SIRIRATH US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles H. TWINING embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546 telephone: [855] (23) 26436, 26438 FAX: [855] (23) 26437 Flag: horizontal band of red separates two equal horizontal bands of blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat in the center @Cambodia:Economy Overview: The Cambodian economy - virtually destroyed by decades of war - is slowly recovering. Government leaders are moving toward restoring fiscal and monetary discipline and have established good working relations with international financial institutions. Growth, starting from a low base, has been strong in 1991-94. Despite such positive developments, the reconstruction effort faces many tough challenges because of the persistence of internal political divisions and the related lack of confidence of foreign investors. Rural Cambodia, where 90% of about 9.5 million Khmer live, remains mired in poverty. The almost total lack of basic infrastructure in the countryside will hinder development and will contribute to a growing imbalance in growth between urban and rural areas over the near term. Moreover, the government's lack of experience in administering economic and technical assistance programs and rampant corruption among officials will slow the growth of critical public sector investment. Inflation for 1994 as a whole was less than a quarter of the 1992 rate and was declining during the year. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $630 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 26%-30% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $283.6 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $479.3 million (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $383 million to OECD members (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 7.9% (1993 est.); accounts for 8% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 40,000 kW production: 160 million kWh consumption per capita: 14 kWh (1993) Industries: rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining Agriculture: mainly subsistence farming except for rubber plantations; main crops - rice, rubber, corn; food shortages - rice, meat, vegetables, dairy products, sugar, flour Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment country for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle; growing money-laundering center; high-level narcotics-related corruption in government; possible small-scale heroin production; large producer of cannibis Economic aid: Currency: 1 new riel (CR) = 100 sen Exchange rates: riels (CR) per US$1 - 2,470 (December 1993), 2,800 Fiscal year: calendar year @Cambodia:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 3,700 km navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 Ports: Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville), Kampot, Krong Kaoh Kong, Phnom Merchant marine: none Airports: @Cambodia:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; service barely adequate for Radio: Television: @Cambodia:Defense Forces Branches: Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,255,050; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $85 million, 1.4% of ________________________________________________________________________ CAMEROON@Cameroon:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 4,591 km, Central African Republic 797 km, Chad Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: International disputes: demarcation of international boundaries in Climate: varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid Terrain: diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau Natural resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 54% other: 13% Irrigated land: 280 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa @Cameroon:People Population: 13.521 million (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.92% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 40.42 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 11.19 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 75.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.48 years male: 55.41 years female: 59.6 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.8 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Religions: indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 33%, Muslim 16% Languages: 24 major African language groups, English (official), Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1987) Labor force: NA @Cameroon:Government Names: Digraph: CM Type: unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990) Capital: Yaounde Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Independence: 1 January 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French National holiday: National Day, 20 May (1972) Constitution: 20 May 1972 Legal system: based on French civil law system, with common law influence; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Cameroon People's Democratic Movement major opposition parties: National Union for Democracy and Progress Other political or pressure groups: Alliance for Change (FAC), Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 through 8794 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Harriet W. ISOM embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde mailing address: B. P. 817, Yaounde telephone: [237] 23-40-14 FAX: [237] 23-07-53 consulate(s): none (Douala closed September 1993) Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia @Cameroon:Economy Overview: Because of its offshore oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed, most diversified primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as political instability, a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. The development of the oil sector led rapid economic growth between 1970 and 1985. Growth came to an abrupt halt in 1986, precipitated by steep declines in the prices of major exports: coffee, cocoa, and petroleum. Export earnings were cut by almost one-third, and inefficiencies in fiscal management were exposed. In 1990-93, with support from the IMF and World Bank, the government began to introduce reforms designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, and recapitalize the nation's banks. Political instability, following suspect elections in 1992, brought IMF/WB structural adjustment to a halt. Although the 50% devaluation of the currency in January 1994 improved the potential for export growth, mismanagement remains and is the main barrier to economic improvement. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $15.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -2.9% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,200 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.8% (FY91/92) Unemployment rate: 25% (1990 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $1.96 billion (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $6 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate -2.1% (FY90/91); accounts for about 20% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 630,000 kW production: 2.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 196 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber Agriculture: the agriculture and forestry sectors provide employment Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Cameroon:Transportation Railroads: total: 1,111 km narrow gauge: 1,111 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 65,000 km paved: 2,682 km unpaved: gravel, improved earth 32,318 km; unimproved earth 30,000 km Inland waterways: 2,090 km; of decreasing importance Ports: Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko Merchant marine: Airports: @Cameroon:Communications Telephone system: 26,000 telephones; telephone density - 2 Radio: Television: @Cameroon:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air Force, National Manpower availability: males age 15-49 3,038,007; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $102 million, NA% of ________________________________________________________________________ CANADA@Canada:Geography Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean, north of the conterminous US Map references: North America Area: Land boundaries: total 8,893 km, US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Coastline: 243,791 km Maritime claims: International disputes: maritime boundary disputes with the US; Saint Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in Natural resources: nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 35% other: 57% Irrigated land: 8,400 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic @Canada:People Population: 28,434,545 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.09% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.74 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.43 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 4.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.29 years male: 74.93 years female: 81.81 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: British Isles origin 40%, French origin 27%, other Religions: Roman Catholic 46%, United Church 16%, Anglican 10%, other Languages: English (official), French (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1986) total population: 97% Labor force: 13.38 million by occupation: services 75%, manufacturing 14%, agriculture 4%, construction 3%, other 4% (1988) @Canada:Government Names: Digraph: CA Type: confederation with parliamentary democracy Capital: Ottawa Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 2 territories*; Alberta, Independence: 1 July 1867 (from UK) National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867) Constitution: amended British North America Act 1867 patriated to Legal system: based on English common law, except in Quebec, where Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party, Jean CHRETIEN; Bloc Member of: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador James Johnston BLANCHARD embassy: 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 238-5720 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver Flag: three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band @Canada:Economy Overview: As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in per capita output, market-oriented economic system, and pattern of production. Since World War II the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. In the 1980s, Canada registered one of the highest rates of real growth among the OECD nations, averaging about 3.2%. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada has excellent economic prospects, although the country still faces high unemployment and a growing debt. Moreover, the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas has observers discussing a possible split in the confederation; foreign investors have become edgy. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $639.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.5% (1994) National product per capita: $22,760 (1994) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.2% (1994) Unemployment rate: 9.6% (December 1994) Budget: Exports: $164.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $151.5 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $243 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 4.8% (1993) Electricity: capacity: 108,090,000 kW production: 511 billion kWh consumption per capita: 16,133 kWh (1993) Industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas Agriculture: accounts for about 3% of GDP; one of the world's major producers and exporters of grain (wheat and barley); key source of US agricultural imports; large forest resources cover 35% of total land area; commercial fisheries provide annual catch of 1.5 million metric tons, of which 75% is exported Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; growing role as a transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $7.2 billion Currency: 1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1 - 1.4129 (January 1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992), 1.1457 (1991), 1.1668 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Canada:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 3,000 km, including Saint Lawrence Seaway Pipelines: crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km Ports: Becancour, Churchill, Halifax, Montreal, New Westminister, Merchant marine: Airports: @Canada:Communications Telephone system: 18,000,000 telephones; excellent service provided by Radio: Television: @Canada:Defense Forces Branches: Canadian Armed Forces (includes Land Forces Command or LC, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 7,570,877; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9.0 billion, 1.6% of ________________________________________________________________________ CAPE VERDE@Cape Verde:Geography Location: Western Africa, group of Islands in the North Atlantic Map references: World Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 965 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: temperate; warm, dry, summer; precipitation very erratic Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzolana, limestone, kaolin, fish Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 0% other: 85% Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major @Cape Verde:People Population: 435,983 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.98% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 45.32 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.65 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -6.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 55.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.01 years male: 61.1 years female: 65.01 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.23 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean Ethnic divisions: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Religions: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West African Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 102,000 (1985 est.) @Cape Verde:Government Names: Digraph: CV Type: republic Capital: Praia Administrative divisions: 14 districts (concelhos, singular - Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975) Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 September 1992 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Political parties and leaders: Movement for Democracy (MPD), Prime Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jose Eduardo BARBOSA (since 12 February 1994) chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph M. SEGARS embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 61 56 16 FAX: [238] 61 13 55 Flag: three horozontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horozontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands @Cape Verde:Economy Overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base, serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought, and a high birthrate. The economy is service oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for 60% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, agriculture's share of GDP is only 20%; the fishing sector accounts for 4%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by remittances from emigrants and foreign aid, which form important supplements to GDP. Economic reforms, launched by the new democratic government in 1991, are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 1995 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $410 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $1,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1992) Unemployment rate: 26% (1990 est.) Budget: Exports: $4.4 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) Imports: $173 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.) External debt: $156 million (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 3.6% (1990 est.); accounts for 8% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 15,000 kW production: 40 million kWh consumption per capita: 73 kWh (1993) Industries: fish processing, salt mining, garment industry, ship repair, construction materials, food and beverage production Agriculture: accounts for 20% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence farming; bananas are the only export crop; other crops - corn, beans, sweet potatoes, coffee; growth potential of agricultural sector limited by poor soils and scanty rainfall; annual food imports required; fish catch provides for both domestic consumption and small exports Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for illicit Economic aid: Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 85.537 (1st Fiscal year: calendar year @Cape Verde:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,100 km (1992) paved: 680 km unpaved: 420 km Ports: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal Merchant marine: Airports: total: 6 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 5 @Cape Verde:Communications Telephone system: over 1,700 telephones; telephine density - about 4 Radio: Television: @Cape Verde:Defense Forces Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP; includes Army and Manpower availability: males age 15-49 80,867; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.4 million, NA% of ________________________________________________________________________ CAYMAN ISLANDS(dependent territory of the UK) @Cayman Islands:Geography Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 160 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 8% forest and woodland: 23% other: 69% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: important location between Cuba and Central America @Cayman Islands:People Population: 33,192 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 4.3% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 14.79 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.43 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian Ethnic divisions: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Languages: English Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 8,061 @Cayman Islands:Government Names: Digraph: CJ Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: George Town Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July) Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992 Legal system: British common law and local statutes Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties Member of: CARICOM (observer), CDB, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS @Cayman Islands:Economy Overview: The economy depends heavily on tourism (70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings) and offshore financial services, with the tourist industry aimed at the luxury market and catering mainly to visitors from North America. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $700 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.4% (1991) National product per capita: $23,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 7% (1992) Budget: Exports: $10 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $312 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $15 million (1986) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 80,000 kW production: 230 million kWh consumption per capita: 6,899 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, Agriculture: minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtle Illicit drugs: a major money-laundering center for illicit drug Economic aid: Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 0.83 (18 November 1993), 0.85 (22 November 1993) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Cayman Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 160 km (main roads) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Cayman Brac, George Town Merchant marine: Airports: @Cayman Islands:Communications Telephone system: 35,000 telephones Radio: Television: @Cayman Islands:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF) Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC@Central African Republic:Geography Location: Central Africa, north of Zaire Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 5,203 km, Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Congo Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 64% other: 28% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa @Central African Republic:People Population: 3,209,759 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 41.84 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 20.89 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 135.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 42.15 years male: 40.68 years female: 43.67 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.37 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African Ethnic divisions: Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum Religions: indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 775,413 (1986 est.) @Central African Republic:Government Names: Abbreviation: CAR Digraph: CT Type: republic; Capital: Bangui Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the republic) Constitution: 21 November 1986 Legal system: based on French law Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Movement for the Liberation of the Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert E. GRIBBIN III embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00, 61 25 78, 61 02 10 FAX: [236] 61 44 94 Flag: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band @Central African Republic:Economy Overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the CAR economy, with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates about half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 26% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. A major plus is the large forest reserves, which the government is moving to protect from overexploitation. The 50% devaluation of the currencies of 14 Francophone African nations on 12 January 1994 had mixed effects on CAR's economy. While diamond, timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased - leading GDP to increase by 5.5% - inflation rose to 40%, fueled by the rising prices of imports on which the economy depends. CAR's poor resource base and primitive infrastructure will keep it dependent on multilateral donors and France for the foreseeable future. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.2 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $700 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 40% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1988 est.) in Bangui Budget: Exports: $123.5 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $165.1 million (f.o.b., 1992) External debt: $859 million (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1990 est.); accounts for 14% of Electricity: capacity: 40,000 kW production: 100 million kWh consumption per capita: 29 kWh (1993) Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles Agriculture: self-sufficient in food production except for grain; Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 Fiscal year: calendar year @Central African Republic:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 22,000 km paved: bituminous 458 km unpaved: improved earth 10,542 km; unimproved earth 11,000 km Inland waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river Ports: Bangui, Nola Airports: @Central African Republic:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; system is only fair Radio: Television: @Central African Republic:Defense Forces Branches: Central African Army (includes Republican Guard), Air Force, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 718,487; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 2.3% of ________________________________________________________________________ CHAD@Chad:Geography Location: Central Africa, south of Libya Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 5,968 km, Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in February 1994 that the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between Chad and Libya belongs to Chad; Libya has withdrawn some of its forces in response to the ICJ ruling, but still maintains an airfield in the disputed area; demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria Climate: tropical in south, desert in north Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in Natural resources: petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 36% forest and woodland: 11% other: 51% Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the @Chad:People Population: 5,586,505 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.18% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 42.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 20.26 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 129.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.19 years male: 40.04 years female: 42.38 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs, animism 25% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), Literacy: age 15 and over has the ability to read and write in French Labor force: NA @Chad:Government Names: Digraph: CD Type: republic Capital: N'Djamena Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day 11 August (1960) Constitution: 22 December 1989 (suspended 3 December 1990); Provisional National Charter 1 March 1991 is in effect (note - the constitutional commission, which was drafting a new constitution to submit to transitional parliament for ratification in April 1994, failed to do so but expects to submit a new draft to the parliament before the end of April 1995) Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: universal at age NA Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), former dissident group, Idriss DEBY, chairman note: President DEBY, who promised political pluralism, a new constitution, and free elections by April 1994, subsequently twice postponed these initiatives, first until April 1995 and again until sometime before April 1996; there are numerous dissident groups and at least 45 opposition political parties Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and @Chad:Economy Overview: Climate, geographic remoteness, poor resource endowment, and lack of infrastructure make Chad one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world. Its economy is hobbled by political turmoil, conflict with Libya, drought, and food shortages. Consequently the economy has shown little progress in recent years in overcoming a severe setback brought on by civil war in the late 1980s. More than 80% of the work force is involved in subsistence farming and fishing. Cotton is the major cash crop, accounting for at least half of exports. Chad is highly dependent on foreign aid, especially food credits, given chronic shortages in several regions. Of all the Francophone countries in Africa, Chad has benefited the least from the 50% devaluation of their currencies on 12 January 1994. Despite an increase in external financial aid and favorable price increases for cotton - the primary source of foreign exchange - the corrupt and enfeebled government bureaucracy continues to dampen economic enterprise by neglecting payments to domestic suppliers and public sector salaries. Oil production in the Lake Chad area remains a distant prospect and the subsistence-driven economy probably will continue to limp along in the near term. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.8 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $530 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -4.1% (1992) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $190 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $261 million (f.o.b., 1992) External debt: $492 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.7% (1992 est.); accounts for nearly 15% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 40,000 kW production: 80 million kWh consumption per capita: 13 kWh (1993) Industries: cotton textile mills, slaughterhouses, brewery, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes Agriculture: accounts for about 45% of GDP; largely subsistence farming; cotton most important cash crop; food crops include sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, camels; self-sufficient in food in years of adequate rainfall Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine Francs (CFAF) per US$1 Fiscal year: calendar year @Chad:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 31,322 km paved: bituminous 263 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 7,069 km; earth 23,990 km Inland waterways: 2,000 km navigable Ports: none Airports: @Chad:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; primitive system Radio: Television: @Chad:Defense Forces Branches: Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, and Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,307,210; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $74 million, 11.1% of ________________________________________________________________________ CHILE@Chile:Geography Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: total 6,171 km, Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Coastline: 6,435 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: short section of the southern boundary with Argentina is indefinite; Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims Climate: temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes Natural resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 16% forest and woodland: 21% other: 56% Irrigated land: 12,650 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and @Chile:People Population: 14,161,216 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.49% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 20.29 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.42 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.88 years male: 71.89 years female: 78.01 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.49 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean Ethnic divisions: European and European-Indian 95%, Indian 3%, other 2% Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish Languages: Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992) Labor force: 4.728 million @Chile:Government Names: Digraph: CI Type: republic Capital: Santiago Administrative divisions: 13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810) Constitution: 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 Legal system: based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Political parties and leaders: Concertation of Parties for Democracy Other political or pressure groups: revitalized university student Member of: APEC, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Gabriel GUERRA-MONDRAGON embassy: Codina Building, 1343 Agustinas, Santiago mailing address: Unit 4127, Santiago; APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center; design was based on the US flag @Chile:Economy Overview: Chile has a prosperous, essentially free market economy, with the degree of government intervention varying according to the philosophy of the different regimes. Under the center-left government of President AYLWIN, which took power in March 1990, spending on social welfare rose steadily. At the same time business investment, exports, and consumer spending also grew substantially. The new president, FREI, who took office in March 1994, has emphasized social spending even more. Growth in 1991-94 has averaged 6.5% annually, with an estimated one million Chileans having moved out of poverty in the last four years. Copper remains vital to the health of the economy; Chile is the world's largest producer and exporter of copper. Success in meeting the government's goal of sustained annual growth of 5% depends on world copper prices, the level of confidence of foreign investors and creditors, and the government's own ability to maintain a conservative fiscal stance. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $97.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $7,010 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.7% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 6% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $11.5 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $10.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994) External debt: $20 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.3% (1993 est.); accounts for 34% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 4,810,000 kW production: 22 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,499 kWh (1993) Industries: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles Agriculture: accounts for about 7% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); major exporter of fruit, fish, and timber products; major crops - wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, deciduous fruit; livestock products - beef, poultry, wool; self-sufficient in most foods; 1991 fish catch of 6.6 million metric tons; net agricultural importer Illicit drugs: a minor transshipment country for cocaine destined for Economic aid: Currency: 1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 408 (January 1995), 420.08 (1994), 404.35 (1993), 362.59 (1992), 349.37 (1991), 305.06 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Chile:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 79,599 km paved: 10,984 km unpaved: gravel or earth 68,615 km (1990) Inland waterways: 725 km Pipelines: crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas Ports: Antofagasta, Arica, Chanarol, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Merchant marine: Airports: @Chile:Communications Telephone system: 768,000 telephones; modern telephone system based on Radio: Television: @Chile:Defense Forces Branches: Army of the Nation, National Navy (includes Naval Air, Coast Manpower availability: males age 15-49 3,758,770; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 3.4% of ________________________________________________________________________ CHINA(also see separate Taiwan entry) @China:Geography Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 22,143.34 km, Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Coastline: 14,500 km Maritime claims: International disputes: boundary with India in dispute; disputed Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east Natural resources: coal, iron ore, petroleum, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest) Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 31% forest and woodland: 14% other: 45% Irrigated land: 478,220 sq km (1991 - Chinese data) Environment: Note: world's third-largest country (after Russia and Canada) @China:People Population: 1,203,097,268 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.04% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 17.78 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.36 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 52.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.08 years male: 67.09 years female: 69.18 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.84 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Religions: Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism, Muslim 2%-3%, Christian 1% Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 583.6 million (1991) @China:Government Names: Abbreviation: PRC Digraph: CH Type: Communist state Capital: Beijing Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 Independence: 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty 221 National holiday: National Day, 1 October (1949) Constitution: most recent promulgated 4 December 1982 Legal system: a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law; rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Political parties and leaders: Chinese Communist Party (CCP), JIANG Other political or pressure groups: such meaningful opposition as Member of: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador LI Daoyu chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500 through 2502 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador J. Stapleton ROY embassy: Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, Beijing; FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (1) 5323831 FAX: [86] (1) 5323178 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner @China:Economy Overview: Beginning in late 1978 the Chinese leadership has been trying to move the economy from the sluggish Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a more productive and flexible economy with market elements, but still within the framework of monolithic Communist control. To this end the authorities switched to a system of household responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprise in services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a strong surge in production, particularly in agriculture in the early 1980s. Industry also has posted major gains, especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan, where foreign investment and modern production methods have helped spur production of both domestic and export goods. Aggregate output has more than doubled since 1978. On the darker side, the leadership has often experienced in its hybrid system the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy, lassitude, corruption) and of capitalism (windfall gains and stepped-up inflation). Beijing thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals. In 1992-94 annual growth of GDP accelerated, particularly in the coastal areas - to more than 10% annually according to official claims. In late 1993 China's leadership approved additional long-term reforms aimed at giving more play to market-oriented institutions and at strengthening the center's control over the financial system. In 1994 strong growth continued in the widening market-oriented areas of the economy. At the same time, the government struggled to (a) collect revenues due from provinces, businesses, and individuals; (b) keep inflation within bounds; (c) reduce extortion and other economic crimes; and (d) keep afloat the large state-owned enterprises, most of which had not participated in the vigorous expansion of the economy. From 60 to 100 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many barely subsisting through part-time low-pay jobs. Popular resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres have weakened China's population control program, which is essential to the nation's long-term economic viability. One of the most dangerous long-term threats to continued rapid economic growth is the deterioration in the environment, notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table especially in the north. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.9788 trillion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992 by use of official Chinese growth statistics for 1993-94; because of the difficulties with official statistics in this time of rapid change, the result may overstate China's GDP by as much as 25%) National product real growth rate: 11.8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,500 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25.5% (December 1994 over December Unemployment rate: 2.7% in urban areas (1994); substantial Budget: deficit $13.7 billion (1994) Exports: $121 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $115.7 billion (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $100 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 17.5% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 162,000,000 kW production: 746 billion kWh consumption per capita: 593 kWh (1993) Industries: iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, consumer durables, food processing, autos, consumer electronics, telecommunications Agriculture: accounts for almost 30% of GDP; among the world's largest producers of rice, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, and pork; commercial crops include cotton, other fibers, and oilseeds; produces variety of livestock products; basically self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 13.35 million metric tons (including fresh water and pond raised) (1991) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium; bulk of production is in Economic aid: Currency: 1 yuan (Y) = 10 jiao Exchange rates: yuan (Y) per US$1 - 8.4413 (January 1995), 8.6187 (1994), 5.7620 (1993), 5.5146 (1992), 5.3234 (1991), 4.7832 (1990) note: beginning 1 January 1994, the People's Bank of China quotes the midpoint rate against the US dollar based on the previous day's prevailing rate in the interbank foreign exchange market Fiscal year: calendar year @China:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 138,600 km; about 109,800 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 9,700 km; petroleum products 1,100 km; natural Ports: Aihui, Changsha, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Merchant marine: Airports: @China:Communications Telephone system: 20,000,000 telephones (summer 1994); domestic and Radio: Television: @China:Defense Forces Branches: People's Liberation Army (PLA), which includes the Ground Manpower availability: males age 15-49 351,330,411; males fit for Defense expenditures: defense budget - 63.09 billion yuan, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ CHRISTMAS ISLAND(territory of Australia) @Christmas Island:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 138.9 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Natural resources: phosphate Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean @Christmas Island:People Population: 889 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: -9% (1995 est.) Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA Infant mortality rate: NA Life expectancy at birth: Total fertility rate: NA Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island Ethnic divisions: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no Religions: Buddhist 36.1%, Muslim 25.4%, Christian 17.7% (Roman Languages: English Labor force: NA @Christmas Island:Government Names: Digraph: KT Type: territory of Australia Capital: The Settlement Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: NA Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958 Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia Executive branch: Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: none Political parties and leaders: none Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used @Christmas Island:Economy Overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine as no longer economically viable. Plans have been under way to reopen the mine and also to build a casino and hotel to develop tourism. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $NA Imports: $NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 11,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 17,800 kWh (1990) Industries: phosphate extraction (near depletion) Agriculture: NA Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3058 (January 1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704, (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Christmas Island:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports: Flying Fish Cove Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 @Christmas Island:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: Television: @Christmas Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia ________________________________________________________________________ CLIPPERTON ISLAND(possession of France) @Clipperton Island:Geography Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, southwest of Mexico Map references: World Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 11.1 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Mexico Climate: tropical Terrain: coral atoll Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all coral) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: reef about 8 km in circumference @Clipperton Island:People Population: uninhabited @Clipperton Island:Government Names: Digraph: IP Type: French possession administered by France from French Polynesia by High Commissioner of the Republic Capital: none; administered by France from French Polynesia Independence: none (possession of France) @Clipperton Island:Economy Overview: The only economic activity is a tuna fishing station. @Clipperton Island:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only @Clipperton Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS(territory of Australia) @Cocos (keeling) Islands:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2.6 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rain fall Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other @Cocos (keeling) Islands:People Population: 604 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.98% (1995 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Religions: Sunni Muslims Languages: English Labor force: NA @Cocos (keeling) Islands:Government Names: Digraph: CK Type: territory of Australia Capital: West Island Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: NA Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws Suffrage: NA Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Islands Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: NA Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used @Cocos (keeling) Islands:Economy Overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Budget: Exports: $NA Imports: $NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 1,000 kW production: 2 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,980 kWh (1990) Industries: copra products Agriculture: gardens provide vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3058 (January 1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Cocos (keeling) Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports: none; lagoon anchorage only Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 @Cocos (keeling) Islands:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones Radio: Television: @Cocos (keeling) Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia ________________________________________________________________________ COLOMBIA@Colombia:Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: total 7,408 km, Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 Maritime claims: International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 29% forest and woodland: 49% other: 16% Irrigated land: 5,150 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: only South American country with coastlines on both North @Colombia:People Population: 36,200,251 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.7% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 21.89 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.69 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.48 years male: 69.68 years female: 75.38 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Ethnic divisions: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Indian 3%, Indian 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) Labor force: 12 million (1990) @Colombia:Government Names: Digraph: CO Type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure Capital: Bogota Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular - Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810) Constitution: 5 July 1991 Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justical), Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PL), Juan Guillermo Other political or pressure groups: three insurgent groups are active Member of: AG, CCC, CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and @Colombia:Economy Overview: Colombia's economy has grown steadily since 1991, when the government implemented sweeping economic reform measures. President SAMPER, who took office in August 1994, has pledged to maintain those reforms while expanding government assistance for poor Colombians, who continue to make up about 40% of the population. In an effort to bring down inflation, SAMPER has arranged a "social pact" with business and labor to curtail price hikes and trim inflation to 18%. The rapid development of oil, coal, and other nontraditional industries, along with copious inflows of capital and strengthening of prices for coffee, have helped keep growth at 5%-6%. Development of the massive Cusiana oilfield provides the means to sustain this level over the next several years. Exporters say, however, that their sales have been hampered by the appreciation of the Colombian peso, and farmers have sought government help in adjusting to greater foreign competition. Moreover, increased foreign investment and even greater domestic growth have been hindered by an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure and by violence stemming from drug trafficking and persistent rural insurgency. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $172.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.7% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $4,850 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22.6% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.9% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $8.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $10.6 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products partners: US 36%, EC 18%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 6.5%, Japan 8.7% (1992) External debt: $12.6 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1994 est.); accounts for about 20% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 10,220,000 kW production: 33 billion kWh consumption per capita: 890 kWh (1993) Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, metal products, cement; mining - gold, coal, emeralds, iron, nickel, silver, salt Agriculture: growth rate 3.8% (1994 est.); accounts for about 15% of GDP; crops make up two-thirds and livestock one-third of agricultural output; climate and soils permit a wide variety of crops, such as coffee, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseeds, vegetables; forest products and shrimp farming are becoming more important Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and cannabis; Economic aid: Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 846.67 (January 1995), 844.84 (1994), 863.06 (1993), 759.28 (1992), 633.05 (1991), 502.26 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Colombia:Transportation Railroads: total: 3,386 km standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,236 km 0.914-m gauge (2,611 km in use) Highways: total: 107,377 km (1991) paved: 12,778 km unpaved: gravel/earth 94,599 km Inland waterways: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats Pipelines: crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km; natural Ports: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, Merchant marine: Airports: @Colombia:Communications Telephone system: 1,890,000 telephones; modern system in many respects local: NA Radio: Television: @Colombia:Defense Forces Branches: Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Manpower availability: males age 15-49 9,851,980; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.2 billion (1992 ________________________________________________________________________ COMOROS@Comoros:Geography Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 340 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims French-administered Mayotte Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 35% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 16% other: 34% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel @Comoros:People Population: 549,338 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.56% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 46.22 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.6 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 77.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.27 years male: 56.04 years female: 60.57 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.73 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran Ethnic divisions: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Religions: Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14% Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend of Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 140,000 (1982) @Comoros:Government Names: Digraph: CN Type: independent republic Capital: Moroni Administrative divisions: three islands; Grand Comore (Njazidja), Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Constitution: 7 June 1992 Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: head of government: Prime Minister Halifa HOUMADI (since 13 October Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: over 20 political parties are currently Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AL, CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: none; ambassador to Port Louis, Flag: green with a white crescent in the center of the field, its points facing upward; there are four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of several, is described in the constitution approved by referendum on 7 June 1992 @Comoros:Economy Overview: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of several islands that have poor transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for 90% of imports. The government is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Continued foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be reached in the late 1990s. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $370 million (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.9% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $700 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 15.8% (1989) Budget: Exports: $13.7 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $40.9 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) External debt: $160 million (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -6.5% (1989 est.); accounts for 6% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 16,000 kW production: 17 million kWh consumption per capita: 27 kWh (1993) Industries: perfume distillation, textiles, furniture, jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; most of population works in subsistence agriculture and fishing; plantations produce cash crops for export - vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra; principal food crops - coconuts, bananas, cassava; world's leading producer of essence of ylang-ylang (for perfumes) and second-largest producer of vanilla; large net food importer Economic aid: Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 297.07 (January 1995), Fiscal year: calendar year @Comoros:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 750 km paved: bituminous 210 km unpaved: crushed stone, gravel 540 km Ports: Fomboni, Moroni, Mutsamudo Merchant marine: none Airports: @Comoros:Communications Telephone system: over 1,800 telephones; sparse system of radio relay Radio: Television: @Comoros:Defense Forces Branches: Comoran Security Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 117,349; males fit for military service 70,178 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ CONGO@Congo:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 5,504 km, Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Coastline: 169 km Maritime claims: International disputes: long segment of boundary with Zaire along the Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 29% forest and woodland: 62% other: 7% Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, @Congo:People Population: 2,504,996 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.32% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 39.86 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 16.7 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 109.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.09 years male: 45.23 years female: 49 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.23 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Ethnic divisions: south: Kongo 48% north: Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12% center: Teke 17%, Europeans 8,500 (mostly French) Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% Languages: French (official), African languages (Lingala and Kikongo Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1984) Labor force: 79,100 wage earners @Congo:Government Names: Digraph: CF Type: republic Capital: Brazzaville Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Congolese National Day, 15 August (1960) Constitution: new constitution approved by referendum March 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Congolese Labor Party (PCT), Denis Other political or pressure groups: Union of Congolese Socialist Youth Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William C. RAMSEY embassy: Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville mailing address: B. P. 1015, Brazzaville telephone: [242] 83 20 70 FAX: [242] 83 63 38 Flag: red, 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:Economy Overview: Congo's economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. A reform program, supported by the IMF and World Bank, ran into difficulties in 1990-91 because of problems in changing to a democratic political regime and a heavy debt-servicing burden. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing about two-thirds of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s rapidly rising oil revenues enabled Congo to finance large-scale development projects with growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. Subsequently, growth has slowed to an average of roughly 1.5% annually, only two-thirds of the population growth rate. Political turmoil and misguided government investment have derailed economic reform programs sponsored by the IMF and World Bank. Even with these difficulties Congo enjoys one of the highest incomes per capita in sub-Saharan Africa National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.7 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: -2.1% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $2,820 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $472 million (c.i.f., 1991) External debt: $4 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 8% (1993 est.); accounts for 35% of Electricity: capacity: 120,000 kW production: 400 million kWh consumption per capita: 201 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum, cement, lumbering, brewing, sugar milling, palm oil, soap, cigarette Agriculture: accounts for 12% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cassava accounts for 90% of food output; other crops - rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables; cash crops include coffee and cocoa; forest products important export earner; imports over 90% of food needs Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 Fiscal year: calendar year @Congo:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide 1,120 Pipelines: crude oil 25 km Ports: Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire Merchant marine: none Airports: @Congo:Communications Telephone system: 18,100 telephones; 7 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Congo:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 568,663; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $110 million, 3.8% of ________________________________________________________________________ COOK ISLANDS(free association with New Zealand) @Cook Islands:Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 22% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 74% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Cook Islands:People Population: 19,343 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.13% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 23.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -6.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years male: 69.2 years female: 73.1 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.27 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and Religions: Christian (majority of populace members of Cook Islands Languages: English (official), Maori Literacy: NA% Labor force: 5,810 @Cook Islands:Government Names: Digraph: CW Type: self-governing parliamentary government in free association with Capital: Avarua Administrative divisions: none Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with New National holiday: Constitution Day, 4 August Constitution: 4 August 1965 Legal system: NA Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY; Member of: AsDB, ESCAP (associate), ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, INTELSAT Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing in free US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing in free association Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant @Cook Islands:Economy Overview: Agriculture provides the economic base. The major export earners are fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing activities are limited to a fruit-processing plant and several clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lack of natural resources and good transportation links. A large trade deficit is annually made up for by remittances from emigrants and from foreign aid, largely from New Zealand. Current economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the fishing industry. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $57 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $3,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $3.4 million (f.o.b., 1990) Imports: $50 million (c.i.f., 1990) External debt: $124 million (1994) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for 5% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 14,000 kW production: 21 million kWh consumption per capita: 741 kWh (1993) Industries: fruit processing, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 12% of GDP, export crops - copra, citrus Economic aid: Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5601 (January 1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Cook Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: Ports: Avarua, Avatiu Merchant marine: Airports: @Cook Islands:Communications Telephone system: 2,052 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth station Radio: Television: @Cook Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand ________________________________________________________________________ CORAL SEA ISLANDS(territory of Australia) @Coral Sea Islands:Geography Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,095 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: important nesting area for birds and turtles @Coral Sea Islands:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 3 meteorologists @Coral Sea Islands:Government Names: Digraph: CR Type: territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia Independence: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used @Coral Sea Islands:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Coral Sea Islands:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only @Coral Sea Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors ________________________________________________________________________ COSTA RICA@Costa Rica:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: total 639 km, Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km Coastline: 1,290 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November) Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains Natural resources: hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 45% forest and woodland: 34% other: 8% Irrigated land: 1,180 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Costa Rica:People Population: 3,419,114 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.24% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 24.88 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 3.47 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 1.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.11 years male: 76.21 years female: 80.1 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.01 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: white (including mestizo) 96%, black 2%, Indian 1%, Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish (official), English; spoken around Puerto Limon Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1984) Labor force: 868,300 @Costa Rica:Government Names: Digraph: CS Type: democratic republic Capital: San Jose Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 9 November 1949 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Political parties and leaders: National Liberation Party (PLN), Manuel Other political or pressure groups: Costa Rican Confederation of Member of: AG (observer), BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: US Ambassador to Costa Rica Peter DE VOS embassy: Pavas Road, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 telephone: [506] 220-3939 FAX: [506] 220-2305 Flag: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band @Costa Rica:Economy Overview: Costa Rica's basically stable and progressive economy depends especially on tourism and export of bananas, coffee, and other agricultural products. In 1994 the economy grew at an estimated 4.3%, compared with 6.5% in 1993, 7.7% in 1992, and 2.1% in 1991. Inflation in 1993 dropped to 9% from 17% in 1992 and 25% in 1991, an indication of basic financial stability. Unemployment is officially reported at only 4.0%, but there is much underemployment. Costa Rica signed a free trade agreement with Mexico in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $16.9 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $5,050 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 4% (1993); much underemployment Budget: Exports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $2.9 billion (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $3.2 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 10.5% (1992); accounts for 22% of Electricity: capacity: 1,040,000 kW production: 4.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,164 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products Agriculture: accounts for 19% of GDP and 70% of exports; cash commodities - coffee, beef, bananas, sugar; other food crops include corn, rice, beans, potatoes; normally self-sufficient in food except for grain; depletion of forest resources resulting in lower timber output Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South Economic aid: Currency: 1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1 - 164.39 (December 1994), 157.07 (1994), 142.17 (1993), 134.51 (1992), 122.43 (1991), 91.58 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Costa Rica:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 35,560 km paved: 5,600 km unpaved: gravel and earth 29,960 km (1992) Inland waterways: about 730 km, seasonally navigable Pipelines: petroleum products 176 km Ports: Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas Merchant marine: none Airports: @Costa Rica:Communications Telephone system: 292,000 telephones; very good domestic telephone Radio: Television: @Costa Rica:Defense Forces Branches: Civil Guard, Coast Guard, Air Section, Rural Assistance Manpower availability: males age 15-49 896,516; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22 million, 0.5% of ________________________________________________________________________ COTE D'IVOIRE(also known as Ivory Coast) @Cote D'ivoire:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 3,110 km, Burkina 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea Coastline: 515 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October) Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 26% other: 52% Irrigated land: 620 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Cote D'ivoire:People Population: 14,791,257 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.38% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 46.17 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 14.95 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: since 1989, over 350,000 refugees have fled to Cote d'Ivoire to escape the civil war in Liberia; if a lasting peace is achieved in Liberia in 1995, large numbers of refugees can be expected to return to their homes Infant mortality rate: 93.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.87 years male: 46.52 years female: 51.29 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.61 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Ivorian(s) adjective: Ivorian Ethnic divisions: Baoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou 15%, Malinke 11%, Agni, foreign Africans (mostly Burkinabe and Malians, about 3 million), non-Africans 130,000 to 330,000 (French 30,000 and Lebanese 100,000 to 300,000) Religions: indigenous 25%, Muslim 60%, Christian 12% Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects; Dioula is the most Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1988) Labor force: 5.718 million @Cote D'ivoire:Government Names: Digraph: IV Type: republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 Capital: Yamoussoukro Administrative divisions: 50 departments (departements, singular - Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 7 December 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: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of the Cote d'Ivoire Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Hume A. HORAN embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan mailing address: 01 B. P. 1712, Abidjan telephone: [225] 21 09 79, 21 46 72 FAX: [225] 22 32 59 Flag: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France @Cote D'ivoire:Economy Overview: Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm-kernel oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for coffee and cocoa and to weather conditions. Despite attempts by the government to diversify, the economy is still largely dependent on agriculture and related industries. After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a comeback in 1994, due to improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in non-traditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber, trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling by multilateral lenders and France. The 50% devaluation in January 1994 caused a one time jump in the inflation rate. Government adherence to a renewed structural adjustment program has led to a budget surplus for the first time in several years, a smaller personnel budget, and an increase in public investment. While real growth in 1994 was only 1.5%, the IMF and World Bank expect it will surpass 6% in 1995. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $20.5 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,430 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 14% (1985) Budget: Exports: $2.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993) External debt: $17.3 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1993 est.); accounts for 20% of Electricity: capacity: 1,170,000 kW production: 1.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 123 kWh (1993) Industries: foodstuffs, wood processing, oil refining, automobile assembly, textiles, fertilizer, beverages Agriculture: most important sector, contributing one-third to GDP and Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis; mostly for local Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 Fiscal year: calendar year @Cote D'ivoire:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 980 km navigable rivers, canals, and numerous Ports: Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro Merchant marine: Airports: @Cote D'ivoire:Communications Telephone system: 87,700 telephones; well-developed by African Radio: Television: @Cote D'ivoire:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 3,318,314; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $140 million, 1.4% of ________________________________________________________________________ CROATIA@Croatia:Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 2,028 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Coastline: 5,790 km (mainland 1,778 km, islands 4,012 km) Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation International disputes: Ethnic Serbs have occupied UN protected areas Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate Terrain: geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, Natural resources: oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, Land use: arable land: 32% permanent crops: 20% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 15% other: 15% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and @Croatia:People Population: 4,665,821 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.13% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 11.02 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.55 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.02 years male: 70.59 years female: 77.65 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.62 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Croat 78%, Serb 12%, Muslim 0.9%, Hungarian 0.5%, Religions: Catholic 76.5%, Orthodox 11.1%, Slavic Muslim 1.2%, Languages: Serbo-Croatian 96%, other 4% Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991) Labor force: 1,509,489 @Croatia:Government Names: Digraph: HR Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Zagreb Administrative divisions: 21 counties (zupanijas, zupanija - Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Statehood Day, 30 May (1990) Constitution: adopted on 22 December 1990 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral parliament Assembly (Sabor) Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Zlatko Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CCC, CE (guest), CEI, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter W. GALBRAITH embassy: Andrije Hebranga 2, Zagreb mailing address: US Embassy, Zagreb, Unit 1345, APO AE 09213-1345 telephone: [385] (41) 456-000 FAX: [385] (41) 440-235 Flag: red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) @Croatia:Economy Overview: Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the republic of Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per capita output perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav average. At present, Croatian Serb Separatists control approximately one-third of the Croatian territory, and one of the overriding determinants of Croatia's long-term political and economic prospects will be the resolution of this territorial dispute. Croatia faces serious economic problems stemming from: the legacy of longtime Communist mismanagement of the economy; large foreign debt; damage during the fighting to bridges, factories, power lines, buildings, and houses; the large refugee population, both Croatian and Bosnian; and the disruption of economic ties to Serbia and the other former Yugoslav republics, as well as within its own territory. At the minimum, extensive Western aid and investment, especially in the tourist and oil industries, would seem necessary to revive the moribund economy. However, peace and political stability must come first; only then will recent government moves toward a "market-friendly" economy restore old levels of output. As of February 1995, fighting continues among Croats, Serbs, and Muslims, and national boundaries and final political arrangements are still in doubt. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $12.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,640 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 17% (December 1994) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $3.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 30%, other manufacturers 37%, chemicals 11%, food and live animals 9%, raw materials 6.5%, fuels and lubricants 5% (1990) partners: EC countries, Slovenia Imports: $4.7 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 21%, fuels and lubricants 19%, food and live animals 16%, chemicals 14%, manufactured goods 13%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 9%, raw materials 6.5%, beverages and tobacco 1% (1990) partners: EC countries, Slovenia, FSU countries External debt: $2.9 billion (September 1994) Industrial production: growth rate -4% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 3,570,000 kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh (1993) Industries: chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum reduction, paper, wood products (including furniture), building materials (including cement), textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food processing and beverages Agriculture: Croatia normally produces a food surplus; most agricultural land in private hands and concentrated in Croat-majority districts in Slavonia and Istria; much of Slavonia's land has been put out of production by fighting; wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflowers, alfalfa, and clover are main crops in Slavonia; central Croatian highlands are less fertile but support cereal production, orchards, vineyards, livestock breeding, and dairy farming; coastal areas and offshore islands grow olives, citrus fruits, and vegetables Economic aid: recipient: IMF, $192 million Currency: 1 Croatian kuna (HRK) = 100 paras Exchange rates: Croatian kuna per US $1 - 5.6144 (November 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Croatia:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 785 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas 310 km (1992); note - now disrupted because of territorial dispute Ports: Dubrovnik, Omis, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split, Zadar Merchant marine: Airports: @Croatia:Communications Telephone system: 350,000 telephones Radio: Television: @Croatia:Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,183,184; males fit for Defense expenditures: 337 billion to 393 billion dinars, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ CUBA@Cuba:Geography Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: total 29 km, US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km Coastline: 3,735 km Maritime claims: International disputes: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and mountains Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 6% meadows and pastures: 23% forest and woodland: 17% other: 31% Irrigated land: 8,960 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: largest country in Caribbean @Cuba:People Population: 10,937,635 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.65% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 14.54 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.53 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.05 years male: 74.86 years female: 79.37 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.63 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban Ethnic divisions: mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 85% prior to Castro assuming power Languages: Spanish Literacy: age 15-49 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 4,620,800 economically active population (1988); @Cuba:Government Names: Digraph: CU Type: Communist state Capital: Havana Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (provincias, singular - Independence: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered National holiday: Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953) Constitution: 24 February 1976 Legal system: based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist legal theory; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo Popular) Political parties and leaders: only party - Cuban Communist Party Member of: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating @Cuba:Economy Overview: Cuba's heavily statist economy remains severely depressed as the result of its own inefficiencies and the loss of massive amounts of economic aid from the former Soviet Bloc. Total output in 1994 was only about half the output of 1989. The fall in output and in imports is reflected in the deterioration of food supplies, shortages of electricity, inability to get spare parts, and the replacement of motor-driven vehicles by bicycles and draft animals. Higher world market prices for sugar and nickel in 1994, however, resulted in a slight increase in export earnings for the first time in six years, despite lower production of both commodities. The growth of tourism slowed in late 1994 as a result of negative publicity surrounding the exodus of Cubans from the island and other international factors. The government continued its aggressive search for foreign investment and announced preliminary agreements to form large joint ventures with Mexican investors in telecommunications and oil refining. In mid-1994, the National Assembly began introducing several new taxes and price increases to stem growing excess liquidity and restore some of the peso's value as a monetary instrument. In October the government attempted to stimulate food production by permitting the sale of any surplus production (over state quotas) at unrestricted prices at designated markets. Similar but much smaller markets were also introduced for the sale of manufactured goods in December. The various government measures have influenced a remarkable appreciation of the black market value of the peso, from more than 100 pesos to the dollar in September 1994 to 40 pesos to the dollar in early 1995. Policy discussions continue in the bureaucracy over the proper pace and scope of economic reform. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $14 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,260 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $10.8 billion (convertible currency, December 1993) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 3,990,000 kW production: 12 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,022 kWh (1993) Industries: sugar milling and refining, petroleum refining, food and Agriculture: key commercial crops - sugarcane, tobacco, and citrus Economic aid: Currency: 1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (non-convertible, official rate, linked to the US dollar) Fiscal year: calendar year @Cuba:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 240 km Ports: Cienfuegos, La Habana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Merchant marine: Airports: @Cuba:Communications Telephone system: 229,000 telephones; 20.7 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Cuba:Defense Forces Branches: Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) includes ground forces, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 3,065,751; females age 15-49 Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - approx. $600 million, Note: Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of ________________________________________________________________________ CYPRUS@Cyprus:Geography Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterreanean Sea, south of Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 648 km Maritime claims: International disputes: 1974 hostilities divided the island into two Climate: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, Land use: arable land: 40% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 10% forest and woodland: 18% other: 25% Irrigated land: 350 sq km (1989) Environment: @Cyprus:People Population: Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.88% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 16.27 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.48 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.47 years male: 74.19 years female: 78.85 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Languages: Greek, Turkish, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1987 est.) Labor force: @Cyprus:Government Names: Abbreviation: the Turkish area is sometimes referred to as the TRNC Digraph: CY Type: republic Capital: Nicosia Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October Constitution: 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own Constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new Constitution for the Turkish area passed by referendum on 5 May 1985 Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court; note - there is also a Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: United Democratic Youth Member of: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andreas J. JACOVIDES chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772 consulate(s) general: New York note: Representative of the Turkish area in the US is Namik KORMAN, office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC, telephone [1] (202) 887-6198 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard A. BOUCHER embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, Nicosia mailing address: P. O. Box 4536 APO AE 09836 telephone: [357] (2) 476100 FAX: [357] (2) 465944 Flag: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name @Cyprus:Economy Overview: The Greek Cypriot economy is small, diversified, and prosperous. Industry contributes 14% to GDP and employs 29% of the labor force, while the service sector contributes 53% to GDP and employs 57% of the labor force. An average 6.8% rise in real GDP between 1986 and 1990 was temporarily checked in 1991, because of the adverse effects of the Gulf war on tourism. After surging 8.5% in 1992, growth slowed to 2.0% in 1993 - its lowest level in two decades - because of the decline in tourist arrivals associated with the recession in Western Europe, Cyprus' main trading partner, and the loss in export competitiveness due to a sharp rise in unit labor costs. Real GDP is likely to have picked up in 1994, and inflation is estimated to have risen to between 5% and 6%. The Turkish Cypriot economy has less than one-third the per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing, and foreign firms have hesitated to invest there. The economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture, which employs one-quarter of the work force. Moreover, because the Turkish lira is legal tender, the Turkish Cypriot economy has suffered the same high inflation as mainland Turkey. The small, vulnerable economy is estimated to have experienced a sharp drop in growth during 1994 because of the severe economic crisis affecting the mainland. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to nearly every sector; financial support has risen in value to about one-third of Turkish Cypriot GDP. National product: National product real growth rate: National product per capita: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Unemployment rate: Budget: Exports: $868 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $2.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993) External debt: $2.4 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 0.1% (1993); accounts for 14% of Electricity: capacity: 550,000 kW production: 2.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,903 kWh (1993) Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products Agriculture: contributes 6% to GDP and employs 25% of labor force in the south; major crops - potatoes, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, citrus fruits; vegetables and fruit provide 25% of export revenues Illicit drugs: transit point for heroin via air routes and container Economic aid: Currency: 1 Cypriot pound (#C) = 100 cents; 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 Exchange rates: Cypriot pounds per $US1 - 0.4725 (January 1995), 0.4915 (1994), 0.4970 (1993), 0.4502 (1992), 0.4615 (1991), 0.4572 (1990); Turkish liras (TL) per US$1 - 37,444.1 (December 1994), 29,608.7 (1994), 10,984.6 (1993), 6,872.4 (1992), 4,171.8 (1991), 2,608.6 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Cyprus:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: Ports: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos Bay Merchant marine: Airports: @Cyprus:Communications Telephone system: 210,000 telephones; excellent in both the area Radio: Television: @Cyprus:Defense Forces Branches: Manpower availability: males age 15-49 188,231; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $457 million, 5.6% of ________________________________________________________________________ CZECH REPUBLIC@Czech Republic:Geography Location: Central Europe, southeast of Germany Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,880 km, Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: Liechtenstein claims restitution for l,600 square kilometers of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918; Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World War II versus the Czech Republic claims that restitution does not preceed before February 1948 when the Communists seized power; unresolved property issues with Slovakia over redistribution of property of the former Czechoslovak federal government Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Terrain: two main regions: Bohemia in the west, consisting of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; and Moravia in the east, consisting of very hilly country Natural resources: hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: 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: 10,432,774 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.26% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.46 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.85 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.54 years male: 69.87 years female: 77.41 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.84 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech note: 300,000 Slovaks declared themselves Czech citizens in 1994 Ethnic divisions: Czech 94.4%, Slovak 3%, Polish 0.6%, German 0.5%, Religions: atheist 39.8%, Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Languages: Czech, Slovak Literacy: can read and write total population: 99% Labor force: 5.389 million by occupation: industry 37.9%, agriculture 8.1%, construction 8.8%, communications and other 45.2% (1990) @Czech Republic:Government Names: Digraph: EZ Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Prague Administrative divisions: 8 regions (kraje, kraj - singular); Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia) National holiday: National Liberation Day, 9 May; Founding of the Constitution: ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993 Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Council (Narodni rada) Senate: elections not yet held; seats (81 total) Chamber of Deputies: elections last held 5-6 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA given breakup and realignment of all parliamentary opposition parties since 1992; seats - (200 total) governing coalition: ODS 65, KDS 10, ODA 16, KDU-CSL 15, opposition: CSSD 18, LB 25, KSCM 10, LSU 9, LSNS 5, CMSS 9, SPR-RSC 6, independents 12 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: Czech-Moravian Chamber of Trade Member of: Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, EBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Adrian A. BASORA embassy: Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1 mailing address: Unit 1330; APO AE 09213-1330 telephone: [42] (2) 2451-0847 FAX: [42] (2) 2451-1001 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (almost identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia) @Czech Republic:Economy Overview: The government of the Czech Republic, using successful stabilization policies to bolster its claims to full membership in the western economic community, has reduced inflation to 10%, kept unemployment at 3%, balanced the budget, run trade surpluses, and reoriented exports to the EU since the breakup of the Czechoslovak federation on 1 January 1993. GDP grew 2% in 1994 after stagnating in 1993 and contracting nearly 20% since 1990. Prague's mass privatization program, including its innovative distribution of ownership shares to Czech citizens via 'coupon vouchers,' has made the most rapid progress in Eastern Europe. When coupon shares are distributed in early 1995, 75%-80% of the economy will be in private hands or partially privatized, according to the Czech government. Privatized companies still face major problems in restructuring; the number of annual bankruptcies quadrupled in 1994. In September 1994, Prague repaid $471 million in IMF loans five years ahead of schedule, making the Czech Republic the first East European country to pay off all IMF debts. Despite these outlays, hard-currency reserves in the banking system totaled more than $8.5 billion in October. Standard & Poor's boosted the Republic's credit rating to BBB+ in mid-1994 - up from a BBB rating that was already two steps higher than Hungary's and one step above Greece's rating. Prague forecasts a balanced budget, at least 3% GDP growth, 5% unemployment, and single-digit inflation for 1995. Inflationary pressures - primarily as a result of foreign bank lending to Czech enterprises but perhaps also due to eased currency convertibility controls - are likely to be the most troublesome issues in 1995. Continuing economic recovery in Western Europe should boost Czech exports and production but a substantial increase in prices could erode the Republic's comparative advantage in low wages and exchange rates. Prague already took steps in 1994 to increase control over banking policies to neutralize the impact of foreign inflows on the money supply. Although Czech unemployment is currently the lowest in Central Europe, it will probably increase 1-2 percentage points in 1995 as large state firms go bankrupt or are restructured and service sector growth slows. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $76.5 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $7,350 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.2% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.2% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $13.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $13.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $8.7 billion (October 1994) Industrial production: growth rate 4.9% (January-September 1994) Electricity: capacity: 14.470,000 kW production: 56.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,842 kWh (1993) Industries: fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery and equipment, coal, motor vehicles, glass, armaments Agriculture: largely self-sufficient in food production; diversified crop and livestock production, including grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit, hogs, cattle, and poultry; exporter of forest products Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and Economic aid: Currency: 1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru Exchange rates: koruny (Kcs) per US$1 - 27.762 (January 1995), 28.785 (1994), 29.153 (1993), 28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991), 17.95 (1990) note: values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rates Fiscal year: calendar year @Czech Republic:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 55,890 km (1988) paved: NA unpaved: NA Inland waterways: NA km; the Elbe (Labe) is the principal river Pipelines: natural gas 5,400 km Ports: Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem Merchant marine: Airports: @Czech Republic:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: Television: @Czech Republic:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,753,301; males fit for Defense expenditures: 27 billion koruny, NA% of GNP (1994 est.); note ________________________________________________________________________ DENMARK@Denmark:Geography Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 68 km, Germany 68 km Coastline: 3,379 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 4 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone Land use: arable land: 61% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 12% other: 21% Irrigated land: 4,300 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: controls Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas; about @Denmark:People Population: 5,199,437 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.22% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.38 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 11.14 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.11 years male: 73.23 years female: 79.16 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian, Eskimo, Faroese, German Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 91%, other Protestant and Roman Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Eskimo dialect), German Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 2,553,900 @Denmark:Government Names: Digraph: DA Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Copenhagen Administrative divisions: metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 1 city* (stad); Arhus, Bornholm, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kbenhavn, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkbing, Roskilde, Snderjylland, Staden Kbenhavn*, Storstrm, Vejle, Vestsjaelland, Viborg note: see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Danish realm and self-governing administrative divisions Independence: 1849 (became a constitutional monarchy) National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Constitution: 5 June 1953 Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, Poul Nyrup Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward E. ELSON embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen O mailing address: APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] (31) 42 31 44 FAX: [45] (35) 43 02 23 Flag: red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden @Denmark:Economy Overview: This thoroughly modern economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is self-sufficient in food production. The new center-left coalition government will concentrate on reducing the persistent high unemployment rate and the budget deficit as well as following the previous government's policies of maintaining low inflation and a current account surplus. In the face of recent international market pressure on the Danish krone, the coalition has also vowed to maintain a stable currency. The coalition hopes to lower marginal income taxes while maintaining overall tax revenues; boost industrial competitiveness through labor market and tax reforms and increased research and development funds; and improve welfare services for the neediest while cutting paperwork and delays. Prime Minister RASMUSSEN's reforms will focus on adapting Denmark to the criteria for European integration by 1999; although Copenhagen has won from the European Union (EU) the right to opt out of the European Monetary Union (EMU) if a national referendum rejects it. Denmark is, in fact, one of the few EU countries likely to fit into the EMU on time. Denmark is weathering the current worldwide slump better than many West European countries. After posting 4.5% real GDP growth in 1994, Copenhagen is predicting a continued strong showing in 1995, with real GDP up by 3.2%. The government expects an upswing in business investment in 1995 to drive economic growth. Although unemployment is high, it remains stable compared to most European countries. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $103 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $19,860 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.3% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $42.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $37.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: petroleum, machinery and equipment, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, textiles, paper partners: EC 53.4% (Germany 23.1%, UK 8.2%, France 5.6%), Sweden 10.8%, Norway 5.4%, US 5.7%, Japan 4.1% (1992) External debt: $40.9 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -2.5% (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 10,030,000 kW production: 32 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,835 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture, and other wood products, shipbuilding Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP; principal products - meat, dairy, Economic aid: Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.034 (January 1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Denmark:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 417 km Pipelines: crude oil 110 km; petroleum products 578 km; natural gas Ports: Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Grenaa, Koge, Merchant marine: Airports: @Denmark:Communications Telephone system: 4,509,000 telephones; excellent telephone and Radio: Television: @Denmark:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,347,774; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, 1.9% of ________________________________________________________________________ DJIBOUTI@Djibouti:Geography Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 508 km, Eritrea 113 km, Ethiopia 337 km, Coastline: 314 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: desert; torrid, dry Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Natural resources: geothermal areas Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 0% other: 91% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close @Djibouti:People Population: 421,320 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.48% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 42.79 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 15.51 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -12.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 108.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.7 years male: 47.83 years female: 51.62 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.15 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) @Djibouti:Government Names: Digraph: DJ Type: republic Capital: Djibouti Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977) Constitution: multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4 Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional practices, Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: Front for the Restoration of Unity Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Martin L. CHESHES embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center @Djibouti:Economy Overview: The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city, the remainder being mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance (an important supplement to GDP) to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of over 30% continues to be a major problem. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last six years because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $500 million (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,200 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: over 30% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $184 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $384 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $227 million (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3% (1991 est.); accounts for 14% of Electricity: capacity: 90,000 kW production: 170 million kWh consumption per capita: 398 kWh (1993) Industries: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy Agriculture: mostly fruit and vegetables; herding of goats, sheep, and Economic aid: Currency: 1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1 - 177.721 (fixed rate since 1973) Fiscal year: calendar year @Djibouti:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 2,900 km paved: 280 km unpaved: improved, unimproved earth 2,620 km (1982) Ports: Djibouti Merchant marine: Airports: @Djibouti:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; telephone facilities in the city of Radio: Television: @Djibouti:Defense Forces Branches: Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force), Manpower availability: males age 15-49 101,385; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $26 million, NA% of ________________________________________________________________________ DOMINICA@Dominica:Geography Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 148 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin Natural resources: timber Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 13% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 41% other: 34% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Dominica:People Population: 82,608 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.4% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 18.63 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.33 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -9.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.2 years male: 74.35 years female: 80.2 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic divisions: black, Carib Indians Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 25,000 @Dominica:Government Names: Digraph: DO Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Roseau Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978) Constitution: 3 November 1978 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Brian Other political or pressure groups: Dominica Liberation Movement Member of: ACCT, ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: Dominica has no embassy in the US US diplomatic representation: no official presence since the Flag: green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes) @Dominica:Economy Overview: The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Principal products include bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, and coconuts. Development of the tourist industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline and the lack of an international airport. In 1994 a tropical storm devastated the banana industry. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $200 million (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.6% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,260 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $48.3 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $98.8 million (f.o.b., 1993) External debt: $92.8 million (1992) Industrial production: growth rate -10% (1994 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 7,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 347 kWh (1993) Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes Agriculture: accounts for 30% of GDP; principal crops - bananas, Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Economic aid: Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Dominica:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 750 km paved: 370 km unpaved: gravel or earth 380 km Ports: Portsmouth, Roseau Merchant marine: none Airports: @Dominica:Communications Telephone system: 4,600 telephones; fully automatic network Radio: Television: @Dominica:Defense Forces Branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Special Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC@Dominican Republic:Geography Location: Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: total 275 km, Haiti 275 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 43% forest and woodland: 13% other: 14% Irrigated land: 2,250 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is @Dominican Republic:People Population: 7,511,263 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.17% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 23.92 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.15 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -6.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 49.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.73 years male: 66.57 years female: 70.99 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.72 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic divisions: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2.3 million to 2.6 million @Dominican Republic:Government Names: Digraph: DR Type: republic Capital: Santo Domingo Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias, singular - 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 or married persons Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: Collective of Popular Organzations Member of: ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at the center of the cross @Dominican Republic:Economy Overview: The Dominican economy showed some signs of slippage in 1994, although its overall performance in recent years has been relatively strong. After posting an increase of nearly 8% in 1992, GDP growth fell to 3% in 1993 and 1994 as mining output decreased and erosion of real wages caused private consumption to decline. A pre-election boost in government spending in early 1994 led to the first government deficit in four years and bumped inflation up to 14% for the year. Continued dynamism in construction and the services sector, especially tourism, should keep the economy growing in 1995. Tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing for export remain key sectors of the economy. Domestic industry is based on the processing of agricultural products, oil refining, and chemicals. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $24 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.9% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,070 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1994) Unemployment rate: 30% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $585 million (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $4.3 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.4% (1994); accounts for 14% of Electricity: capacity: 1,450,000 kW production: 5.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 651 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and employs 49% of labor force; commercial crops - sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco; food crops - rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; animal output - cattle, hogs, dairy products, meat, eggs; not self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined Economic aid: Currency: 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 13.258 (January 1995), 13.160 (1994), 12.679 (1993), 12.774 (1992), 12.692 (1991), 8.525 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Dominican Republic:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 12,000 km paved: 5,800 km unpaved: gravel or improved earth 5,600 km; unimproved earth 600 km Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km Ports: Barahona, La Romana, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris, Santo Merchant marine: Airports: @Dominican Republic:Communications Telephone system: 190,000 telephones; relatively efficient domestic Radio: Television: @Dominican Republic:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,008,597; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $116 million, 1.4% of ________________________________________________________________________ ECUADOR@Ecuador:Geography Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: total 2,010 km, Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km Coastline: 2,237 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: three sections of the boundary with Peru are in dispute Climate: tropical along coast becoming cooler inland Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 17% forest and woodland: 51% other: 23% Irrigated land: 5,500 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world @Ecuador:People Population: 10,890,950 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.95% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 25.08 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.55 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 37.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.35 years male: 67.83 years female: 72.99 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.97 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian 25%, Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish (official), Indian languages (especially Quechua) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 2.8 million @Ecuador:Government Names: Digraph: EC Type: republic Capital: Quito Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (provincias, singular - Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence of Constitution: 10 August 1979 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Political parties and leaders: Member of: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter F. ROMERO embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: APO AA 34039-3420 telephone: [593] (2) 562-890, 561-624, 561-749 FAX: [593] (2) 502-052 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms @Ecuador:Economy Overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Growth has been uneven in recent years because of fluctuations in prices for Ecuador's primary exports - oil and bananas - as well as because of government policies designed to curb inflation. President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN launched a series of macroeconomic reforms when he came into office in August 1992 which included raising domestic fuel prices and utility rates, eliminating most subsidies, and bringing the government budget into balance. These measures helped to reduce inflation from 55% in 1992 to 25% in 1994. DURAN-BALLEN has a much more favorable attitude toward foreign investment than his predecessor and has supported several laws designed to encourage foreign investment. Ecuador has implemented free or complementary trade agreements with Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, as well as applied for World Trade Organization membership. Ecuador signed a standby agreement with the IMF and rescheduled its $7.6 billion commercial debt in 1994 thereby regaining access to multilateral lending. Growth in 1994 speeded up to 3.9%, based on increased exports of bananas and non-traditional products, while international reserves increased to a record $1.6 billion. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $41.1 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.9% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,840 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1994) Unemployment rate: 7.1% (1994) Budget: Exports: $3.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $13.2 billion (yearend 1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6.4% (1993); accounts for almost 35% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: capacity: 2,230,000 kW production: 6.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 612 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber Agriculture: accounts for 14% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); leading producer and exporter of bananas and balsawood; other agricultural exports - coffee, cocoa, fish, shrimp; other crops - rice, potatoes, manioc, plantains, sugarcane; livestock products - cattle, sheep, hogs, beef, pork, dairy products; net importer of foodgrains, dairy products, and sugar Illicit drugs: significant transit country for derivatives of coca Economic aid: Currency: 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: sucres (S/) per US$1 - 1,198.1 (December 1994), 2,196.7 (1994), 1,919.1 (1993), 1,534.0 (1992), 1,046.25 (1991), 767.8 (1990), 767.78 (1990), 526.35 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year @Ecuador:Transportation Railroads: total: 965 km (single track) narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge Highways: total: 43,709 km paved: 5,245 km unpaved: 38,464 km Inland waterways: 1,500 km Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km Ports: Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, San Merchant marine: Airports: @Ecuador:Communications Telephone system: 318,000 telephones; 30 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Ecuador:Defense Forces Branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,814,867; males fit for Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ EGYPT@Egypt:Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 2,689 km, Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Coastline: 2,450 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundary creating the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km, tensions over this disputed area began to escalate in 1992 and remain high Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 95% Irrigated land: 25,850 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: 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: 62,359,623 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.95% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 28.69 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.86 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 74.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.12 years male: 59.22 years female: 63.12 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.67 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), Coptic Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 16 million (1994 est.) @Egypt:Government Names: Digraph: EG Type: republic Capital: Cairo Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK) National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952) Constitution: 11 September 1971 Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party (NDP), Other political or pressure groups: despite a constitutional ban Member of: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed Maher El SAYED chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319, 5131 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: mailing address: APO AE 09839-4900 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band @Egypt:Economy Overview: Half of Egypt's GDP originates in the public sector, most industrial plants being owned by the government. Overregulation holds back technical modernization and foreign investment. Even so, the economy grew rapidly during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but in 1986 the collapse of world oil prices and an increasingly heavy burden of debt servicing led Egypt to begin negotiations with the IMF for balance-of-payments support. Egypt's first IMF standby arrangement concluded in mid-1987 was suspended in early 1988 because of the government's failure to adopt promised reforms. Egypt signed a follow-on program with the IMF and also negotiated a structural adjustment loan with the World Bank in 1991. In 1991-93 the government made solid progress on administrative reforms such as liberalizing exchange and interest rates but resisted implementing major structural reforms like streamlining the public sector. As a result, the economy has not gained momentum and unemployment has become a growing problem. Egypt probably will continue making uneven progress in implementing the successor programs with the IMF and World Bank it signed onto in late 1993. Tourism has plunged since 1992 because of sporadic attacks by Islamic extremists on tourist groups. President MUBARAK has cited population growth as the main cause of the country's economic troubles. The addition of about 1.2 million people a year to the already huge population of 62 million exerts enormous pressure on the 5% of the land area available for agriculture along the Nile. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $151.5 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,490 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $3.1 billion (f.o.b., FY93/94 est.) Imports: $11.2 billion (c.i.f., FY93/94 est.) External debt: $31.2 billion (December 1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.7% (FY92/93 est.) Electricity: capacity: 11,830,000 kW production: 44.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 695 kWh (1993) Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction, cement, metals Agriculture: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruit, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; annual fish catch about 140,000 metric tons Illicit drugs: a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian Economic aid: 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), 2.7072 (1990); market rate: 3.3920 (January 1995), 3.3920 (1994), 3.3704 (1993), 3.3300 (1992), 2.0000 (1991), 1.1000 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Egypt:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Pipelines: crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas Ports: Alexandria, Al Ghurdaqah, Aswan, Asyut, Bur Safajah, Damietta, Merchant marine: Airports: @Egypt:Communications Telephone system: 600,000 telephones; 11 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Egypt:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command Manpower availability: males age 15-49 16,113,413; males fit for military service 10,455,955; males reach military age (20) annually 648,724 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion, 8.2% of total government budget (FY94/95) ________________________________________________________________________ EL SALVADOR@El Salvador:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: total 545 km, Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km Coastline: 307 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: land boundary dispute with Honduras mostly resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April) Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 29% forest and woodland: 6% other: 30% Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: smallest Central American country and only one without a @El Salvador:People Population: 5,870,481 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.02% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 32.39 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.19 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -5.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 38.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.5 years male: 64.89 years female: 70.23 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.69 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran Ethnic divisions: mestizo 94%, Indian 5%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 75% note: there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador Languages: Spanish, Nahua (among some Indians) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1.7 million (1982 est.) by occupation: agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1% note: shortage of skilled labor and a large pool of unskilled labor, but training programs improving situation (1984 est.) @El Salvador:Government Names: Digraph: ES Type: republic Capital: San Salvador Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular - Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 20 December 1983 Legal system: based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Political parties and leaders: National Republican Alliance (ARENA), Other political or pressure groups: Member of: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Alan H. FLANIGAN embassy: Final Boulevard, Station Antiguo Cuscatlan, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3116, San Salvador; APO AA 34023 telephone: [503] 78-4444 FAX: [503] 78-6011 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band @El Salvador:Economy Overview: The agricultural sector accounts for 24% of GDP, employs about 40% of the labor force, and contributes about 66% to total exports. Coffee is the major commercial crop, accounting for 45% of export earnings. The manufacturing sector, based largely on food and beverage processing, accounts for 19% of GDP and 15% of employment. In 1992-94 the government made substantial progress toward privatization and deregulation of the economy. Growth in national output in 1991-94 nearly averaged 5%, exceeding growth in population for the first time since 1987; and inflation in 1994 of 10% was down from 19% in 1993. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $9.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,710 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.7% (1993) Budget: Exports: $823 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $2.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $2.6 billion (December 1992) Industrial production: growth rate 7.6% (1993) Electricity: capacity: 750,000 kW production: 2.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 408 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing, beverages, petroleum, nonmetallic products, tobacco, chemicals, textiles, furniture Agriculture: accounts for 24% of GDP and 40% of labor force (including fishing and forestry); coffee most important commercial crop; other products - sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseeds, beef, dairy products, shrimp; not self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; marijuana produced for Economic aid: Currency: 1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 - 8.760 (January 1995), 8.750 (1994), 8.670 (1993), 8.4500 (1992), 8.080 (1991), 8.0300 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @El Salvador:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable Ports: Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, La Union, Puerto El Merchant marine: none Airports: @El Salvador:Communications Telephone system: 116,000 telephones; 21 telephones/1,000 persons Radio: Television: @El Salvador:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,393,480; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $103 million, 0.7% of ________________________________________________________________________ EQUATORIAL GUINEA@Equatorial Guinea:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 539 km, Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Natural resources: timber, petroleum, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 51% other: 33% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated @Equatorial Guinea:People Population: 420,293 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.59% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 40.22 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 14.36 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 100.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.56 years male: 50.39 years female: 54.79 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.23 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan Languages: Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1983) Labor force: 172,000 (1986 est.) @Equatorial Guinea:Government Names: Digraph: EK Type: republic in transition to multiparty democracy Capital: Malabo Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Constitution: new constitution 17 November 1991 Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal Political parties and leaders: Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) @Equatorial Guinea:Economy Overview: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing account for about half of GDP and nearly all exports. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the deterioration of the rural economy under successive brutal regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth. A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the international donor community have failed to revitalize export agriculture. Businesses for the most part are owned by government officials and their family members. Commerce accounts for about 8% of GDP and the construction, public works, and service sectors for about 38%. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Oil exploration, taking place under concessions offered to US, French, and Spanish firms, has been moderately successful. Increased production from recently discovered natural gas fields will provide a greater share of exports in 1995. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $280 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 7.3% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $700 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $56 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $62 million (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $260 million (1992 est) Industrial production: growth rate 11.3% (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 23,000 kW production: 20 million kWh consumption per capita: 50 kWh (1993) Industries: fishing, sawmilling Agriculture: accounts for almost 50% of GDP, cash crops - timber and Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Equatorial Guinea:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Ports: Bata, Luba, Malabo Merchant marine: Airports: @Equatorial Guinea:Communications Telephone system: 2,000 telephones; poor system with adequate Radio: Television: @Equatorial Guinea:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Rapid Intervention Force, National Manpower availability: males age 15-49 89,752; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 million, NA% of ________________________________________________________________________ ERITREA@Eritrea:Geography Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 1,630 km, Djibouti 113 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Coastline: 1,151 km (land and island coastline is 2,234 km) Maritime claims: NA International disputes: none Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually); semiarid in western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during June-September except on coastal desert Terrain: dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, probably oil Land use: Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping @Eritrea:People Population: 3,578,709 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 9.04% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 44.34 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 15.67 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: repatriation of up to a half million Eritrean refugees in Sudan is now underway; 100,000 are expected to return during 1995 Infant mortality rate: 120.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50 years male: 48.28 years female: 51.78 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.53 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: ethnic Tigrays 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Religions: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant Languages: Tigre and Kunama, Cushitic dialects, Tigre, Nora Bana, Labor force: NA @Eritrea:Government Names: Digraph: ER Type: transitional government Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera) Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Akole Guzay, Baraka, Danakil, Independence: 27 May 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the Eritrea National holiday: National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24 May Constitution: transitional "constitution" decreed 19 May 1993 Legal system: NA Suffrage: NA Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Judiciary Political parties and leaders: People's Front for Democracy and Other political or pressure groups: Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ); Member of: ACP, ECA, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert G. HOUDEK embassy: 34 Zera Yacob St., Asmara mailing address: P.O. Box 211, Asmara telephone: [291] (1) 120004 FAX: [291] (1) 127584 Flag: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle @Eritrea:Economy Overview: With independence from Ethiopia on 27 April 1993, Eritrea faces the bitter economic problems of a small, desperately poor African country. Most of the population will continue to depend on subsistence farming. Domestic output is substantially augmented by worker remittances from abroad. Government revenues come from custom duties and income and sales taxes. Eritrea has inherited the entire coastline of Ethiopia and has long-term prospects for revenues from the development of offshore oil, offshore fishing, and tourism. For the time being, Ethiopia will be largely dependent on Eritrean ports for its foreign trade. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $500 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $NA Imports: $NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: NA kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles Agriculture: products - sorghum, livestock (including goats), fish, lentils, vegetables, maize, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal (for making rope) Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents; at present, Ethiopian currency used Exchange rates: 1 birr (Br) per US$1 - 5.9500 (January 1995), 5.9500 (1994), 5.000 (fixed rate 1992-93); note - official rate pegged to US$ Fiscal year: NA @Eritrea:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Ports: Assab (Aseb), Massawa (Mits'iwa) Merchant marine: none Airports: @Eritrea:Communications Telephone system: NA local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: Television: @Eritrea:Defense Forces Branches: Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ ESTONIA@Estonia:Geography Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 557 km, Latvia 267 km, Russia 290 km Coastline: 1,393 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: limits to be fixed in coordination with neighboring states territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims over 2,000 sq km of Russian territory in the Narva and Pechora regions - based on boundary established under the 1921 Peace Treaty of Tartu Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers Terrain: marshy, lowlands Natural resources: shale oil, peat, phosphorite, amber Land use: arable land: 22% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 11% forest and woodland: 31% other: 36% Irrigated land: 110 sq km (1990) Environment: @Estonia:People Population: 1,625,399 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.53% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.9 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 11.93 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.17 years male: 65.2 years female: 75.39 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Estonian 61.5%, Russian 30.3%, Ukrainian 3.17%, Religions: Lutheran Languages: Estonian (official), Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, other Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 750,000 (1992) @Estonia:Government Names: Digraph: EN Type: republic Capital: Tallinn Administrative divisions: 15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918) Constitution: adopted 28 June 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Coalition Party and Rural Union (KMU) Member of: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Keith SMITH embassy: Kentmanni 20, Tallinn EE 0001 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [372] (2) 312-021 through 024 FAX: [372] (2) 312-025 Flag: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white @Estonia:Economy Overview: Bolstered by a widespread national desire to reintegrate into Western Europe, the Estonian government has pursued an ambitious program of market reforms and stabilization measures, which is rapidly transforming the economy. Three years after independence - and two years after the introduction of the kroon - Estonians are beginning to reap tangible benefits; inflation, though still high, was brought down to about 2% per month in second half 1994; production declines have bottomed out with estimated growth of 4% in 1994; and living standards are rising. Economic restructuring has been dramatic. By 1994 the service sector accounted for over 55% of GDP, while the once-dominant heavy industrial sector continues to shrink. The private sector is growing rapidly; the share of the state enterprises in the economy has steadily declined and by late 1994 accounted for only about 40% of GDP. Estonia's foreign trade has shifted rapidly from East to West; the Western industrialized countries now account for two-thirds of foreign trade. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $10.4 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: 4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $6,460 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% per month (1994 average) Unemployment rate: about 2% in 1994 (official estimate but large Budget: Exports: $1.65 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $1 billion (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $650 million (end of 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -27% (1993) Electricity: capacity: 3,420,000 kW production: 11.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,528 kWh (1993) Industries: oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP; employs 20% of work force; very efficient by Soviet standards; net exports of meat, fish, dairy products, and potatoes; imports of feedgrains for livestock; fruits and vegetables Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Economic aid: Currency: 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents (introduced in August Exchange rates: kroons (EEK) per US$1 - 12.25 (January 1995); note - Fiscal year: calendar year @Estonia:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 500 km perennially navigable Pipelines: natural gas 420 km (1992) Ports: Haapsalu, Narva, Novotallin, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn Merchant marine: Airports: @Estonia:Communications Telephone system: about 400,000 telephones; 246 telephones/1,000 Radio: Television: @Estonia:Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force (not Manpower availability: males age 15-49 396,588; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $34.1 million, almost ________________________________________________________________________ ETHIOPIA@Ethiopia:Geography Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 5,311 km, Djibouti 337 km, Eritrea 912 km, Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 41% forest and woodland: 24% other: 22% Irrigated land: 1,620 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with @Ethiopia:People Population: 55,979,018 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.09% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 46.68 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 15.77 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: repatriation of Ethiopian refugees from Sudan, Kenya and Somalia, where they had taken refuge from war and famine in earlier years, is expected to continue in 1995; additional influxes of Sudanese and Somalis fleeing fighting in their countries can be expected in 1995 Infant mortality rate: 120.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50 years male: 48.28 years female: 51.78 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.07 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%, Religions: Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga, Somali, Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1984) Labor force: 18 million @Ethiopia:Government Names: Digraph: ET Type: transitional government Capital: Addis Ababa Administrative divisions: 14 ethnically-based administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akababi) Addis Ababa, Afar, Amhara, Benishangul, Gambela, Gurage-Hadiya-Kambata, Hareri, Kefa, Omo, Oromo, Sidama, Somali, Tigray, Wolayta note: the following named four administrative regions may have been abolished and their territories distributed among the remaining ten regions: Kefa, Omo, Sidama, and Wolayta Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the National holiday: National Day, 28 May (1991) (defeat of Mengistu Constitution: new constitution promulgated in December 1994 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Other political or pressure groups: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF); All Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Irvin HICKS embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] (1) 550666 FAX: [251] (1) 552191 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors @Ethiopia:Economy Overview: With the independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993, Ethiopia continues to face difficult economic problems as one of the poorest and least developed countries in Africa. Its economy is based on agriculture, which accounts for about 45% of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total employment; coffee generates 60% of export earnings. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent periods of drought, poor cultivation practices, and deterioration of internal security conditions. The manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on inputs from the agricultural sector. Over 90% of large-scale industry, but less than 10% of agriculture, is state run. The government is considering selling off a portion of state-owned plants, and is implementing reform measures that are gradually liberalizing the economy. A major medium-term problem is the improvement of roads, water supply, and other parts of an infrastructure badly neglected during years of civil strife. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $20.3 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $380 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (FY93/94) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $219.8 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.04 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $3.7 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -3.3% (FY91/92); accounts for 12% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 460,000 kW production: 1.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 23 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement Agriculture: accounts for 45% of GDP; export crops of coffee and oilseeds are grown partly on state farms; estimated 50% of agricultural production is at subsistence level; principal crops and livestock - cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes and other vegetables, hides and skins, cattle, sheep, goats Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Economic aid: Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 - 5.9500 (January 1995), 5.9500 (1994), 5.0000 (fixed rate 1992-93); fixed at 2.070 before 1992; note - official rate pegged to the US$ Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July @Ethiopia:Transportation Railroads: total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: Ports: none Merchant marine: Airports: @Ethiopia:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; open-wire and radio relay system Radio: Television: @Ethiopia:Defense Forces Branches: Transitional Government of Ethiopia Forces, Air Force, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 12,658,084; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $140 million, 4.1% of ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 22.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: NA Natural resources: negligible Land use: Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: wildlife sanctuary @Europa Island:People Population: uninhabited @Europa Island:Government Names: Digraph: EU Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic; resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion Independence: none (possession of France) @Europa Island:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Europa Island:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: total: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Europa Island:Communications Note: 1 meteorological station @Europa Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ FALKLAND ISLANDS (ISLAS MALVINAS)(dependent territory of the UK) @Falkland Islands (islas Malvinas):Geography Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Natural resources: fish, wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 99% forest and woodland: 0% other: 1% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short @Falkland Islands (islas Malvinas):People Population: 2,317 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 2.43% (1995 est.) Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA Infant mortality rate: NA Life expectancy at birth: NA Total fertility rate: NA Nationality: noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island Ethnic divisions: British Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Languages: English Labor force: 1,100 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding) @Falkland Islands (islas Malvinas):Government Names: Digraph: FA Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Stanley Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Constitution: 3 October 1985 Legal system: English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: NA Member of: ICFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT @Falkland Islands (islas Malvinas):Economy Overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry have been unsuccessful. The economy has diversified since 1987 when the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year and support the island's health, education, and welfare system. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993 and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (1980-87 average) Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage Budget: Exports: at least $14.7 million Imports: at least $13.9 million External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 9,200 kW production: 17 million kWh consumption per capita: 7,253 kWh (1993) Industries: wool and fish processing Agriculture: predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some Economic aid: Currency: 1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6350 (January 1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Falkland Islands (islas Malvinas):Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 510 km paved: 30 km unpaved: gravel 80 km; unimproved earth 400 km Ports: Stanley Merchant marine: none Airports: @Falkland Islands (islas Malvinas):Communications Telephone system: 590 telephones Radio: Television: @Falkland Islands (islas Malvinas):Defense Forces Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal Air Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ FAROE ISLANDS(part of the Danish realm) @Faroe Islands:Geography Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 764 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 98% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands @Faroe Islands:People Population: 48,871 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.99% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 17.54 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.59 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.29 years male: 74.91 years female: 81.8 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.42 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Literacy: NA% Labor force: 17,585 by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and commerce @Faroe Islands:Government Names: Digraph: FO Type: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark Capital: Torshavn Administrative divisions: none (self-governing overseas administrative Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Legal system: Danish Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: none Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, Marita Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing overseas US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas Flag: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the @Faroe Islands:Economy Overview: The Faroese, who have long enjoyed the affluent living standards of the Danes and other Scandinavians, now must cope with the decline of the all-important fishing industry and one of the world's heaviest per capita external debts of about $25,000. When the nations of the world extended their fishing zones to 200 nautical miles in the early 1970s, the Faroese no longer could continue their traditional long-distance fishing and subsequently depleted their own nearby fishing areas. The government's tight controls on fish stocks and its austerity measures have caused a recession, and subsidy cuts will force nationalization in the fishing industry, which has already been plagued with bankruptcies. Copenhagen has threatened to withhold its annual subsidy of $130 million - roughly one-third of the islands' budget revenues - unless the Faroese make significant efforts to balance their budget. To this extent the Faroe government is expected to continue its tough policies, including introducing a 20% value-added tax (VAT) in 1993, and has agreed to an IMF economic-political stabilization plan. In addition to its annual subsidy, the Danish government has bailed out the second largest Faroe bank to the tune of $140 million since October 1992. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $662 million (1989 est.) National product real growth rate: -10.8% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $14,000 (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 23% (1993) Budget: Exports: $345.3 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $234.4 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $1.2 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 90,000 kW production: 200 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,953 kWh (1992) Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts Agriculture: accounts for 27% of GDP; principal crops - potatoes and Economic aid: Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.034 (January 1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Faroe Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 200 km paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Klaksvick, Torshavn, Tvoroyri Merchant marine: Airports: @Faroe Islands:Communications Telephone system: 27,900 telephones; good international Radio: Television: @Faroe Islands:Defense Forces Branches: no organized native military forces; only a small Police Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP Note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark ________________________________________________________________________ FIJI@Fiji:Geography Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,129 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 65% other: 19% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited @Fiji:People Population: 772,891 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.16% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 23.69 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.42 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -5.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.42 years male: 63.13 years female: 67.82 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.87 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other Pacific Religions: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1986) Labor force: 235,000 @Fiji:Government Names: Digraph: FJ Type: republic Capital: Suva Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Independence: 10 October 1970 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 October (1970) Constitution: 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new Legal system: based on British system Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Presidential Council: appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: the bicameral Parliament was dissolved following Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Fijian Political Party (SVT - primarily Member of: ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael W. MARINE embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 314466 FAX: [679] 300081 Flag: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove @Fiji:Economy Overview: Fiji's economy is primarily agricultural, with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and tourism are the major sources of foreign exchange. Industry contributes 13% to GDP, with sugar processing accounting for one-third of industrial activity. Roughly 250,000 tourists visit each year. Political uncertainty and drought, however, contribute to substantial fluctuations in earnings from tourism and sugar and to the emigration of skilled workers. In 1992, growth was approximately 3%, based on growth in tourism and a lessening of labor-management disputes in the sugar and gold-mining sectors. In 1993, the government's budgeted growth rate of 3% was not achieved because of a decline in non-sugar agricultural output and damage from Cyclone Kina. Growth in 1994 is estimated to be 5%, largely attributed to increased tourism and expansion in domestic production, particularly in the manufacturing sector. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $5,650 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1994) Unemployment rate: 5.4% (1992) Budget: Exports: $405 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $634 million (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, consumer goods, chemicals partners: Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EC 6%, US 6% External debt: $670 million (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1993 est.); accounts for 13% of Electricity: capacity: 200,000 kW production: 480 million kWh consumption per capita: 581 kWh (1993) Industries: sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, clothing, lumber, small cottage industries Agriculture: accounts for 23% of GDP; principal cash crop is sugarcane; coconuts, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; small livestock sector includes cattle, pigs, horses, and goats; fish catch nearly 33,000 tons (1989) Economic aid: Currency: 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.4140 (January 1995), 1.4641 (1994), 1.5418 (1993), 1.5030 (1992), 1.4756 (1991), 1.4809 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Fiji:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and Ports: Labasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, Suva Merchant marine: Airports: @Fiji:Communications Telephone system: 53,228 telephones; 71 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Fiji:Defense Forces Branches: Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; includes army, navy, and air elements) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 201,441; males fit for military service 111,046; males reach military age (18) annually 8,466 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22.4 million, about 2% of GDP (FY91/92) ________________________________________________________________________ FINLAND@Finland:Geography Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 2,628 km, Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia Coastline: 1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 6 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 4 nm International disputes: none Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes Natural resources: timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 76% other: 16% Irrigated land: 620 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national @Finland:People Population: 5,085,206 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.3% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.22 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.77 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.22 years male: 72.51 years female: 80.11 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish Ethnic divisions: Finn, Swede, Lapp, Gypsy, Tatar Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other Languages: Finnish 93.5% (official), Swedish 6.3% (official), small Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 2.533 million by occupation: public services 30.4%, industry 20.9%, commerce 15.0%, finance, insurance, and business services 10.2%, agriculture and forestry 8.6%, transport and communications 7.7%, construction 7.2% @Finland:Government Names: Digraph: FI Type: republic Capital: Helsinki Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917) Constitution: 17 July 1919 Legal system: civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus) Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: Finnish Communist Party-Unity, Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Derek N. SHEARER embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14A, FIN-00140, Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (0) 171931 FAX: [358] (0) 174681 Flag: white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag) @Finland:Economy Overview: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free market economy, with per capita output two-thirds of the US figure. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, and engineering industries. Trade is important, with the export of goods representing about 30% of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. The economy, which experienced an average of 4.9% annual growth between 1987 and 1989, sank into deep recession in 1991 as GDP contracted by 6.5%. The recession - which continued in 1992 with GDP contracting by 4.1% - has been caused by economic overheating, depressed foreign markets, and the dismantling of the barter system between Finland and the former Soviet Union under which Soviet oil and gas had been exchanged for Finnish manufactured goods. The Finnish Government has proposed efforts to increase industrial competitiveness and efficiency by an increase in exports to Western markets, cuts in public expenditures, partial privatization of state enterprises, and changes in monetary policy. In June 1991 Helsinki had tied the markka to the European Union's (EU) European Currency Unit (ECU) to promote stability. Ongoing speculation resulting from a lack of confidence in the government's policies forced Helsinki to devalue the markka by about 12% in November 1991 and to indefinitely break the link in September 1992. The devaluations have boosted the competitiveness of Finnish exports. The recession bottomed out in 1993, and Finland participated in the general European upturn of 1994. Unemployment probably will remain a serious problem during the next few years; the majority of Finnish firms face a weak domestic market and the troubled German and Swedish export markets. The Finns voted in an October 1994 referendum to enter the EU, and Finland officially joined the Union on 1 January 1995. Increasing integration with Western Europe will dominate the economic picture over the next few years. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $81.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $16,140 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1992) Unemployment rate: 22% (1993) Budget: Exports: $23.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $18 billion (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $30 billion (December 1993) Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1993 est.); accounts for 28% of Electricity: capacity: 13,360,000 kW production: 58 billion kWh consumption per capita: 12,196 kWh (1993) Industries: metal products, shipbuilding, forestry and wood processing (pulp, paper), copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Agriculture: accounts for 7% of GDP (including forestry); livestock production, especially dairy cattle, predominates; main crops - cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; 85% self-sufficient, but short of foodgrains and fodder grains; annual fish catch about 160,000 metric tons Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Latin American cocaine for the Economic aid: Currency: 1 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia Exchange rates: markkaa (FMk) per US$1 - 4.7358 (January 1995), 5.2235 (1994), 5.7123 (1993), 4.4794 (1992), 4.0440 (1991), 3.8235 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Finland:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 km Pipelines: natural gas 580 km Ports: Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Merchant marine: Airports: @Finland:Communications Telephone system: 3,140,000 telephones; good service from cable and Radio: Television: @Finland:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (includes Sea Guard) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,318,231; males fit for military service 1,083,749; males reach military age (17) annually 33,085 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.86 billion, about 1.9% of GDP (1994) ________________________________________________________________________ FRANCE@France:Geography Location: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 2,892.4 km, Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, Coastline: 3,427 km (mainland 2,783 km, Corsica 644 km) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and Terrain: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potash Land use: arable land: 32% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 23% forest and woodland: 27% other: 16% Irrigated land: 11,600 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: largest West European nation; occasional warm tropical wind @France:People Population: 58,109,160 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.46% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.29 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.37 years male: 74.5 years female: 82.44 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North Languages: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.) Labor force: 24.17 million @France:Government Names: Digraph: FR Type: republic Capital: Paris Administrative divisions: 22 regions (regions, singular - region); Dependent areas: Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, Independence: 486 (unified by Clovis) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958, amended concerning election of Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (Cour Constitutionnelle) Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Alain Other political or pressure groups: Communist-controlled labor union Member of: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; @France:Economy Overview: One of the world's most highly developed economies, France has substantial agricultural resources and a diversified modern industrial sector. Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern technology, and subsidies have combined to make it the leading agricultural producer in Western Europe. Largely self-sufficient in agricultural products, France is a major exporter of wheat and dairy products. The industrial sector generates about one-quarter of GDP, and the growing services sector has become crucial to the economy. Following stagnation and recession in 1991-93, French GDP in 1994 expanded 2.4%. Growth in 1995 is expected to be in the 3.0% to 3.5% range. Persistently high unemployment will still pose a major problem for the government. Paris remains committed to maintaining the franc-deutsche mark parity, which has kept French interest rates high despite France's low inflation. Although the pace of economic and financial integration within the European Union has slowed down, integration presumably will remain a major force shaping the fortunes of the various economic sectors over the next few years. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.0801 trillion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $18,670 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1994) Unemployment rate: 12.6% (yearend 1994) Budget: Exports: $249.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $238.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, iron and steel products partners: Germany 17.8%, Italy 10.9%, US 9.5%, Netherlands 8.9%, Spain 8.8%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8.5%, UK 7.5%, Japan 4.1%, FSU 1.3% (1991 est.) External debt: $300 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.6% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 105,250,000 kW production: 447 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,149 kWh (1993) Industries: steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); one of the world's top five wheat producers; other principal products - beef, dairy products, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; self-sufficient for most temperate-zone foods; shortages include fats and oils and tropical produce, but overall net exporter of farm products; fish catch of 850,000 metric tons ranks among world's top 20 countries and is all used domestically Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $75.1 billion Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9243 (January 1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @France:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled Pipelines: crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural Ports: Bordeaux, Boulogne, Cherbourg, Dijon, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Merchant marine: Airports: @France:Communications Telephone system: 39,200,000 telephones; highly developed; extensive Radio: Television: @France:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air), Air Force and Air Defense, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 14,740,155; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $47.1 billion, 3.1% ________________________________________________________________________ FRENCH GUIANA(overseas department of France) @French Guiana:Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: total 1,183 km, Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km Coastline: 378 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) Climate: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Natural resources: bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 82% other: 18% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: mostly an unsettled wilderness @French Guiana:People Population: 145,270 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 4.13% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 25.23 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.61 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 20.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.52 years male: 72.27 years female: 78.94 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.46 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: black or mulatto 66%, Caucasian 12%, East Indian, Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: 23,265 @French Guiana:Government Names: Digraph: FG Type: overseas department of France Capital: Cayenne Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameral Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (highest local court based in Political parties and leaders: Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Elie Member of: FZ, WCL, WFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of France) US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @French Guiana:Economy Overview: The economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities, with exports of fish and fish products (mostly shrimp) accounting for more than 60% of total revenue in 1992. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops - rice, cassava, bananas, and sugarcane - is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $800 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $6,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1992) Unemployment rate: 13% (1990) Budget: Exports: $59 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods, petroleum partners: France 77%, Germany 11%, US 5% (1992) External debt: $1.2 billion (1988) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 180,000 kW production: 450 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,149 kWh (1993) Industries: construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, Agriculture: some vegetables for local consumption; rice, corn, Illicit drugs: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption Economic aid: Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9243 (January 1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @French Guiana:Transportation Railroads: total: 22 km (est.) Highways: total: 1,137 km paved: 455 km unpaved: improved, unimproved earth 682 km (1988) Inland waterways: 460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and coastal steamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craft Ports: Cayenne, Degrad des Cannes, Saint-Laurent du Maroni Merchant marine: none Airports: @French Guiana:Communications Telephone system: 18,100 telephones; fair open-wire and microwave Radio: Television: @French Guiana:Defense Forces Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males age 15-49 41,986; males fit for military service 27,298 Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,525 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderate Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 19% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 31% other: 44% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: includes five archipelagoes; Makatea in French Polynesia is one @French Polynesia:People Population: 219,999 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.23% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 27.56 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.75 years male: 68.32 years female: 73.29 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Ethnic divisions: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16% Languages: French (official), Tahitian (official) Literacy: age 14 and over can read and write but definition of Labor force: 76,630 employed (1988) @French Polynesia:Government Names: Digraph: FP Type: overseas territory of France since 1946 Capital: Papeete Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there Independence: none (overseas territory of France) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: based on French system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Court of the First Instance, Court Political parties and leaders: People's Rally for the Republic Member of: ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory of France) US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @French Polynesia:Economy Overview: Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. Tourism accounts for about 20% of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.5 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $7,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1991) Unemployment rate: 10% (1990 est.) Budget: Exports: $88.9 million (f.o.b., 1989) Imports: $765 million (c.i.f., 1989) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 75,000 kW production: 275 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,189 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts Agriculture: coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit; Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 96.25 (January 1995), 100.94 (1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year @French Polynesia:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 600 km (1982) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa Merchant marine: Airports: @French Polynesia:Communications Telephone system: 33,200 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth station Radio: Television: @French Polynesia:Defense Forces Branches: French Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Note: defense is responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ FRENCH SOUTHERN AND ANTARCTIC LANDS(overseas territory of France) @French Southern And Antarctic Lands:Geography Location: Southern Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about Map references: Antarctic Region Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,232 km Maritime claims: International disputes: "Terre Adelie" claim in Antarctica is not Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic Natural resources: fish, crayfish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: remote location in the southern Indian Ocean @French Southern And Antarctic Lands:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are researchers @French Southern And Antarctic Lands:Government Names: Digraph: FS Type: overseas territory of France since 1955; governed by High Capital: none; administered from Paris, France Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there Independence: none (overseas territory of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @French Southern And Antarctic Lands:Economy Overview: Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. Budget: revenues: $17.5 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) @French Southern And Antarctic Lands:Transportation Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: Airports: none @French Southern And Antarctic Lands:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: Television: @French Southern And Antarctic Lands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ GABON@Gabon:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Congo and Equatorial Guinea Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 2,551 km, Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km, Coastline: 885 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and Natural resources: petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 78% other: 2% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Gabon:People Population: 1,155,749 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.46% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 28.34 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 13.72 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 92.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.14 years male: 52.31 years female: 58.06 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.93 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings Religions: Christian 55%-75%, Muslim less than 1%, animist Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 120,000 salaried @Gabon:Government Names: Digraph: GB Type: republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990) Capital: Libreville Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Renovation Day, 12 March (1968) (Gabonese Democratic Constitution: adopted 14 March 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG, former Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHA chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007, Suite 200 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph C. WILSON IV embassy: Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville mailing address: B. P. 4000, Libreville telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, 74 34 92 FAX: [241] 74 55 07 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue @Gabon:Economy Overview: Notwithstanding its serious ongoing economic problems, Gabon enjoys a per capita income more than twice that of most nations of sub-Saharan Africa. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Real growth was feeble in 1992 and Gabon continues to face the problem of fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, manganese, and uranium exports. Despite an abundance of natural wealth, and a manageable rate of population growth, the economy is hobbled by poor fiscal management. In 1992, the fiscal deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, and Gabon failed to settle arrears on its bilateral debt, leading to a cancellation of rescheduling agreements with official and private creditors. Devaluation of its Francophone currency by 50% in January 1994 did not set off an expected inflationary spiral but the government must continue to keep a tight reign on spending and wage increases. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $5.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.9% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $4,900 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est) Imports: $832 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, construction materials, manufactures, machinery partners: France 42%, African countries 23%, US, Japan External debt: $3.3 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -3% (1991) Electricity: capacity: 315,000 kW production: 910 million kWh consumption per capita: 757 kWh (1993) Industries: food and beverages, lumbering and plywood, textiles, cement, petroleum refining, mining - manganese, uranium, gold, petroleum Agriculture: cash crops - cocoa, coffee, palm oil; livestock raising Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 Fiscal year: calendar year @Gabon:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 7,500 km paved: 560 km unpaved: crushed stone 960 km; earth 5,980 km Inland waterways: 1,600 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 km Ports: Cape Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Owendo, Port-Gentil Merchant marine: Airports: @Gabon:Communications Telephone system: 15,000 telephones; telephone density - 13/1,000 Radio: Television: @Gabon:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard, National Manpower availability: males age 15-49 272,025; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $154 million, 2.4% of ________________________________________________________________________ THE GAMBIA@The Gambia:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 740 km, Senegal 740 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: short section of boundary with Senegal is Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 16% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 20% other: 55% Irrigated land: 120 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent @The Gambia:People Population: 989,273 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.08% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 45.97 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 15.19 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 120.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.55 years male: 48.25 years female: 52.92 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.23 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-Gambian 1% Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 400,000 (1986 est.) @The Gambia:Government Names: Digraph: GA Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule Capital: Banjul Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965) Constitution: 24 April 1970 Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: People's Progressive Party (PPP), Dawda Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Andrew J. WINTER embassy: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391970, 391971 FAX: [220] 392475 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green @The Gambia:Economy Overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population is engaged in crop production and livestock raising, which contribute 30% to GDP. Small-scale manufacturing activity - processing peanuts, fish, and hides - accounts for less than 10% of GDP. A sustained structural adjustment program, including a liberalized trade policy, had fostered a respectable 4% rate of growth in recent years. Reexport trade constitutes one-third of economic activity; however, border closures associated with Senegal's monetary crisis in late 1993 led to a halving of reexport trade, reducing government revenues in turn. The 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 has made Senegalese goods more competitive and apparently prompted a relaxation of Senegalese controls, paving the way for a comeback in reexports. But overwhelming these developments were the devastating effects of the military's takeover in July 1994. By October, traffic at the Port of Banjul had fallen precipitously as importers nervously scaled back their activities with the commencement of the anticorruption drive by the new regime. Concerned with the growing potential for serious unrest after a countercoup attempt was bloodily put down by the regime, the United Kingdom and the EU in November issued a travelers advisory for The Gambia, which brought a halt to tourism almost immediately. The Gambia faces additional problems in 1995 if, as is likely, economic sanctions by Western governments remain in effect in response to indications that the military regime intends to stay in power far longer than expected by the donors. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $1,050 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1993) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $81 million (f.o.b., FY92/93 est.) Imports: $154 million (f.o.b., FY92/93 est.) External debt: $286 million (FY92/93 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6.7% Electricity: capacity: 30,000 kW production: 70 million kWh consumption per capita: 64 kWh (1993) Industries: peanut processing, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing Agriculture: accounts for 30% of GDP; one-third of food requirements is imported; major export crop is peanuts; other principal crops - millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava, palm kernels; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats; forestry and fishing resources not fully exploited Economic aid: Currency: 1 dalasi (D) = 100 butut Exchange rates: dalasi (D) per US$1 - 9.565 (January 1995), 9.576 (1994), 9.129 (1993), 8.888 (1992), 8.803 (1991), 7.883 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @The Gambia:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 3,083 km paved: 431 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 501 km; unimproved earth 2,151 km Inland waterways: 400 km Ports: Banjul Merchant marine: total: 1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,194 GRT/19,394 DWT Airports: total: 1 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 @The Gambia:Communications Telephone system: 3,500 telephones; telephone density - 4 Radio: Television: @The Gambia:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 214,680; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 3.8% of ________________________________________________________________________ GAZA STRIPNote—The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim @Gaza Strip:Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: total 62 km, Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Israeli occupied with interim status subject to International disputes: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Terrain: flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 32% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 55% Irrigated land: 115 sq km (1992 est.) Environment: current issues: desertification natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: there are 24 Jewish settlements and civilian land use sites in the Gaza Strip (August 1994 est.) @Gaza Strip:People Population: 813,322 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 4.55% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 50.24 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.75 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 30.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.09 years male: 69.56 years female: 72.69 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.74 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 99.4%, Jewish 0.6% Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers), English Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA @Gaza Strip:Government Note: Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, and subsequently to an elected Palestinian Council, as part of interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external security and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israelis. Final status is to be determined through direct negotiations within five years. Names: Digraph: GZ @Gaza Strip:Economy Overview: In 1991 roughly 40% of Gaza Strip workers were employed across the border by Israeli industrial, construction, and agricultural enterprises, with worker remittances supplementing GDP by roughly 50%. Gaza depends upon Israel for nearly 90% of its external trade. Aggravating the impact of Israeli military administration, unrest in the territory since 1988 (intifadah) has raised unemployment and lowered the standard of living of Gazans. The Persian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also have dealt blows to Gaza since August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulf states have dropped, unemployment has increased, and exports have fallen. The withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip in May 1994 brings a new set of adjustment problems. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.7 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $2,400 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.7% (1993) Unemployment rate: 45% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $83 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $365 million (c.i.f., 1992) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 11% (1991 est.) Electricity: power supplied by Israel 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 Agriculture: olives, citrus and other fruits; vegetables; beef and Economic aid: $240 million disbursed from international aid pledges in Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 3.0270 (December 1994), 3.0111 (1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992) @Gaza Strip:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA note: small, poorly developed road network Ports: Gaza Airports: total: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 @Gaza Strip:Communications Telephone system: NA; note - 10% of Palestinian households have Radio: Television: @Gaza Strip:Defense Forces Branches: NA Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ GEORGIANote—Georgia has been beset by ethnic and civil strife since independence. In late 1991, the country's first elected president, Zviad GAMSAKHURDIA was ousted in an armed coup. In October 1993, GAMSAKHURDIA, and his supporters sponsored a failed attempt to retake power from the current government led by former Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard SHEVARDNADZE. The Georgian government has also faced armed separatist conflicts in the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. A cease-fire went into effect in South Ossetia in June 1992 and a joint Georgian-Ossetian-Russian peacekeeping force has been in place since that time. Georgian forces were driven out of the Abkhaz region in September 1993 after a yearlong war with Abkhaz separatists. Nearly 200,000 Georgian refugees have since fled Abkhazia, adding substantially to the estimated 100,000 internally displaced persons already in Georgia. Russian peacekeepers are deployed along the border of Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia. @Georgia:Geography Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: total 1,461 km, Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Coastline: 310 km Maritime claims: NA International disputes: none Climate: warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast Terrain: largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhida Lowland opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland Natural resources: forest lands, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ores, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 29% forest and woodland: 38% other: 18% Irrigated land: 4,660 sq km (1990) Environment: @Georgia:People Population: 5,725,972 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.77% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15.77 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.73 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 22.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.1 years male: 69.43 years female: 76.95 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.16 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian Ethnic divisions: Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri Religions: Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Muslim 11%, Languages: Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 2.763 million @Georgia:Government Names: Digraph: GG Type: republic Capital: T'bilisi Administrative divisions: 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia (Sokhumi), Ajaria (Bat'umi) note: the administrative centers of the autonomous republics are included in parentheses; there are no oblasts - the rayons around T'bilisi are under direct republic jurisdiction Independence: 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 May (1991) Constitution: adopted 21 February 1921; currently amending constitution for Parliamentary and popular review by late 1995 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Citizens Union (CU), Eduard Other political or pressure groups: supporters of ousted President Member of: BSEC, CCC, CIS, EBRD, ECE, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, ILO, IMF, IMO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Kent N. BROWN embassy: #25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (8832) 98-99-67, 93-38-03 FAX: [7] (8832) 93-37-59 Flag: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below @Georgia:Economy Overview: Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only sizable domestic energy resource is hydropower. Since 1990, widespread conflicts, e.g., in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Mingreliya, have severely aggravated the economic crisis resulting from the disintegration of the Soviet command economy in December 1991. Throughout 1993 and 1994, much of industry was functioning at only 20% of capacity; heavy disruptions in agricultural cultivation were reported; and tourism was shut down. The country is precariously dependent on US and EU humanitarian grain shipments, as most other foods are priced beyond reach of the average citizen. Georgia is also suffering from an acute energy crisis, as it is having problems paying for even minimal imports. Georgia is pinning its hopes for recovery on reestablishing trade ties with Russia and on developing international transportation through the key Black Sea ports of P'ot'i and Bat'umi. The government began a tenuous program in 1994 aiming to stabilize prices and reduce large consumer subsidies. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $6 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: -30% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,060 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 40.5% per month (2nd half 1993 est.) Unemployment rate: officially less than 5% but real unemployment may be more than 20%, with even larger numbers of underemployed workers Budget: Exports: $NA Imports: $NA External debt: NA (T'bilisi owes about $400 million to Turkmenistan Industrial production: growth rate -27% (1993); accounts for 36% of Electricity: capacity: 4,410,000 kW production: 9.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,526 kWh (1993) Industries: heavy industrial products include raw steel, rolled steel, airplanes; machine tools, foundry equipment, electric locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation and meat packing, electric motors, process control equipment, instruments; trucks, tractors, and other farm machinery; light industrial products, including cloth, hosiery, and shoes; chemicals; wood-working industries; the most important food industry is wine Agriculture: accounted for 97% of former USSR citrus fruits and 93% of former USSR tea; important producer of grapes; also cultivates vegetables and potatoes; dependent on imports for grain, dairy products, sugar; small livestock sector Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly Economic aid: Currency: coupons introduced in April 1993 to be followed by Exchange rates: coupons per $US1 - 1,280,000 (end December 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Georgia:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Pipelines: crude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas 440 Ports: Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi Merchant marine: Airports: Note: transportation network is in poor condition and disrupted by @Georgia:Communications Telephone system: 672,000 telephones (mid-1993); 117 telephones/1,000 Radio: Television: @Georgia:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,385,593; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $85 million, NA% of Note: Georgian forces are poorly organized and not fully under the ________________________________________________________________________ GERMANY@Germany:Geography Location: Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 3,621 km, Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Coastline: 2,389 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidity Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south Natural resources: iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel Land use: arable land: 34% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 16% forest and woodland: 30% other: 19% Irrigated land: 4,800 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location on North European Plain and along the @Germany:People Population: 81,337,541 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.26% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 10.98 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.83 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 2.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.62 years male: 73.5 years female: 79.92 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: German 95.1%, Turkish 2.3%, Italians 0.7%, Greeks Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37%, unaffiliated or other Languages: German Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.) Labor force: 36.75 million @Germany:Government Names: Digraph: GM Type: federal republic Capital: Berlin Administrative divisions: 16 states (laender, singular - land); Independence: 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four power rights formally relinquished 15 March 1991 National holiday: German Unity Day (Day of Unity), 3 October (1990) Constitution: 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united German people 3 October 1990 Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral chamber (no official name for the two Judicial branch: Federal Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Other political or pressure groups: expellee, refugee, and veterans Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow @Germany:Economy Overview: Five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, progress towards economic integration between eastern and western Germany is clearly visible, yet the eastern region almost certainly will remain dependent on subsidies funded by western Germany until well into the next century. The staggering $390 billion in western German assistance that the eastern states have received since 1990 - 40 times the amount in real terms of US Marshall Fund aid sent to West Germany after World War II - is just beginning to have an impact on the eastern German standard of living, which plummeted after unification. Assistance to the east continues to run at roughly $100 billion annually. Although the growth rate in the east was much greater than in the west in 1993-94, eastern GDP per capita nonetheless remains well below preunification levels; it will take 10-15 years for the eastern states to match western Germany's living standards. The economic recovery in the east is led by the construction industries which account for one-third of industrial output, with growth increasingly supported by the service sectors and light manufacturing industries. Eastern Germany's economy is changing from one anchored on manufacturing to a more service-oriented economy. Western Germany, with three times the per capita output of the eastern states, has an advanced market economy and is a world leader in exports. The strong recovery in 1994 from recession began in the export sector and spread to the investment and consumption sectors in response to falling interest rates. Western Germany has a highly urbanized and skilled population that enjoys excellent living standards, abundant leisure time, and comprehensive social welfare benefits. It is relatively poor in natural resources, coal being the most important mineral. Western Germany's world-class companies manufacture technologically advanced goods. The region's economy is mature: services and manufacturing account for the dominant share of economic activities, and raw materials and semimanufactured goods constitute a large portion of imports. National product: National product real growth rate: National product per capita: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Unemployment rate: Budget: Exports: $437 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: manufactures 89.3% (including machines and machine tools, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel products), agricultural products 5.5%, raw materials 2.7%, fuels 1.3% (1993) partners: EC 47.9% (France 11.7%, Netherlands 7.4%, Italy 7.5%, UK 7.7%, Belgium-Luxembourg 6.6%), EFTA 15.5%, US 7.7%, Eastern Europe 5.2%, OPEC 3.0% (1993) Imports: $362 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: manufactures 75.1%, agricultural products 10.0%, fuels 8.3%, raw materials 5.0% (1993) partners: EC 46.4% (France 11.3%, Netherlands 8.4%, Italy 8.1%, UK 6.0%, Belgium-Luxembourg 5.7%), EFTA 14.3%, US 7.3%, Japan 6.3%, Eastern Europe 5.1%, OPEC 2.6% (1993) External debt: $NA Industrial production: western: growth rate 2.8% (1994) eastern: growth rate $NA Electricity: capacity: 115,430,000 kW production: 493 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,683 kWh (1993) Industries: Agriculture: Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American Economic aid: Currency: 1 deutsche mark (DM) = 100 pfennige Exchange rates: deutsche marks (DM) per US$1 - 1.5313 (January 1995), 1.6228 (1994), 1.6533 (1993), 1.5617 (1992), 1.6595 (1991), 1.6157 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Germany:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: Pipelines: crude oil 3,644 km; petroleum products 3,946 km; natural Ports: Berlin, Bonn, Brake, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Cologne, Dresden, Merchant marine: note: the German register includes ships of the former East and West Airports: @Germany:Communications Telephone system: Radio: Television: @Germany:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm), Air Force, Border Manpower availability: males 15-49 20,274,127; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $40 billion, 1.8% of ________________________________________________________________________ GHANA@Ghana:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 2,093 km, Burkina 548 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Coastline: 539 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; Terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 15% forest and woodland: 37% other: 36% Irrigated land: 80 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake; northeasterly @Ghana:People Population: 17,763,138 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.06% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 43.57 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.02 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 81.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.85 years male: 53.88 years female: 57.88 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.09 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: black African 99.8% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Religions: indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, other 8% Languages: English (official), African languages (including Akan, Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 3.7 million @Ghana:Government Names: Digraph: GH Type: constitutional democracy Capital: Accra Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Independence: 6 March 1957 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 March (1957) Constitution: new constitution approved 28 April 1992 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Congress, Jerry Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green @Ghana:Economy Overview: Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana is relatively well off, having twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Heavily reliant on international assistance, Ghana has made steady progress in liberalizing its economy since 1983. Overall growth continued at a rate of approximately 5% in 1994, due largely to increased gold, timber, and cocoa production - major sources of foreign exchange. The economy, however, continues to revolve around subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 45% of GDP and employs 55% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Public sector wage increases, regional peacekeeping commitments, and the containment of internal unrest in the underdeveloped north have placed substantial demands on the government's budget and have led to inflationary deficit financing and a 27% depreciation of the cedi in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $22.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,310 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (1991) Budget: Exports: $1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $4.6 billion (December 1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.4% in manufacturing (1993); accounts for almost 15% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 1,180,000 kW production: 6.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 323 kWh (1993) Industries: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum, food processing Agriculture: accounts for almost 50% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); the major cash crop is cocoa; other principal crops - rice, coffee, cassava, peanuts, corn, shea nuts, timber; normally self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug Economic aid: Currency: 1 new cedi (C) = 100 pesewas Exchange rates: new cedis per US$1 - 1,046.74 (December 1994), 936.71 (1994), 649.06 (1993), 437.09 (1992), 367.83 (1991), 326.33 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Ghana:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 168 km of Pipelines: none Ports: Takoradi, Tema Merchant marine: Airports: @Ghana:Communications Telephone system: 42,300 telephones; poor to fair system; telephone Radio: Television: @Ghana:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force, Palace Guard, Civil Manpower availability: males age 15-49 3,975,767; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $108 million, 1.5% of ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1.2 km, Spain 1.2 km Coastline: 12 km Maritime claims: International disputes: source of occasional friction between Spain Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders The Rock Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North @Gibraltar:People Population: 31,874 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.62% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.85 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.61 years male: 73.7 years female: 79.48 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar Ethnic divisions: Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, Spanish Religions: Roman Catholic 74%, Protestant 11% (Church of England 8%, Languages: English (used in schools and for official purposes), Literacy: NA% Labor force: 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) note: UK military establishments and civil government employ nearly 50% of the labor force @Gibraltar:Government Names: Digraph: GI Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Gilbraltar Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Commonwealth Day (second Monday of March) Constitution: 30 May 1969 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects resident Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party (SL), Other political or pressure groups: Housewives Association; Chamber of Member of: INTERPOL (subbureau) Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band @Gibraltar:Economy Overview: Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade and offshore banking. The British military presence has been severely reduced and now only contributes about 11% to the local economy. The financial sector accounts for 15% of GDP; tourism, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. Because more than 70% of the economy is in the public sector, changes in government spending have a major impact on the level of employment. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $205 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $6,600 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $57 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $420 million (c.i.f., 1992) External debt: $318 million (1987) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 47,000 kW production: 90 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,539 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, banking and finance, construction, commerce; support to large UK naval and air bases; transit trade and supply depot in the port; light manufacturing of tobacco, roasted coffee, ice, mineral waters, candy, beer, and canned fish Agriculture: none Economic aid: Currency: 1 Gibraltar pound (#G) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds (#G) per US$1 - 0.6350 (January 1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Gibraltar:Transportation Railroads: total: NA km; 1.000-m gauge system in dockyard area only Highways: total: 50 km paved: 50 km Pipelines: none Ports: Gibraltar Merchant marine: Airports: @Gibraltar:Communications Telephone system: 9,400 telephones; adequate, automatic domestic Radio: Television: @Gibraltar:Defense Forces Branches: British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ GLORIOSO ISLANDS(possession of France) @Glorioso Islands:Geography Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 35.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: NA Natural resources: guano, coconuts Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: periodic cyclones international agreements: NA @Glorioso Islands:People Population: uninhabited @Glorioso Islands:Government Names: Digraph: GO Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion Independence: none (possession of France) @Glorioso Islands:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Glorioso Islands:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: total: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Glorioso Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ GREECE@Greece:Geography Location: Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,210 km, Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Coastline: 13,676 km Maritime claims: International disputes: complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Turkey in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question; dispute with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over name, symbols, and certain constitutional provisions; Greece is involved in a bilateral dispute with Albania over border demarcation, the treatment of Albania's ethnic Greek minority, and migrant Albanian workers in Greece Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly mountains with ranges extending into sea as peninsulas or chains of islands Natural resources: bauxite, lignite, magnesite, petroleum, marble Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 40% forest and woodland: 20% other: 9% Irrigated land: 11,900 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern @Greece:People Population: 10,647,511 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.72% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 10.56 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.31 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 5.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.92 years male: 75.39 years female: 80.59 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.46 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Greek 98%, other 2% Religions: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% Languages: Greek (official), English, French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991) Labor force: 4.077 million @Greece:Government Names: Digraph: GR Type: presidential parliamentary government; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974 Capital: Athens Administrative divisions: 52 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos); Independence: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 March (1821) (proclamation of the war of independence) Constitution: 11 June 1975 Legal system: based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: head of government: Prime Minister Andreas PAPANDREOU (since 10 Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court, Special Supreme Tribunal Political parties and leaders: New Democracy (ND; conservative), Member of: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, EC, ECE, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Loucas TSILAS chancery: 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-5800 FAX: [1] (202) 939-5824 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): New Orleans US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas M.T. NILES embassy: 91 Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, 10160 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, Athens; APO AE 09842 telephone: [30] (1) 721-2951, 8401 FAX: [30] (1) 645-6282 consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki Flag: nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country @Greece:Economy Overview: Greece has a mixed capitalist economy with the basic entrepreneurial system overlaid in 1981-89 by a socialist system that enlarged the public sector from 55% of GDP in 1981 to about 70% in 1989. Since then, the public sector has been reduced to about 60% of GDP. Tourism continues as a major source of foreign exchange, and agriculture is self-sufficient except for meat, dairy products, and animal feedstuffs. Over the last decade, real GDP growth has averaged 1.6% a year, compared with the European Union average of 2.2%. Inflation continues to be well above the EU average, and the national debt has reached 140% of GDP, the highest in the EU. Prime Minister PAPANDREOU will probably make only limited progress correcting the economy's problems of high inflation, large budget deficit, and decaying infrastructure. His economic program suggests that although he will shun his expansionary policies of the 1980s, he will avoid tough measures needed to slow inflation or reduce the state's role in the economy. He has limited the previous government's privatization plans, for example, and has called for generous welfare spending and real wage increases. Athens continues to rely heavily on EU aid, which recently has amounted to about 6% of GDP. Greece almost certainly will not meet the EU's Maastricht Treaty convergence targets of public deficit held to 3% of GDP and national debt to 60% of GDP by 1999. Per capita GDP has fallen below Portugal's level, the lowest among EU members. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $93.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $8,870 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.9% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.1% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $9 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $19.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993) External debt: $26.9 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 3.2% (1993 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 8,970,000 kW production: 35.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,257 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products, mining, petroleum Agriculture: including fishing and forestry, accounts for 12% of GDP; principal products - wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; self-sufficient in food except meat, dairy products, and animal feedstuffs Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and limited opium; mostly for domestic production; serves as 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; transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route Economic aid: Currency: 1 drachma (Dr) = 100 lepta Exchange rates: drachmae (Dr) per US$1 - 238.20 (January 1995), 242.60 (1994), 229.26 (1993), 190.62 (1992), 182.27 (1991), 158.51 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Greece:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 80 km; system consists of three coastal canals; Pipelines: crude oil 26 km; petroleum products 547 km Ports: Alexandroupolis, Elevsis, Iraklion (Crete), Kavala, Kerkira, Merchant marine: Airports: @Greece:Communications Telephone system: 4,080,000 telephones; adequate, modern networks Radio: Television: @Greece:Defense Forces Branches: Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force, National Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,676,152; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.1 billion, 5.4% of ________________________________________________________________________ GREENLAND(part of the Danish realm) @Greenland:Geography Location: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada Map references: Arctic Region Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 44,087 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters Terrain: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, Natural resources: zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 0% other: 99% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; @Greenland:People Population: 57,611 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.05% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 17.7 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.2 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 25.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.65 years male: 63.33 years female: 71.98 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Greenlander 86% (Eskimos and Greenland-born Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Eskimo dialects, Danish Literacy: NA% Labor force: 22,800 by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, hunting, sheep breeding @Greenland:Government Names: Digraph: GL Type: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division Capital: Nuuk (Godthab) Administrative divisions: 3 municipalities (kommuner, singular - Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Legal system: Danish Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: High Court (Landsret) Political parties and leaders: two-party ruling coalition; Siumut Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing overseas US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large @Greenland:Economy Overview: Greenland's economic situation at present is difficult. Unemployment is increasing, and prospects for economic growth in the immediate future are dim. Following the closing of the Black Angel lead and zinc mine in 1989, Greenland became almost completely dependent on fishing and fish processing, the sector accounting for 95% of exports. Prospects for fisheries are not bright, as the important shrimp catches will at best stabilize and cod catches have dropped. Resumption of mining and hydrocarbon activities is not around the corner, thus leaving only tourism with some potential for the near future. The public sector in Greenland, i.e., the central government and its commercial entities and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland accounting for about two-thirds of total employment. About half the government's revenues come from grants from the Danish Government. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.6% (1993 est.) Budget: Exports: $330.5 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $369.6 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $297.1 million (1993) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 84,000 kW production: 210 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,361 kWh (1993) Industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp), lead and zinc mining, Agriculture: sector dominated by fishing and sheep raising; crops Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.034 (January 1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Greenland:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 150 km paved: 60 km unpaved: 90 km Ports: Faeringehavn, Frederikshaab, Holsteinsborg, Nanortalik, Narsaq, Merchant marine: none Airports: @Greenland:Communications Telephone system: 17,900 telephones; adequate domestic and Radio: Television: @Greenland:Defense Forces Note: defense is responsibility of Denmark ________________________________________________________________________ GRENADA@Grenada:Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds Terrain: volcanic in origin with central mountains Natural resources: timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 26% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 9% other: 47% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is @Grenada:People Population: 94,486 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.45% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 29.69 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.95 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -19.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.67 years male: 68.2 years female: 73.17 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.85 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Grenadian(s) adjective: Grenadian Ethnic divisions: black African Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, other Protestant sects Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 36,000 @Grenada:Government Names: Digraph: GJ Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Saint George's Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Independence: 7 February 1974 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 February (1974) Constitution: 19 December 1973 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Congress (NDC), Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ollie P. ANDERSON, Jr. embassy: Point Salines, Saint George's mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, W.I. telephone: [1] (809) 444-1173 through 1178 FAX: [1] (809) 444-4820 Flag: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions @Grenada:Economy Overview: The economy is essentially agricultural and centers on the traditional production of spices and tropical plants. Agriculture accounts for about 15% of GDP and 80% of exports and employs 24% of the labor force. Tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner, followed by agricultural exports. Manufacturing remains relatively undeveloped, but is expected to grow, given a more favorable private investment climate since 1983. The economy achieved an impressive average annual growth rate of 5.5% in 1986-91 but has stalled since 1992. Unemployment remains high at about 25%. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $258 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.5% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $2,750 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $18.6 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $133.8 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) External debt: $89.9 million (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 1.8% (1992 est.); accounts for 9% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 12,500 kW production: 60 million kWh consumption per capita: 639 kWh (1993) Industries: food and beverage, textile, light assembly operations, tourism, construction Agriculture: accounts for 14% of GDP and 80% of exports; bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, and mace account for two-thirds of total crop production; world's second-largest producer and fourth-largest exporter of nutmeg and mace; small-sized farms predominate, growing a variety of citrus fruits, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, and vegetables Economic aid: Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: calendar year @Grenada:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,000 km paved: 600 km unpaved: otherwise improved 300 km; unimproved earth 100 km Ports: Grenville, Saint George's Merchant marine: none Airports: @Grenada:Communications Telephone system: 5,650 telephones; automatic, islandwide telephone Radio: Television: @Grenada:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ GUADELOUPE(overseas department of France) @Guadeloupe:Geography Location: Caribbean, islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 306 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical tempered by trade winds; relatively high humidity Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 40% other: 24% Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Guadeloupe:People Population: 402,815 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.24% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 18.15 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.58 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.2 years male: 74.16 years female: 80.38 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5% Languages: French, creole patois Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: 120,000 @Guadeloupe:Government Names: Digraph: GP Type: overseas department of France Capital: Basse-Terre Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) with jurisdiction over Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Aldo Other political or pressure groups: Popular Union for the Liberation Member of: FZ, WCL, WFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of France) US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @Guadeloupe:Economy Overview: The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services. It is also dependent upon France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US. In addition, an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditionally important sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food, which comes mainly from France. Light industry consists mostly of sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $3.8 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $9,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1990) Unemployment rate: 31.3% (1990) Budget: Exports: $130 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods, construction materials partners: France 60%, EC, US, Japan (1991) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 320,000 kW production: 650 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,421 kWh (1993) Industries: construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism Agriculture: cash crops - bananas, sugarcane; other products include Economic aid: Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9243 (January 1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Guadeloupe:Transportation Railroads: total: NA km; privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines Highways: total: 1,940 km paved: 1,600 km unpaved: gravel, earth 340 km Ports: Basse-Terre, Gustavia, Marigot, Pointe-a-Pitre Merchant marine: none Airports: @Guadeloupe:Communications Telephone system: 57,300 telephones; domestic facilities inadequate Radio: Television: @Guadeloupe:Defense Forces Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie Note: defense is responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ GUAM(territory of the US) @Guam:Geography Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 125.5 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coraline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center, mountains in south Natural resources: fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan) Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: 11% meadows and pastures: 15% forest and woodland: 18% other: 45% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: international agreements: NA Note: largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean @Guam:People Population: 153,307 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 2.42% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 25.01 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 3.86 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 15.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.29 years male: 72.42 years female: 76.13 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.32 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, Caucasian 10%, Chinese, Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, other 2% Languages: English, Chamorro, Japanese Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 46,930 (1990) @Guam:Government Names: Digraph: GQ Type: organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital: Agana Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US) Independence: none (territory of the US) National holiday: Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March) (1521); Constitution: Organic Act of 1 August 1950 Legal system: modeled on US; federal laws apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Federal District Court, Territorial Superior Court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (controls the legislature); Republican Party (party of the Governor) Member of: ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, SPC Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US) Flag: territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag @Guam:Economy Overview: The economy depends mainly on US military spending and on revenues from tourism. Over the past 20 years the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones. Visitors numbered about 900,000 in 1992. The slowdown in Japanese economic growth has been reflected in less vigorous growth in the tourism sector. About 60% of the labor force works for the private sector and the rest for government. Most food and industrial goods are imported, with about 75% from the US. Guam faces the problem of building up the civilian economic sector to offset the impact of military downsizing. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $14,000 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $34 million (f.o.b., 1984) Imports: $493 million (c.i.f., 1984) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 300,000 kW production: 750 million kWh consumption per capita: 4,797 kWh (1993) Industries: US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles Agriculture: relatively undeveloped with most food imported; fruits, vegetables, eggs, pork, poultry, beef, copra Economic aid: although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive large transfer payments from the general revenues of the US Federal Treasury into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Guam:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 674 km (all-weather roads) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Apra Harbor Merchant marine: none Airports: @Guam:Communications Telephone system: 26,317 telephones (1989) Radio: Television: @Guam:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ GUATEMALA@Guatemala:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: total 1,687 km, Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Coastline: 400 km Maritime claims: International disputes: border with Belize in dispute; talks to Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten) Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 12% forest and woodland: 40% other: 32% Irrigated land: 780 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: no natural harbors on west coast @Guatemala:People Population: 10,998,602 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.53% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 34.65 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.33 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 52.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.85 years male: 62.27 years female: 67.56 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.63 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Mestizo - mixed Amerindian-Spanish ancestry (in Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan Languages: Spanish 60%, Indian language 40% (23 Indian dialects, Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 3.2 million (1994 est.) @Guatemala:Government Names: Digraph: GT Type: republic Capital: Guatemala Administrative divisions: 22 departments (departamentos, singular - Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986 note: suspended 25 May 1993 by President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia); Political parties and leaders: National Centrist Union (UCN), Other political or pressure groups: Coordinating Committee of Member of: BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edmond MULET chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952 through 4954 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Marilyn McAFEE embassy: 7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] (2) 311541 FAX: [502] (2) 318885 Flag: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath @Guatemala:Economy Overview: The economy is based on family and corporate agriculture, which accounts for 25% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and supplies two-thirds of exports. Manufacturing, predominantly in private hands, accounts for about 15% of GDP and 12% of the labor force. In both 1990 and 1991, the economy grew by 3%, the fourth and fifth consecutive years of mild growth. In 1992 growth picked up to almost 5% as government policies favoring competition and foreign trade and investment took stronger hold. In 1993-94, despite political unrest, this momentum continued, foreign investment held up, and annual growth was 4%. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $33 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,080 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.9%; underemployment 30%-40% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.38 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $2.6 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles partners: US 44%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany External debt: $2.2 billion ( 1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.9% (1991 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 700,000 kW production: 2.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 211 kWh (1993) Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 25% of GDP; most important sector of economy; contributes two-thirds of export earnings; principal crops - sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; livestock - cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens; food importer Illicit drugs: transit country for cocaine shipments; illicit producer Economic aid: Currency: 1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 - 5.7372 (January 1995), 5.7512 (1994), 5,6354 (1993), 5.1706 (1992), 5.0289 (1991), 4.4858 (1990); note - black-market rate 2.800 (May 1989) Fiscal year: calendar year @Guatemala:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 26,429 km paved: 2,868 km unpaved: gravel 11,421 km; unimproved earth 12,140 km Inland waterways: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season Pipelines: crude oil 275 km Ports: Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo Merchant marine: none Airports: @Guatemala:Communications Telephone system: 97,670 telephones; fairly modern network centered in Radio: Television: @Guatemala:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,574,501; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $121 million, 1% of ________________________________________________________________________ GUERNSEY(British crown dependency) @Guernsey:Geography Location: Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 50 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast Terrain: mostly level with low hills in southwest Natural resources: cropland Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port @Guernsey:People Population: 64,353 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.98% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.29 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.93 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 6.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.34 years male: 75.63 years female: 81.07 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic divisions: UK and Norman-French descent Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Languages: English, French; Norman-French dialect spoken in country Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA @Guernsey:Government Names: Digraph: GK Type: British crown dependency Capital: Saint Peter Port Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and Legal system: English law and local statute; justice is administered Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Royal Court Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (British crown dependency) US diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency) Flag: white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of @Guernsey:Economy Overview: Financial services account for more than 50% of total income. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Bank profits (1992) registered a record 26% growth. Fund management and insurance are the two other major income generators. Per capita output and living standards are somewhat lower than the levels of the less affluent EU countries. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: 9% (1987) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $NA Imports: $NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 173,000 kW production: 525 million kWh consumption per capita: 9,060 kWh (1992) Industries: tourism, banking Agriculture: tomatoes, flowers (mostly grown in greenhouses), sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables, fruit; Guernsey cattle Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Guernsey (#G) pound = 100 pence Exchange rates: Guernsey pounds (#G) per US$1 - 0.6350 (January 1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990); note - the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: calendar year @Guernsey:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson Merchant marine: none Airports: @Guernsey:Communications Telephone system: 41,900 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 submarine cable Radio: Television: @Guernsey:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ GUINEA@Guinea:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 3,399 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire Coastline: 320 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to Terrain: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 12% forest and woodland: 42% other: 40% Irrigated land: 240 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Guinea:People Population: 6,549,336 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.43% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 43.43 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 19.13 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: Guinea has received about 400,000 refugees from the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone; the continued fighting in Sierra Leone will likely drive more refugees into Guinea in 1995; on the other hand, peace may be achieved in Liberia and permit Liberian refugees to return home Infant mortality rate: 136.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.6 years male: 42.31 years female: 46.95 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.79 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Ethnic divisions: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller tribes 10% Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% Languages: French (official); each tribe has its own language Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2.4 million (1983) @Guinea:Government Names: Digraph: GV Type: republic Capital: Conakry Administrative divisions: 33 administrative regions (regions Independence: 2 October 1958 (from France) National holiday: Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984) Constitution: 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale) Legal system: based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) Political parties and leaders: political parties were legalized on 1 Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO (observer), ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph A. SALOOM III embassy: 2nd Boulevard and 9th Avenue, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry telephone: [224] 44 15 20 through 44 15 23 FAX: [224] 44 15 22 Flag: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R centered in the yellow band @Guinea-bissau:Economy Overview: Although possessing major mineral and hydropower resources and considerable potential for agricultural development, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The agricultural sector contributes about 40% to GDP and employs 80% of the work force, while industry accounts for 27% of GDP. Guinea possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounted for 85% of exports in 1991. Long-run improvements in literacy, financial institutions, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Except in the bauxite industry, foreign investment remains minimal. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $980 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.6% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $622 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) Imports: $768 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.) External debt: 2.5 billion (1992) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for 27% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 180,000 kW production: 520 million kWh consumption per capita: 77 kWh (1993) Industries: mining - bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP (includes fishing and forestry); Economic aid: Currency: 1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 810.94 (1 July 1993), 922.9 (30 September 1992), 675 (1990), 618 (1989), 515 (1988), 440 (1987), 383 (1986) Fiscal year: calendar year @Guinea:Transportation Railroads: total: 1,048 km standard gauge: 241 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 807 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: Inland waterways: 1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft Ports: Boke, Conakry, Kamsar Merchant marine: none Airports: @Guinea:Communications Telephone system: 15,000 telephones; poor to fair system of open-wire Radio: Television: @Guinea:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), Air Force, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,478,653; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $50 million, 1.6% of ________________________________________________________________________ GUINEA-BISSAU@Guinea-bissau:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 724 km, Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km Coastline: 350 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east Natural resources: unexploited deposits of petroleum, bauxite, phosphates, fish, timber Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 43% forest and woodland: 38% other: 7% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Guinea-bissau:People Population: 1,124,537 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.36% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 40.24 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 16.62 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 117.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.87 years male: 46.21 years female: 49.57 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.43 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Religions: indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5% Languages: Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 403,000 (est.) @Guinea-bissau:Government Names: Digraph: PU Type: republic, formerly highly centralized, multiparty since mid-1991 Capital: Bissau Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Independence: 10 September 1974 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 September (1974) Constitution: 16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991 (currently undergoing revision to liberalize popular participation in the government) Legal system: NA Suffrage: 15 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the Council Political parties and leaders: African Party for the Independence of Member of: ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Cape Verde, which has the black star raised above the center of the red band and is framed by two corn stalks and a yellow clam shell @Guinea:Economy Overview: Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries in the world. Agriculture and fishing are the main economic activities. Cashew nuts, peanuts, and palm kernels are the primary exports. Exploitation of known mineral deposits is unlikely at present because of a weak infrastructure and the high cost of development. With IMF support the country is committed to an economic reform program emphasizing monetary stability and private sector growth. This process will continue at a slow pace because of a heavy foreign debt burden and internal constraints. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $900 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.9% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $840 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 55% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $19 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $56 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, petroleum products, machinery and equipment partners: Portugal, Netherlands, China, Germany, Senegal External debt: $462 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA (1991 est.); accounts for 8% of Electricity: capacity: 22,000 kW production: 40 million kWh consumption per capita: 37 kWh (1993) Industries: agricultural processing, beer, soft drinks Agriculture: accounts for over 45% of GDP, nearly 100% of exports, and Economic aid: Currency: 1 Guinea-Bissauan peso (PG) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1 - 14,482 (December 1994), 12,892 (1994), 10,082 (1993), 6,934 (1992), 3,659 (1991), 2,185 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Guinea-bissau:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 3,218 km paved: bituminous 2,698 km unpaved: earth 520 km Inland waterways: scattered stretches are important to coastal commerce Ports: Bissau Merchant marine: none Airports: @Guinea-bissau:Communications Telephone system: 3,000 telephones; poor system; telephone density - Radio: Television: @Guinea-bissau:Defense Forces Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includes Army, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 251,636; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9 million, 4.5% of ________________________________________________________________________ GUYANA@Guyana:Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: total 2,462 km, Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Coastline: 459 km Maritime claims: International disputes: all of the area west of the Essequibo River Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 83% other: 8% Irrigated land: 1,300 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Guyana:People Population: 723,774 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: -0.81% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 19.41 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.34 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -20.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 47.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.1 years male: 61.86 years female: 68.5 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.23 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: East Indian 51%, black and mixed 43%, Amerindian 4%, Religions: Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1% Languages: English, Amerindian dialects Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1990 est.) Labor force: 268,000 @Guyana:Government Names: Digraph: GY Type: republic Capital: Georgetown Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Independence: 26 May 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970) Constitution: 6 October 1980 Legal system: based on English common law with certain admixtures of Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature Political parties and leaders: People's Progressive Party (PPP), Other political or pressure groups: Trades Union Congress (TUC); Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Ali Odeen ISHMAEL chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900, 6901 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador George F. JONES embassy: 99-100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown telephone: [592] (2) 54900 through 54909, 57960 through 57969 FAX: [592] (2) 58497 Flag: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border between the yellow and the green @Guyana:Economy Overview: Guyana, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, has pushed ahead strongly in 1992-94, with an 8% average annual economic growth rate, led by gold mining, and rice, sugar, and forestry products for export. Favorable factors include recovery in the key agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiative, a more realistic exchange rate, a sharp drop in the inflation rate, and the continued support of international organizations. Serious underlying economic problems will continue. Electric power has been in short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in national output. The government will have to persist in efforts to manage its large $2.2 billion external debt, control inflation, and to extend the privatization program. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 8.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,950 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.5% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 12% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $475 million (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $456 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food partners: US 37%, Trinidad and Tobago 13%, UK 11%, Italy 8%, Japan 5% (1992) External debt: $2.2 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.6% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 110,000 kW production: 230 million kWh consumption per capita: 286 kWh (1993) Industries: bauxite mining, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing (shrimp), textiles, gold mining Agriculture: most important sector, accounting for 25% of GDP and about half of exports; sugar and rice are key crops; development potential exists for fishing and forestry; not self-sufficient in food, especially wheat, vegetable oils, and animal products Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics from South America - Economic aid: Currency: 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1 - 142.7 (January 1995), 138.3 (1994), 126.7 (1993), 125.0 (1992), 111.8 (1991), 39.533 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Guyana:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice, Ports: Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika Merchant marine: Airports: @Guyana:Communications Telephone system: over 27,000 telephones; fair system for long Radio: Television: @Guyana:Defense Forces Branches: Guyana Defense Force (GDF; includes Ground Forces, Coast Manpower availability: males age 15-49 198,665; males fit for military Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ HAITI@Haiti:Geography Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: total 275 km, Dominican Republic 275 km Coastline: 1,771 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims US-administered Navassa Island Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous Natural resources: bauxite Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 13% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 4% other: 45% Irrigated land: 750 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western @Haiti:People Population: 6,539,983 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.5% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 38.64 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 18.65 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -4.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 107.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.77 years male: 43.04 years female: 46.59 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.82 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Haitian(s) adjective: Haitian Ethnic divisions: black 95%, mulatto and European 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 80% (of which an overwhelming majority also Languages: French (official) 10%, Creole Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: 2.3 million @Haiti:Government Names: Digraph: HA Type: republic Capital: Port-au-Prince Administrative divisions: 9 departments, (departements, singular - Independence: 1 January 1804 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1804) Constitution: approved March 1987, suspended June 1988, most articles reinstated March 1989; October 1991, government claims to be observing the Constitution Legal system: based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation) Political parties and leaders: National Front for Change and Democracy Other political or pressure groups: Roman Catholic Church; Member of: ACCT, ACP, CARICOM (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William Lacy SWING embassy: Harry Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince mailing address: P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince telephone: [509] 22-0354, 22-0368, 22-0200, 22-0612 FAX: [509] 23-1641 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength) @Haiti:Economy Overview: About 75% of the population live in abject poverty. Agriculture is mainly small-scale subsistence farming and employs two-thirds of the work force. The majority of the population does not have ready access to safe drinking water, adequate medical care, or sufficient food. The lack of employment opportunities remains one of the most critical problems facing the economy, along with soil erosion and political instability. International trade sanctions in response to the September 1991 coup against President ARISTIDE further damaged the economy. The restoration of President ARISTIDE, the lifting of sanctions in late 1994, and foreign aid will alleviate some economic problems. Haiti will continue to depend heavily on foreign aid. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $5.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -15% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $870 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 52% (FY93/94 est.) Unemployment rate: 50% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $173.3 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $476.8 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) External debt: $871 million (September 1994) Industrial production: growth rate -2% (1991 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 150,000 kW production: 590 million kWh consumption per capita: 86 kWh (1993) Industries: sugar refining, textiles, flour milling, cement manufacturing, tourism, light assembly industries based on imported parts Agriculture: accounts for 28% of GDP and employs two-thirds of work force; mostly small-scale subsistence farms; commercial crops - coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, wood; staple crops - rice, corn, sorghum; shortage of wheat flour Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana en route Economic aid: Currency: 1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: gourdes (G) per US$1 - 14.10 (1 December 1994), 12.00 (1 July 1993), 8.4 (December 1991), fixed rate of 5.000 through second quarter of 1991 Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Haiti:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 4,000 km paved: 950 km unpaved: otherwise improved 900 km; unimproved earth 2,150 km Inland waterways: negligible; less than 100 km navigable Ports: Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Jeremie, Cayes, Miragoane, Merchant marine: none Airports: @Haiti:Communications Telephone system: 36,000 telephones; domestic facilities barely Radio: Television: @Haiti:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,323,034; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 1.5% of ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Antarctic Region Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 101.9 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: antarctic Terrain: Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: primarily used for research stations @Heard Island And Mcdonald Islands:People Population: uninhabited @Heard Island And Mcdonald Islands:Government Names: conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands Digraph: HM Type: territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia Independence: none (territory of Australia) @Heard Island And Mcdonald Islands:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Heard Island And Mcdonald Islands:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only @Heard Island And Mcdonald Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia ________________________________________________________________________ HOLY SEE (VATICAN CITY)@Holy See (vatican City):Geography Location: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 3.2 km, Italy 3.2 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) Terrain: low hill Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: urban; landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world's smallest @Holy See (vatican City):People Population: 830 (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 1.15% (1995 est.) Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA Infant mortality rate: NA Life expectancy at birth: NA Total fertility rate: NA Nationality: noun: none adjective: none Ethnic divisions: Italians, Swiss Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian, Latin, various other languages Labor force: NA @Holy See (vatican City):Government Names: Digraph: VT Type: monarchical-sacerdotal state Capital: Vatican City Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy) National holiday: Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978) Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968) Legal system: NA Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission Judicial branch: none; normally handled by Italy Political parties and leaders: none Other political or pressure groups: none (exclusive of influence Member of: IAEA, ICFTU, INTELSAT, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN embassy: Via Delle Terme Deciane 26, Rome 00153 mailing address: PSC 59, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (6) 46741 FAX: [39] (6) 6380159 Flag: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band @Holy See (vatican City):Economy Overview: This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. Budget: Electricity: Industries: printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and Currency: 1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi Exchange rates: Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,609.5 (January 1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990); note - the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freely Fiscal year: calendar year @Holy See (vatican City):Transportation Railroads: Highways: none; all city streets Ports: none Airports: none @Holy See (vatican City):Communications Telephone system: 2,000 telephones; automatic exchange Radio: Television: @Holy See (vatican City):Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City ________________________________________________________________________ HONDURAS@Honduras:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: total 1,520 km, Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Coastline: 820 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: land boundary dispute with El Salvador mostly resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish Land use: arable land: 14% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 30% forest and woodland: 34% other: 20% Irrigated land: 900 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Honduras:People Population: 5,459,743 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.66% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 34.12 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 43.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.04 years male: 65.64 years female: 70.55 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.55 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Honduran(s) adjective: Honduran Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority Languages: Spanish, Indian dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1.3 million @Honduras:Government Names: Digraph: HO Type: republic Capital: Tegucigalpa Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos, singular - 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica) Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PLH), Rafael PINEDA Other political or pressure groups: National Association of Honduran Member of: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William T. PRYCE embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No 3453, Tegucigalpa mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa telephone: [504] 36-9320, 38-5114 FAX: [504] 36-9037 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band @Honduras:Economy Overview: Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Agriculture, the most important sector of the economy, accounts for 28% of GDP, employs 62% of the labor force, and produces two-thirds of exports. Productivity remains low. Manufacturing, still in its early stages, employs 9% of the labor force, accounts for 15% of GDP, and generates 20% of exports. The service sectors, including public administration, account for 50% of GDP and employ 20% of the labor force. Many basic problems face the economy, including rapid population growth, high unemployment, inflation, a lack of basic services, a large and inefficient public sector, and the dependence of the export sector mostly on coffee and bananas, which are subject to sharp price fluctuations. A far-reaching reform program, initiated by former President CALLEJAS in 1990 and scaled back by President REINA, is beginning to take hold. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $9.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -1.9% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,820 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 10%; underemployed 30%-40% (1992) Budget: Exports: $850 million (f.o.b., 1993 est) Imports: $990 million (c.i.f. 1994 est) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, manufactured goods, fuel and oil, foodstuffs partners: US 50%, Mexico 8%, Guatemala 6% External debt: $4 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 10% (1992 est.); accounts for 22% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 290,000 kW production: 2.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 445 kWh (1993) Industries: agricultural processing (sugar and coffee), textiles, clothing, wood products Agriculture: most important sector, accounting for 28% of GDP, more than 60% of the labor force, and two-thirds of exports; principal products include bananas, coffee, timber, beef, citrus fruit, shrimp; importer of wheat Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics; illicit producer of Economic aid: Currency: 1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: lempiras (L) per US$1 - 9.1283 (October 1994), 7.2600 (1993), 5.8300 (1992), 5.4000 (1991); 2.0000 (fixed rate until 1991) 5.70 parallel black-market rate (November 1990); the lempira was allowed to float in 1992 Fiscal year: calendar year @Honduras:Transportation Railroads: total: 785 km narrow gauge: 508 km 1.067-m gauge; 277 km 0.914-m gauge Highways: total: 8,950 km paved: 1,700 km unpaved: otherwise improved 5,000 km; unimproved earth 2,250 km Inland waterways: 465 km navigable by small craft Ports: La Ceiba, Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela, Merchant marine: Airports: @Honduras:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; 7 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Honduras:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, Public Security Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,275,670; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $41 million, about ________________________________________________________________________ HONG KONG(dependent territory of the UK) @Hong Kong:Geography Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 30 km, China 30 km Coastline: 733 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall Terrain: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north Natural resources: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 12% other: 79% Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: more than 200 islands @Hong Kong:People Population: 5,542,869 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: -0.12% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.02 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -7.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.18 years male: 76.78 years female: 83.78 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.39 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, other 5% Religions: eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Languages: Chinese (Cantonese), English Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1971) Labor force: 2.8 million (1990) by occupation: manufacturing 28.5%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 27.9%, services 17.7%, financing, insurance, and real estate 9.2%, transport and communications 4.5%, construction 2.5%, other 9.7% (1989) @Hong Kong:Government Names: Abbreviation: HK Digraph: HK Type: dependent territory of the UK scheduled to revert to China in 1997 Capital: Victoria Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK; the UK signed an agreement with China on 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Hong Kong's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle) National holiday: Liberation Day, 29 August (1945) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice; new Basic Law approved in March 1990 in preparation for 1997 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: direct election 21 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 100,000 professionals of electoral college and functional constituencies Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Martin LEE, chairman; Other political or pressure groups: Liberal Party, Allen LEE, Member of: APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, ICFTU, IMO Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Consul General Richard W. MUELLER consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address: PSC 464, Box 30, Hong Kong, or FPO AP 96522-0002 telephone: [852] 523-9011 FAX: [852] 845-4845 Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with the Hong Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a shield (bearing two junks below a crown) held by a lion (representing the UK) and a dragon (representing China) with another lion above the shield and a banner bearing the words HONG KONG below the shield @Hong Kong:Economy Overview: Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy with few tariffs or nontariff barriers. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Manufacturing accounts for about 17% of GDP. Goods and services exports account for about 50% of GDP. Real GDP growth averaged a remarkable 8% in 1987-88, slowed to 3.0% in 1989-90, and picked up to 4.2% in 1991, 5.0% in 1992, 5.2% in 1993, and 5.5% in 1994. Unemployment, which has been declining since the mid-1980s, is now about 2%. A shortage of labor continues to put upward pressure on prices and the cost of living. Prospects for 1995-96 remain bright so long as major trading partners continue to be reasonably prosperous and so long as investors feel China will support free market practices after the takeover in 1997. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $136.1 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $24,530 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.5% (1994) Unemployment rate: 1.9% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $168.7 billion (including re-exports of $121.0 billion Imports: $160 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum; a large share is re-exported partners: China 36%, Japan 19%, Taiwan 9%, US 7% (1993 est.) External debt: none (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 2% (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 8,930,000 kW production: 33 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,628 kWh (1993) Industries: textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks Agriculture: minor role in the economy; local farmers produce 26% Illicit drugs: a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment Economic aid: Currency: 1 Hong Kong dollar (HK$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$ - 7.800 (1994), 7.800 Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Hong Kong:Transportation Railroads: total: 35 km standard gauge: 35 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: total: 1,100 km paved: 794 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, earth 306 km Ports: Hong Kong Merchant marine: Airports: total: 3 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 2 @Hong Kong:Communications Telephone system: 3,000,000 telephones; modern facilities provide Radio: Television: @Hong Kong:Defense Forces Branches: Headquarters of British Forces, Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,634,559; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $207 million, 0.2% of Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 6.4 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s) Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 5% other: 95% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: 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 Names: Digraph: HQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC @Howland Island:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Howland Island:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Airports: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan - they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable 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 in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart @Howland Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the ________________________________________________________________________ HUNGARY@Hungary:Geography Location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,989 km, Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils Land use: Irrigated land: 1,750 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between @Hungary:People Population: 10,318,838 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.02% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.65 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.44 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.9 years male: 67.94 years female: 76.06 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Hungarian 89.9%, Gypsy 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist Languages: Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8% Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 5.4 million @Hungary:Government Names: Digraph: HU Type: republic Capital: Budapest Administrative divisions: 38 counties (megyek, singular - megye) and 1 Independence: 1001 (unification by King Stephen I) National holiday: St. Stephen's Day (National Day), 20 August (commemorates the founding of Hungarian state circa 1000 A.D.) Constitution: 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight Legal system: in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based on Western model Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF), Lajos Member of: Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, FAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green @Hungary:Economy Overview: Since 1989 Hungary has been a leader in the transition from a socialist command economy to a market economy - thanks in large part to its initial economic reforms during the Communist era. The private sector now accounts for about 55% of GDP. Nonetheless, the transformation is proving difficult, and many citizens say life was better under the old system. On the bright side, the four-year decline in output finally ended in 1994, as real GDP increased an estimated 3%. This growth helped reduce unemployment to just over 10% by yearend, down from a peak of 13%. However, no progress was made against inflation, which remained stuck at about 20%, and the already-large current account deficit in the balance of payments actually got worse, reaching almost $4 billion. Underlying Hungary's other economic problems is the large budget deficit, which probably exceeded 7% of GDP in 1994, despite some late-year budget cutting by the new leftist government. In 1995 the government has pledged to accelerate privatization and lower the budget deficit to 5.5% of GDP. It believes this fiscal tightening will reduce the current account deficit to $2.5 billion but at the cost of holding economic growth to only 1%. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $58.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $5,700 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21% (1994) Unemployment rate: 10.4% (yearend 1994) Budget: Exports: $10.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: raw materials and semi-finished goods 30.0%, machinery and transport equipment 20.1%, consumer goods 25.2%, food and agriculture 21.4%, fuels and energy 3.4% (1993) partners: Germany 25.3%, Italy 8.3%, Austria 10.5%, the FSU 14.0%, US 4.3% (1993) Imports: $14.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: fuels and energy 12.6%, raw materials and semi-finished goods 27.3%, machinery and transport equipment 33.0%, consumer goods 21.2%, food and agriculture 5.9% (1993) partners: Germany 21.5%, Italy 6.1%, Austria 11.8%, the FSU 20.9%, US 4.3% (1993); note - about one-fourth of the imports from the FSU were MiGs delivered as a debt payment External debt: $27 billion (September 1994) Industrial production: growth rate 7% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 6,740,000 kW production: 31 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,012 kWh (1993) Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), buses, automobiles Agriculture: including forestry, accounts for 15% of GDP and 16% of employment; highly diversified crop and livestock farming; principal crops - wheat, corn, sunflowers, potatoes, sugar beets; livestock - hogs, cattle, poultry, dairy products; self-sufficient in food output Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southeast Asia heroin and South Economic aid: Currency: 1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler Exchange rates: forints per US$1 - 112 (January 1995), 105.16 (1994), 91.93 (1993), 78.99 (1992), 74.74 (1991), 63.21 (1990), 59.07 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year @Hungary:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 1,622 km (1988) Pipelines: crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991) Ports: Budapest, Dunaujvaros Merchant marine: Airports: @Hungary:Communications Telephone system: 1,520,000 phones; 14.7 telephones/100 inhabitants Radio: Television: @Hungary:Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,639,860; males fit for Defense expenditures: 66.5 billion forints, NA% of GDP (1994 est.); ________________________________________________________________________ ICELAND@Iceland:Geography Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Map references: Arctic Region Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4,988 km Maritime claims: International disputes: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 1% other: 78% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost @Iceland:People Population: 265,998 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.92% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15.85 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.7 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.98 years male: 76.69 years female: 81.39 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegians and Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 96%, other Protestant and Roman Languages: Icelandic Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.) Labor force: 127,900 @Iceland:Government Names: Digraph: IC Type: republic Capital: Reykjavik Administrative divisions: 23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla) and Independence: 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) National holiday: Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic, 17 Constitution: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 Legal system: civil law system based on Danish law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Haestirettur) Political parties and leaders: Independence Party (conservative), Member of: Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the @Iceland:Economy Overview: Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, but with an extensive welfare system, relatively low unemployment, and comparatively even distribution of income. The economy is heavily dependent on the fishing industry, which provides nearly 75% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force. In the absence of other natural resources - except energy - Iceland's economy is vulnerable to changing world fish prices. The economy, in recession since 1988, began to recover in 1993, posting 0.4% growth, but was still hampered by cutbacks in fish quotas as well as falling world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Real GDP grew by perhaps 2.4% in 1994. The center-right government plans to continue its policies of reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government, however, remains divided on the issue of EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.5 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $17,250 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 7% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles partners: EC 53% (Germany 14%, Denmark 10%, UK 9%), Norway 14%, US 9% (1992) External debt: $2.5 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.75% (1991 est.) Electricity: capacity: 1,070,000 kW production: 4.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 16,458 kWh (1993) Industries: fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferro-silicon production, geothermal power Agriculture: accounts for about 15% of GDP; fishing is most important economic activity, contributing nearly 75% to export earnings; principal crops - potatoes, turnips; livestock - cattle, sheep; fish catch of about 1.1 million metric tons in 1992 Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $19.1 million Currency: 1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar Exchange rates: Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1 - 67.760 (January 1995), 69.944 (1994), 67.603 (1993), 57.546 (1992), 58.996 (1991), 58.284 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Iceland:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 11,373 km paved: 2,513 km unpaved: gravel, earth 8,860 km (1992) Ports: Akureyri, Hornafjordur, Isafjordur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Merchant marine: Airports: @Iceland:Communications Telephone system: 140,000 telephones; adequate domestic service Radio: Television: @Iceland:Defense Forces Branches: no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard; note - Manpower availability: males age 15-49 70,743; males fit for military Defense expenditures: none ________________________________________________________________________ INDIA@India:Geography Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 14,103 km, Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Coastline: 7,000 km Maritime claims: International disputes: boundaries with Bangladesh and China; status 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 Natural resources: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone Land use: arable land: 55% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 23% other: 17% Irrigated land: 430,390 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean @India:People Population: 936,545,814 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.77% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 27.78 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.07 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 76.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.04 years male: 58.5 years female: 59.61 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.4 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Indian(s) adjective: Indian Ethnic divisions: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other Religions: Hindu 80%, Muslim 14%, Christian 2.4%, Sikh 2%, Buddhist Languages: English enjoys associate status but is the most important Literacy: age 7 and over can read and write (1991) Labor force: 314.751 million (1990) @India:Government Names: Digraph: IN Type: federal republic Capital: New Delhi Administrative divisions: 25 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman Independence: 15 August 1947 (from UK) National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 26 Constitution: 26 January 1950 Legal system: based on English common law; limited judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Sansad) Council of States (Rajya Sabha): body consisting of not more than 250 members, up to 12 appointed by the president, the remainder chosen by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies People's Assembly (Lok Sabha): elections last held 21 May, 12 and 15 June 1991 (next to be held by 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (545 total, 543 elected, 2 appointed) Congress (I) Party 245, BJP 119, Janata Dal Party 39, Janata Dal (Ajit Singh) 20, CPI/M 35, CPI 14, Telugu Desam 13, AIADMK 11, Samajwadi Janata Party 5, Shiv Sena 4, RSP 4, BSP 1, Congress (S) Party 1, other 23, vacant 9; note - the distribution of seats as of 18 January 1995 is as follows: Congress (I) Party 260, BJP 117, CPI/M 36, Janata Dal Party 24, Samta Party 14, CPI 14, AIADMK 12, Janata Dal (Ajit) 7, Telugu Desam 7, RSP 4, Janata Dal (Ex-Ajit) 3, Samajwadi Party 3, BSP 3, AIFB 3, Shiv Sena 2, Congress (S) Party 1, Kerala Congress (Mani faction) 1, Bihar Peoples Party 1, India National League 1, other 14, vacant 16 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Congress (I) Party, P. V. Narasimha Other political or pressure groups: various separatist groups seeking Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G- 6, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Siddhartha Shankar RAY chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York, and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Frank G. WISNER embassy: Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021, New Delhi mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [91] (11) 600651 FAX: [91] (11) 6872028 consulate(s) general: Bombay, Calcutta, Madras Flag: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band @India:Economy Overview: India's economy is a mixture of traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of support services. Faster economic growth in the 1980s permitted a significant increase in real per capita private consumption. A large share of the population, perhaps as much as 40%, remains too poor to afford an adequate diet. Financial strains in 1990 and 1991 prompted government austerity measures that slowed industrial growth but permitted India to meet its international payment obligations without rescheduling its debt. Production, trade, and investment reforms since 1991 have provided new opportunities for Indian businessmen and an estimated 100 million to 200 million middle class consumers. New Delhi has always paid its foreign debts on schedule and has stimulated exports, attracted foreign investment, and revived confidence in India's economic prospects. Foreign exchange reserves, precariously low three years ago, now total more than $19 billion. Positive factors for the remainder of the 1990s are India's strong entrepreneurial class and the central government's recognition of the continuing need for market-oriented approaches to economic development, for example in upgrading the wholly inadequate communications facilities. Negative factors include the desperate poverty of hundreds of millions of Indians and the impact of the huge and expanding population on an already overloaded environment. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.2539 trillion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,360 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $24.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $25.5 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $89.2 billion (November 1994) Industrial production: growth rate 7% (1994 est.); accounts for 28% of Electricity: capacity: 81,200,000 kW production: 314 billion kWh consumption per capita: 324 kWh (1993) Industries: textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery Agriculture: accounts for 34% of GDP; principal crops - rice, wheat, oilseeds, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; livestock - cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, poultry; fish catch of about 3 million metric tons ranks India among the world's top 10 fishing nations Illicit drugs: licit producer of opium poppy for the pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; major transit country for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of hashish and methaqualone; produced 82 metric tons of illicit opium in 1994 Economic aid: Currency: 1 Indian rupee (Re) = 100 paise Exchange rates: Indian rupees (Rs) per US$1 - 31.374 (January 1995), 31.374 (1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918 (1992), 22.742 (1991), 17.504 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @India:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 1.97 million km paved: 960,000 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, earth 1.01 million km (1989) Inland waterways: 16,180 km; 3,631 km navigable by large vessels Pipelines: crude oil 3,497 km; petroleum products 1,703 km; natural Ports: Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin, Haldia, Kandla, Madras, Mormugao, New Merchant marine: Airports: @India:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; 5 telephones/1,000 persons; domestic Radio: Television: @India:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, various security or paramilitary forces (includes Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, and Coast Guard) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 253,134,487; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $7.8 billion, 2.8% of ________________________________________________________________________ INDIAN OCEAN@Indian Ocean:Geography Location: body of water between Africa, Antarctica, Asia, and Map references: World Area: Coastline: 66,526 km International disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Climate: northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon 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; maximum depth is 7,258 meters in the Java Trench Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel Environment: Note: major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, @Indian Ocean:Government Digraph: XO @Indian Ocean:Economy Overview: The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Industries: based on exploitation of natural resources, particularly fish, minerals, oil and gas, fishing, sand and gravel @Indian Ocean:Transportation Ports: Bombay (India), Calcutta (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban @Indian Ocean:Communications Telephone system: ________________________________________________________________________ INDONESIA@Indonesia:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 2,602 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea Coastline: 54,716 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines International disputes: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior Natural resources: petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 67% other: 15% Irrigated land: 75,500 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: archipelago of 13,500 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles @Indonesia:People Population: 203,583,886 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.56% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 24.06 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.48 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 65 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.22 years male: 59.13 years female: 63.42 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.74 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Religions: Muslim 87%, Protestant 6%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (modified form of Malay; official), Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 67 million @Indonesia:Government Names: Digraph: ID Type: republic Capital: Jakarta Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - Independence: 17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December 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 Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR): elections last held on 8 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - GOLKAR 68%, PPP 17%, PDI 15%; seats - (500 total, 400 elected, 100 military representatives appointed) GOLKAR 282, PPP 62, PDI 56 note: the People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) includes the DPR plus 500 indirectly elected members who meet every five years to elect the president and vice president and, theoretically, to determine national policy Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung) Political parties and leaders: GOLKAR (quasi-official party based on Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to @Indonesia:Economy Overview: Indonesia is a mixed economy with some socialist institutions and central planning but with a recent emphasis on deregulation and private enterprise. Indonesia has extensive natural wealth, yet, with a large and rapidly increasing population, it remains a rather poor country. Real GDP growth in 1985-94 averaged about 6%, quite impressive, but not sufficient to both slash underemployment and absorb the 2.3 million workers annually entering the labor force. Agriculture, including forestry and fishing, is an important sector, accounting for 21% of GDP and over 50% of the labor force. The staple crop is rice. Once the world's largest rice importer, Indonesia is now nearly self-sufficient. Plantation crops - rubber and palm oil - and textiles and plywood are being encouraged for both export and job generation. Industrial output now accounts for almost 40% of GDP and is based on a supply of diverse natural resources, including crude oil, natural gas, timber, metals, and coal. Foreign investment has also boosted manufacturing output and exports in recent years. Indeed, the economy's growth is highly dependent on the continuing expansion of nonoil exports. Japan remains Indonesia's most important customer and supplier of aid. Rapid growth in the money supply in 1989-90 prompted Jakarta to implement a tight monetary policy in 1991, forcing the private sector to go to foreign banks for investment financing. Real interest rates remained above 10% and off-shore commercial debt grew. The growth in off-shore debt prompted Jakarta to limit foreign borrowing beginning in late 1991. Despite the continued problems in moving toward a more open financial system and the persistence of a fairly tight credit situation, GDP growth in 1992-94 has matched the government target of 6%-7% annual growth. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $619.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 6.7% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,090 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.3% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 3% official rate; underemployment 40% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $41.3 billion (f.o.b, 1994 est.) Imports: $31.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $87 billion (1994) Industrial production: growth rate 8.4% (1993 est.); accounts for 40% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 12,100,000 kW production: 44 billion kWh consumption per capita: 207 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum and natural gas, textiles, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, food, rubber Agriculture: accounts for 21% of GDP; subsistence food production; small-holder and plantation production for export; main products are rice, cassava, peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra, other tropical products, poultry, beef, pork, eggs Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug Economic aid: Currency: 1 Indonesian rupiah (Rp) = 100 sen (sen no longer used) Exchange rates: Indonesian rupiahs (Rp) per US$1 - 2,203.6 (January 1995), 2,160.7 (1994), 2,087.1 (1993), 2,029.9 (1992), 1,950.3 (1991), 1,842.8 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Indonesia:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 21,579 km total; Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura Pipelines: crude oil 2,505 km; petroleum products 456 km; natural gas Ports: Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Palembang, Semarang, Merchant marine: Airports: @Indonesia:Communications Telephone system: 763,000 telephones (1986); domestic service fair, Radio: Television: @Indonesia:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 55,883,688; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, 1.5% of ________________________________________________________________________ IRAN@Iran:Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: total 5,440 km, Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Coastline: 2,440 km Maritime claims: International disputes: Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in 1990 but are still trying to work out written agreements settling outstanding disputes from their eight-year war concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway; Iran occupies two islands in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE: Tunb as Sughra (Arabic), Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek (Persian) or Lesser Tunb, and Tunb al Kubra (Arabic), Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg (Persian) or Greater Tunb; it jointly administers with the UAE an island in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE, Abu Musa (Arabic) or Jazireh-ye Abu Musa (Persian); in 1992 the dispute over Abu Musa and the Tunb islands became more acute when Iran unilaterally tried to control the entry of third country nationals into the UAE portion of Abu Musa island, Tehran subsequently backed off in the face of significant diplomatic support for the UAE in the region, but in 1994 it increased its military presence on the disputed islands; periodic disputes with Afghanistan over Helmand water rights; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 27% forest and woodland: 11% other: 54% Irrigated land: 57,500 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Iran:People Population: 64,625,455 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.29% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 34.85 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.85 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -5.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 54.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.97 years male: 65.77 years female: 68.22 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.93 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Iranian(s) adjective: Iranian Ethnic divisions: Persian 51%, Azerbaijani 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani Religions: Shi'a Muslim 95%, Sunni Muslim 4%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991) Labor force: 15.4 million @Iran:Government Names: Digraph: IR Type: theocratic republic Capital: Tehran Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Independence: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) National holiday: Islamic Republic Day, 1 April (1979) Constitution: 2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the Legal system: the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of Suffrage: 15 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: there are at least 76 licensed parties; Other political or pressure groups: groups that generally support the Member of: CCC, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: protecting power in Iran is Switzerland Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah) in red is centered in the white band; Allah Alkbar (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band @Iran:Economy Overview: Iran's economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. Over the past several years, the government has introduced several measures to liberalize the economy and reduce government intervention, but most of these changes have moved slowly because of political opposition. Iran has faced increasingly severe financial difficulties since mid-1992 due to an import surge that began in 1989 and general financial mismanagement. At yearend 1993 the Iranian Government estimated that it owed foreign creditors about $30 billion; an estimated $8 billion of this debt was in arrears. At yearend 1994, Iran rescheduled $12 billion in debt. Earnings from oil exports - which provide 90% of Iran's export revenues - are providing less relief to Iran than usual because of reduced oil prices. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $310 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $4,720 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994) Unemployment rate: over 30% (1994 est.) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $16 billion (f.o.b., FY92/93 est.) Imports: $18 billion (c.i.f., FY92/93 est.) commodities: machinery, military supplies, metal works, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, technical services, refined oil products partners: Germany, Japan, Italy, UK, UAE External debt: $30 billion (December 1993) Industrial production: growth rate 4.6% (1993 est.); accounts for almost 30% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: capacity: 19,080,000 kW production: 50.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 745 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other building materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), metal fabricating, armaments and military equipment Agriculture: accounts for about 20% of GDP; principal products - wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton, dairy products, wool, caviar; not self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium poppy for the domestic and Economic aid: note: aid fell sharply following the 1979 revolution 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 - 1,749.04 (January 1995), 1,748.75 (1994), 1,267.77 (1993), 65.552 (1992), 67.505 (1991); black market rate: 3,000 rials per US$1 (December 1994) Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March @Iran:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 904 km; the Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by Pipelines: crude oil 5,900 km; petroleum products 3,900 km; natural Ports: Abadan (largely destroyed in fighting during 1980-88 war), Merchant marine: Airports: @Iran:Communications Telephone system: 2,143,000 telephones; 35 telephones/1,000 persons Radio: Television: @Iran:Defense Forces Branches: Islamic Republic of Iran Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 14,639,290; males fit for Defense expenditures: according to official Iranian data, Iran spent ________________________________________________________________________ IRAQ@Iraq:Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: total 3,631 km, Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait Coastline: 58 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in 1990 but are still trying to work out written agreements settling outstanding disputes from their eight-year war concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway; in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands; potential dispute over water development plans by Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows which melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq Terrain: mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 3% other: 75% Irrigated land: 25,500 sq km (1989 est) Environment: @Iraq:People Population: 20,643,769 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.72% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 43.6 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.82 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 62.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.52 years male: 65.54 years female: 67.56 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.56 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Iraqi(s) adjective: Iraqi Ethnic divisions: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or Religions: Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Literacy: age 15-45 can read and write (1985) Labor force: 4.4 million (1989) @Iraq:Government Names: Digraph: IZ Type: republic Capital: Baghdad Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (muhafazat, singular - Independence: 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 17 July (1968) Constitution: 22 September 1968, effective 16 July 1970 (provisional Legal system: based on Islamic law in special religious courts, civil Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Court of Cassation Political parties and leaders: Ba'th Party Other political or pressure groups: political parties and activity Member of: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria that has two stars but no script and the flag of Yemen that has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt that has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band @Iraq:Economy Overview: The Ba'thist regime engages in extensive central planning and management of industrial production and foreign trade while leaving some small-scale industry and services and most agriculture to private enterprise. The economy has been dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. In the 1980s, financial problems caused by massive expenditures in the eight-year war with Iran and damage to oil export facilities by Iran, led the government to implement austerity measures and to borrow heavily and later reschedule foreign debt payments. After the end of hostilities in 1988, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged facilities. Agricultural development remained hampered by labor shortages, salinization, and dislocations caused by previous land reform and collectivization programs. The industrial sector, although accorded high priority by the government, also was under financial constraints. Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic embargoes, and military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically changed the economic picture. Industrial and transportation facilities, which suffered severe damage, have been partially restored. Oil exports remain at less than 5% of the previous level. Shortages of spare parts continue. Living standards deteriorated even further in 1993 and 1994; consumer prices have more than doubled in both 1993 and 1994. The UN-sponsored economic embargo has reduced exports and imports and has contributed to the sharp rise in prices. The Iraqi government has been unwilling to abide by UN resolutions so that the economic embargo can be removed. The government's policies of supporting large military and internal security forces and of allocating resources to key supporters of the regime have exacerbated shortages. In brief, per capita output in 1993-94 is far below the 1989-90 level, but no precise estimate is available. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $10.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990) Imports: $6.6 billion (c.i.f., 1990) External debt: $50 billion (1989 est.), excluding debt of about $35 Industrial production: growth rate NA%; manufacturing accounts for 10% Electricity: capacity: 7,170,000 kW production: 25.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,247 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum production and refining, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing Agriculture: accounted for 11% of GNP and 30% of labor force before Economic aid: Currency: 1 Iraqi dinar (ID) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Iraqi dinars (ID) per US$1 - 3.2 (fixed official rate since 1982); black-market rate (March 1995) US$1 = 1200 Iraqi dinars; semi-official rate US$1 = 650 Iraqi dinars Fiscal year: calendar year @Iraq:Transportation Railroads: total: 2,457 km standard gauge: 2,457 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: total: 45,550 km paved: 38,400 km unpaved: 7,150 km (1989 est.) Inland 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 Ports: Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, and Al Basrah have limited Merchant marine: ships by type: cargo 14, oil tanker 16, passenger 1, passenger-cargo Airports: @Iraq:Communications Telephone system: 632,000 telephones; reconstitution of damaged Radio: Television: @Iraq:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Republican Guard and Special Republican Guard, Navy, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 4,626,610; males fit for Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GNP ________________________________________________________________________ IRELAND@Ireland:Geography Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 360 km, UK 360 km Coastline: 1,448 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Northern Ireland question with the UK; Rockall Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild Terrain: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged Natural resources: zinc, lead, natural gas, petroleum, barite, copper, Land use: arable land: 14% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 71% forest and woodland: 5% other: 10% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: strategic location on major air and sea routes between North @Ireland:People Population: 3,550,448 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.33% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 14.04 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.48 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -2.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.99 years male: 73.15 years female: 79 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Celtic, English Religions: Roman Catholic 93%, Anglican 3%, none 1%, unknown 2%, other Languages: Irish (Gaelic), spoken mainly in areas located along the Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.) Labor force: 1.37 million @Ireland:Government Names: Digraph: EI Type: republic Capital: Dublin Administrative divisions: 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Independence: 6 December 1921 (from UK) National holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March Constitution: 29 December 1937; adopted 1 July 1937 by plebescite Legal system: based on English common law, substantially modified by Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Oireachtas) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Left, Proinsias DE ROSSA; Member of: Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dermot A. GALLAGHER chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Kennedy SMITH embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [353] (1) 6687122 FAX: [353] (1) 6689946 Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red @Ireland:Economy Overview: The economy is small and trade dependent. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 37% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and employs 28% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in consumer spending and recovery in both construction and business investment. Ireland has substantially reduced its external debt since 1987, to 40% of GDP in 1994. Over the same period, inflation has fallen sharply and chronic trade deficits have been transformed into annual surpluses. Unemployment remains a serious problem, however, and job creation is the main focus of government policy. To ease unemployment, Dublin aggressively courts foreign investors and recently created a new industrial development agency to aid small indigenous firms. Government assistance is constrained by Dublin's continuing deficit reduction measures. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $49.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $14,060 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 16% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $28 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $26 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $20 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 8.5% (1994 est.); accounts for 37% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 3,930,000 kW production: 14.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,938 kWh (1993) Industries: food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP; principal crops - turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; livestock - meat and dairy products; 85% self-sufficient in food; food shortages include bread grain, fruits, vegetables Illicit drugs: transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Economic aid: Currency: 1 Irish pound (#Ir) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Irish pounds (#Ir) per US$1 - 0.6420 (January 1995), 0.6676 (1994), 0.6816 (1993), 0.5864 (1992), 0.6190 (1991), 0.6030 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Ireland:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: limited for commercial traffic Pipelines: natural gas 225 km Ports: Arklow, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Foynes, Galway, Limerick, New Merchant marine: Airports: @Ireland:Communications Telephone system: 900,000 telephones; modern digital system using Radio: Television: @Ireland:Defense Forces Branches: Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps), National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 926,831; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $500 million, 1.3% of ________________________________________________________________________ ISRAEL(also see separate Gaza Strip and West Bank entries) Note: The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the data below. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations are being conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives, Syria, and Jordan to determine the final status of the occupied territories. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace treaty. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. @Israel:Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: total 1,006 km, Egypt 255 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Coastline: 273 km Maritime claims: International disputes: separated from Lebanon, Syria, and the West Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central Natural resources: copper, phosphates, bromide, potash, clay, sand, Land use: arable land: 17% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 40% forest and woodland: 6% other: 32% Irrigated land: 2,140 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: there are 199 Jewish settlements and civilian land use sites in @Israel:People Population: 5,433,134 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29% 15-64 years: 61% 65 years and over: 10% Population growth rate: 1.4% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 20.39 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.38 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.14 years male: 76 years female: 80.39 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.81 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Jewish 82% (Israel born 50%, Europe/Americas/Oceania Religions: Judaism 82%, Islam 14% (mostly Sunni Muslim), Christian 2%, Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992) Labor force: 1.9 million (1992) by occupation: public services 29.3%, industry 22.1%, commerce 13.9%, finance and business 10.4%, personal and other services 7.4%, construction 6.5%, transport, storage, and communications 6.3%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 3.5%, other 0.6% (1992) @Israel:Government Names: Digraph: IS Type: republic Capital: Jerusalem Administrative divisions: 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Independence: 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May 1948 (Israel declared Constitution: no formal constitution; some of the functions of a Legal system: mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: Gush Emunim, Israeli nationalists Member of: AG (observer), CCC, CE (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as @Israel:Economy Overview: Israel has a market economy with substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Industry employs about 22% of Israeli workers, construction 6.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 3.5%, and services most of the rest. Israel is largely self-sufficient in food production except for grains. Diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are leading exports. Israel usually posts current account deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the United States, which is its major source of economic and military aid. To earn needed foreign exchange, Israel has been targeting high-technology niches in international markets, such as medical scanning equipment. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the former USSR, which topped 450,000 during the period 1990-94, increased unemployment, intensified housing problems, and strained the government budget. At the same time, the immigrants bring to the economy valuable scientific and professional expertise. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $70.1 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 6.8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $13,880 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.5% (1994) Unemployment rate: 7.5% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $16.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $22.5 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $25.9 billion (November 1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 8% (1994 est.); accounts for about 30% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 4,140,000 kW production: 23 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,290 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing, diamond cutting and polishing, textiles and apparel, chemicals, metal products, military equipment, transport equipment, electrical equipment, miscellaneous machinery, potash mining, high-technology electronics, tourism Agriculture: citrus and other fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, Illicit drugs: increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse Economic aid: Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 3.070 (December 1994), 3.0111 (1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992) @Israel:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Pipelines: crude oil 708 km; petroleum products 290 km; natural gas 89 Ports: Ashdod, Ashqelon, Elat, Hadera, Haifa, Tel Aviv-Yafo Merchant marine: Airports: @Israel:Communications Telephone system: 1,800,000 telephones; most highly developed in the Radio: Television: @Israel:Defense Forces Branches: Israel Defense Forces (includes ground, naval, and air components), Pioneer Fighting Youth (Nahal), Frontier Guard, Chen (women); note - historically there have been no separate Israeli military services Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,309,502; females age 15-49 1,283,923; males fit for military service 1,072,501; females fit for military service 1,047,575; males reach military age (18) annually 47,950; females reach military age (18) annually 45,839 (1995 est.) note: military service mandatory for men and women Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $6.5 billion, about 10% of GDP (1995) ________________________________________________________________________ ITALY@Italy:Geography Location: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,899.2 km, Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy Coastline: 4,996 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands Natural resources: mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, dwindling natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, coal Land use: arable land: 32% permanent crops: 10% meadows and pastures: 17% forest and woodland: 22% other: 19% Irrigated land: 31,000 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as @Italy:People Population: 58,261,971 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.21% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 10.89 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.78 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.85 years male: 74.67 years female: 81.23 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.41 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Italian (includes small clusters of German-, Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, other 2% Languages: Italian, German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 23.988 million @Italy:Government Names: Digraph: IT Type: republic Capital: Rome Administrative divisions: 20 regions (regioni, singular - regione); Independence: 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed) National holiday: Anniversary of the Republic, 2 June (1946) Constitution: 1 January 1948 Legal system: based on civil law system, with ecclesiastical law influence; appeals treated as trials de novo; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlamento) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (Corte Costituzionale) Political parties and leaders: Forza Italia (FI), Silvio BERLUSCONI; Other political or pressure groups: the Roman Catholic Church; three Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CDB Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Reginald BARTHOLOMEW embassy: Via Veneto 119/A, 00187-Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, Rome; APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (6) 46741 FAX: [39] (6) 4882672 consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green @Italy:Economy Overview: Since World War II the Italian economy has changed from one based on agriculture into a ranking industrial economy, with approximately the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. The country is still divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and an undeveloped agricultural south, dominated by large public enterprises. Services account for 48% of GDP, industry 35%, agriculture 4%, and public administration 13%. Most raw materials needed by industry and over 75% of energy requirements must be imported. After growing at an average annual rate of 3% in 1983-90, growth slowed to about 1% in 1991 and 1992, fell by 0.7% in 1993, and recovered to 2% in 1994. In the second half of 1992, Rome became unsettled by the prospect of not qualifying to participate in EU plans for economic and monetary union later in the decade; thus it finally began to address its huge fiscal imbalances. Subsequently, the government has adopted fairly stringent budgets, abandoned its highly inflationary wage indexation system, and started to scale back its extremely generous social welfare programs, including pension and health care benefits. Monetary officials were forced to withdraw the lira from the European monetary system in September 1992 when it came under extreme pressure in currency markets. For the 1990s, Italy faces the problems of pushing ahead with fiscal reform, refurbishing a tottering communications system, curbing pollution in major industrial centers, and adjusting to the new competitive forces accompanying the ongoing expansion and economic integration of the European Union. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $998.9 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $17,180 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1994) Unemployment rate: 12.2% (January 1995) Budget: Exports: $190.8 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $168.7 billion (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $67 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.3% (1994 est.); accounts for 35% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 61,630,000 kW production: 209 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,033 kWh (1993) Industries: machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics Agriculture: accounts for about 4% of GDP; self-sufficient in foods other than meat, dairy products, and cereals; principal crops - fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; fish catch of 525,000 metric tons in 1990 Illicit drugs: important gateway country for Latin American cocaine Economic aid: Currency: 1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100 centesimi Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,609.5 (January 1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Italy:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 2,400 km for various types of commercial traffic, Pipelines: crude oil 1,703 km; petroleum products 2,148 km; natural Ports: Ancona, Augusta, Bari, Cagliari (Sardinia), Catania, Gaeta, Merchant marine: Airports: @Italy:Communications Telephone system: 25,600,000 telephones; modern, well-developed, fast; Radio: Television: @Italy:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri Manpower availability: males age 15-49 14,934,657; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $21.5 billion, 2% of ________________________________________________________________________ JAMAICA@Jamaica:Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,022 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Natural resources: bauxite, gypsum, limestone Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops: 6% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 28% other: 29% Irrigated land: 350 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, @Jamaica:People Population: 2,574,291 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.78% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 22.03 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.62 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -8.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.65 years male: 72.39 years female: 77.01 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.42 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: African 76.3%, Afro-European 15.1%, East Indian and Religions: Protestant 55.9% (Church of God 18.4%, Baptist 10%, Languages: English, Creole Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1987) Labor force: 1,062,100 @Jamaica:Government Names: Digraph: JM Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Kingston Administrative divisions: 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Independence: 6 August 1962 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day (first Monday in August) (1962) Constitution: 6 August 1962 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: head of government: Prime Minister P. J. PATTERSON (since 30 March 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Seymour MULLINGS (since NA 1993) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament House of Representatives: elections last held 30 March 1993 (next to Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: People's National Party (PNP) P. J. Other political or pressure groups: Rastafarians (black Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - @Jamaica:Economy Overview: Key sectors in this island economy are bauxite (alumina and bauxite account for more than half of exports) and tourism. The government's tight fiscal and monetary policies, which have been partially successful in curbing inflation, have held growth to 1.2% in 1993 and 2.0% in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $7.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,050 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 26.7% (1994) Unemployment rate: 15.7% (1992) Budget: Exports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, fuel, food, chemicals partners: US 54%, Japan 4.0%, Mexico 6%, UK 4%, Venezuela 3% (1993) External debt: $3.6 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0.4% (1992); accounts for almost 30% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 730,000 kW production: 2.6 billion kWh consumption per capita: 988 kWh (1993) Industries: bauxite mining, tourism, textiles, food processing, light manufactures Agriculture: accounts for about 7% of GDP, 22% of work force, and 17% of exports; commercial crops - sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes, vegetables; livestock and livestock products include poultry, goats, milk; not self-sufficient in grain, meat, and dairy products Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine from Central and South Economic aid: Currency: 1 Jamaican dollar (J$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Jamaican dollars (J$) per US$1 - 33.195 (December 1994), 33.986 (1994), 24.949 (1993), 22.960 (1992), 12.116 (1991), 7.184 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Jamaica:Transportation Railroads: total: 370 km standard gauge: 370 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: total: 18,200 km paved: 12,600 km unpaved: gravel 3,200 km; improved earth 2,400 km Pipelines: petroleum products 10 km Ports: Alligator Pond, Discovery Bay, Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Merchant marine: Airports: @Jamaica:Communications Telephone system: 127,000 telephones; fully automatic domestic Radio: Television: @Jamaica:Defense Forces Branches: Jamaica Defense Force (includes Ground Forces, Coast Guard and Air Wing), Jamaica Constabulary Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 670,958; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $19.3 million, 1% of ________________________________________________________________________ JAN MAYEN(territory of Norway) @Jan Mayen:Geography Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Map references: Arctic Region Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 124.1 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 10 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 4 nm International disputes: none Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers; Beerenberg is the highest peak, with an elevation of 2,277 meters Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass @Jan Mayen:People Population: no permanent inhabitants; note - there are personnel who man the LORAN C base and the weather and coastal services radio station @Jan Mayen:Government Names: Digraph: JN Type: territory of Norway Capital: none; administered from Oslo, Norway, through a governor (sysselmann) resident in Longyearbyen (Svalbard) Independence: none (territory of Norway) @Jan Mayen: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. Electricity: capacity: 15,000 kW production: 40 million kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh (1992) @Jan Mayen:Transportation Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: total: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Jan Mayen:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones Radio: Television: @Jan Mayen:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Norway ________________________________________________________________________ JAPAN@Japan:Geography Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean peninsula Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29,751 km Maritime claims: International disputes: islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 67% other: 18% Irrigated land: 28,680 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: strategic location in northeast Asia @Japan:People Population: 125,506,492 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.32% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 10.66 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.46 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.44 years male: 76.6 years female: 82.42 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.56 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese Ethnic divisions: Japanese 99.4%, other 0.6% (mostly Korean) Religions: observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including 0.7% Christian) Languages: Japanese Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.) total population: 99% Labor force: 65.87 million (December 1994) by occupation: trade and services 54%, manufacturing, mining, and construction 33%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 7%, government 3% (1988) @Japan:Government Names: Digraph: JA Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Tokyo Administrative divisions: 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Independence: 660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor Jimmu) National holiday: Birthday of the Emperor, 23 December (1933) Constitution: 3 May 1947 Legal system: modeled after European civil law system with Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Diet (Kokkai) consists of an upper house or House of Councillors and a lower house or House of Representatives House of Councillors (Sangi-in): half of the members elected every three years to six-year terms; elections last held on 26 July 1992 (next set to be held 23 July 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (252 total) LDP 106, SDPJ 73, Komeito 24, DSP 12, JCP 11, JNP 4, others 16, independents 6; note - the distribution of seats as of 1 April 1995 is as follows - LDP 94, SDPJ 68, Heisei-kai 47, Shin Ryokufu-kai 16, JCP 11, others 15, vacant 1 House of Representatives (Shugi-in): all members elected every four years to four-year terms; elections last held on 18 July 1993 (next to be held by 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (511 total) LDP 223, SDPJ 70, Shinseito 55, Komeito 51, JNP 35, JCP 15, DSP 15, Sakigake 13, others 4, independents 30; note - the distribution of seats as of 1 April 1995 is as follows - LDP 207, Shinshinto 173, SDPJ 70, Sakigake 21, JCP 15, others 19, vacant 6 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Yohei Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Walter F. MONDALE embassy: 10-5, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku (107), Tokyo mailing address: Unit 45004, Box 258, Tokyo; APO AP 96337-0001 telephone: [81] (3) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (3) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya Flag: white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center @Japan:Economy Overview: Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (roughly 1% of GDP) have helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank of second most powerful economy in the world. Industry, the most important sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. Usually self-sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50% of its requirements of other grain and fodder crops. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. Overall economic growth has been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s and 1980s. Economic growth came to a halt in 1992-93 largely because of contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets. Growth resumed at a 0.6% pace in 1994 largely because of consumer demand. As for foreign trade, the stronger yen and slower global growth are containing export growth. Unemployment and inflation remain remarkably low in comparison with the other industrialized nations. Japan continues to run a huge trade surplus - $121 billion in 1994, roughly the same size as in 1993 - which supports extensive investment in foreign assets. Prime Minister MURAYAMA has yet to formalize his government's plans for administrative and economic reform, including reduction in the trade surplus. As leader of a coalition government, he has softened his own socialist positions. The crowding of the habitable land area and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.5274 trillion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.6% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $20,200 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.7% (1994) Unemployment rate: 2.9% (1994) Budget: Exports: $395.5 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $274.3 billion (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 1% (1994); accounts for 30% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 205,140,000 kW production: 840 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,262 kWh (1993) Industries: steel and non-ferrous metallurgy, heavy electrical equipment, construction and mining equipment, motor vehicles and parts, electronic and telecommunication equipment and components, machine tools and automated production systems, locomotives and railroad rolling stock, shipbuilding, chemicals, textiles, food processing Agriculture: accounts for only 2% of GDP; highly subsidized and protected sector, with crop yields among highest in world; principal crops - rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; animal products include pork, poultry, dairy and eggs; about 50% self-sufficient in food production; shortages of wheat, corn, soybeans; world's largest fish catch of 10 million metric tons in 1991 Economic aid: Currency: yen (Y) Exchange rates: yen (Y) per US$1 - 99.75 (January 1995), 102.21 (1994), 111.20 (1993), 126.65 (1992), 134.71 (1991), 144.79 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Japan:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: about 1,770 km; seagoing craft ply all coastal Pipelines: crude oil 84 km; petroleum products 322 km; natural gas Ports: Akita, Amagasaki, Chiba, Hachinohe, Hakodate, Higashi-Harima, Merchant marine: Airports: @Japan:Communications Telephone system: 64,000,000 telephones; excellent domestic and Radio: Television: @Japan:Defense Forces Branches: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Japan Maritime Manpower availability: males age 15-49 31,947,532; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $47.2 billion, 1% of ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain: sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s) Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; @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 Names: Digraph: DQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC @Jarvis Island:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Jarvis Island:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one boat landing area in the middle of the west coast and another near the southwest corner of the island Note: there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast @Jarvis Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the ________________________________________________________________________ JERSEY(British crown dependency) @Jersey:Geography Location: Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 70 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: temperate; mild winters and cool summers Terrain: gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast Natural resources: agricultural land Land use: arable land: 57% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier @Jersey:People Population: 86,649 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.7% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.83 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.97 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 4.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.9 years male: 73.81 years female: 80.32 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.44 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic divisions: UK and Norman-French descent Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Languages: English (official), French (official), Norman-French Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA @Jersey:Government Names: Digraph: JE Type: British crown dependency Capital: Saint Helier Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: English law and local statute Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Royal Court Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (British crown dependency) US diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency) Flag: white with the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) extending to the corners of the flag @Jersey:Economy Overview: The economy is based largely on financial services, agriculture, and tourism. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. In 1986 the finance sector overtook tourism as the main contributor to GDP, accounting for 40% of the island's output. In recent years the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: 8% (1987 est.) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1988 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $NA Imports: $NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 50,000 kW standby production: power supplied by France consumption per capita: NA kWh (1992) Industries: tourism, banking and finance, dairy Agriculture: potatoes, cauliflowers, tomatoes; dairy and cattle farming Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Jersey pound (#J) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Jersey pounds (#J) per US$1 - 0.6250 (January 1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990); the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Jersey:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 @Jersey:Communications Telephone system: 63,700 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 3 submarine cables Radio: Television: @Jersey:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ JOHNSTON ATOLL(territory of the US) @Johnston Atoll:Geography Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 10 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly flat with a maximum elevation of 4 meters Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until about 1890) Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island @Johnston Atoll:People Population: 327 (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 0% (1995 est.) Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA Infant mortality rate: NA Life expectancy at birth: NA Total fertility rate: NA @Johnston Atoll:Government Names: Digraph: JQ Type: unincorportated territory of the US administered by the US Capital: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US) Flag: the flag of the US is used @Johnston Atoll:Economy Overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Electricity: supplied by the management and operations contractor @Johnston Atoll:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Johnston Island Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 @Johnston Atoll:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; excellent system including 60-channel Radio: Television: @Johnston Atoll:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ JORDAN(also see separate West Bank entry) @Jordan:Geography Location: Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: total 1,619 km, Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Terrain: mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Natural resources: phosphates, potash, shale oil Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 0.5% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 0.5% other: 94% Irrigated land: 570 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Jordan:People Population: 4,100,709 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.69% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 37.32 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.02 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -6.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 32.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.27 years male: 70.43 years female: 74.21 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.25 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian Ethnic divisions: Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 8% Languages: Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991) Labor force: 600,000 (1992) @Jordan:Government Names: Digraph: JO Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Amman Administrative divisions: 8 governorates (muhafazat, singular - Independence: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under National holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946) Constitution: 8 January 1952 Legal system: based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Majlis al-'Umma) Judicial branch: Court of Cassation Political parties and leaders: Al-'Ahd (Pledge) Party, Sec. Gen. 'Abd Member of: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Wesley E. EGAN, Jr. embassy: Jabel Amman, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; APO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 820101 FAX: [962] (6) 820159 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), white, and green with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a small white seven-pointed star; the seven points on the star represent the seven fundamental laws of the Koran @Jordan:Economy Overview: Jordan benefited from increased Arab aid during the oil boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when its annual real GNP growth averaged more than 10%. In the remainder of the 1980s, however, reductions in both Arab aid and worker remittances slowed real economic growth to an average of roughly 2% per year. Imports - mainly oil, capital goods, consumer durables, and food - outstripped exports, with the difference covered by aid, remittances, and borrowing. In mid-1989, the Jordanian Government began debt-rescheduling negotiations and agreed to implement an IMF-supported program designed to gradually reduce the budget deficit and implement badly needed structural reforms. The Persian Gulf crisis that began in August 1990, however, aggravated Jordan's already serious economic problems, forcing the government to shelve the IMF program, stop most debt payments, and suspend rescheduling negotiations. Aid from Gulf Arab states, worker remittances, and trade contracted; and refugees flooded the country, producing serious balance-of-payments problems, stunting GDP growth, and straining government resources. The economy rebounded in 1992, largely due to the influx of capital repatriated by workers returning from the Gulf, but the recovery was uneven throughout 1994. The government is implementing the reform program adopted in 1992 and continues to secure rescheduling and write-offs of its heavy foreign debt. Debt, poverty, and unemployment remain Jordan's biggest on-going problems. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $17 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $4,280 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 16% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $3.5 billion (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $6 billion (March 1995 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3% (1993 est.); accounts for 20% of Electricity: capacity: 1,050,000 kW production: 4.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,072 kWh (1993) Industries: phosphate mining, petroleum refining, cement, potash, light manufacturing Agriculture: accounts for about 8% of GDP; wheat, barley, citrus Economic aid: Currency: 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.6994 (January 1995), 0.5987 (1994), 0.6928 (1993), 0.6797 (1992), 0.6808 (1991), 0.6636 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Jordan:Transportation Railroads: total: 789 km narrow gauge: 789 km 1.050-m gauge Highways: total: 7,500 km paved: asphalt 5,500 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 2,000 km Pipelines: crude oil 209 km Ports: Al'Aqabah Merchant marine: Airports: @Jordan:Communications Telephone system: 81,500 telephones; adequate telephone system Radio: Television: @Jordan:Defense Forces Branches: Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF; includes Royal Jordanian Land Force, Royal Naval Force, and Royal Jordanian Air Force); Ministry of the Interior's Public Security Force (falls under JAF only in wartime or crisis situations) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 981,004; males fit for military service 699,891; males reach military age (18) annually 45,494 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $564.2 million, 9.1% of GDP (1995 est.) ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 24.1 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: NA Natural resources: guano deposits and other fertilizers Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 90% other: 10% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: periodic cyclones international agreements: NA Note: wildlife sanctuary @Juan De Nova Island:People Population: uninhabited @Juan De Nova Island:Government Names: Digraph: JU Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion Independence: none (possession of France) @Juan De Nova Island:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Juan De Nova Island:Transportation Railroads: total: NA km; short line going to a jetty Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: total: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Juan De Nova Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ KAZAKHSTAN@Kazakhstan:Geography Location: Central Asia, northwest of China Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian Area: Land boundaries: total 12,012 km, China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined Climate: continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid Terrain: extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from the plains in western Siberia to oasis and desert in Central Asia Natural resources: major deposits of petroleum, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: NEGL% meadows and pastures: 57% forest and woodland: 4% other: 24% Irrigated land: 23,080 sq km (1990) Environment: Note: landlocked @Kazakhstan:People Population: 17,376,615 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.62% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 19.26 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.93 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -5.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 40 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.25 years male: 63.61 years female: 73.13 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.43 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Kazakh (Qazaq) 41.9%, Russian 37%, Ukrainian 5.2%, Religions: Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7% Languages: Kazakh (Qazaqz) official language spoken by over 40% of Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 7.356 million @Kazakhstan:Government Names: Digraph: KZ Type: republic Capital: Almaty Administrative divisions: 19 oblystar (singular - oblys) and 1 city Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 December (1991) Constitution: adopted 28 January 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: People's Unity Party (PUP; was Union of Other political or pressure groups: Independent Trade Union Center Member of: AsDB, CCC, CIS, EBRD, ECO, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: mailing address: use embassy street address Flag: sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun @Kazakhstan:Economy Overview: Kazakhstan, the second largest of the former Soviet states in territory, possesses enormous untapped fossil-fuel reserves as well as plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also has considerable agricultural potential with its vast steppe lands accommodating both livestock and grain production. Kazakhstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these natural resources and also on a relatively large machine building sector specializing in construction equipment, tractors, agricultural machinery, and some defense items. The breakup of the USSR and the collapse of demand for Kazakhstan's traditional heavy industry products have resulted in a sharp contraction of the economy since 1991, with the steepest annual decline occurring in 1994. The government has pursued a moderate program of economic reform and privatization which is gradually lifting state controls over economic activity and shifting assets into the private sector. Nevertheless, government control over key sectors of the economy remains strong. Sustained economic hardships and continued pressures from industrial elites will make it difficult for the government to sustain its policies of monetary and fiscal discipline which had brought down inflation by the end of 1994. Continued lack of pipeline transportation for expanded oil exports has closed off a likely source of economic recovery. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $55.2 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: -25% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,200 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 24% per month (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.1% includes only officially registered unemployed; also large numbers of underemployed workers (1994) Budget: Exports: $3.1 billion (1994) Imports: $3.5 billion (1994) External debt: less than $1 billion debt to Russia Industrial production: growth rate -28% (1994) Electricity: capacity: 17,380,000 kW production: 65.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,750 kWh (1994) Industries: accounts for 26% of net national product; extractive industries (oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur), iron and steel, nonferrous metal, tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials Agriculture: accounts for 20% of GDP; employs about 26% of the labor force; grain, mostly spring wheat; meat, cotton, wool Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly Economic aid: Currency: national currency the tenge introduced on 15 November 1993 Exchange rates: tenges per US$1 - 54 (yearend 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Kazakhstan:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: Syrdariya River, Ertis River Pipelines: crude oil 2,850 km; refined products 1,500 km; natural gas Ports: Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen Airports: @Kazakhstan:Communications Telephone system: 2.2 million telephones; telephone service is poor; Radio: Television: @Kazakhstan:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Republic National Guard, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 4,513,089; males fit for Defense expenditures: 69.3 billion rubles, NA% of GDP (forecast for ________________________________________________________________________ KENYA@Kenya:Geography Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 3,446 km, Ethiopia 830 km, Somalia 682 km, Coastline: 536 km Maritime claims: International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does not Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Natural resources: gold, limestone, soda ash, salt barytes, rubies, Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 4% other: 85% Irrigated land: 520 sq km (1989) Environment: 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: 28,817,227 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.99% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 41.66 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.04 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -19.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 73.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.41 years male: 50.72 years female: 54.16 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.76 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Kenyan(s) adjective: Kenyan Ethnic divisions: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba Religions: Protestant (including Anglican) 38%, Roman Catholic 28%, Languages: English (official), Swahili (official), numerous indigenous Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: @Kenya:Government Names: Digraph: KE Type: republic Capital: Nairobi Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 December (1963) Constitution: 12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992 Legal system: based on English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Bunge): elections last held on 29 December 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (188 total) KANU 100, FORD-Kenya 31, FORD-Asili 31, DP 23, smaller parties 3; president nominates 12 additional members note: first multiparty election since repeal of one-party state law in 1991 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, High Court Political parties and leaders: ruling party is Kenya African National Other political or pressure groups: labor unions; Roman Catholic Member of: ESCAP, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, INTELSAT Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Aurelia BRAZEAL embassy: corner of Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi mailing address: P. O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831 telephone: [254] (2) 334141 FAX: [254] (2) 340838 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center @Kenya:Economy Overview: Kenya in recent years has had one of the highest natural rates of growth in population, but the statistics have been complicated by the large-scale movement of nomadic groups and of Somalis back and forth across the border. Population growth has been accompanied by deforestation, deterioration in the road system, the water supply, and other parts of the infrastructure. In industry and services, Nairobi's reluctance to embrace IMF-supported reforms had held back investment and growth in 1991-93. Nairobi's push on economic reform in 1994, however, helped support a 3.3% increase in output. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $33.1 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,170 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 35% urban (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.45 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $1.85 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $7 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.9% (1991 est.); accounts for 14% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 810,000 kW production: 3.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 117 kWh (1993) Industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), processing agricultural products, oil refining, cement, tourism Agriculture: most important sector, accounting for 27% of GDP and 65% of exports; cash crops - coffee, tea; food products - corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables, dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs Illicit drugs: widespread harvesting of small, wild plots of marijuana Economic aid: Currency: 1 Kenyan shilling (KSh) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Kenyan shillings (KSh) per US$1 - 44.478 (January 1995), 56.051 (1994), 58.001 (1993), 32.217 (1992), 27.508 (1991), 22.915 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Kenya:Transportation Railroads: total: 2,650 km narrow gauge: 2,650 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 64,590 km paved: 7,000 km unpaved: gravel 4,150 km; improved earth 53,440 km Inland waterways: part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Pipelines: petroleum products 483 km Ports: Kisumu, Lamu, Mombasa Merchant marine: Airports: @Kenya:Communications Telephone system: over 260,000 telephones; in top group of African Radio: Television: @Kenya:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary General Service Unit of Manpower availability: males age 15-49 6,358,344; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $136 million, 1.9% of ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds Terrain: low and nearly level with a maximum elevation of about 1 meter Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: Note: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the @Kingman Reef:People Population: uninhabited @Kingman Reef:Government Names: Digraph: KQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy, however it is awash the majority of the time, so it is not usable and is uninhabited Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC @Kingman Reef:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Kingman Reef:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and @Kingman Reef:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ KIRIBATI@Kiribati:Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator and the International Date Line, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,143 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs Natural resources: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979) Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 51% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 3% other: 46% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: 20 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in @Kiribati:People Population: 79,386 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.95% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 31.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.31 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 98.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.16 years male: 52.56 years female: 55.78 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.73 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural) adjective: I-Kiribati Ethnic divisions: Micronesian Religions: Roman Catholic 52.6%, Protestant (Congregational) 40.9%, Languages: English (official), Gilbertese Literacy: NA% Labor force: 7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers (1985 est.) @Kiribati:Government Names: Digraph: KR Type: republic Capital: Tarawa Administrative divisions: 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Independence: 12 July 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1979) Constitution: 12 July 1979 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, High Court Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party, Teatao Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, IFRCS Diplomatic representation in US: Kiribati has no mission in the US US diplomatic representation: the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Flag: the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a @Kiribati:Economy Overview: A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few national resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Real GDP declined about 5% in 1987, as the fish catch fell sharply to only one-fourth the level of 1986 and copra production was hampered by repeated rains. Output rebounded strongly in 1988, with real GDP growing by 10%. The upturn in economic growth came from an increase in copra production and a good fish catch. GDP then fell by 2.2% in 1989 and by 2.9% in 1990, but has risen by about 3% annually in 1991-93. Foreign financial aid, largely from the UK and Japan, is a critical supplement to GDP, amounting to 25%-50% of GDP in recent years. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $62 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.9% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $800 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 2%; underemployment 70% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $4.2 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) Imports: $33.1 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel partners: Australia 40%, Japan 18%, Fiji 17%, NZ 6%, US 4% (1991) External debt: $2 million (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0.7% (1992 est.); accounts for less than 4% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 5,000 kW production: 13 million kWh consumption per capita: 131 kWh (1993) Industries: fishing, handicrafts Agriculture: accounts for 23% of GDP (including fishing); copra and fish contribute about 65% to exports; subsistence farming predominates; food crops - taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3058 (January 1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990) Fiscal year: NA @Kiribati:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 640 km paved: NA unpaved: NA Inland waterways: small network of canals, totaling 5 km, in Line Ports: Banaba, Betio, English Harbor, Kanton Merchant marine: Airports: @Kiribati:Communications Telephone system: 1,400 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth station Radio: Television: @Kiribati:Defense Forces Branches: Police Force (carries out law enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; there are small police posts on all islands); no military force is maintained Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ KOREA, NORTH@Korea, North:Geography Location: Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and Russia Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 1,673 km, China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Coastline: 2,495 km Maritime claims: International disputes: short section of boundary with China is Climate: temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer Terrain: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; Natural resources: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 74% other: 7% Irrigated land: 14,000 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; @Korea, North:People Population: 23,486,550 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.78% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 23.31 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.47 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.05 years male: 66.96 years female: 73.29 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.34 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic divisions: racially homogeneous Religions: Buddhism and Confucianism, some Christianity and syncretic Languages: Korean Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write Korean (1990 est.) Labor force: 9.615 million @Korea, North:Government Names: Abbreviation: DPRK Digraph: KN Type: Communist state; Stalinist dictatorship Capital: P'yongyang Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 3 Independence: 9 September 1948 National holiday: DPRK Foundation Day, 9 September (1948) Constitution: adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992 Legal system: based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly (Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui): elections last held on 7-9 April 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (687 total) the KWP approves a single list of candidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold a few seats Judicial branch: Central Court Political parties and leaders: major party - Korean Workers' Party Member of: ESCAP, FAO, G-77, ICAO, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, INTELSAT Diplomatic representation in US: none US diplomatic representation: none Flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star @Korea, North:Economy Overview: More than 90% of this command economy is socialized; agricultural land is collectivized; and state-owned industry produces 95% of manufactured goods. State control of economic affairs is unusually tight even for a Communist country because of the small size and homogeneity of the society and the strict rule of KIM Il-song in the past and now his son, KIM Chong-il. Economic growth during the period 1984-88 averaged 2%-3%, but output declined by 3%-5% annually during 1989-92 because of systemic problems and disruptions in socialist-style economic relations with the former USSR and China. In 1992, output dropped sharply, by perhaps 7%-9%, as the economy felt the cumulative effect of the reduction in outside support. The leadership insisted on maintaining its high level of military outlays from a shrinking economic pie. Moreover, a serious drawdown in inventories and critical shortages in the energy sector have led to increasing interruptions in industrial production. Abundant mineral resources and hydropower have formed the basis of industrial development since World War II. Output of the extractive industries includes coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals. Manufacturing is centered on heavy industry, including military industry, with light industry lagging far behind. Despite the use of improved seed varieties, expansion of irrigation, and the heavy use of fertilizers, North Korea has not yet become self-sufficient in food production. Indeed, a shortage of arable lands, several years of poor harvests, and a cumbersome distribution system have resulted in chronic food shortages. The collapse of Communism in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in 1989-91 has disrupted important technological links. North Korea remains far behind South Korea in economic development and living standards. GDP is stagnant. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $21.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 0% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $920 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $1.02 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.64 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) External debt: $8 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -7% to -9% (1992 est.) Electricity: capacity: 9,500,000 kW production: 50 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,053 kWh (1993) Industries: machine building, military products, electric power, chemicals, mining, metallurgy, textiles, food processing Agriculture: accounts for about 25% of GDP and 36% of work force; principal crops - rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; livestock and livestock products - cattle, hogs, pork, eggs; not self-sufficient in grain Economic aid: Currency: 1 North Korean won (Wn) = 100 chon Exchange rates: North Korean won (Wn) per US$1 - 2.15 (May 1994), 2.13 Fiscal year: calendar year @Korea, North:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 30,000 km paved: 1,861 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, earth 28,139 km (1992) Inland waterways: 2,253 km; mostly navigable by small craft only Pipelines: crude oil 37 km Ports: Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong, Najin, Merchant marine: ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 70, combination bulk 1, oil tanker 3, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1 note: North Korea owns an additional 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling approximately 32,405 DWT that operate under Honduran registry Airports: @Korea, North:Communications Telephone system: telephone system is believed to be available only to Radio: Television: @Korea, North:Defense Forces Branches: Korean People's Army (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Civil Manpower availability: males age 15-49 6,753,400; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - about $5 billion, ________________________________________________________________________ KOREA, SOUTH@Korea, South:Geography Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, south of North Korea Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 238 km, North Korea 238 km Coastline: 2,413 km Maritime claims: International disputes: Demarcation Line with North Korea; Liancourt Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 67% other: 10% Irrigated land: 13,530 sq km (1989) Environment: @Korea, South:People Population: 45,553,882 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.04% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15.63 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.18 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.89 years male: 67.69 years female: 74.29 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic divisions: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese) Religions: Christianity 48.6%, Buddhism 47.4%, Confucianism 3%, Languages: Korean, English widely taught in high school Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 20 million @Korea, South:Government Names: Abbreviation: ROK Digraph: KS Type: republic Capital: Seoul Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 6 Independence: 15 August 1948 National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1948) Constitution: 25 February 1988 Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Kukhoe): elections last held on 24 March 1992; results - DLP 38.5%, DP 29.2%, Unification National Party (UNP) 17.3% (name later changed to UPP), other 15%; seats - (299 total) DLP 149, DP 97, UNP 31, other 22; the distribution of seats as of January 1994 was DLP 172, DP 96, UPP 11, other 20 note: the change in the distribution of seats reflects the fluidity of the current situation where party members are constantly switching from one party to another Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: Korean National Council of Member of: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; @Korea, South:Economy Overview: The driving force behind the economy's dynamic growth has been the planned development of an export-oriented economy in a vigorously entrepreneurial society. Real GDP increased more than 10% annually between 1986 and 1991. This growth ultimately led to an overheated situation characterized by a tight labor market, strong inflationary pressures, and a rapidly rising current account deficit. As a result, in 1992, economic policy focused on slowing the growth rate of inflation and reducing the deficit. Annual growth slowed to 5%, still above the rate in most other countries of the world, and recovered to 6.3% in 1993. The economy expanded by 8.3% in 1994, driven by booming exports. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $508.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 8.3% (1994) National product per capita: $11,270 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (1994) Unemployment rate: 2% (November 1994) Budget: Exports: $96.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $102.3 billion (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $44.1 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 12.1% (1994 est.); accounts for about 45% of GNP Electricity: capacity: 26,940,000 kW production: 137 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,847 kWh (1993) Industries: electronics, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing Agriculture: accounts for 8% of GDP and employs 21% of work force (including fishing and forestry); principal crops - rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; livestock and livestock products - cattle, hogs, chickens, milk, eggs; self-sufficient in food, except for wheat; fish catch of 2.9 million metric tons, seventh-largest in world Economic aid: Currency: 1 South Korean won (W) = 100 chun (theoretical) Exchange rates: South Korean won (W) per US$1 - 790.48 (January 1995), 803.44 (1994), 802.67 (1993), 780.65 (1992), 733.35 (1991), 707.76 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Korea, South:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 1,609 km; use restricted to small native craft Pipelines: petroleum products 455 km Ports: Chinhae, Inch'on, Kunsan, Masan, Mokp'o, Pohang, Pusan, Ulsan, Merchant marine: Airports: @Korea, South:Communications Telephone system: 13.3 million telephones; excellent domestic and Radio: Television: @Korea, South:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Maritime Manpower availability: males age 15-49 13,580,832; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 billion, 3.3% of ________________________________________________________________________ KUWAIT@Kuwait:Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: total 464 km, Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km Coastline: 499 km Maritime claims: International disputes: in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 8% forest and woodland: 0% other: 92% Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf @Kuwait:People Population: 1,817,397 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 7.46% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 21.07 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 2.2 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 55.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.64 years male: 73.33 years female: 78.06 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.93 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti Ethnic divisions: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian Religions: Muslim 85% (Shi'a 30%, Sunni 45%, other 10%), Christian, Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) Labor force: 566,000 (1986) by occupation: services 45.0%, construction 20.0%, trade 12.0%, manufacturing 8.6%, finance and real estate 2.6%, agriculture 1.9%, power and water 1.7%, mining and quarrying 1.4% note: 70% of labor force non-Kuwaiti (1986) @Kuwait:Government Names: Digraph: KU Type: nominal constitutional monarchy Capital: Kuwait Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al 'Ahmadi, Al Jahrah, Al Kuwayt, Hawalli, Al Farwaniyah Independence: 19 June 1961 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 25 February (1948) Constitution: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962 Legal system: civil law system with Islamic law significant in Suffrage: adult males who resided in Kuwait before 1920 and their male Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: High Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: none Other political or pressure groups: small, clandestine leftist and Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with @Kuwait:Economy Overview: Kuwait is a small and relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Kuwait has rebuilt its war-ravaged petroleum sector; its crude oil production reached at least 2.0 million barrels per day by the end of 1993. The government ran a sizable fiscal deficit in 1993. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP and 90% of export and government revenues. Kuwait lacks water and has practically no arable land, thus preventing development of agriculture. With the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Because of its high per capita income, comparable with Western European incomes, Kuwait provides its citizens with extensive health, educational, and retirement benefits. Per capita military expenditures are among the highest in the world. The economy improved moderately in 1994, with the growth in industry and finance, and should see further gains in 1995, especially if oil prices go up. The World Bank has urged Kuwait to push ahead with privatization, including in the oil industry, but the government will move slowly on this front. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $30.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 9.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $16,900 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993) Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $10.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $6.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993) External debt: $7.2 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for NA% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 7,070,000 kW production: 11 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,007 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, Agriculture: practically none; extensive fishing in territorial waters Economic aid: Currency: 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.2991 (January 1995), 0.2976 (1994), 0.3017 (1993), 0.2934 (1992), 0.2843 (1991), 0.2915 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Kuwait:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 4,270 km paved: bituminous 3,370 km unpaved: gravel, sand, earth 900 km (est.) Pipelines: crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 Ports: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Merchant marine: Airports: @Kuwait:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; civil network suffered extensive Radio: Television: @Kuwait:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Guard Manpower availability: males age 15-49 610,205; males fit for military service 363,735; males reach military age (18) annually 16,170 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.4 billion, 13.3% of GDP (1995) ________________________________________________________________________ KYRGYZSTAN@Kyrgyzstan:Geography Location: Central Asia, west of China Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian Area: Land boundaries: total 3,878 km, China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan rise to 7,000 meters, and associated Natural resources: abundant hydroelectric potential; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: NEGL% meadows and pastures: 42% forest and woodland: 0% other: 51% Irrigated land: 10,320 sq km (1990) Environment: Note: landlocked @Kyrgyzstan:People Population: 4,769,877 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.5% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 25.97 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.32 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -3.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 45.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.13 years male: 63.92 years female: 72.56 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.31 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Kyrgyz(s) adjective: Kyrgyz Ethnic divisions: Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 21.5%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 8.3% Religions: Muslim 70%, Russian Orthodox NA% Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian widely used Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 1.836 million @Kyrgyzstan:Government Names: Digraph: KG Type: republic Capital: Bishkek Administrative divisions: 6 oblasttar (singular - oblast) and 1 city* Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31 Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ishenbai Other political or pressure groups: National Unity Democratic Member of: AsDB, CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt @Kyrgyzstan:Economy Overview: Kyrgyzstan is one of the smallest and poorest states of the former Soviet Union. Its economy is heavily agricultural, growing cotton and tobacco on irrigated land in the south and grain in the foothills of the north and raising sheep and goats on mountain pastures. Its small and obsolescent industrial sector, concentrated around Bishkek, has traditionally relied on Russia and other CIS countries for customers and industrial inputs, including most of its fuel. Since 1990, the economy has contracted by almost 50% as subsidies from Moscow vanished and trade links with other former Soviet republics eroded. At the same time, the Kyrgyz government stuck to tight monetary and fiscal policies in 1994 that succeeded in reducing inflation from 23% per month in 1993 to 5.4% per month in 1994. Moreover, Kyrgyzstan has been the most successful of the Central Asian states in reducing state controls over the economy and privatizing state industries. Nevertheless, restructuring proved to be a slow and painful process in 1994 despite relatively large flows of foreign aid and continued progress on economic reform. The decline in output in 1995 may be much smaller, perhaps 5%, compared with an estimated 24% in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $8.4 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: -24% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,790 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% per month (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 0.7% includes officially registered unemployed; Budget: Exports: $116 million to countries outside the FSU (1994) Imports: $92.4 million from countries outside the FSU (1994) commodities: grain, lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals, fuel, machinery, textiles, footwear partners: other CIS republics External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate -24% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 3,660,000 kW production: 12.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,700 kWh (1994) Industries: small machinery, textiles, food-processing industries, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, and rare earth metals Agriculture: wool, tobacco, cotton, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle), vegetables, meat, grapes, fruits and berries, eggs, milk, potatoes Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly Economic aid: Currency: introduced national currency, the som (10 May 1993) Exchange rates: soms per US$1 - 10.6 (yearend 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Kyrgyzstan:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Pipelines: natural gas 200 km Ports: Ysyk-Kol (Rybach'ye) Airports: @Kyrgyzstan:Communications Telephone system: 342,000 telephones (1991); 76 telephones/1,000 Radio: Television: @Kyrgyzstan:Defense Forces Branches: National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops), Civil Defense Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,154,683; males fit for military service 934,167; males reach military age (18) annually 44,526 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ LAOS@Laos:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 5,083 km, Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: boundary dispute with Thailand Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 58% other: 35% Irrigated land: 1,554 sq km (1992 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked @Laos:People Population: 4,837,237 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.84% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 42.64 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 14.28 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 99.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.2 years male: 50.66 years female: 53.81 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.98 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Religions: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992) Labor force: 1 million-1.5 million @Laos:Government Names: Digraph: LA Type: Communist state Capital: Vientiane Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991 Legal system: based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party Other political or pressure groups: non-Communist political groups Member of: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and @Laos:Economy Overview: The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official Communist states - has been decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise since 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, have been striking - growth has averaged 7.5% annually since 1988. Even so, Laos is a landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The predominant crop is rice. In non-drought years, Laos is self-sufficient overall in food, but each year flood, pests, and localized drought cause shortages in various parts of the country. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend on aid from the IMF and other international sources; aid from the former USSR and Eastern Europe has been cut sharply. As in many developing countries, deforestation and soil erosion will hamper efforts to maintain the high rate of GDP growth. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 8.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $850 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 21% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $277 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $528 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 7.5% (1992 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP (1992 est.) Electricity: capacity: 260,000 kW production: 870 million kWh consumption per capita: 44 kWh (1993) Industries: tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction Agriculture: principal crops - rice (80% of cultivated land), sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, cotton; livestock - buffaloes, hogs, cattle, poultry Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, opium poppy for the international drug trade, fourth largest opium producer (85 metric tons in 1994); heroin producer; increasingly used as transshipment point for heroin produced in Burma Economic aid: Currency: 1 new kip (NK) = 100 at Exchange rates: new kips (NK) per US$1 - 717 (1994 est.), 720 (July 1993). 710 (May 1992), 710 (December 1991), 700 (September 1990), 576 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Laos:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 14,130 km paved: 2,260 km unpaved: 11,870 km (1992 est.) Inland waterways: about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional kilometers are sectionally navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m Pipelines: petroleum products 136 km Ports: none Merchant marine: Airports: @Laos:Communications Telephone system: 7,390 telephones (1986); service to general public very poor; radio communications network provides generally erratic service to government users local: 16 telephone lines per 1,000 people intercity: radio communications international: 1 earth station Radio: Television: @Laos:Defense Forces Branches: Lao People's Army (LPA; includes riverine naval and militia elements), Air Force, National Police Department Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,051,105; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $105 million, 8.1% of ________________________________________________________________________ LATVIA@Latvia:Geography Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,078 km, Belarus 141 km, Estonia 267 km, Coastline: 531 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation International disputes: the Abrene section of border ceded by the Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters Terrain: low plain Natural resources: minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 39% other: 21% Irrigated land: 160 sq km (1990) Environment: @Latvia:People Population: 2,762,899 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.5% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.71 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.49 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 3.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 21 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.65 years male: 64.6 years female: 74.95 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.97 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Latvian 51.8%, Russian 33.8%, Byelorussian 4.5%, Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Languages: Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 1.407 million @Latvia:Government Names: Digraph: LG Type: republic Capital: Riga Administrative divisions: 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918) Constitution: newly elected Parliament in 1993 restored the 1933 constitution Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the Supreme Council Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Latvian Way Union (LC), Valdis BIRKAVS; Member of: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Ints M, SILINS embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, Riga 226050 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [371] (2) 213-962 FAX: [371] 882-0047 (cellular) Flag: two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom), white (middle, narrower than other two bands) @Latvia:Economy Overview: Latvia is rapidly becoming a dynamic market economy, rivaled only by Estonia among the former Soviet states in the speed of its transformation. However, the transition has been painful; in 1994 the IMF reported a 2% growth in GDP, following steep declines in 1992-93. The government's tough monetary policies and reform program have kept inflation at less than 2% a month, supported a dynamic private sector now accounting for more than half of GDP, and spurred the growth of trade ties with the West. Much of agriculture is already privatized and the government plans to step up the pace of privatization of state enterprises. Latvia thus is in the midst of recovery, helped by the country's strategic location on the Baltic Sea, its well-educated population, and its diverse - albeit largely obsolete - industrial structure. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $4,480 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (monthly average 1994) Unemployment rate: 6.5% (December 1994) Budget: Exports: $1 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate -9.5% (1994 est.); accounts for 27% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 2,080,000 kW production: 5.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,864 kWh (1993) Industries: highly diversified; dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products; produces buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles Agriculture: principally dairy farming and livestock feeding; products - meat, milk, eggs, grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; fishing and fish packing Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; limited producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption; also produces illicit amphetamines for export Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 lat = 100 cents; introduced NA March 1993 Exchange rates: lats per US$1 - 0.55 (December 1994), 0.5917 (January 1994), 1.32 (March 1993) Fiscal year: calendar year @Latvia:Transportation Railroads: total: 2,400 km broad gauge: 2,400 km 1.520-m gauge (270 km electrified) Highways: total: 59,500 km paved and graveled: 33,000 km unpaved: earth 26,500 km (1990) Inland waterways: 300 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992) Ports: Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils Merchant marine: ships by type: cargo 17, oil tanker 37, refrigerated cargo 24, Airports: @Latvia:Communications Telephone system: 660,000 telephones; 240 telephones/1,000 persons Radio: Television: @Latvia:Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Manpower availability: males age 15-49 658,193; males fit for military Defense expenditures: 176 million rubles, 3% to 5% of GDP (1994); note ________________________________________________________________________ LEBANONNote—Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions and regaining its national sovereignty since the end of the devastating 16-year civil war which began in 1975. Under the Ta'if accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political process. Since December 1990, the Lebanese have formed three cabinets and conducted the first legislative election in 20 years. Most of the militias have been weakened or disbanded. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has seized vast quantities of weapons used by the militias during the war and extended central government authority over about one-half of the country. Hizballah, the radical Sh'ia party, retains most of its weapons. Foreign forces still occupy areas of Lebanon. Israel maintains troops in southern Lebanon and continues to support a proxy militia, The Army of South Lebanon (ASL), along a narrow stretch of territory contiguous to its border. The ASL's enclave encompasses this self-declared security zone and about 20 kilometers north to the strategic town of Jazzine. As of December 1993, Syria maintained about 30,000-35,000 troops in Lebanon. These troops are based mainly in Beirut, North Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Syria's deployment was legitimized by the Arab League early in Lebanon's civil war and in the Ta'if accord. Citing the continued weakness of the LAF, Beirut's requests, and failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if accord, Damascus has so far refused to withdraw its troops from Beirut. @Lebanon:Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: total 454 km, Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km Coastline: 225 km Maritime claims: International disputes: separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry Terrain: narrow coastal plain; Al Biqa' (Bekaa Valley) separates Natural resources: limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 9% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 8% other: 61% Irrigated land: 860 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: 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: 3,695,921 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.15% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 27.9 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.44 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 38 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.69 years male: 67.22 years female: 72.28 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.31 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese Ethnic divisions: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% Religions: Islam 70% (5 legally recognized Islamic groups - Alawite or Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Armenian, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 650,000 @Lebanon:Government Names: Digraph: LE Type: republic Capital: Beirut Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - Independence: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under National holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943) Constitution: 23 May 1926, amended a number of times Legal system: mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and Political parties and leaders: political party activity is organized Member of: ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and @Lebanon:Economy Overview: The 1975-1991 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. A tentative peace has enabled the central government to begin restoring control in Beirut, collect taxes, and regain access to key port and government facilities. The battered economy has also been propped up by a financially sound banking system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers. Family remittances, banking transactions, manufactured and farm exports, the narcotics trade, and international emergency aid are the main sources of foreign exchange. In the relatively settled year of 1991, industrial production, agricultural output, and exports showed substantial gains. The further rebuilding of the war-ravaged country was delayed in 1992 because of an upturn in political wrangling. In October 1992, Rafiq HARIRI was appointed Prime Minister. HARIRI, a wealthy entrepreneur, announced ambitious plans for Lebanon's reconstruction which involve a substantial influx of foreign aid and investment. Progress on restoring basic services is limited. Since Prime Minister HARIRI's appointment, the most significant improvement lies in the stabilization of the Lebanese pound, which had gained over 30% in value by yearend 1993. The years 1993 and 1994 were marked by efforts of the new administration to encourage domestic and foreign investment and to obtain additional international assistance. The construction sector led the 8.5% advance in real GDP in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $15.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 8.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $4,360 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 35% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.4 billion expenditures: $3.2 billion (1994 est.) Exports: $925 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $4.1 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $765 million (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 25% (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 1,220,000 kW production: 2.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 676 kWh (1993) Industries: banking, food processing, textiles, cement, oil refining, chemicals, jewelry, some metal fabricating Agriculture: principal products - citrus fruits, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco, hemp (hashish), sheep, goats; not self-sufficient in grain Illicit drugs: illicit producer of hashish and heroin for the international drug trade; hashish production is shipped to Western Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America; increasingly a key locus of cocaine processing and trafficking; a Lebanese/Syrian 1994 eradication campaign eliminated the opium crop and caused a 50% decrease in the cannabis crop Economic aid: the government estimates that it has received $1.7 billion in aid and has an additional $725 million in commitments to support its $3 billion National Emergency Recovery Program Currency: 1 Lebanese pound (#L) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: Lebanese pounds (#L) per US$1 - 1,644.6 (January 1995), 1,680.1 (1994), 1,741.4 (1993), 1,712.8 (1992), 928.23 (1991), 695.09 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Lebanon:Transportation Railroads: total: 222 km standard gauge: 222 km 1.435-m note: system in disrepair, considered inoperable Highways: total: 7,300 km paved: 6,200 km unpaved: gravel 450 km; improved earth 650 km Pipelines: crude oil 72 km (none in operation) Ports: Al Batrun, Al Mina, An Naqurah, Antilyas, Az Zahrani, Beirut, Merchant marine: Airports: @Lebanon:Communications Telephone system: 325,000 telephones; 95 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Lebanon:Defense Forces Branches: Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF; includes Army, Navy, and Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 857,698; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $278 million, 5.5% of ________________________________________________________________________ LESOTHO@Lesotho:Geography Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 909 km, South Africa 909 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds and other minerals Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 66% forest and woodland: 0% other: 24% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: landlocked; surrounded by South Africa @Lesotho:People Population: 1,992,960 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.44% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 33.39 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.96 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 67.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.56 years male: 60.74 years female: 64.43 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.41 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans 1,600, Asians 800 Religions: Christian 80%, rest indigenous beliefs Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1966) Labor force: 689,000 economically active @Lesotho:Government Names: Digraph: LT Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Maseru Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Constitution: 2 April 1993 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consisting of the Assembly or lower house whose members are chosen by popular election and the Senate or upper house whose members consist of the 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party; election last held in March 1993 (first since 1971); all 65 seats in the Assembly were won by the BCP Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal, Magistrate's Court, Political parties and leaders: Basotho National Party (BNP), Evaristus Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is white bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner @Lesotho:Economy Overview: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho has no important natural resources other than water. Its economy is based on agriculture, light manufacturing, and remittances from laborers employed in South Africa (these remittances supplement domestic income by as much as 45%). The great majority of households gain their livelihoods from subsistence farming and migrant labor; a large portion of the adult male work force is employed in South African mines. Manufacturing depends largely on farm products to support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries; other industries include textile, clothing, and construction. Although drought has decreased agricultural activity over the past few years, improvement of a major hydropower facility will permit the sale of water to South Africa and allow Lesotho's economy to continue its moderate growth. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 6% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,340 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13.9% (1993) Unemployment rate: substantial unemployment and underemployment Budget: Exports: $109 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $964 million (c.i.f., 1992) External debt: $512 million (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 10%; accounts for 17% of GDP (1993 est.) Electricity: power supplied by South Africa Industries: food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP (1993 est.); exceedingly Economic aid: Currency: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente Exchange rates: maloti (M) per US$1 - 3.5389 (January 1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990); note - the Basotho loti is at par with the South African rand Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Lesotho:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Ports: none Airports: @Lesotho:Communications Telephone system: 5,920 telephones; rudimentary system Radio: Television: @Lesotho:Defense Forces Branches: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing), Manpower availability: males age 15-49 453,844; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $25 million, NA% of ________________________________________________________________________ LIBERIA@Liberia:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 1,585 km, Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Coastline: 579 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to Terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 39% other: 55% Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Liberia:People Population: 3,073,245 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.32% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 43.08 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.05 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: if the Ghanaian-led peace negotiations, under way in 1995, are successful, many Liberian refugees may return from exile Infant mortality rate: 110.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.17 years male: 55.67 years female: 60.75 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.3 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Religions: traditional 70%, Muslim 20%, Christian 10% Languages: English 20% (official), Niger-Congo language group about 20 Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 510,000 including 220,000 in the monetary economy by occupation: agriculture 70.5%, services 10.8%, industry and commerce 4.5%, other 14.2% note: non-African foreigners hold about 95% of the top-level management and engineering jobs @Liberia:Government Names: Digraph: LI Type: republic Capital: Monrovia Administrative divisions: 13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Grand Independence: 26 July 1847 National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847) Constitution: 6 January 1986 Legal system: dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: cabinet: Cabinet; selected by the leaders of the major factions in the Legislative branch: unicameral Transitional Legislative Assembly, the Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party of Liberia Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Konah K. BLACKETT chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d' Affaires William P. TWADDELL embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, Monrovia mailing address: P. O. Box 100098, Mamba Point, Monrovia telephone: [231] 222991 through 222994 FAX: [231] 223710 Flag: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag @Liberia:Economy Overview: Civil war since 1990 has destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Many will not return. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. Political instability threatens prospects for economic reconstruction and repatriation of some 750,000 Liberian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. The political impasse between the interim government and rebel leader Charles TAYLOR has prevented restoration of normal economic life, including the re-establishment of a strong central government with effective economic development programs. The economy deteriorated further in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $770 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $505 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) Imports: $394 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.) commodities: mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, rice and other foodstuffs partners: US, EC, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWAS External debt: $2.1 billion (September 1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA% (1993-94); much industrial damage caused by factional warfare Electricity: capacity: 330,000 kW production: 440 million kWh consumption per capita: 143 kWh (1993) Industries: rubber processing, food processing, construction materials, furniture, palm oil processing, mining (iron ore, diamonds) Agriculture: accounts for about 40% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); principal products - rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava, palm oil, sugarcane, bananas, sheep, goats; not self-sufficient in food, imports 25% of rice consumption Illicit drugs: increasingly a transshipment point for heroin and Economic aid: Currency: 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1 - 1.00 (officially Fiscal year: calendar year @Liberia:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Ports: Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia Merchant marine: Airports: @Liberia:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; telephone and telegraph service via Radio: Television: @Liberia:Defense Forces Branches: NA; the ultimate structure of the Liberian military force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 732,063; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 2% of ________________________________________________________________________ LIBYA@Libya:Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 4,383 km, Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt Coastline: 1,770 km Maritime claims: International disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in February 1994 that the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between Chad and Libya belongs to Chad, and that Libya must withdraw from it by 31 May 1994; Libya has withdrawn some its forces in response to the ICJ ruling, but still maintains an airfield in the disputed area; maritime boundary dispute with Tunisia; claims part of northern Niger and part of southeastern Algeria Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 8% forest and woodland: 0% other: 90% Irrigated land: 2,420 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Libya:People Population: 5,248,401 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.7% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 44.89 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.91 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 61.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.29 years male: 62.12 years female: 66.57 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.32 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Religions: Sunni Muslim 97% Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1984) Labor force: 1 million (includes about 280,000 resident foreigners) @Libya:Government Names: Digraph: LY Type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship Capital: Tripoli Administrative divisions: 25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular - Independence: 24 December 1951 (from Italy) National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) Constitution: 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977 Legal system: based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none Other political or pressure groups: various Arab nationalist movements Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, Diplomatic representation in US: none US diplomatic representation: none Flag: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion) @Libya:Economy Overview: The socialist-oriented economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contributes practically all export earnings and about one-third of GDP. In 1990 per capita GDP was the highest in Africa at $5,410, but GDP growth rates have slowed and fluctuated sharply in response to changes in the world oil market. Import restrictions and inefficient resource allocations have led to periodic shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs. Windfall revenues from the hike in world oil prices in late 1990 improved the foreign payments position and resulted in a current account surplus through 1992. The nonoil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Although agriculture accounts for only 5% of GDP, it employs 18% of the labor force. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit farm output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food requirements. The UN sanctions imposed in April 1992 have not yet had a major impact on the economy because Libya's oil revenues generate sufficient foreign exchange which sustains imports of food, consumer goods, and equipment for the oil industry and ongoing development projects. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $32.9 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -0.9% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $6,510 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $7.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $6.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $3.5 billion excluding military debt (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 10.5% (1990) Electricity: capacity: 4,600,000 kW production: 16.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,078 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement Agriculture: 5% of GDP; cash crops - wheat, barley, olives, dates, Economic aid: Currency: 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams Exchange rates: Libyan dinars (LD) per US$1 - 0.3555 (January 1995), 0.3596 (1994), 0.3250 (1993), 0.3013 (1992), 0.2684 (1991), 0.2699 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Libya:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 19,300 km paved: bituminous 10,800 km unpaved: gravel, earth 8,500 km Inland waterways: none Pipelines: crude oil 4,383 km; petroleum products 443 km (includes Ports: Al Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah, Misratah, Ra's Merchant marine: ships by type: cargo 10, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, Airports: @Libya:Communications Telephone system: 370,000 telephones; modern telecommunications system local: NA Radio: Television: @Libya:Defense Forces Branches: Armed Peoples of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah (includes Army, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,131,175; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, 6.1% of ________________________________________________________________________ LIECHTENSTEIN@Liechtenstein:Geography Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 78 km, Austria 37 km, Switzerland 41 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: claims 1,600 square kilometers of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918; the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the Communists seized power Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third Natural resources: hydroelectric potential Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 38% forest and woodland: 19% other: 18% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: landlocked; variety of microclimatic variations based on @Liechtenstein:People Population: 30,654 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.2% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.95 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.56 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 5.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.52 years male: 73.86 years female: 81.17 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.47 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein Ethnic divisions: Alemannic 95%, Italian and other 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 87.3%, Protestant 8.3%, unknown 1.6%, other 2.8% (1988) Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 19,905 of which 11,933 are foreigners; 6,885 commute from @Liechtenstein:Government Names: Digraph: LS Type: hereditary constitutional monarchy Capital: Vaduz Administrative divisions: 11 communes (gemeinden, singular - Independence: 23 January 1719 (Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August Constitution: 5 October 1921 Legal system: local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for criminal Political parties and leaders: Fatherland Union (VU), Dr. Oswald Member of: CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, GATT, IAEA, ICRM, IFRCS, INTELSAT, Diplomatic representation in US: in routine diplomatic matters, US diplomatic representation: the US has no diplomatic or consular Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold @Liechtenstein:Economy Overview: Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital service sector and living standards on par with its large European neighbors. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced about 25,000 holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. Liechtenstein plans to join the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between EFTA and EU) in 1995. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $630 million (1990 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $22,300 (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1990) Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1994) Budget: Exports: $NA Imports: $NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 23,000 kW production: 150 million kWh consumption per capita: 5,230 kWh (1992) Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism Agriculture: livestock, vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapes Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.2880 (January 1995), 1.3677 (1994), 1.4776 (1993), 1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Liechtenstein:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Ports: none Airports: none @Liechtenstein:Communications Telephone system: 25,400 telephones; limited, but sufficient automatic Radio: Television: @Liechtenstein:Defense Forces Note: defense is responsibility of Switzerland ________________________________________________________________________ LITHUANIA@Lithuania:Geography Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,273 km, Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland Coastline: 108 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) over the position of the Nemunas (Nemen) River border presently located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by international standards Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters and summers Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil Natural resources: peat Land use: Irrigated land: 430 sq km (1990) Environment: @Lithuania:People Population: 3,876,396 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.71% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 14.46 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.95 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.37 years male: 66.68 years female: 76.3 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Polish 7.7%, Religions: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, other Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 1.836 million @Lithuania:Government Names: Digraph: LH Type: republic Capital: Vilnius Administrative divisions: 44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas) and Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918) Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Court of Appeals Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (LKDP), Other political or pressure groups: Homeland Union; Lithuanian Future Member of: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr. embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600 mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [370] (2) 223-031 FAX: [370] (2) 222-779 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red @Lithuania:Economy Overview: Since independence in September 1991, Lithuania has made steady progress in developing a market economy. Almost 50% of state property has been privatized and trade is diversifying with a gradual shift away from the former Soviet Union to Western markets. In addition, the Lithuanian government has adhered to a disciplined budgetary and financial policy which has brought inflation down from a monthly average of around 14% in first half 1993 to an average of 3.1% in 1994. Nevertheless, the process has been painful with industrial output in 1993 less than half the 1991 level. The economy appeared to have bottomed out in 1994, and Vilnius's policies have laid the groundwork for vigorous recovery over the next few years. Recovery will build on Lithuanian's strategic location with its ice-free port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, and on its agriculture potential, highly skilled labor force, and diversified industrial sector. Lacking important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of fuels and raw materials. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $13.5 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: -0.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,500 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (monthly average 1994) Unemployment rate: 4.5% (January 1995) Budget: Exports: $2.2 billion (1994) Imports: $2.7 billion (1994) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate -52% (1992); accounts for 35% of Electricity: capacity: 6,190,000 kW production: 18.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,608 kWh (1993) Industries: industry's share in the economy has been declining substantially over the past year, due to the economic crisis and the growth of services in the economy; among branches which are still important: metal-cutting machine tools 6.6%, electric motors 4.6%, television sets 6.2%, refrigerators and freezers 5.4%; other branches: petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, and amber Agriculture: employs around 18% of labor force; accounts for 25% of Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Economic aid: Currency: introduced the convertible litas in June 1993 Exchange rates: litai per US$1 - 4 (fixed rate 1 May 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Lithuania:Transportation Railroads: total: 2,010 km broad gauge: 2,010 km 1.524-m gauge (120 km electrified) (1990) Highways: total: 44,200 km paved: 35,500 km unpaved: earth 8,700 km (1990) Inland waterways: 600 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992) Ports: Kaunas, Klaipeda Merchant marine: Airports: @Lithuania:Communications Telephone system: 900,000 telephones; 240 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Lithuania:Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security Manpower availability: males age 15-49 949,663; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 2% of ________________________________________________________________________ LUXEMBOURG@Luxembourg:Geography Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 359 km, Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers Terrain: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited) Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 21% other: 34% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: landlocked @Luxembourg:People Population: 404,660 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.57% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.61 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.42 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.95 years male: 73.31 years female: 80.75 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Celtic base (with French and German blend), Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3% Languages: Luxembourgisch, German, French, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 177,300 (one-third of labor force is foreign workers, @Luxembourg:Government Names: Digraph: LU Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Luxembourg Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, 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: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Superior Court of Justice (Cour Superieure de Political parties and leaders: Christian Social People's Party (CSV), Other political or pressure groups: group of steel companies Member of: ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, EBRD, EC, ECE, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Clay CONSTANTINOU embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, 2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: PSC 11, Luxembourg City; APO AE 09132-5380 telephone: [352] 46 01 23 FAX: [352] 46 14 01 Flag: 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 Overview: The stable, prosperous economy features moderate growth, low inflation, and negligible unemployment. Agriculture is based on small but highly productive family-owned farms. The industrial sector, until recently dominated by steel, has become increasingly more diversified, particularly toward high-technology firms. During the past decade, growth in the financial sector has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Services, especially banking, account for a growing proportion of the economy. Luxembourg participates in an economic union with Belgium on trade and most financial matters, is also closely connected economically to the Netherlands, and as a member of the 15-member European Union enjoys the advantages of the open European market. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $9.2 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.6% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $22,830 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1992) Unemployment rate: 2.4% (1994) Budget: Exports: $6.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) Imports: $8.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) External debt: $800 million (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -0.5% (1990); accounts for 25% of Electricity: capacity: 1,238,750 kW production: 1.374 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,395 kWh (1993) Industries: banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum Agriculture: accounts for less than 3% of GDP (including forestry); principal products - barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; cattle raising widespread Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Luxembourg franc (LuxF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Luxembourg francs (LuxF) per US$1 - 31.549 (January 1995), 33,456 (1994), 34.597 (1993), 32.150 (1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990); note - the Luxembourg franc is at par with the Belgian franc, which circulates freely in Luxembourg Fiscal year: calendar year @Luxembourg:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 37 km; Moselle River Pipelines: petroleum products 48 km Ports: Mertert Merchant marine: Airports: total: 2 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 @Luxembourg:Communications Telephone system: 230,000 telephones; highly developed, completely Radio: Television: @Luxembourg:Defense Forces Branches: Army, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males age 15-49 103,990; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $129 million, 1.2% of ________________________________________________________________________ MACAU(overseas territory of Portugal) @Macau:Geography Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 0.34 km, China 0.34 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: not specified International disputes: none Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers Terrain: generally flat Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect the two @Macau:People Population: 490,901 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.25% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 14.5 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.21 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 2.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.86 years male: 77.41 years female: 82.43 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Macanese (singular and plural) adjective: Macau Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2% Religions: Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 7%, Protestant 1%, none 45.8%, Languages: Portuguese (official), Cantonese is the language of Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 180,000 (1986) @Macau:Government Names: Digraph: MC Type: overseas territory of Portugal scheduled to revert to China in 1999 Capital: Macau Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular - Independence: none (territory of Portugal; Portugal signed an National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580) Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law drafted primarily by Beijing awaiting final approval Legal system: Portuguese civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests of Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration Member of: CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, IMO (associate), INTERPOL Diplomatic representation in US: none (Chinese territory under US diplomatic representation: the US has no offices in Macau, and US Flag: the flag of Portugal is used @Macau:Economy Overview: The economy is based largely on tourism (including gambling) and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Efforts to diversify have spawned other small industries - toys, artificial flowers, and electronics. The tourist sector has accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has provided about two-thirds of export earnings; the gambling industry represented well over 40% of GDP in 1992. Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.8 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.8 billion (1992 est.) Imports: $2 billion (1992 est.) External debt: $91 million (1985) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 258,000 kW production: 950 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,093 kWh (1993) Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture, Agriculture: rice, vegetables; food shortages - rice, vegetables, Economic aid: none Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1 - 8.034 (1991-94), 8.024 (1990), 8.030 (1989); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar Fiscal year: calendar year @Macau:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 42 km paved: 42 km Ports: Macau Merchant marine: none Airports: none usable, 1 under construction; 1 seaplane station @Macau:Communications Telephone system: 52,000 telephones; fairly modern communication Radio: Television: @Macau:Defense Forces Branches: NA Manpower availability: males age 15-49 141,160; males fit for military service 78,578 (1995 est.) Note: defense is responsibility of Portugal ________________________________________________________________________ MACEDONIA, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF@Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Of:Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 748 km, Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: dispute with Greece over name, symbols, and Climate: hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 30% other: 40% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and @Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Of:People Population: 2,159,503 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.9% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15.82 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.7 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74 years male: 71.87 years female: 76.3 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.02 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Macedonian 65%, Albanian 22%, Turkish 4%, Serb 2%, Religions: Eastern Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3% Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3% Literacy: NA% Labor force: 591,773 (June 1994) by occupation: manufacturing and mining 40% (1992) @Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Of:Government Names: Abbreviation: F.Y.R.O.M. Digraph: MK Type: emerging democracy Capital: Skopje Administrative divisions: 34 counties (opstinas, singular - opstina) 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: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Judicial Court of the Republic Political parties and leaders: Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia Other political or pressure groups: Movement for All Macedonian Action Member of: CCC, CE (guest), CEI, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, Diplomatic representation in US: the US recognized The Former Yugoslav US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Victor D. COMRAS liaison office: ul. 27 Mart No. 5, 9100 Skopje mailing address: USLO Skopje, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] (91) 116-180 FAX: [389] (91) 117-103 Flag: 16-point gold sun (Vergina, Sun) centered on a red field @Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Of:Economy Overview: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, although the poorest republic in the former Yugoslav federation, can meet basic food and energy needs through its own agricultural and coal resources. Its economic decline will continue unless ties are reforged or enlarged with its neighbors Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. The economy depends on outside sources for all of its oil and gas and most of its modern machinery and parts. An important supplement of GDP is the remittances from thousands of Macedonians working in Germany and other West European nations. Continued political turmoil, both internally and in the region as a whole, prevents any swift readjustments of trade patterns and economic programs. The country's industrial output and GDP are expected to decline further in 1995. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's geographical isolation, technological backwardness, and potential political instability place it far down the list of countries of interest to Western investors. Resolution of the dispute with Greece and an internal commitment to economic reform would encourage foreign investment over the long run. In the immediate future, the worst scenario for the economy would be the spread of fighting across its borders. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.9 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -15% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $900 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 54% (1994) Unemployment rate: 30% (1993 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.06 billion (1993) Imports: $1.2 billion (1993) External debt: $840 million (1992) Industrial production: growth rate -14% (1993) Electricity: capacity: 1,600,000 kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh (1993) Industries: low levels of technology predominate, such as, oil Agriculture: meets the basic needs for food; principal crops are rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, and millet; also grown are cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus fruit, and vegetables; agricultural production is highly labor intensive Illicit drugs: limited illicit opium cultivation; transshipment point Economic aid: Currency: the denar, which was adopted by the Macedonian legislature Exchange rates: denar per US$1 - 39 (November 1994), 865 (October Fiscal year: calendar year @Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Of:Transportation Railroads: total: 922 km standard gauge: 922 km 1.435-m gauge (1994) Highways: total: 10,591 km paved: 5,091 km unpaved: gravel 1,404 km; earth 4,096 km (1991) Inland waterways: none, lake transport only Pipelines: none Ports: none Airports: @Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Of:Communications Telephone system: 125,000 telephones Radio: Television: @Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Of:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 585,403; males fit for military Defense expenditures: 7 billion denars, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - ________________________________________________________________________ MADAGASCAR@Madagascar:Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4,828 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 58% forest and woodland: 26% other: 11% Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along @Madagascar:People Population: 13,862,325 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.18% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 44.82 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.99 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 86.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.45 years male: 52.47 years female: 56.48 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.62 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7% Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: @Madagascar:Government Names: Digraph: MA Type: republic Capital: Antananarivo Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Constitution: 19 August 1992 by national referendum Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional Political parties and leaders: Committee of Living Forces (CFV), an Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Christian Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis P. BARRETT embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18 FAX: [261] (2) 345-39 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side @Madagascar:Economy Overview: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, suffering from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 30% of GDP and contributing more than 70% of total export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; in 1991 it accounted for only 13% of GDP. In 1986 the government introduced a five-year development plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased production for exports, and reduced energy imports. Subsequently, growth in output has been held back because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform. Since 1993, corruption and political instability have caused the economy and infrastructure to decay further. Since April 1994, the government commitment to economic reforms has been erratic. Enormous obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its considerable growth potential. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $10.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $790 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $240 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $510 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) External debt: $4.3 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.8% (1993 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 220,000 kW production: 560 million kWh consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1993) Industries: agricultural processing (meat canneries, soap factories, breweries, tanneries, sugar refining plants), light consumer goods industries (textiles, glassware), cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum Agriculture: accounts for 31% of GDP; cash crops - coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa; food crops - rice, cassava, beans, bananas, peanuts; cattle raising widespread; almost self-sufficient in rice Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild Economic aid: Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 3,718.0 (November Fiscal year: calendar year @Madagascar:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small Ports: Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Port Saint-Louis, Toamasina, Toliaria Merchant marine: Airports: @Madagascar:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; above average system Radio: Television: @Madagascar:Defense Forces Branches: Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 3,027,156; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $35 million, 1.3% of ________________________________________________________________________ MALAWI@Malawi:Geography Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 2,881 km, Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, Natural resources: limestone, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 50% other: 5% Irrigated land: 200 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked @Malawi:People Population: 9,808,384 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.63% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 49.81 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 23.53 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: the return of refugees to Mozambique is much reduced compared with 1994 Infant mortality rate: 140.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 39.01 years male: 38.28 years female: 39.76 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.36 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, traditional Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1987) Labor force: 428,000 wage earners @Malawi:Government Names: Digraph: MI Type: multiparty democracy following a referendum on 14 June 1993; formerly a one-party republic Capital: Lilongwe Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa, Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1964) Constitution: 6 July 1966; republished as amended January 1974 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter R. CHAVEAS embassy: address NA, in new capital city development area in Lilongwe mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi telephone: [265] 783 166 FAX: [265] 780 471 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band; similar to the flag of Afghanistan, which is longer and has the national coat of arms superimposed on the hoist side of the black and red bands @Malawi:Economy Overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 40% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. After two years of weak performance, economic growth improved significantly in 1988-91 as a result of good weather and a broadly based economic adjustment effort by the government. Drought cut overall output sharply in 1992, but the lost ground was recovered in 1993. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. The new government faces strong challenges, e.g., to spur exports, to improve educational and health facilities, and to deal with environmental problems of deforestation and erosion. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $7.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 9.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $750 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $311 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $308 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment partners: South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe External debt: $1.8 billion (December 1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.5% accounts for about 15% of GDP (1992 est.) Electricity: capacity: 190,000 kW production: 820 million kWh consumption per capita: 77 kWh (1993) Industries: agricultural processing (tea, tobacco, sugar), sawmilling, cement, consumer goods Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops - tobacco, sugarcane, Economic aid: Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1 - 7.8358 (August 1994), 4.4028 (1993), 3.6033 (1992), 2.8033 (1991), 2.7289 (1990), 2.7595 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Malawi:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km Ports: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkotakota Airports: @Malawi:Communications Telephone system: 42,250 telephones Radio: Television: @Malawi:Defense Forces Branches: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,069,302; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $13 million, 0.7% of ________________________________________________________________________ MALAYSIA@Malaysia:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo bordering the Java Sea and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 2,669 km, Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 Maritime claims: International disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 10% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 63% other: 24% Irrigated land: 3,420 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South @Malaysia:People Population: 19,723,587 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.24% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 27.95 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.56 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.48 years male: 66.55 years female: 72.56 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.47 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian Ethnic divisions: Malay and other indigenous 59%, Chinese 32%, Indian Religions: Languages: Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 7.627 million (1993) @Malaysia:Government Names: Digraph: MY Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Kuala Lumpur Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) 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: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: fourteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US @Malaysia:Economy Overview: The Malaysian economy, a mixture of private enterprise and a soundly managed public sector, has posted a remarkable record of 9% average annual growth in 1988-94. The official growth target for 1995 is 8.5%. This growth has resulted in a substantial reduction in poverty and a marked rise in real wages. Manufactured goods exports expanded rapidly, and foreign investors continued to commit large sums in the economy. The government is aware of the inflationary potential of this rapid development and is closely monitoring fiscal and monetary policies. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $166.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 8.7% (1994) National product per capita: $8,650 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1994) Unemployment rate: 2.9% (1994) Budget: Exports: $56.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $55.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $35.5 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 12% (1994); accounts for 38% of GDP (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 6,700,000 kW production: 31 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,528 kWh (1993) Industries: Agriculture: accounts for 16% of GDP (1993 est.) Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the Economic aid: Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1 - 2.5542 (January 1995), 2.6242 (1994), 2.5741 (1993), 2.5474 (1992), 2.7501 (1991), 1.7048 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Malaysia:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km Ports: Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Labuan, Merchant marine: Airports: @Malaysia:Communications Telephone system: 994,860 telephones (1984); international service Radio: Television: @Malaysia:Defense Forces Branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,041,003; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.1 billion, 2.9% of ________________________________________________________________________ MALDIVES@Maldives:Geography Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 644 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to Terrain: flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 meters Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 3% other: 84% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; archipelago of @Maldives:People Population: 261,310 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.58% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 42.8 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 50 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.49 years male: 63.99 years female: 67.07 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.17 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic), Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) Labor force: 66,000 (est.) @Maldives:Government Names: Digraph: MV Type: republic Capital: Male Administrative divisions: 19 districts (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, 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: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not Member of: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, Diplomatic representation in US: Maldives has no embassy in the US, US diplomatic representation: Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a @Maldives:Economy Overview: Fishing is the largest industry, employing 25% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. During the 1980s tourism became one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1993, tourism accounted for 17% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. The Maldivian government initiated an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivatable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. In 1993, industry which consisted mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts accounted for about 6% of GDP. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $360 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.4% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $1,500 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1993) Unemployment rate: NEGL% Budget: Exports: $38.5 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $177.8 million (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $130 million (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 24% (1990); accounts for 6% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 5,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 123 kWh (1993) Industries: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts Agriculture: fishing, coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes Economic aid: Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 11.770 (January 1995), 11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993), 10.569 (1992), 10.253 (1991), 9.509 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Maldives:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA (Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city) Ports: Gan, Male Merchant marine: Airports: total: 2 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 @Maldives:Communications Telephone system: 2,804 telephones; minimal domestic and international Radio: Television: @Maldives:Defense Forces Branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 57,172; males fit for military service 31,911 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ MALI@Mali:Geography Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 7,243 km, Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: the disputed international boundary between Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 7% other: 66% Irrigated land: 50 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked @Mali:People Population: 9,375,132 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.89% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 51.88 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 19.93 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 104.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.37 years male: 44.7 years female: 48.09 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.33 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%, Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1% Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages Literacy: age 6 and over can read and write (1988) Labor force: 2.666 million (1986 est.) @Mali:Government Names: Digraph: ML Type: republic Capital: Bamako Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France) National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Association for Democracy (Adema), Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and @Mali:Economy Overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The economy is beginning to turn around after contracting through 1992-93, largely because of enhanced exports and import substitute production in the wake of the 50% devaluation of January 1994. Post-devaluation inflation appears to have peaked at 35% in 1994 and the government appears to be keeping on track with its IMF structural adjustment program. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $600 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $415 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $842 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction materials, petroleum, textiles partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe External debt: $2.6 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -1.4% (1992 est.); accounts for 13.0% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 90,000 kW production: 310 million kWh consumption per capita: 33 kWh (1993) Industries: minor local consumer goods production and food processing, construction, phosphate and gold mining Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; mostly subsistence farming; cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of exports; other crops - millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 Fiscal year: calendar year @Mali:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 15,700 km paved: 1,670 km unpaved: gravel, improved earth 3,670 km; unimproved earth 10,360 km Inland waterways: 1,815 km navigable Ports: Koulikoro Airports: @Mali:Communications Telephone system: 11,000 telephones; domestic system poor but Radio: Television: @Mali:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,861,977; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 2.2% of ________________________________________________________________________ MALTA@Malta:Geography Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 140 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs Natural resources: limestone, salt Land use: arable land: 38% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 59% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the 3 largest @Malta:People Population: 369,609 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.75% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.22 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.43 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.02 years male: 74.75 years female: 79.48 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese Ethnic divisions: Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: Maltese (official), English (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) Labor force: 127,200 @Malta:Government Names: Digraph: MT Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Valletta Administrative divisions: none (administration directly from Valletta) Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964) Constitution: 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; has Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives: elections last held 22 February 1992 (next to be held by February 1997); results - NP 51.8%, MLP 46.5%; seats - (usually 65 total) MLP 36, NP 29; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total: 69 (MLP 33, NP 36 after adjustment) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party (NP), Edward FENECH Member of: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the @Malta:Economy Overview: Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on foreign trade and services. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest contributors to the economy. Manufacturing accounts for about 24% of GDP, with the electronics and textile industries major contributors and with the state-owned Malta drydocks employing about 4,300 people. In 1994, over 1,000,000 tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP of $10,760 places Malta in the range of the less affluent EU countries. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $3.9 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $10,760 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.5% (March 1994) Budget: Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $2.1 billion (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $603 million (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 5.4% (1992); accounts for 27% of Electricity: capacity: 250,000 kW production: 1.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,749 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, electronics, ship repairyard, construction, food manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco Agriculture: accounts for 3% of GDP and 2% of the work force (1992); overall, 20% self-sufficient; main products - potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers, hogs, poultry, eggs; generally adequate supplies of vegetables, poultry, milk, pork products; seasonal or periodic shortages in grain, animal fodder, fruits, other basic foodstuffs Illicit drugs: transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Economic aid: Currency: 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1 - 0.3656 (January 1995), 0.3776 (1994), 0.3821 (1993), 0.3178 (1992), 0.3226 (1991), 0.3172 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Malta:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,291 km paved: asphalt 1,179 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 77 km; earth 35 km Ports: Marsaxlokk, Valletta Merchant marine: Airports: @Malta:Communications Telephone system: 153,000 telephones; automatic system satisfies Radio: Television: @Malta:Defense Forces Branches: Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 98,525; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $21.4 million, about ________________________________________________________________________ MAN, ISLE OF(British crown dependency) @Man, Isle Of:Geography Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 113 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley Natural resources: lead, iron ore Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% (extensive arable land and forests) Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary @Man, Isle Of:People Population: 72,751 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.99% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.73 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.36 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 8.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.53 years male: 73.78 years female: 79.48 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Manxman, Manxwoman adjective: Manx Ethnic divisions: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Languages: English, Manx Gaelic Literacy: NA% Labor force: 25,864 (1981) by occupation: NA @Man, Isle Of:Government Names: Digraph: IM Type: British crown dependency Capital: Douglas Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act Legal system: English law and local statute Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald Judicial branch: Court of Tynwald Political parties and leaders: there is no party system and members sit as independents Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (British crown dependency) US diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency) Flag: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used @Man, Isle Of:Economy Overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Banking now contributes about 45% to GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to European Union markets. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $780 million (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,800 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 1% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $NA Imports: $NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 61,000 kW production: 190 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,965 kWh (1992) Industries: financial services, light manufacturing, tourism Agriculture: cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 Manx pound (#M) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Manx pounds (#M) per US$1 - 0.6350 (January 1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Man, Isle Of:Transportation Railroads: total: 60 km (36 km electrified) Highways: total: 640 km paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey Merchant marine: Airports: @Man, Isle Of:Communications Telephone system: 24,435 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: Television: @Man, Isle Of:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ MARSHALL ISLANDS@Marshall Islands:Geography Location: Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 370.4 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims US territory of Wake Island Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands Natural resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 60% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 40% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; @Marshall Islands:People Population: 56,157 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.86% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 46.03 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.48 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 48 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.49 years male: 61.94 years female: 65.11 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.89 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Micronesian Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant) Languages: English (universally spoken and is the official language), Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 4,800 (1986) @Marshall Islands:Government Names: Digraph: RM Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Capital: Majuro Administrative divisions: none Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Constitution: 1 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: no formal parties; President KABUA is Member of: AsDB, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, INTELSAT Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wilfred I. KENDALL chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Los Angeles US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David C. FIELDS embassy: address NA, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012 Flag: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes @Marshall Islands:Economy Overview: Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. A few cattle ranches supply the domestic meat market. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry is the primary source of foreign exchange and employs about 10% of the labor force. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. The US Government provides about 70% of the budget. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $75 million (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 6% (1992) National product per capita: $1,500 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 16% (1991 est.) Budget: Exports: $3.9 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) Imports: $62.9 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 42,000 kW production: 80 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,840 kWh (1990) Industries: copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls; offshore banking (embryonic) Agriculture: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, pigs, chickens Economic aid: Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Marshall Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: Ports: Majuro Merchant marine: Airports: @Marshall Islands:Communications Telephone system: 570 telephones (Majuro) and 186 telephones (Ebeye); Radio: Television: @Marshall Islands:Defense Forces Branches: no regular military forces; Police Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ MARTINIQUE(overseas department of France) @Martinique:Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 290 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 30% forest and woodland: 26% other: 26% Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Martinique:People Population: 394,787 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.1% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 16.92 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.82 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.67 years male: 75.94 years female: 81.53 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture 90%, Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5% Languages: French, Creole patois Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: 100,000 @Martinique:Government Names: Digraph: MB Type: overseas department of France Capital: Fort-de-France Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Stephen Other political or pressure groups: Proletarian Action Group (GAP); Member of: FZ, WCL, WFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of France) US diplomatic representation: the post closed in August 1993 (overseas department of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @Martinique:Economy Overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration. Banana workers launched protests late in 1992 because of falling banana prices and fears of greater competition in the European market from other producers. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $3.9 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1990) Unemployment rate: 32.1% (1990) Budget: Exports: $247 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $1.75 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods partners: France 62%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1991) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 113,100 kW production: 700 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,677 kWh (1993) Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism Agriculture: including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 10% of GDP; principal crops - pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and vegetables Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for Economic aid: Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.2943 (January 1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Martinique:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,680 km paved: 1,300 km unpaved: gravel, earth 380 km Ports: Fort-de-France, La Trinite Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 2 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Martinique:Communications Telephone system: 68,900 telephones; domestic facilities are adequate Radio: Television: @Martinique:Defense Forces Branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ MAURITANIA@Mauritania:Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 5,074 km, Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Coastline: 754 km Maritime claims: International disputes: boundary with Senegal in dispute Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 38% forest and woodland: 5% other: 56% Irrigated land: 120 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: most of the population concentrated along the Senegal River in @Mauritania:People Population: 2,263,202 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.17% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 47.32 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 15.66 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 83.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.54 years male: 45.66 years female: 51.54 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.92 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian Ethnic divisions: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1988) Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980) @Mauritania:Government Names: Digraph: MR Type: republic Capital: Nouakchott Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular - region); 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, state security courts (in the process of being eliminated) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral legislature Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: legalized by constitution passed 12 Other political or pressure groups: Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM) Member of: ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Dorothy Myers SAMPAS embassy: address NA, Nouakchott mailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] (2) 526-60, 526-63 FAX: [222] (2) 515-92 Flag: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam @Mauritania: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. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank, the IMF, and major donor countries. Short-term growth prospects are gloomy because of the heavy debt service burden, rapid population growth, and vulnerability to climatic conditions. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $1,110 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1993) Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.) Budget: Exports: $401 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $378 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $1.9 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for almost 30% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 110,000 kW production: 135 million kWh consumption per capita: 61 kWh (1993) Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum Agriculture: accounts for 25% of GDP (including fishing); largely Economic aid: Currency: 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums Exchange rates: ouguiyas (UM) per US$1 - 125.910 (January 1995), 123.575 (1994), 120.806 (1993),87.027 (1992), 81.946 (1991), 80.609 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Mauritania:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River Ports: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso Merchant marine: none Airports: @Mauritania:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; poor system of cable and open-wire Radio: Television: @Mauritania:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 483,916; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $36 million, 2.7% of ________________________________________________________________________ MAURITIUS@Mauritius:Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Map references: World Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 177 km Maritime claims: International disputes: claims UK-administered Chagos Archipelago, Climate: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: arable land: 54% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 31% other: 7% Irrigated land: 170 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Mauritius:People Population: 1,127,068 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.89% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 18.91 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.38 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -3.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.84 years male: 66.9 years female: 74.95 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Religions: Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant Languages: English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 335,000 @Mauritius:Government Names: Digraph: MP Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port Louis Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: various labor unions Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie M. ALEXANDER embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [230] 208-9763 through 9767 FAX: [230] 208-9534 Flag: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green @Mauritius:Economy Overview: Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low income, agriculturally based economy to middle income diversified economy with growing industrial and tourist sectors. For most of the period annual growth has been of the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 40% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on industrialization (with a view to modernization and to exports), agricultural diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in 1991-93 continued strong with solid real growth and low unemployment. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $9.3 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.7% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $8,600 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.4% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.4% (1991 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.32 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: manufactured goods 50%, capital equipment 17%, foodstuffs 13%, petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7% partners: EC, US, South Africa, Japan External debt: $996.8 million (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.8% (1992); accounts for 25% of Electricity: capacity: 340,000 kW production: 920 million kWh consumption per capita: 777 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP; about 90% of cultivated land in Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug Economic aid: Currency: 1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1 - 17.755 (January 1995), 17.960 (1994), 17.648 (1993), 15.563 (1992), 15.652 (1991), 14.839 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Mauritius:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,800 km paved: 1,640 km unpaved: earth 160 km Ports: Port Louis Merchant marine: Airports: @Mauritius:Communications Telephone system: over 48,000 telephones; small system with good Radio: Television: @Mauritius:Defense Forces Branches: National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special Manpower availability: males age 15-49 321,947; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11.2 million, 0.4% ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 185.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Comoros Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during Terrain: generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: cyclones during rainy season international agreements: NA Note: part of Comoro Archipelago @Mayotte:People Population: 97,088 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.8% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 48.44 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.46 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 77.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.27 years male: 56.04 years female: 60.57 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.71 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Mahorais (singular and plural) adjective: Mahoran Ethnic divisions: NA Religions: Muslim 99%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA @Mayotte:Government Names: Digraph: MF Type: territorial collectivity of France Capital: Mamoutzou Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel) Political parties and leaders: Mahoran Popular Movement (MPM), Member of: FZ Diplomatic representation in US: none (territorial collectivity of US diplomatic representation: none (territorial collectivity of Flag: the flag of France is used @Mayotte:Economy Overview: Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance. Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $54 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $600 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $4 million (f.o.b., 1984) Imports: $21.8 million (f.o.b., 1984) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: NA kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry Agriculture: most important sector; provides all export earnings; Economic aid: Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.2943 (January 1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Mayotte:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 42 km paved: bituminous 18 km unpaved: 24 km Ports: Dzaoudzi Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Mayotte:Communications Telephone system: 450 telephones; small system administered by French Radio: Television: @Mayotte:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ MEXICO@Mexico:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Map references: North America Area: Land boundaries: total 4,538 km, Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US Coastline: 9,330 km Maritime claims: International disputes: claims Clipperton Island (French possession) Climate: varies from tropical to desert Terrain: high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus, Natural resources: petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 39% forest and woodland: 24% other: 24% Irrigated land: 51,500 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location on southern border of US @Mexico:People Population: 93,985,848 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.9% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 26.64 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.64 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -3.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.34 years male: 69.74 years female: 77.11 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.09 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: mestizo (Indian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6% Languages: Spanish, various Mayan dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 26.2 million (1990) @Mexico:Government Names: Digraph: MX Type: federal republic operating under a centralized government Capital: Mexico Administrative divisions: 31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 Independence: 16 September 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1810) Constitution: 5 February 1917 Legal system: mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced) Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la Union) Senate (Camara de Senadores): elections last held on 21 August 1994 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Political parties and leaders: (recognized parties) Institutional Other political or pressure groups: Roman Catholic Church; Member of: AG (observer), APEC, BCIE, CARICOM (observer), CCC, CDB, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and @Mexico:Economy Overview: Mexico, under the guidance of new President Ernesto ZEDILLO, entered 1995 in the midst of a severe financial crisis. Mexico's membership in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States and Canada, its solid record of economic reforms, and its strong growth in the second and third quarters of 1994 - at an annual rate of 3.8% and 4.5% respectively - seemed to augur bright prospects for 1995. However, an overvalued exchange rate and widening current account deficits created an imbalance that ultimately proved unsustainable. To finance the trade gap, Mexico City had become increasingly reliant on volatile portfolio investment. A series of political shocks in 1994 - an uprising in the southern state of Chiapas, the assassination of a presidential candidate, several high profile kidnappings, the killing of a second high-level political figure, and renewed threats from the Chiapas rebels - combined with rising international interest rates and concerns of a devaluation to undermine investor confidence and prompt massive outflows of capital. The dwindling of foreign exchange reserves, which the central bank had been using to defend the currency, forced the new administration to change the exchange rate policy and allow the currency to float freely in the last days of 1994. The adjustment roiled Mexican financial markets, leading to a 30% to 40% weakening of the peso relative to the dollar. ZEDILLO announced an emergency economic program that included federal budget cuts and plans for more privatizations, but it failed to restore investor confidence quickly. While the devaluation is likely to help Mexican exporters, whose products are now cheaper, it also raises the specter of an inflationary spiral if domestic producers increase their prices and workers demand wage hikes. Although strong economic fundamentals bode well for Mexico's longer-term outlook, prospects for solid growth and low inflation have deteriorated considerably, at least through 1995. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $728.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $7,900 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.1% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.8% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $60.8 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.), includes in-bond Imports: $79.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.), includes in-bond External debt: $128 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.5% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 28,780,000 kW production: 122 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,239 kWh (1993) Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, Agriculture: accounts for 7% of GDP; large number of small farms at Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis Economic aid: Currency: 1 New Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1 - 6.736 (average in March 1995), 5.5133 (January 1995), 3.3751 (1994), 3.1156 (1993), 3,094.9 (1992), 3,018.4 (1991), 2,812.6 (1990) note: the new peso replaced the old peso on 1 January 1993; 1 new peso = 1,000 old pesos Fiscal year: calendar year @Mexico:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals Pipelines: crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural Ports: Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, La Paz, Merchant marine: ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 4, container 7, Airports: @Mexico:Communications Telephone system: 6,410,000 telephones; highly developed system with Radio: Television: @Mexico:Defense Forces Branches: National Defense (includes Army and Air Force), Navy (includes Marines) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 23,354,445; males fit for military service 17,029,788; males reach military age (18) annually 1,054,513 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 6,112 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasional severe damage Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: four major island groups totaling 607 islands @Micronesia, Federated States Of:People Population: 122,950 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 3.35% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 28.12 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.3 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 11.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 36.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.81 years male: 65.84 years female: 69.81 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.98 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese Ethnic divisions: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other and none 3% Languages: English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: NA @Micronesia, Federated States Of:Government Names: Abbreviation: FSM Digraph: FM Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Capital: Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei) Administrative divisions: 4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk), Yap Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN National holiday: Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, Constitution: 10 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: no formal parties Member of: AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the @Micronesia, Federated States Of:Economy Overview: Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development. Financial assistance from the US is the primary source of revenue, with the US pledged to spend $1 billion in the islands in the 1990s. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $160 million (1990 National product real growth rate: 4% (1994) National product per capita: $1,500 (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 27% (1989) Budget: Exports: $3.2 million (f.o.b., 1990) Imports: $91.2 million (c.i.f., 1990) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 18,000 kW production: 40 million kWh consumption per capita: 380 kWh (1990) Industries: tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls Agriculture: mainly a subsistence economy; black pepper; tropical Economic aid: Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Micronesia, Federated States Of:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 226 km paved: 39 km (on major islands) unpaved: stone, coral, laterite 187 km Ports: Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen Merchant marine: none Airports: @Micronesia, Federated States Of:Communications Telephone system: 960 telephones on Kolonia and Truk Radio: Television: @Micronesia, Federated States Of:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ MIDWAY ISLANDS(territory of the US) @Midway Islands:Geography Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo Map references: Oceania Area: note: includes Eastern Island and Sand Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 15 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds Terrain: low, nearly level Natural resources: fish, wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: a coral atoll; closed to the public @Midway Islands:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 453 US military personnel (July 1995 est.) @Midway Islands:Government Names: Digraph: MQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division; this facility has been operationally closed since 10 September 1993 and is currently being transferred from Pacific Fleet to Naval Facilities Engineering Command via a Memorandum of Understanding Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Flag: the US flag is used @Midway Islands:Economy Overview: The economy is based on providing support services for US naval operations located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Electricity: supplied by US Military @Midway Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 32 km paved: NA Pipelines: 7.8 km Ports: Sand Island Airports: @Midway Islands:Communications Telephone system: local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: Television: @Midway Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ MOLDOVA@Moldova:Geography Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States - European States Area: Land boundaries: total 1,389 km, Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: certain territory of Moldova and Ukraine - Climate: moderate winters, warm summers Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum Land use: arable land: 50% permanent crops: 13% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 0% other: 28% Irrigated land: 2,920 sq km (1990) Environment: Note: landlocked @Moldova:People Population: 4,489,657 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.36% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15.93 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.05 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -2.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 29.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.22 years male: 64.81 years female: 71.8 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.16 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan Ethnic divisions: Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian note: internal disputes with ethnic Russians and Ukrainians in the Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only about Languages: Moldovan (official; virtually the same as the Romanian Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 2.03 million (January 1994) @Moldova:Government Names: Digraph: MD Type: republic Capital: Chisinau Administrative divisions: previously divided into 40 rayons; new districts possible under new constitution in 1994 Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August 1991 Constitution: new constitution adopted NA July 1994; replaces old Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Popular Front Other political or pressure groups: United Council of Labor Member of: BSEC, CE (guest), CIS, EBRD, ECE, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, ILO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Mary C. PENDLETON embassy: Strada Alexei Mateevich #103, Chisinau mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72 FAX: [373] (2) 23-30-44 Flag: same color scheme as Romania - 3 equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow @Moldova:Economy Overview: Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, Moldova's economy is primarily based on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, and energy shortages have contributed to sharp production declines since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Moldovan government is making steady progress on an ambitious economic reform agenda, and the IMF has called Moldova a model for the region. As part of its reform efforts, Chisinau has introduced a stable currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises and backed their steady privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. Chisinau appears strongly committed to continuing these reforms in 1995. Meanwhile, privatization of medium and large enterprises got underway in mid-1994 and is expected to pick up speed in 1995. To improve its precarious energy situation, Chisinau reached an agreement with Moscow in December 1994 on gas deliveries for 1995. Gazprom, Russia's national gas company, has agreed to reduce prices for natural gas deliveries to Moldova from the world market price of $80/thousand cubic meters (tcm) to $58/tcm in return for part ownership of the Moldovan pipeline system. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $11.9 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: -30% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,670 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.6% per month (1994) Unemployment rate: 1% (includes only officially registered unemployed; Budget: Exports: $144 million to outside the FSU countries (1994); over 70% of Imports: $174 million from outside the FSU countries (1994); over 70% of imports are from FSU countries commodities: oil, gas, coal, steel, machinery, foodstuffs, automobiles, and other consumer durables partners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Romania, Germany External debt: $300 million (as of 11 December 1994) Industrial production: growth rate -30% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 3,000,000 kW production: 8.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,830 kWh (1994) Industries: key products are canned food, agricultural machinery, Agriculture: accounts for about 40% of GDP; Moldova's principal Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis; mostly Economic aid: Currency: the leu (plural lei) was introduced in late 1993 Exchange rates: lei per US$1 - 4.277 (22 December 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year @Moldova:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Pipelines: natural gas 310 km (1992) Ports: none Airports: @Moldova:Communications Telephone system: 577,000 telephones; 134 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Moldova:Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Republic Security Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,116,912; males fit for Defense expenditures: $NA, 2% of GDP (1994) ________________________________________________________________________ MONACO@Monaco:Geography Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 4.4 km, France 4.4 km Coastline: 4.1 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: second smallest independent state in world (after Holy See); @Monaco:People Population: 31,515 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.7% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 10.66 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.12 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 8.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.9 years male: 74.18 years female: 81.8 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Monacan(s) or Monegasque(s) adjective: Monacan or Monegasque Ethnic divisions: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA @Monaco:Government Names: Digraph: MN Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Monaco Administrative divisions: 4 quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Independence: 1419 (rule by the House of Grimaldi) National holiday: National Day, 19 November Constitution: 17 December 1962 Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 25 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal (Tribunal Supreme) Political parties and leaders: National and Democratic Union (UND); Member of: ACCT, ECE, IAEA, ICAO, ICRM, IFRCS, IMO, INMARSAT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: no mission in Monaco, but the US Consul Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to @Monaco:Economy Overview: Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The Principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. About 50% of Monaco's annual revenue comes from value-added taxes on hotels, banks, and the industrial sector; about 25% of revenue comes from tourism. Living standards are high, that is, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan suburbs. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $558 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $18,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NEGL% Budget: Exports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and Imports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: Agriculture: none Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9243 (January 1995), 5.520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Monaco:Transportation Railroads: total: 1.7 km standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: none; city streets Ports: Monaco Merchant marine: none Airports: linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service @Monaco:Communications Telephone system: 38,200 telephones; automatic telephone system Radio: Television: @Monaco:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ MONGOLIA@Mongolia:Geography Location: Northern Asia, north of China Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 8,114 km, China 4,673 km, Russia 3,441 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains; mountains in west and Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 79% forest and woodland: 10% other: 10% Irrigated land: 770 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia @Mongolia:People Population: 2,493,615 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.58% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 32.65 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.82 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 41.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.54 years male: 64.28 years female: 68.92 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.26 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian Ethnic divisions: Mongol 90%, Kazakh 4%, Chinese 2%, Russian 2%, other 2% Religions: predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, Muslim 4% note: previously limited religious activity because of Communist regime Languages: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian, Chinese Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA @Mongolia:Government Names: Digraph: MG Type: republic Capital: Ulaanbaatar Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and Independence: 13 March 1921 (from China) National holiday: National Day, 11 July (1921) Constitution: adopted 13 January 1992 Legal system: blend of Russian, Chinese, and Turkish systems of law; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court serves as appeals court for people's Political parties and leaders: Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party Member of: AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Luvsandorj DAWAAGIW chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald C. JOHNSON embassy: address NA, Ulaanbaatar mailing address: c/o American Embassy Beijing, Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road; PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [976] (1) 329095, 329606 FAX: [976] (1) 320776 Flag: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red, centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol) @Mongolia:Economy Overview: Mongolia's severe climate, scattered population, and wide expanses of unproductive land have constrained economic development. Economic activity traditionally has been based on agriculture and the breeding of livestock. In past years extensive mineral resources had been developed with Soviet support; total Soviet assistance at its height amounted to 30% of GDP. The mining and processing of coal, copper, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a large part of industrial production. Timber and fishing are also important sectors. The Mongolian leadership has been gradually making the transition from Soviet-style central planning to a market economy through privatization and price reform, and is soliciting support from international financial agencies and foreign investors. The economy, however, has still not recovered from the loss of Soviet aid, and the country continues to suffer substantial economic hardships, with one-fourth of the population below the poverty line. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,800 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 70% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1991 est.) Budget: Exports: $360 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $361 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate -15% (1992 est.); accounts for about 42% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 900,000 kW production: 3.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,267 kWh (1993) Industries: copper, processing of animal products, building materials, food and beverage, mining (particularly coal) Agriculture: accounts for about 35% of GDP and provides livelihood for about 50% of the population; livestock raising predominates (primarily sheep and goats, but also cattle, camels, and horses); crops - wheat, barley, potatoes, forage Economic aid: NA Currency: 1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos Exchange rates: tughriks (Tug) per US$1 - 415.34 (January 1995), 412.72 (1994), 42.56 (1992), 9.52 (1991), 5.63 (1990) note: the exchange rate 40 tughriks = 1US$ was introduced June 1991 and was in force to the end of 1992; beginning 27 May 1993 the exchange rate is the midpoint of the average buying and selling rates that are freely determined on the basis of market transactions between commercial banks and the nonbank public Fiscal year: calendar year @Mongolia:Transportation Railroads: total: 1,750 km broad gauge: 1,750 km 1.524-m gauge (1988) Highways: total: 46,700 km paved: 1,000 km unpaved: 45,700 km (1988) Inland waterways: 397 km of principal routes (1988) Ports: none Airports: @Mongolia:Communications Telephone system: 63,000 telephones (1989) Radio: Television: @Mongolia:Defense Forces Branches: Mongolian People's Army (includes Internal Security Forces and Frontier Guards), Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 605,633; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22.8 million, 1% of ________________________________________________________________________ MONTSERRAT(dependent territory of the UK) @Montserrat:Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 10% forest and woodland: 40% other: 30% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Montserrat:People Population: 12,738 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.3% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15.5 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.81 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -2.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.69 years male: 73.93 years female: 77.49 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian Ethnic divisions: black, Europeans Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Languages: English Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 5,100 @Montserrat:Government Names: Digraph: MH Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Plymouth Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Constitution: present constitution came into force 19 December 1989 Legal system: English common law and statute law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party (NPP) Reuben Member of: CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross @Montserrat:Economy Overview: The economy is small and open with economic activity centered on tourism and construction. Tourism is the most important sector and accounts for roughly one-fifth of GDP. Agriculture accounts for about 4% of GDP and industry 10%. The economy is heavily dependent on imports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices. Exports consist mainly of electronic parts sold to the US. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $55.6 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 1% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $4,380 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (1992) Unemployment rate: NA Budget: Exports: $2.8 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $80.6 million (f.o.b., 1992) External debt: $2.05 million (1987) Industrial production: growth rate 8.1% (1986); accounts for 10% of Electricity: capacity: 5,271 kW production: 17 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,106 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism; light manufacturing - rum, textiles, electronic appliances Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops - Economic aid: Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Montserrat:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 280 km paved: 200 km unpaved: gravel, earth 80 km Ports: Plymouth Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Montserrat:Communications Telephone system: 3,000 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: Television: @Montserrat:Defense Forces Branches: Police Force Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ MOROCCO@Morocco:Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 2,002 km, Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 Coastline: 1,835 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims and administers Western Sahara, but Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior Terrain: northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 28% forest and woodland: 12% other: 41% Irrigated land: 12,650 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar @Morocco:People Population: 29,168,848 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.09% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 27.93 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.97 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 45.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.98 years male: 67.03 years female: 71.02 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.69 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 7.4 million @Morocco:Government Names: Digraph: MO Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Rabat Administrative divisions: 36 provinces and 5 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 3 March (1961) (anniversary of King Constitution: 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992 Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Member of: ABEDA, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed BENAISSA chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982 FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Marc C. GINSBERG embassy: 2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat mailing address: PSC 74, Box 003, APO AE 09718 telephone: [212] (7) 76 22 65 FAX: [212] (7) 76 56 61 consulate(s) general: Casablanca Flag: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as @Morocco:Economy Overview: Morocco faces the typical problems of developing countries - restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and keeping inflation within bounds. Since the early 1980s the government has pursued an economic program toward these objectives with the support of the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club of creditors. The economy has substantial assets to draw on: the world's largest phosphate reserves, diverse agricultural and fishing resources, a sizable tourist industry, a growing manufacturing sector, and remittances from Moroccans working abroad. A severe drought in 1992-93 depressed economic activity and held down exports. Real GDP contracted by 4.4% in 1992 and 1.1% in 1993. Despite these setbacks, initiatives to relax capital controls, strengthen the banking sector, and privatize state enterprises went forward in 1993-94. Favorable rainfall in 1994 boosted agricultural production by 40%. Servicing the large debt, high unemployment, and vulnerability to external economic forces remain long-term problems for Morocco. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $87.5 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,060 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1994) Unemployment rate: 16% (1994 est.) Budget: revenues: $8.1 billion expenditures: $8.9 billion (1994 est.) Exports: $4.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer goods 21%, phosphates 17% partners: EU 70%, Japan 5%, US 4%, Libya 3%, India 2% (1993) Imports: $7.5 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $20.5 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0.1% accounts for 28% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 2,620,000 kW production: 9.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 361 kWh (1993) Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP, 50% of employment, and 30% of export value; not self-sufficient in food; cereal farming and livestock raising predominate; barley, wheat, citrus fruit, wine, vegetables, olives Illicit drugs: illicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the Economic aid: Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 2.892 (January 1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707 (1991), 8.242 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Morocco:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Pipelines: crude oil 362 km; petroleum products (abandoned) 491 km; Ports: Agadir, Al Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Merchant marine: Airports: @Morocco:Communications Telephone system: 280,000 telephones; 10.5 telephones/1,000 persons Radio: Television: @Morocco:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Moroccan Army, Royal Moroccan Navy, Royal Moroccan Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 7,307,076; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion, 3.8% of ________________________________________________________________________ MOZAMBIQUE@Mozambique:Geography Location: Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 4,571 km, Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Coastline: 2,470 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical to subtropical Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west Natural resources: coal, titanium Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 56% forest and woodland: 20% other: 20% Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Mozambique:People Population: 18,115,250 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.87% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 44.6 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 15.94 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: by the end of 1994, an estimated 1.6 million Mozambican refugees, who fled to Malawi, Zimbabwa, and South Africa in earlier years from the civil war, had returned; an estimated 100,000 refugees remain to be repatriated from those countries Infant mortality rate: 126 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.95 years male: 47.04 years female: 50.92 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.19 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: indigenous tribal groups, Europeans about 10,000, Religions: indigenous beliefs 60%, Christian 30%, Muslim 10% Languages: Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: NA @Mozambique:Government Names: Digraph: MZ Type: republic Capital: Maputo Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular - 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: Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica): draft electoral law provides for periodic, direct presidential and Assembly elections note: as called for in the 1992 peace accords, presidential and legislative elections took place during 27-29 October 1994; fourteen parties, including the Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) participated; Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO was elected president and his FRELIMO party gathered a slim majority in the 250 seat legislature Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis Coleman JETT embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda, 193 Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo telephone: [258] (1) 492797 FAX: [258] (1) 490114 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book @Mozambique:Economy Overview: One of Africa's poorest countries, Mozambique has failed to exploit the economic potential of its sizable agricultural, hydropower, and transportation resources. Indeed, national output, consumption, and investment declined throughout the first half of the 1980s because of internal disorders, lack of government administrative control, and a growing foreign debt. A sharp increase in foreign aid, attracted by an economic reform policy, resulted in successive years of economic growth in the late 1980s, but aid has declined steadily since 1989. Agricultural output is at only 75% of its 1981 level, and grain has to be imported. Industry operates at only 20%-40% of capacity. The economy depends heavily on foreign assistance to keep afloat. Peace accords signed in October 1992 improved chances of foreign investment, aided IMF-supported economic reforms, and supported continued economic recovery. Elections held in 1994 diverted government attention from the economy, resulting in slippage and delays in the economic reform program. Nonetheless, growth in 1994 was solid and can continue into the late 1990s given continued foreign help in meeting debt obligations. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $10.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $610 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 50% (1989 est.) Budget: Exports: $150 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $1.14 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $5 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1989 est.) Electricity: capacity: 2,360,000 kW production: 1.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 58 kWh (1993) Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP and about 90% of exports; cash Economic aid: Currency: 1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: meticais (Mt) per US$1 - 5,220.63 (1st quarter 1994), 3,874.24 (1993), 2,550.40 (1992), 1,763.99 (1991), 1,053.09 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Mozambique:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: about 3,750 km of navigable routes Pipelines: crude oil (not operating) 306 km; petroleum products 289 km Ports: Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba Merchant marine: Airports: Note: @Mozambique:Communications Telephone system: NA telephone density; fair system of troposcatter, Radio: Television: @Mozambique:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Militia; note - by late 1994, the army and former RENAMO rebels had demobilized; under UN supervision and training, recruits from both the army and rebel forces joined an integrated force that is still forming Manpower availability: males age 15-49 4,061,109; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $110 million, 7.3% of ________________________________________________________________________ NAMIBIA@Namibia:Geography Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 3,824 km, Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, Coastline: 1,572 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: short section of boundary with Botswana is indefinite; quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Botswana over uninhabited Kasikili ( Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River remained unresolved in mid-February 1995 and the parties agreed to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice; Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 64% forest and woodland: 22% other: 13% Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Namibia:People Population: 1,651,545 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.44% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 43.04 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.61 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 59.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.1 years male: 59.37 years female: 64.9 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.34 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian Ethnic divisions: black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4% note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups include (with approximate share of total population): Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5% Religions: 80%-90% Christian (50% Lutheran; at least 30% other Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1960) Labor force: 500,000 @Namibia:Government Names: Digraph: WA Type: republic Capital: Windhoek Administrative divisions: 13 districts; Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral legislature Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: South West Africa People's Organization Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Marshall F. McCALLIE embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 221601 FAX: [264] (61) 229792 Flag: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section, and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders @Namibia:Economy Overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the mining industry to extract and process minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 25% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Alluvial diamond deposits are among the richest in the world, making Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. More than half the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $5.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,600 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11% (1994) Unemployment rate: 35% in urban areas (1993 est.) Budget: Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) External debt: about $385 million (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -14% (1993); accounts for 30% of Electricity: capacity: 406,000 kW production: 1.29 billion kWh consumption per capita: 658 kWh (1991) Industries: meat packing, fish processing, dairy products, mining (copper, lead, zinc, diamond, uranium) Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP; livestock raising major source Economic aid: Currency: 1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents Exchange rates: South African rand (R) per US$1 - 3.539 (January 1995), 3.5489 (1994), 3.2678 (1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7653 (1991), 2.5863 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Namibia:Transportation Railroads: total: 2,341 km (single track) narrow gauge: 2,341 km 1.067-m gauge Highways: total: 54,500 km paved: 4,080 km unpaved: gravel 2,540 km; earth 47,880 km (roads and tracks) Ports: Luderitz, Walvis Bay Merchant marine: none Airports: @Namibia:Communications Telephone system: 62,800 telephones; telephone density - 38/1,000 Radio: Television: @Namibia:Defense Forces Branches: National Defense Force (Army), Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 348,380; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $54 million, 2% of ________________________________________________________________________ NAURU@Nauru:Geography Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 30 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February) Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center Natural resources: phosphates Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the @Nauru:People Population: 10,149 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.33% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 18.03 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 40.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.68 years male: 64.3 years female: 69.18 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.08 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic) Languages: Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), Literacy: NA% Labor force: by occupation: NA @Nauru:Government Names: Digraph: NR Type: republic Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren District Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Independence: 31 January 1968 (from the Australia, New Zealand, and National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968) Constitution: 29 January 1968 Legal system: own Acts of Parliament and British common law Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none Member of: AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, ICAO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited Flag: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru @Nauru:Economy Overview: Revenues come from the export of phosphates, the reserves of which are expected to be exhausted by the year 2000. Phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World. Few other resources exist, so most necessities must be imported, including fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. Substantial amounts of phosphate income are invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $100 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: Exports: $93 million (f.o.b., 1984) Imports: $73 million (c.i.f., 1984) External debt: $33.3 million Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 14,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,036 kWh (1993) Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconut products Agriculture: coconuts; other agricultural activity negligible; almost Economic aid: Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3058 (January 1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2834 (1991), 1.2799 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Nauru:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 27 km paved: 21 km unpaved: improved earth 6 km Ports: Nauru Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 @Nauru:Communications Telephone system: 1,600 telephones; adequate local and international Radio: Television: @Nauru:Defense Forces Branches: no regular armed forces; Directorate of the Nauru Police Defense expenditures: $NA; note - no formal defense structure ________________________________________________________________________ NAVASSA ISLAND(territory of the US) @Navassa Island:Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Haiti Climate: marine, tropical Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high) Natural resources: guano Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 10% forest and woodland: 0% other: 90% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at @Navassa Island:People Population: uninhabited; note - transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island @Navassa Island:Government Names: Digraph: BQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC @Navassa Island:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Navassa Island:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only @Navassa Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ NEPAL@Nepal:Geography Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 2,926 km, China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to Terrain: Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydroelectric potential, Land use: arable land: 17% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 33% other: 37% Irrigated land: 9,430 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains @Nepal:People Population: 21,560,869 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.44% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 37.31 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.9 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 81.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.09 years male: 52.86 years female: 53.34 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.15 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Religions: Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3%, other 2% (1981) Languages: Nepali (official), 20 languages divided into numerous Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 8.5 million (1991 est.) @Nepal:Government Names: Digraph: NP Type: parliamentary democracy as of 12 May 1991 Capital: Kathmandu Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah) National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 28 December (1945) Constitution: 9 November 1990 Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat) Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist Other political or pressure groups: numerous small, left-leaning Member of: AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun @Nepal:Economy Overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 90% of the population and accounting for half of GDP. Industrial activity is limited, mainly involving the processing of agricultural produce (jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain). Production of textiles and carpets has expanded recently and accounted for 85% of foreign exchange earnings in FY93/94. Apart from agricultural land and forests, exploitable natural resources are mica, hydropower, and tourism. Agricultural production in the late 1980s grew by about 5%, as compared with annual population growth of 2.6%. More than 40% of the population is undernourished. Since May 1991, the government has been encouraging trade and foreign investment, e.g., by eliminating business licenses and registration requirements in order to simplify domestic and foreign investment. The government also has been cutting public expenditures by reducing subsidies, privatizing state industries, and laying off civil servants. Prospects for foreign trade and investment in the 1990s remain poor, however, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness, and susceptibility to natural disaster. The international community provides funding for 70% of Nepal's developmental budget and for 30% of total budgetary expenditures. The government, realizing that attempts to reverse three years of liberalization would jeopardize this vital support, almost certainly will move ahead with its reform program in 1995-96. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $22.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,060 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.6% (June 1994) Unemployment rate: NA%; note - there is substantial underemployment Budget: Exports: $593 million (f.o.b., 1993) but does not include unrecorded Imports: $899 million (c.i.f., 1993) External debt: $2 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: NA Electricity: capacity: 280,000 kW production: 920 million kWh consumption per capita: 41 kWh (1993) Industries: small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette, Agriculture: rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, buffalo Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and Economic aid: Currency: 1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1 - 49.884 (January 1995), 49.398 (1994), 48.607 (1993), 42.742 (1992), 37.255 (1991), 29.370 (1990) Fiscal year: 16 July - 15 July @Nepal:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 7,400 km paved: 3,000 km unpaved: 4,400 km Ports: none Airports: @Nepal:Communications Telephone system: 50,000 telephones (1990); poor telephone and Radio: Television: @Nepal:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,163,703; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $36 million, 1.2% of ________________________________________________________________________ NETHERLANDS@Netherlands:Geography Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,027 km, Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km Coastline: 451 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil Land use: arable land: 26% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 32% forest and woodland: 9% other: 32% Irrigated land: 5,500 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or @Netherlands:People Population: 15,452,903 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.52% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.42 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.48 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 1.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.95 years male: 74.9 years female: 81.17 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.56 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective: Dutch Ethnic divisions: Dutch 96%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 4% (1988) Religions: Roman Catholic 34%, Protestant 25%, Muslim 3%, other 2%, unaffiliated 36% (1991) Languages: Dutch Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.) total population: 99% Labor force: 6.4 million (1993) by occupation: services 71.4%, manufacturing and construction 24.6%, agriculture 4.0% (1992) @Netherlands:Government Names: Digraph: NL Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (provincien, singular - Dependent areas: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles Independence: 1579 (from Spain) National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938) Constitution: 17 February 1983 Legal system: civil law system incorporating French penal theory; judicial review in the Supreme Court of legislation of lower order rather than Acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral legislature (Staten Generaal) First Chamber (Eerste Kamer): members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms; elections last held 9 June l991 (next to be held 9 June 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (75 total) number of seats by party NA Second Chamber (Tweede Kamer): members directly elected for four-year terms; elections last held on 3 May 1994 (next to be held in May 1999); results - PvdA 24.3%, CDA 22.3%, VVD 20.4%, D'66 16.5%, other 16.5%; seats - (150 total) PvdA 37, CDA 34, VVD 31, D'66 24, other 24 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Hans Other political or pressure groups: large multinational firms; Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Adriaan JACOBOVITS DE SZEGED chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300 FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Kirk Terry DORNBUSH embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ The Hague mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, the Hague; APO AE 09715 telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209 FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688 consulate(s) general: Amsterdam Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer @Netherlands:Economy Overview: This highly developed and affluent economy is based on private enterprise. The government makes its presence felt, however, through many regulations, permit requirements, and welfare programs affecting most aspects of economic activity. The trade and financial services sector contributes over 50% of GDP. Industrial activity provides about 25% of GDP and is led by the food-processing, oil-refining, and metalworking industries. The highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 4% of the labor force, but provides large surpluses for export and the domestic food-processing industry. Indeed the Netherlands ranks third worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind the US and France. High unemployment and a sizable budget deficit are currently the most serious economic problems. Many of the economic issues of the 1990s will reflect the course of European economic integration. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $275.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $17,940 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (December 1994) Unemployment rate: 8.8% (December 1994) Budget: Exports: $153 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $137 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $0 Industrial production: growth rate -1.5% (1993 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 17,520,000 kW production: 72.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,100 kWh (1993) Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical Agriculture: accounts for 4.6% of GDP; animal production predominates; Illicit drugs: important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish Economic aid: Currency: 1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1 - 1.7178 (January 1995), 1.8200 (1994), 1.8573 (1993), 1.7585 (1992), 1.8697 (1991), 1.8209 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Netherlands:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 6,340 km, of which 35% is usable by craft of 1,000 Pipelines: crude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; natural gas Ports: Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen, Haarlem, Merchant marine: Airports: @Netherlands:Communications Telephone system: 9,418,000 telephones; highly developed, well maintained, and integrated; extensive redundant system of multiconductor cables, supplemented by microwave radio relay links local: nationwide mobile phone system intercity: microwave radio relay international: 5 submarine cables; 3 INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) and 1 EUTELSAT earth station Radio: broadcast stations: AM 3 (relays 3), FM 12 (repeaters 39), shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 8 (repeaters 7) televisions: NA @Netherlands:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Manpower availability: males age 15-49 4,177,555; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $7.1 billion, 2.2% of ________________________________________________________________________ NETHERLANDS ANTILLES(part of the Dutch realm) @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 Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 364 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only) Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 92% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Netherlands Antilles:People Population: 203,505 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.06% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 16.23 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.26 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.94 years male: 74.67 years female: 79.33 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: mixed African 85%, Carib Indian, European, Latin, Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento a Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 89,000 @Netherlands Antilles:Government Names: Digraph: NT Type: part of the Dutch realm; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954 Capital: Willemstad Administrative divisions: none (part of the Dutch realm) Independence: none (part of the Dutch realm) National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938) Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice Political parties and leaders: political parties are indigenous to Member of: CARICOM (observer), ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL, Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing part of the US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Consul General Bernard J. WOERZ consulate(s) general: Saint Anna Boulevard 19, Willemstad, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao telephone: [599] (9) 61-3066 FAX: [599] (9) 61-6489 Flag: white with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band also centered; five white five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten @Netherlands Antilles:Economy Overview: Tourism and offshore finance are the mainstays of the economy. The islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with Venezuela and the US being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.85 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 13.4% (1993 est.) Budget: Exports: $240 million (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993) External debt: $672 million (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 200,000 kW production: 810 million kWh consumption per capita: 4,054 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism (Curacao and Sint Maarten), petroleum refining Agriculture: chief products - aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, Illicit drugs: money-laundering center; transshipment point for South Economic aid: Currency: 1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (NAf.) = Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins Fiscal year: calendar year @Netherlands Antilles:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 950 km paved: 300 km unpaved: gravel, earth 650 km Ports: Kralendijk, Philipsburg, Willemstad Merchant marine: Airports: @Netherlands Antilles:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; generally adequate facilities Radio: Television: @Netherlands Antilles:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 56,058; males fit for military Note: defense is responsibility of the Netherlands ________________________________________________________________________ NEW CALEDONIA(overseas territory of France) @New Caledonia:Geography Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,254 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 14% forest and woodland: 51% other: 35% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @New Caledonia:People Population: 184,552 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.75% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 22.04 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.9 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.02 years male: 70.73 years female: 77.48 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.57 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10% Languages: French, 28 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1976) Labor force: 50,469 foreign workers for plantations and mines from @New Caledonia:Government Names: Digraph: NC Type: overseas territory of France since 1956 Capital: Noumea Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there Independence: none (overseas territory of France; a referendum on National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands; formerly under French law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: white-dominated Rassemblement pour la Member of: ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WFTU, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory of France) US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @New Caledonia:Economy Overview: New Caledonia has more than 25% of the world's known nickel resources. In recent years the economy has suffered because of depressed international demand for nickel, the principal source of export earnings. Only a negligible amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 25% of imports. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.4% (1988) National product per capita: $6,000 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (1990) Unemployment rate: 16% (1989) Budget: Exports: $671 million (f.o.b., 1989) Imports: $764 million (c.i.f., 1989) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 250,000 kW production: 1.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,178 kWh (1993) Industries: nickel mining and smelting Agriculture: large areas devoted to cattle grazing; coffee, corn, Illicit drugs: illicit cannabis cultivation is becoming a principal Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 96.25 (January 1995), 100.93 (1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year @New Caledonia:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 6,340 km paved: 634 km unpaved: 5,706 km (1987) Ports: Mueo, Noumea, Thio Merchant marine: Airports: @New Caledonia:Communications Telephone system: 32,578 telephones (1987) Radio: Television: @New Caledonia:Defense Forces Branches: French Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie); Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ NEW ZEALAND@New Zealand:Geography Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 15,134 km Maritime claims: International disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 53% forest and woodland: 38% other: 7% Irrigated land: 2,800 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: about 80% of the population lives in cities @New Zealand:People Population: 3,407,277 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.52% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15.14 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.03 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.65 years male: 73.08 years female: 80.42 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand Ethnic divisions: European 88%, Maori 8.9%, Pacific Islander 2.9%, Religions: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Languages: English (official), Maori Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) total population: 99% Labor force: 1,603,500 (June 1991) by occupation: services 66.6%, industry 22.6%, agriculture 10.8% (1992) @New Zealand:Government Names: Abbreviation: NZ Digraph: NZ Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Wellington Administrative divisions: 93 counties, 9 districts*, and 3 town Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK) National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi Constitution: no formal, written constitution; consists of various Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation and Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: National Party (NP, government), James Member of: ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant @New Zealand:Economy Overview: Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economy dependent on a guaranteed British market to a more industrialized, open free market economy that can compete on the global scene. The government has hoped that dynamic growth would boost real incomes, broaden and deepen the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit the expansion of welfare benefits. The initial results were mixed: inflation is down from double-digit levels, but growth was sluggish in 1988-91. In 1992-93, growth picked up to 3% annually, a sign that the new economic approach was beginning to pay off. Business confidence strengthened in 1994, and export demand picked up in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in 6.2% growth. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $56.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 6.2% (1994) National product per capita: $16,640 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (FY93/94) Unemployment rate: 7.5% (December 1994) Budget: Exports: $11.2 billion (1994) Imports: $10.4 billion (1994) commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods partners: Australia 21%, US 18%, Japan 16%, UK 6% External debt: $38.5 billion (September 1994) Industrial production: growth rate 1.9% (1990); accounts for about 20% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 7,520,000 kW production: 30.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 8,401 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining Agriculture: accounts for about 9% of GDP and about 11% of the work force; livestock predominates - wool, meat, dairy products all export earners; crops - wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; surplus producer of farm products; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988 Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $526 million Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5601 (January 1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @New Zealand:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation Pipelines: petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; condensate (liquified petroleum gas - LPG) 150 km Ports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington Merchant marine: Airports: @New Zealand:Communications Telephone system: 2,110,000 telephones; excellent international and Radio: Television: @New Zealand:Defense Forces Branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Manpower availability: males age 15-49 883,668; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $792 million, 2% of ________________________________________________________________________ NICARAGUA@Nicaragua:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: total 1,231 km, Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km Coastline: 910 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 25-nm security zone continental shelf: natural prolongation territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) referred the disputants to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 43% forest and woodland: 35% other: 12% Irrigated land: 850 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Nicaragua:People Population: 4,206,353 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.61% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 33.73 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.45 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 50.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.54 years male: 61.67 years female: 67.53 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.17 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and Caucasian) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Indian 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5% Languages: Spanish (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971) Labor force: 1.086 million @Nicaragua:Government Names: Digraph: NU Type: republic Capital: Managua Administrative divisions: 16 departments (departamentos, singular - 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: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: National Workers Front (FNT) is a Member of: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto Genaro MAYORGA Cortes chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John F. MAISTO embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managua mailing address: APO AA 34021 telephone: [505] (2) 666010, 666013, 666015 through 18, 666026, 666027, 666032 through 34 FAX: [505] (2) 666046 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band @Nicaragua:Economy Overview: Since March 1991, when President CHAMORRO began an ambitious economic stabilization program, Nicaragua has had considerable success in reducing inflation and obtaining substantial economic aid from abroad. Annual inflation fell from more than 750% in 1991 to less than 5% in 1992. Inflation rose again to an estimated 20% in 1993, although this increase was due almost entirely to a large currency devaluation in January. As of early 1994, the government was close to finalizing an enhanced structural adjustment facility with the IMF, after the previous standby facility expired in early 1993. Despite these successes, achieving overall economic growth in an economy scarred by misguided economic values and civil war during the 1980s has proved elusive. Economic growth was flat in 1992 and slightly negative in 1993. Nicaragua's per capita foreign debt is one of the highest in the world; nonetheless, as of late 1993, Nicaragua was current on its post-1988 debt as well as on payments to the international financial institutions. Definition of property rights remains a problem; ownership disputes over large tracts of land, businesses, and homes confiscated by the previous government have yet to be resolved. A rise in exports of coffee and other products led growth in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,570 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19.5% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 21.8%; underemployment 50% (1993) Budget: Exports: $329 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $786 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $11 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate -0.8% (1993 est.); accounts for 26% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 460,000 kW production: 1.6 billion kWh consumption per capita: 376 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear Agriculture: crops account for about 15% of GDP; export crops - coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton; food crops - rice, corn, cassava, citrus fruit, beans; also produces a variety of animal products - beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products; normally self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US Economic aid: Currency: 1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: gold cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 7.08 (December 1994), 6.72 (1994), 5.62 (1993), 5.00 (1992); note - gold cordoba replaced cordoba as Nicaragua's currency in 1991 (exchange rate of old cordoba had reached per US$1 - 25,000,000 by March 1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Nicaragua:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes Pipelines: crude oil 56 km Ports: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Merchant marine: none Airports: @Nicaragua:Communications Telephone system: 60,000 telephones; low-capacity radio relay and wire Radio: Television: @Nicaragua:Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force note: total strength of all branches - 14,500 Manpower availability: males age 15-49 982,345; males fit for military Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $32 million, 1.7% of ________________________________________________________________________ NIGER@Niger:Geography Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 5,697 km, Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger; demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 2% other: 88% Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked @Niger:People Population: 9,280,208 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.4% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 54.8 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 20.8 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 109.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.07 years male: 43.42 years female: 46.77 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.35 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1988) Labor force: 2.5 million wage earners (1982) @Niger:Government Names: Digraph: NG Type: republic Capital: Niamey Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular - departement); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, Zinder Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958) Constitution: approved by national referendum 16 December 1992; Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; has Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: elected by proportional representation for 5 year terms; elections last held 12 January 1995 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (83 total) MNSD-NASSARA 29, CDS 24, PNDS 12, ANDP-Z 9, UDFP 3, UDPS 2, PADN 2, PPN-RDA 1, UPDP 1 Judicial branch: State Court (Cour d'Etat), Court of Appeal (Cour Political parties and leaders: National Movement of the Development Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John S. DAVISON embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone: [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64 FAX: [227] 73 31 67 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band @Niger:Economy Overview: Niger is one of the world's poorest countries, with GDP growth lagging behind the rapid growth of population. The economy is centered on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and reexport trade, and increasingly less on uranium, its major export throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Uranium revenues dropped by almost 50% between 1983 and 1990 with the end of the uranium boom. Terms of trade with Nigeria, Niger's largest regional trade partner, have improved dramatically since the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994; this devaluation boosted exports of livestock, peas, onions, and the products of Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies on bilateral and multilateral aid for operating expenses and public investment and is strongly induced to adhere to structural adjustment programs designed by the IMF and the World Bank. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.6 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.4% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $550 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $246 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $286 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: consumer goods, primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals partners: France 23%, Cote d'Ivoire, Germany, Italy, Japan External debt: $1.2 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -2.7% (1992 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 60,000 kW production: 200 million kWh consumption per capita: 42 kWh (1992) Industries: cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium mining began in 1971 Agriculture: accounts for roughly 40% of GDP and 90% of labor force; cash crops - cowpeas, cotton, peanuts; food crops - millet, sorghum, cassava, rice; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats; self-sufficient in food except in drought years Economic aid: Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Niger:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 39,970 km paved: bituminous 3,170 km unpaved: gravel, laterite 10,330 km; earth 3,470 km; tracks 23,000 km Inland waterways: Niger River is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontier from mid-December through March Ports: none Airports: @Niger:Communications Telephone system: 14,260 telephones; small system of wire, Radio: Television: @Niger:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,908,767; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $32 million, 1.3% of ________________________________________________________________________ NIGERIA@Nigeria:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 4,047 km, Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: International disputes: demarcation of international boundaries in Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; Natural resources: petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, Land use: arable land: 31% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 23% forest and woodland: 15% other: 28% Irrigated land: 8,650 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Nigeria:People Population: 101,232,251 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.16% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 43.26 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.01 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 72.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.98 years male: 54.69 years female: 57.3 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.31 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian Ethnic divisions: north: Hausa and Fulani southwest: Yoruba southeast: Ibos non-Africans 27,000 note: Hausa and Fulani, Yoruba, and Ibos together make up 65% of population Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10% Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 42.844 million @Nigeria:Government Names: Digraph: NI Type: military government since 31 December 1983; plans to institute a Capital: Abuja Administrative divisions: 30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960) Constitution: 1979 constitution still in force; plan for 1989 constitution to take effect in 1993 was not implemented Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and tribal law Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Walter C. CARRINGTON embassy: 2 Eleke Crescent, Lagos mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos telephone: [234] (1) 261-0097 FAX: [234] (1) 261-0257 branch office: Abuja consulate(s) general: Kaduna Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green @Nigeria:Economy Overview: The oil-rich Nigerian economy continues to be hobbled by political instability and poor macroeconomic management. Nigeria's unpopular military rulers show no sign of wanting to restore democratic civilian rule in the near future and appear divided on how to redress fundamental economic imbalances that cause troublesome inflation and the steady depreciation of the naira. The government's domestic and international arrears continue to limit economic growth - even in the oil sector - and prevent an agreement with the IMF and bilateral creditors on debt relief. The inefficient (largely subsistence) agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $122.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -0.8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,250 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 53% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 28% (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $11.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $8.3 billion (c.i.f., 1992) External debt: $29.5 billion (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 7.7% (1991); accounts for 43% of Electricity: capacity: 4,570,000 kW production: 11.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 109 kWh (1993) Industries: crude oil and mining - coal, tin, columbite; primary processing industries - palm oil, peanut, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins; manufacturing industries - textiles, cement, building materials, food products, footwear, chemical, printing, ceramics, steel Agriculture: accounts for 35% of GDP and half of labor force; cash crops - cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, rubber; food crops - corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, yams; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; fishing and forestry resources extensively exploited Illicit drugs: passenger and cargo air hub for West Africa; Economic aid: Currency: 1 naira (N) = 100 kobo Exchange rates: naira (N) per US$1 - 21.996 (January 1995), 21.996 (1994), 22.065 (1993), 17.298 (1992), 9.909 (1991), 8.038 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Nigeria:Transportation Railroads: total: 3,567 km narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge standard gauge: 62 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: Inland waterways: 8,575 km consisting of Niger and Benue Rivers and Pipelines: crude oil 2,042 km; petroleum products 3,000 km; natural Ports: Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri Merchant marine: Airports: @Nigeria:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; above-average system limited by poor Radio: Television: @Nigeria:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 23,167,009; males fit for military service 13,246,223; males reach military age (18) annually 1,024,059 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $172 million, about 1% of GDP (1992) ________________________________________________________________________ NIUE(free association with New Zealand) @Niue:Geography Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 64 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau Natural resources: fish, arable land Land use: arable land: 61% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 19% other: 12% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: one of world's largest coral islands @Niue:People Population: 1,837 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: -3.66% (1995 est.) Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA Infant mortality rate: NA Life expectancy at birth: NA Total fertility rate: NA Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Religions: Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church) 75% - a Protestant church Languages: Polynesian closely related to Tongan and Samoan, English Labor force: 1,000 (1981 est.) by occupation: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board @Niue:Government Names: Digraph: NE Type: self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand; Capital: Alofi Administrative divisions: none Independence: 19 October 1974 (became a self-governing territory in National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi Constitution: 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act) Legal system: English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Appeal Court of New Zealand, High Court Political parties and leaders: Niue Peoples Party (NPP), Young VIVIAN Member of: ESCAP (associate), INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), SPARTECA, Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing territory in US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing territory in free Flag: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross @Niue:Economy Overview: The economy is heavily dependent on aid from New Zealand. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, with the shortfall made up by grants from New Zealand - the grants are used to pay wages to public employees. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration of Niueans to New Zealand. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.4 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $1,200 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1992) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $117,500 (f.o.b., 1989) Imports: $4.1 million (c.i.f., 1989) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 1,500 kW production: 2.7 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,490 kWh (1992) Industries: tourism, handicrafts, food processing Agriculture: coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes; subsistence crops Economic aid: Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5601 (January 1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Niue:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 229 km unpaved: all-weather 123 km; plantation access 106 km Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 @Niue:Communications Telephone system: 383 telephones Radio: Television: @Niue:Defense Forces Branches: Police Force Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand ________________________________________________________________________ NORFOLK ISLAND(territory of Australia) @Norfolk Island:Geography Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 32 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 0% other: 75% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Norfolk Island:People Population: 2,756 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.69% (1995 est.) Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA Infant mortality rate: NA Life expectancy at birth: NA Total fertility rate: NA Nationality: Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Religions: Anglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Languages: English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century Labor force: NA @Norfolk Island:Government Names: Digraph: NF Type: territory of Australia Capital: Kingston (administrative center); Burnt Pine (commercial center) Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856) Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1979 Legal system: wide legislative and executive responsibility under the Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: NA Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band @Norfolk Island:Economy Overview: The primary economic activity is tourism, which has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The number of visitors has increased steadily over the years and reached 29,000 in FY88/89. Revenues from tourism have given the island a favorable balance of trade and helped the agricultural sector to become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $1.7 million (f.o.b., FY85/86) Imports: $15.6 million (c.i.f., FY85/86) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 7,000 kW production: 8 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,160 kWh (1990) Industries: tourism Agriculture: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit, cattle, poultry Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3058 (January 1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Norfolk Island:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: earth, coral 27 km Ports: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 @Norfolk Island:Communications Telephone system: 987 telephones (1983) Radio: Television: @Norfolk Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia ________________________________________________________________________ NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS(commonwealth in political union with the US) @Northern Mariana Islands:Geography Location: Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,482 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little Terrain: southern islands are limestone with level terraces and Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean @Northern Mariana Islands:People Population: 51,033 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 3.04% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 33.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.61 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 37.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.43 years male: 65.53 years female: 69.48 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional Languages: English, Chamorro, Carolinian Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 7,476 total indigenous labor force, 2,699 unemployed; @Northern Mariana Islands:Government Names: Digraph: CQ Type: commonwealth in political union with the US; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs Capital: Saipan Administrative divisions: none Independence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US) National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 and the Legal system: based on US system except for customs, wages, Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature Judicial branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court, Superior Court, Federal Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Benigno R. FITIAL, Member of: ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), SPC Flag: blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center @Northern Mariana Islands:Economy Overview: The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. An agreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitled the islands to $228 million for capital development, government operations, and special programs. A rapidly growing major source of income is the tourist industry, which now employs about 50% of the work force. Japanese tourists predominate. The agricultural sector is of minor importance and is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry is small scale, mostly handicrafts, light manufacturing, and garment production. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $524 million (1994 National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,500 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $263.4 million (f.o.b. 1991 est.) Imports: $392.4 million (c.i.f. 1991 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 105,000 kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh Industries: tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts Agriculture: coconuts, fruits, cattle, vegetables; food is a major import Economic aid: none Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Northern Mariana Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: Inland waterways: none Ports: Saipan, Tinian Merchant marine: none Airports: @Northern Mariana Islands:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 2 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth stations Radio: Television: @Northern Mariana Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ NORWAY@Norway:Geography Location: Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 2,515 km, Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Coastline: 21,925 km (includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 Maritime claims: International disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken Natural resources: petroleum, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 27% other: 70% Irrigated land: 950 sq km (1989) Environment: Note: about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much @Norway:People Population: 4,330,951 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.37% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.86 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.35 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 1.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.61 years male: 74.26 years female: 81.15 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Norwegian(s) adjective: Norwegian Ethnic divisions: Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic), Lapps (Sami) Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 87.8% (state church), other Protestant Languages: Norwegian (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.) Labor force: 2.13 million @Norway:Government Names: Digraph: NO Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Oslo Administrative divisions: 19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke); Dependent areas: Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard Independence: 26 October 1905 (from Sweden) National holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814) Constitution: 17 May 1814, modified in 1884 Legal system: mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: modified unicameral Parliament (Storting) which, Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hoyesterett) Political parties and leaders: Labor Party, Thorbjorn JAGLUND; Member of: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas A. LOFTUS embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] 22 44 85 50 FAX: [47] 22 44 33 63 Flag: red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) @Norway:Economy Overview: Norway has a mixed economy involving a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises) and extensively subsidizes agriculture, fishing, and areas with sparse resources. Norway also maintains an extensive welfare system that helps propel public sector expenditures to slightly more than 50% of the GDP and results in one of the highest average tax burdens in the world (54%). A small country with a high dependence on international trade, Norway is basically an exporter of raw materials and semiprocessed goods, with an abundance of small- and medium-sized firms, and is ranked among the major shipping nations. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on its oil sector to keep its economy afloat. Norway imports more than half its food needs. Although one of the government's main priorities is to reduce this dependency, this situation is not likely to improve for years to come. The government also hopes to reduce unemployment and strengthen and diversify the economy through tax reform and a series of expansionary budgets. The budget deficit is expected to hit a record 8% of GDP because of welfare spending and bail-outs of the banking system. Unemployment is currently running at 8.4% - including those in job programs - because of the weakness of the economy outside the oil sector. Economic growth, only 1.6% in 1993, moved up to 5.5% in 1994. Oslo opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $95.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $22,170 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.4% (including people in job-training programs; Budget: Exports: $36.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $29.3 billion (c.i.f., 1994) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 4.6% (1994); accounts for 14% of Electricity: capacity: 27,280,000 kW production: 118 billion kWh consumption per capita: 23,735 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 3% of GDP and about 6% of labor force; among Illicit drugs: transshipment point for drugs shipped via the CIS and Economic aid: Currency: 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.7014 (January 1995), 7.0469 (1994), 7.0941 (1993), 6.2145 (1992), 6.4829 (1991), 6.2597 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Norway:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 1,577 km along west coast; 2.4 m draft vessels Pipelines: refined products 53 km Ports: Bergen, Drammen, Flora, Hammerfest, Harstad, Haugesund, Merchant marine: Airports: @Norway:Communications Telephone system: 3,102,000 telephones; high-quality domestic and Radio: Television: @Norway:Defense Forces Branches: Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy, Royal Norwegian Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,116,130; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.4 billion, 3.2% of ________________________________________________________________________ OMAN@Oman:Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: total 1,374 km, Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Coastline: 2,092 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: no defined boundary with most of UAE; Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong Terrain: vast central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, Land use: Irrigated land: 410 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location with small foothold on Musandam Peninsula @Oman:People Population: 2,125,089 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 3.71% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 38.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 4.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 34.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.25 years male: 68.31 years female: 72.29 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.16 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects Literacy: NA% Labor force: 430,000 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 40% (est.) @Oman:Government Names: Digraph: MU Type: monarchy Capital: Muscat Administrative divisions: 6 regions (mintaqah, singular - mintaqat) Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) National holiday: National Day, 18 November (1940) Constitution: none Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the sultan; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: none Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Consultative Council Judicial branch: none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent civil court system Political parties and leaders: none Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David J. DUNFORD embassy: address NA, Muscat mailing address: P. O. Box 202, Code No. 115, Muscat telephone: [968] 698989 FAX: [968] 699779 Flag: three horizontal bands of white (top, double width), red, and green (double width) with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band @Oman:Economy Overview: Economic performance is closely tied to the fortunes of the oil industry, including trends in international oil prices and the ability of OPEC producers to agree on output quotas. Petroleum accounts for more than 85% of export earnings, about 80% of government revenues, and roughly 40% of GDP. Oman has proved oil reserves of 4 billion barrels, equivalent to about 20 years' supply at the current rate of extraction. Agriculture is carried on at a subsistence level and the general population depends on imported food. The government is encouraging private investment, both domestic and foreign, as a prime force for further economic development. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $17 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $10,020 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.2% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $4.8 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $4.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $3 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 8.6% (1991); accounts for almost 60% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: capacity: 1,540,000 kW production: 6 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,407 kWh (1993) Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP and 40% of the labor force (including fishing); less than 2% of land cultivated; largely subsistence farming (dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables, camels, cattle); not self-sufficient in food; annual fish catch averages 100,000 metric tons Economic aid: 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 @Oman:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 26,000 km paved: 5,000 km unpaved: 21,000 km (1992 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km Ports: Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Qabus, Mina' Raysut Merchant marine: Airports: @Oman:Communications Telephone system: 50,000 telephones; modern system consisting of Radio: Television: @Oman:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Royal Oman Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 520,428; males fit for military service 294,993; males reach military age (14) annually 26,065 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, 14.2% of GDP (1995 est.) ________________________________________________________________________ PACIFIC OCEAN@Pacific Ocean:Geography Location: body of water between Antarctica, Asia, Australia, and the Map references: World Area: Coastline: 135,663 km International disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Climate: the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian land mass back to the ocean Terrain: surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the world's deepest, the 10,924 meter Marianas Trench Natural resources: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and Environment: Note: the major choke points are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, @Pacific Ocean:Government Digraph: ZN @Pacific Ocean:Economy Overview: The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1985 over half (54%) of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean, which is the only ocean where the fish catch has increased every year since 1978. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of Australia, NZ, China, US, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings. Industries: fishing, oil and gas production @Pacific Ocean:Transportation Ports: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Los Angeles (US), Manila @Pacific Ocean:Communications Telephone system: ________________________________________________________________________ PAKISTAN@Pakistan:Geography Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India and Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 6,774 km, Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, Coastline: 1,046 km Maritime claims: International disputes: status of Kashmir with India; border question Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 4% other: 67% (1993) Irrigated land: 170,000 sq km (1992) Environment: Note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes @Pakistan:People Population: 131,541,920 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.28% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 41.8 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.07 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -16.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 99.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.86 years male: 57.18 years female: 58.56 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.35 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani Ethnic divisions: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and Languages: Urdu (official), English (official; lingua franca of Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 36 million @Pakistan:Government Names: Digraph: PK Type: republic Capital: Islamabad Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK) National holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of the Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; separate electorates and Executive branch: head of government: Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora) Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Federal Islamic (Shari'at) Court Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: military remains important Member of: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John C. MONJO embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, PSC 1212, Box 2000, Unit 6220, Islamabad; APO AE 09812-2000 telephone: [92] (51) 826161 through 826179 FAX: [92] (51) 214222 consulate(s) general: Karachi, Lahore consulate(s): Peshawar Flag: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam @Pakistan:Economy Overview: The Pakistani economy has made progress in several key areas since Benazir BHUTTO became Prime Minister in October 1993. She has been under pressure from international donors and the IMF - which gave Pakistan a $1.3 billion structural adjustment credit in February 1994 - to continue the economic reforms and austerity measures begun by her predecessor, caretaker Prime Minister Moeen QURESHI (July-October 1993). Foreign exchange reserves climbed to more than $3 billion in 1994, and the budget deficit was substantially reduced. Real GDP growth was 4% in FY93/94, up from 2.3% in FY92/93. Foreign direct and portfolio investment also have increased. Privatization of large public sector utilities began in 1994 with the sale of 12% of the Pakistan Telecommunications Corporation (PTC) and the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA); the sale of state-owned banks and other large units are planned for 1995. Still, the government must cope with long-standing economic vulnerabilities - high levels of debt service and defense spending, a small tax base, a huge population, and dependence on cotton-based exports - which hamper its ability to create a stable economic environment. In addition, Pakistan's infrastructure is inadequate and deteriorating, low levels of literacy constrain industrial growth, and increasing sectarian, ethnic, and tribal violence disrupt production. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $248.5 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $1,930 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (FY93/94) Unemployment rate: 10% (FY90/91 est.) Budget: Exports: $6.7 billion (1993) Imports: $9.5 billion (1993) commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals partners: Japan, US, Germany, UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Korea External debt: $24 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.6% (FY93/94); accounts for 18% of Electricity: capacity: 10,800,000 kW (1994) production: 52.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 389 kWh (1993) Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, construction materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp Agriculture: 24% of GDP; world's largest contiguous irrigation system; major crops - cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; livestock products - milk, beef, mutton, eggs Illicit drugs: major illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade; remains world's third largest opium producer (160 metric tons in 1994); major center for processing Afghan heroin and key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western market Economic aid: Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1 - 30.860 (January 1995), 30.570 (1994), 28.107 (1993), 25.083 (1992), 23.801 (1991), 21.707 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Pakistan:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 177,410 km paved: 94,027 km unpaved: 83,383 km (1991 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas Ports: Gwadar, Karachi, Ormaro (under construction), Port Muhammad bin Merchant marine: Airports: @Pakistan:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; about 7 telephones/1,000 persons; the Radio: Television: @Pakistan:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard, paramilitary/security forces Manpower availability: males age 15-49 30,219,551; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.2 billion, 5.6% of ________________________________________________________________________ PALAU@Palau:Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,519 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid Terrain: about 200 islands varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and @Palau:People Population: 16,661 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.76% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 22.11 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.61 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 25.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.01 years male: 69.14 years female: 73.02 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.85 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan, and Religions: Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Languages: English (official in all of Palau's 16 states), Sonsorolese Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: NA @Palau:Government Names: Digraph: PS Type: self-governing territory in free association with the US Capital: Koror Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) Constitution: 1 January 1981 Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or OEK) Judicial branch: Supreme Court, National Court, Court of Common Pleas Member of: ESCAP (associate), SPC, SPF (observer), UN Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) @Palau:Economy Overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The compact of "free association" with the United States, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with $500 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing some military facilities. The population, in effect, enjoys a per capita income of $5,000, twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific and the rapidly rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $81.8 million (1994 National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $5,000 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 20% (1986) Budget: Exports: $600,000 (f.o.b., 1989) Imports: $24.6 million (c.i.f., 1989) External debt: about $100 million (1989) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 16,000 kW production: 22 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,540 kWh (1990) Industries: tourism, craft items (shell, wood, pearl), some commercial Agriculture: subsistence-level production of coconut, copra, cassava, Economic aid: Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Palau:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 61 km paved: 36 km unpaved: gravel 25 km Ports: Koror Merchant marine: none Airports: @Palau:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth station Radio: Television: @Palau:Defense Forces Branches: NA Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP Note: defense is the responsibility of the US pursuant to Compact of ________________________________________________________________________ PALMYRA ATOLL(territory of the US) @Palmyra Atoll:Geography Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 14.5 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: equatorial, hot, and very rainy Terrain: low, with maximum elevations of about 2 meters Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 100% other: 0% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall @Palmyra Atoll:People Population: uninhabited @Palmyra Atoll:Government Names: Digraph: LQ Type: incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC @Palmyra Atoll:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Palmyra Atoll:Transportation Highways: much of the road and many causeways built during the war are unserviceable and overgrown Ports: West Lagoon Airports: total: 1 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 @Palmyra Atoll:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ PANAMA@Panama:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: total 555 km, Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km Coastline: 2,490 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 15% forest and woodland: 54% other: 23% Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge @Panama:People Population: 2,680,903 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.9% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 24.12 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.79 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 15.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.2 years male: 72.57 years female: 77.97 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European ancestry) 70%, Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15% Languages: Spanish (official), English 14% Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 979,000 (1994 est.) by occupation: government and community services 31.8%, agriculture, hunting, and fishing 26.8%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 16.4%, manufacturing and mining 9.4%, construction 3.2%, transportation and communications 6.2%, finance, insurance, and real estate 4.3% note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor @Panama:Government Names: Digraph: PM Type: constitutional republic Capital: Panama Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, singular - Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903) Constitution: 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Organized Member of: AG (associate), CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Oliver P. GARZA embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5 mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945; APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 27-1777 FAX: [507] 27-1964 Flag: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center @Panama:Economy Overview: Because of its key geographic location, Panama's economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, and tourism. Trade and financial ties with the US are especially close. GDP grew at 3.6% in 1994, a respectable rate, yet below the 7.1% average of the early 1990s. Banking and financial services and trade through the Colon Free Zone continued to expand rapidly, with the industrial and agricultural sectors experiencing little growth. The new administration, inaugurated 1 September 1994, has launched an economic plan designed to reverse rising unemployment, attract foreign investment, cut back the size of government, and modernize the economy. The success of the plan in meeting its goals for 1995 and beyond depends largely on the success of the administration in reforming the labor code and instituting the reforms necessary to join the GATT. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.6% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $4,670 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.9% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $520 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) partners: US 45%, EU, Central America and Caribbean Imports: $2.205 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) External debt: $6.7 billion (yearend 1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.8% (1994 est.); accounts for about 9% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 960,000 kW production: 2.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,047 kWh (1993) Industries: manufacturing and construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP (1992 est.); crops - bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane; livestock; fishing; importer of food grain, vegetables Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and drug money Economic aid: Currency: 1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos Exchange rates: balboas (B) per US$1 - 1.000 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year @Panama:Transportation Railroads: total: 238 km broad gauge: 78 km 1.524-m gauge narrow gauge: 160 km 0.914-m gauge Highways: Inland waterways: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Pipelines: crude oil 130 km Ports: Bahia de las Minas, Balboa, Colon, Cristobal, Panama Merchant marine: Airports: @Panama:Communications Telephone system: 220,000 telephones; domestic and international Radio: Television: @Panama:Defense Forces Branches: Panamanian Public Forces (PPF; includes the National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 701,691; males fit for military Defense expenditures: expenditures for the Panamanian security forces ________________________________________________________________________ PAPUA NEW GUINEA@Papua New Guinea:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands including the eastern Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: total 820 km, Indonesia 820 km Coastline: 5,152 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil potential Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 71% other: 28% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's @Papua New Guinea:People Population: 4,294,750 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.3% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 33.2 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.18 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 61.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.85 years male: 56.01 years female: 57.74 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.55 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean Ethnic divisions: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Languages: English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: NA @Papua New Guinea:Government Names: Digraph: PP Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port Moresby Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Central, Chimbu, Eastern Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN 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: Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament: (sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly) elections last held 13-26 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (109 total) Pangu Party 24, PDM 17, PPP 10, PAP 10, independents 30, others 18; note - association with political parties is fluid Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Papua New Guinea United Party (Pangu Member of: ACP, APEC, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper @Papua New Guinea:Economy Overview: Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing an infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mining of numerous deposits, including copper and gold, accounts for about 60% of export earnings. Budgetary support from Australia and development aid under World Bank auspices have helped sustain the economy. Robust growth in 1991-92 was led by the mining sector; the opening of a large new gold mine helped the advance. At the start of 1995, Port Moresby is looking primarily to the exploitation of mineral and petroleum resources to drive economic development but new prospecting in Papua New Guinea has slumped as other mineral-rich countries have stepped up their competition for international investment. Output from current projects will probably begin to taper off in 1996, but no new large ventures are being developed to succeed them. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $9.2 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 6.1% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,200 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1994) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $3.2 billion (1992) Industrial production: accounts for 32% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 490,000 kW production: 1.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 390 kWh (1993) Industries: copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production, mining of gold, silver, and copper, construction, tourism Agriculture: Accounts for 25% of GDP; livelihood for 85% of population; fertile soils and favorable climate permits cultivating a wide variety of crops; cash crops - coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels; other products - tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork; net importer of food for urban centers Economic aid: Currency: 1 kina (K) = 100 toea Exchange rates: kina (K) per US$1 - 0.8565 (December 1994), 0.9950 (1994), 1.0221 (1993), 1.0367 (1992), 1.0504 (1991), 1.0467 (1990); note - the government floated the kina on 10 October 1994 Fiscal year: calendar year @Papua New Guinea:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: Inland waterways: 10,940 km Ports: Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul Merchant marine: Airports: @Papua New Guinea:Communications Telephone system: more than 70,000 telephones (1987); services are Radio: Television: @Papua New Guinea:Defense Forces Branches: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Army, Navy, and Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,111,661; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 1.8% of ________________________________________________________________________ PARACEL ISLANDS@Paracel Islands:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 518 km Maritime claims: NA International disputes: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Climate: tropical Terrain: NA Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: typhoons international agreements: NA @Paracel Islands:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are scattered @Paracel Islands:Government Names: Digraph: PF @Paracel Islands:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Paracel Islands:Transportation Ports: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (on Woody Island) @Paracel Islands:Communications Telephone system: local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: Television: @Paracel Islands:Defense Forces Note: occupied by China ________________________________________________________________________ PARAGUAY@Paraguay:Geography Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: total 3,920 km, Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: short section of the boundary with Brazil, just west of Salto del Guaira (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has not been determined Climate: varies from temperate in east to semiarid in far west Terrain: grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 39% forest and woodland: 35% other: 5% Irrigated land: 670 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked; buffer between Argentina and Brazil @Paraguay:People Population: 5,358,198 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.71% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 31.48 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.38 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.58 years male: 72.06 years female: 75.18 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.22 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indian) 95%, Caucasians Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant Languages: Spanish (official), Guarani Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1.692 million (1993 est.) @Paraguay:Government Names: Digraph: PA Type: republic Capital: Asuncion Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - 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: Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Political parties and leaders: Colorado Party, Eugenio SANABRIA Other political or pressure groups: Confederation of Workers (CUT); Member of: AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert SERVICE embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Asuncion mailing address: C. P. 402, Asuncion; Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 FAX: [595] (21) 213-728 Flag: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles) @Paraguay:Economy Overview: Agriculture, including forestry, accounts for about 25% of GDP, employs about 45% of the labor force, and provides the bulk of exports, in which soybeans and cotton are the most important. Paraguay lacks substantial mineral or petroleum resources but possesses a large hydropower potential. In a major step to increase its economic activity in the region, Paraguay in March 1991 joined the Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR), which includes Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. In 1992, the government, through an unorthodox approach, reduced external debt with both commercial and official creditors by purchasing a sizable amount of the delinquent commercial debt in the secondary market at a substantial discount. The government had paid 100% of remaining official debt arrears to the US, Germany, France, and Spain. All commercial debt arrears have been rescheduled. For the long run, the government must press forward with general, market-oriented economic reforms. Growth of 3.5% in 1993 was spurred by higher-than-expected agricultural output and rising international commodity prices. Inflation picked up steam in fourth quarter 1993 because of rises in public sector salaries and utility rates. GDP growth continued in 1994 at 3.5%. Although inflation declined a bit over 1993, increases in food prices, and crop and infrastructure damage from heavy rains at the end of the year, forced inflation to 18%, above the government's target of 15%. Paraguay reaffirmed its commitment to MERCOSUR on 1 January 1995 by implementing the organization's common external tariff. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $15.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,950 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.2% (1994 est.) Budget: Exports: $728 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.38 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) External debt: $1.4 billion (yearend 1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.6% (1993 est.); accounts for 20% Electricity: Industries: meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing, Agriculture: accounts for 26% of GDP; cash crops - cotton, sugarcane, soybeans; other crops - corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava, fruits, vegetables; animal products - beef, pork, eggs, milk; surplus producer of timber; self-sufficient in most foods Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug Economic aid: Currency: 1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: guaranies (G) per US$ - 1,949.6 (January 1995), 1,911.5 (1994), 1,744.3 (1993), 1,500.3 (1992), 1,325.2 (1991), 1,229.8 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Paraguay:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 28,300 km paved: 2,600 km unpaved: gravel 500 km; earth 25,200 km Inland waterways: 3,100 km Ports: Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion Merchant marine: Airports: @Paraguay:Communications Telephone system: 78,300 telephones; 16 telephones/1,000 persons; Radio: Television: @Paraguay:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,290,894; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 1.6% of ________________________________________________________________________ PERU@Peru:Geography Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador Map references: South America Area: Land boundaries: total 6,940 km, Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Coastline: 2,414 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: three sections of the boundary with Ecuador are in dispute Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 21% forest and woodland: 55% other: 21% Irrigated land: 12,500 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, @Peru:People Population: 24,087,372 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.8% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 24.88 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.84 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 52.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.07 years male: 63.86 years female: 68.38 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian Ethnic divisions: Indian 45%, mestizo (mixed Indian and European ancestry) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 8 million (1992) @Peru:Government Names: Digraph: PE Type: republic Capital: Lima Administrative divisions: 24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali note: the 1979 Constitution mandated the creation of regions (regiones, singular - region) to function eventually as autonomous economic and administrative entities; so far, 12 regions have been constituted from 23 of the 24 departments - Amazonas (from Loreto), Andres Avelino Caceres (from Huanuco, Pasco, Junin), Arequipa (from Arequipa), Chavin (from Ancash), Grau (from Tumbes, Piura), Inca (from Cusco, Madre de Dios, Apurimac), La Libertad (from La Libertad), Los Libertadores-Huari (from Ica, Ayacucho, Huancavelica), Mariategui (from Moquegua, Tacna, Puno), Nor Oriental del Maranon (from Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Amazonas), San Martin (from San Martin), Ucayali (from Ucayali); formation of another region has been delayed by the reluctance of the constitutional province of Callao to merge with the department of Lima; because of inadequate funding from the central government and organizational and political difficulties, the regions have yet to assume major responsibilities; the 1993 Constitution retains the regions but limits their authority; the 1993 Constitution also reaffirms the roles of departmental and municipal governments. Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821) Constitution: 31 December 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president note: Prime Minister Efrain GOLDENBERG Schreiber (since NA February 1994) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Political parties and leaders: Change 90-New Majority (C90/NM), Other political or pressure groups: leftist guerrilla groups include Member of: AG, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a llama, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath @Peru:Economy Overview: The Peruvian economy has become increasingly market-oriented, with major privatizations completed in 1994 in the mining and telecommunications industries. In the 1980s the economy suffered from hyperinflation, declining per capita output, and mounting external debt. Peru was shut off from IMF and World Bank support in the mid-1980s because of its huge debt arrears. An austerity program implemented shortly after the FUJIMORI government took office in July 1990 contributed to a third consecutive yearly contraction of economic activity, but the slide came to a halt late that year, and in 1991 output rose 2.4%. After a burst of inflation as the austerity program eliminated government price subsidies, monthly price increases eased to the single-digit level and by December 1991 dropped to the lowest increase since mid-1987. Lima obtained a financial rescue package from multilateral lenders in September 1991, although it faced $14 billion in arrears on its external debt. By working with the IMF and World Bank on new financial conditions and arrangements, the government succeeded in ending its arrears by March 1993. In 1992, GDP had fallen by 2.8%, in part because a warmer-than-usual El Nino current resulted in a 30% drop in the fish catch, but the economy rebounded as strong foreign investment helped push growth to 6% in 1993 and 8.6% in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $73.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 8.6% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,110 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 15%; extensive underemployment (1992 est.) Budget: Exports: $4.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $5.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $22.4 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: NA Electricity: capacity: 4,190,000 kW production: 11.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 448 kWh (1993) Industries: mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication Agriculture: accounts for 12% of GDP, about 35% of labor force; commercial crops - coffee, cotton, sugarcane; other crops - rice, wheat, potatoes, plantains, coca; animal products - poultry, red meats, dairy, wool; not self-sufficient in grain or vegetable oil; fish catch of 6.9 million metric tons (1990) Illicit drugs: world's largest coca leaf producer with about 108,600 hectares under cultivation in 1994; source of supply for most of the world's coca paste and cocaine base; at least 85% of coca cultivation is for illicit production; most of cocaine base is shipped to Colombian drug dealers for processing into cocaine for the international drug market, but exports of finished cocaine are increasing Economic aid: Currency: 1 nuevo sol (S/.) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: nuevo sol (S/.) per US$1 - 2.20 (February 1995), 2.195 (1994),1.988 (1993), 1.245 (1992), 0.772 (1991), 0.187 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Peru:Transportation Railroads: total: 1,801 km standard gauge: 1,501 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 300 km 0.914-m gauge Highways: total: 69,942 km paved: 7,459 km unpaved: improved earth 13,538 km; unimproved earth 48,945 km Inland waterways: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; natural gas and natural gas liquids 64 km Ports: Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Iquitos, Matarani, Paita, Pucallpa, Merchant marine: Airports: @Peru:Communications Telephone system: 544,000 telephones; fairly adequate for most Radio: Television: @Peru:Defense Forces Branches: Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru), Manpower availability: males age 15-49 6,369,157; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $810 million, about ________________________________________________________________________ PHILIPPINES@Philippines:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Map references: Southeast Asia Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 36,289 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth International disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper Land use: arable land: 26% permanent crops: 11% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 40% other: 19% Irrigated land: 16,200 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Philippines:People Population: 73,265,584 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.23% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 30.42 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.97 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 49.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.65 years male: 63.16 years female: 68.25 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.81 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine Ethnic divisions: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and Languages: Pilipino (official; based on Tagalog), English (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 24.12 million @Philippines:Government Names: Digraph: RP Type: republic Capital: Manila Administrative divisions: 72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, 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: 15 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Kongreso) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Filipino Struggle (Laban ng Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Raul Chaves RABE chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614 consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle consulate(s): San Diego and San Jose (Saipan) US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John D. NEGROPONTE embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila 1000 mailing address: APO AP 96440 telephone: [63] (2) 521-71-16 FAX: [63] (2) 522-43-61 consulate(s): Cebu Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star @Philippines:Economy Overview: Domestic output in this primarily agricultural economy failed to grow in 1992 and rose only slightly in 1993. Drought and power supply problems hampered production, while inadequate revenues prevented government pump priming. Worker remittances helped to supplement GDP. A marked increase in capital goods imports, particularly power generating equipment, telecommunications equipment, and electronic data processors, contributed to 20% annual import growth in 1992-94. Provided the government can cope with the substantial trade deficit and meet the fiscal targets agreed to with the IMF, the Philippines should duplicate the strong growth performance of 1994 in 1995-96. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $161.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,310 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.1% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 9% (1994) Budget: Exports: $13.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $21.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994) External debt: $40 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.4% (1993); accounts for 28% of Electricity: capacity: 6,770,000 kW production: 20.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 278 kWh (1993) Industries: textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 22% of GDP and about 45% of labor force; major crops - rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangos; animal products - pork, eggs, beef; net exporter of farm products; fish catch of 2 million metric tons annually Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug Economic aid: Currency: 1 Philippine peso (P) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Philippine pesos (P) per US$1 - 24.622 (January 1995), 26.417 (1994), 22.120 (1993), 25.512 (1992), 27.479 (1991), 24.311 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Philippines:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 160,700 km paved: 29,000 km unpaved: 131,700 km Inland waterways: 3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m) vessels Pipelines: petroleum products 357 km Ports: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras, Iligan, Merchant marine: Airports: @Philippines:Communications Telephone system: 872,900 telephones; good international radio and Radio: Television: @Philippines:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Manpower availability: males age 15-49 18,238,568; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $731 million, 1.4% of ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Oceania Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 51 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March) Terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs Natural resources: miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Pitcairn Islands:People Population: 73 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 2.8% (1995 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman Nationality: noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutineers Religions: Seventh-Day Adventist 100% Languages: English (official), Tahitian/English dialect Labor force: NA @Pitcairn Islands:Government Names: Digraph: PC Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Adamstown Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Constitution: Local Government Ordinance of 1964 Legal system: local island by-laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Island Court Political parties and leaders: none Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: SPC Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor @Pitcairn Islands:Economy Overview: The inhabitants exist on fishing and subsistence farming. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $NA Imports: $NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 110 kW production: 300,000 kWh consumption per capita: 5,360 kWh (1990) Industries: postage stamps, handicrafts Agriculture: based on subsistence fishing and farming; wide variety of Economic aid: Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5601 (January 1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Pitcairn Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 6.4 km unpaved: earth 6.4 km Ports: Bounty Bay Merchant marine: none Airports: none @Pitcairn Islands:Communications Telephone system: 24 telephones; party line telephone service on the Radio: Television: @Pitcairn Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ POLAND@Poland:Geography Location: Central Europe, east of Germany Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 3,114 km, Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 658 Coastline: 491 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers Terrain: mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border Natural resources: coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt Land use: arable land: 46% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 28% other: 12% Irrigated land: 1,000 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and @Poland:People Population: 38,792,442 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.36% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.34 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.23 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.13 years male: 69.15 years female: 77.33 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Religions: Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Languages: Polish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1978) Labor force: 17.321 million (1993 annual average) @Poland:Government Names: Digraph: PL Type: democratic state Capital: Warsaw Administrative divisions: 49 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - Independence: 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed) National holiday: Constitution Day, 3 May (1791) Constitution: interim "small constitution" came into effect in Legal system: mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Zgromadzenie Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: powerful Roman Catholic Church; Member of: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CCC, CE, CEI, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to @Poland:Economy Overview: Poland continues to make good progress in the difficult transition to a market economy that began on 1 January 1990, when the new democratic government instituted "shock therapy" by decontrolling prices, slashing subsidies, and drastically reducing import barriers. Real GDP fell sharply in 1990 and 1991, but in 1992 Poland became the first country in the region to resume economic growth with a 2.6% increase. Growth increased to 3.8% in 1993 and 5.5% in 1994 - the highest rate in Europe except for Albania. All of the growth since 1991 has come from the booming private sector, which now accounts for at least 55% of GDP, even though privatization of the state-owned enterprises is proceeding slowly and most industry remains in state hands. Industrial production increased 12% in 1994 - led by 50% jumps in the output of motor vehicles, radios and televisions, and pulp and paper - and is now well above the 1990 level. Inflation, which had approached 1,200% annually in early 1990, was down to about 30% in 1994, as the government held the budget deficit to 1.5% of GDP. After five years of steady increases, unemployment has leveled off at about 16% nationwide, although it approaches 30% in some regions. The trade deficit was sharply reduced in 1994, due mainly to increased exports to Western Europe, Poland's main customer. The leftist government elected in September 1993 gets generally good marks from foreign observers for its management of the budget but is often criticized for not moving faster on privatization. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $191.1 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $4,920 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1994) Unemployment rate: 16.1% (November 1994) Budget: Exports: $16.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) Imports: $18.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) External debt: $47 billion (1993); note - Poland's Western government Industrial production: growth rate 12% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 31,120,000 kW production: 124 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,908 kWh (1993) Industries: machine building, iron and steel, extractive industries, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles Agriculture: accounts for 7% of GDP; 75% of output from private farms, 25% from state farms; productivity remains low by European standards; leading European producer of rye, rapeseed, and potatoes; wide variety of other crops and livestock; major exporter of pork products; normally self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium for domestic consumption and Economic aid: Currency: 1 zloty (Zl) = 100 groszy Exchange rates: zlotych (Zl) per US$1 - 2.45 (January 1995; a currency reform on 1 January 1995 replaced 10,000 old zlotys with 1 new zloty), 22,723 (1994), 18,115 (1993), 13,626 (1992), 10,576 (1991), 9,500 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Poland:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 3,997 km navigable rivers and canals (1991) Pipelines: crude oil 1,986 km; petroleum products 360 km; natural gas Ports: Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie, Merchant marine: note: in addition, Poland owns 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling Airports: @Poland:Communications Telephone system: 4.9 million telephones; 12.7 phones/100 residents Radio: Television: @Poland:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 10,181,069; males fit for Defense expenditures: 50.7 billion zlotych, NA% of GNP (1994 est.); ________________________________________________________________________ PORTUGAL@Portugal:Geography Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain Map references: Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 1,214 km, Spain 1,214 km Coastline: 1,793 km Maritime claims: International disputes: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier Terrain: mountainous north of the Tagus, rolling plains in south Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore, uranium ore, marble Land use: arable land: 32% permanent crops: 6% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 40% other: 16% Irrigated land: 6,340 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along @Portugal:People Population: 10,562,388 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.36% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 11.72 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.65 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.53 years male: 72.11 years female: 79.16 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.47 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: homogeneous Mediterranean stock in mainland, Azores, Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant denominations 1%, other 2% Languages: Portuguese Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 4.24 million (1994 est.) @Portugal:Government Names: Digraph: PO Type: republic Capital: Lisbon Administrative divisions: 18 districts (distritos, singular - Dependent areas: Macau (scheduled to become a Special Administrative Independence: 1140 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910) National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580) Constitution: 25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982 and 1 June 1989 Legal system: civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Fernando Member of: AfDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, EC, ECE, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley BAGLEY embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600 Lisbon mailing address: PSC 83, Lisbon; APO AE 09726 telephone: [351] (1) 7266600, 7266659, 7268670, 7268880 FAX: [351] (1) 7269109 consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores) Flag: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line @Portugal:Economy Overview: Portugal's economy contracted 0.4% in 1993 but registered a 1.4% growth in 1994, with 3% growth expected in 1995 and 1996. This comeback rests on high levels of public investment, continuing strong export growth, and a gradual recovery in consumer spending. The government's long-run economic goal is the modernization of Portuguese markets, industry, infrastructure, and work force in order to catch up with productivity and income levels of the more advanced EU countries. Per capita income now equals only 55% of the EU average. Economic policy in 1994 focused on reducing inflationary pressures by lowering the fiscal deficit, maintaining a stable escudo, moderating wage increases, and encouraging increased competition. The government's medium-term objective is to be in the first tier of the EU countries eligible to join the economic and monetary union (EMU) as early as 1997. To this end, the 1995 budget posits a cut in total deficit to 5.8% of GDP. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $107.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $10,190 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (May 1994) Unemployment rate: 6.7% (May 1994) Budget: Exports: $15.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993) Imports: $24.3 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, petroleum, textiles partners: EC 72%, other developed countries 10.9%, less developed countries 12.9%, US 3.4% External debt: $20 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.5% (1994 est.); accounts for 30.6% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 8,220,000 kW production: 29.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,642 kWh (1993) Industries: textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine; tourism Agriculture: accounts for 5% of GDP; small, inefficient farms; imports more than half of food needs; major crops - grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; livestock sector - sheep, cattle, goats, poultry, meat, dairy products Illicit drugs: increasingly important gateway country for Latin Economic aid: Currency: 1 Portuguese escudo (Esc) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Portuguese escudos (Esc) per US$1 - 158.02 (January 1995), 165.99 (1994), 160.80 (1993), 135.00 (1992), 144.48 (1991), 142.55 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Portugal:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 820 km navigable; relatively unimportant to national Pipelines: crude oil 22 km; petroleum products 58 km Ports: Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes, Merchant marine: ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 28, chemical tanker 5, container 4, Airports: @Portugal:Communications Telephone system: 2,690,000 telephones international: 6 submarine cables; 3 INTELSAT (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Radio: Television: @Portugal:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,747,357; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, 2.9% of ________________________________________________________________________ PUERTO RICO(commonwealth associated with the US) @Puerto Rico:Geography Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 501 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine, mild, little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas Natural resources: some copper and nickel, potential for onshore and offshore crude oil Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 9% meadows and pastures: 41% forest and woodland: 20% other: 22% Irrigated land: 390 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: 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: 3,812,569 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.16% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 15.92 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.47 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -6.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.1 years male: 70.78 years female: 79.66 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens) adjective: Puerto Rican Ethnic divisions: Hispanic Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant denominations and other 15% Languages: Spanish, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 1.2 million (1993) @Puerto Rico:Government Names: Digraph: RQ Type: commonwealth associated with the US Capital: San Juan Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth associated with the US); note - there are 78 municipalities Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US) National holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776) Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952 Legal system: based on Spanish civil code Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Superior Courts, Municipal Courts Political parties and leaders: National Republican Party of Puerto Other political or pressure groups: Armed Forces for National Member of: CARICOM (observer), ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), Diplomatic representation in US: none (commonwealth associated with US diplomatic representation: none (commonwealth associated with the Flag: five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the US flag @Puerto Rico:Economy Overview: Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. Industry has surpassed agriculture as the primary sector of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Important industries include pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, petrochemicals, and processed foods. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income for the island, with estimated arrivals of nearly 3.9 million tourists in 1993. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $26.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.6% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $7,050 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1994) Unemployment rate: 16% (1994) Budget: Exports: $21.8 billion (1994) Imports: $16.7 billion (1994) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 4.230,000 kW production: 15.6 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,819 kWh (1993) Industries: manufacturing accounts for 39.4% of GDP; manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, instruments; tourism Agriculture: accounts for only 3% of labor force and just over 1% of GDP; crops - sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock - cattle, chickens; imports a large share of food needs (1993) Economic aid: none Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Puerto Rico:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Ports: Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce, San Juan Merchant marine: none Airports: @Puerto Rico:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; modern system, integrated with that Radio: Television: @Puerto Rico:Defense Forces Branches: paramilitary National Guard, Police Force Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ QATAR@Qatar:Geography Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Map references: Middle East Area: Land boundaries: total 60 km, Saudi Arabia 60 km Coastline: 563 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: territorial dispute with Bahrain over the Climate: desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 0% other: 95% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum @Qatar:People Population: 533,916 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.74% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 22.72 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 3.59 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 8.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 20.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.03 years male: 70.45 years female: 75.5 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.63 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari Ethnic divisions: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% Religions: Muslim 95% Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1986) Labor force: NA @Qatar:Government Names: Digraph: QA Type: traditional monarchy Capital: Doha Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971) Constitution: provisional constitution enacted 2 April 1970 Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is significant in personal matters Suffrage: none Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: none Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Kenton W. KEITH embassy: 149 Ali Bin Ahmed St., Farig Bin Omran (opposite the television station), Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha telephone: [974] 864701 through 864703 FAX: [974] 861669 Flag: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side @Qatar:Economy Overview: Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 75% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.3 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for about 25 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to the leading West European industrial countries. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of off-shore oil and the diversification of the economy. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $10.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: -1% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $20,820 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $3.13 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $1.75 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) External debt: $1.5 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: accounts for 50% of GDP, including oil Electricity: capacity: 1,520,000 kW production: 4.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 8,415 kWh (1993) Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, Agriculture: farming and grazing on small scale, less than 2% of GDP; Economic aid: 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 @Qatar:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,190 km paved: 1,030 km unpaved: 160 km (1988 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 km Ports: Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id Merchant marine: Airports: @Qatar:Communications Telephone system: 110,000 telephones; modern system centered in Doha Radio: Television: @Qatar:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security Manpower availability: males age 15-49 219,442; males fit for military service 115,103; males reach military age (18) annually 3,915 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA%, of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ REUNION(overseas department of France) @Reunion:Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Map references: World Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 201 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderates with elevation; cool and dry from May to November, hot and rainy from November to April Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast Natural resources: fish, arable land Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 35% other: 39% Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Reunion:People Population: 666,067 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.98% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 24.59 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.79 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.46 years male: 71.39 years female: 77.67 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.75 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, Religions: Roman Catholic 94% Languages: French (official), Creole widely used Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: NA @Reunion:Government Names: Digraph: RE Type: overseas department of France Capital: Saint-Denis 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 law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (Cour d'Appel) Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Alain Member of: FZ, WFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of France) US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @Reunion:Economy Overview: The economy has traditionally been based on agriculture. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to relieve high unemployment, which recently amounted to one-third of the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better off than other segments of the population, often approaching European standards, whereas indigenous groups suffer the poverty and unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent. The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from France. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $3,900 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 35% (February 1991) Budget: Exports: $166 million (f.o.b., 1988) Imports: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1988) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA%; about 25% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 180,000 kW production: 1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,454 kWh (1993) Industries: sugar, rum, cigarettes, several small shops producing handicraft items Agriculture: accounts for 30% of labor force; dominant sector of Economic aid: Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.2943 (January 1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Reunion:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 2,800 km paved: 2,200 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 600 km Ports: Le Port, Pointe des Galets Merchant marine: none Airports: @Reunion:Communications Telephone system: 85,900 telephones; adequate system; principal center Radio: Television: @Reunion:Defense Forces Branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 173,693; males fit for military service 89,438; males reach military age (18) annually 5,781 (1995 est.) Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ ROMANIA@Romania:Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: Land boundaries: total 2,508 km, Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Coastline: 225 km Maritime claims: International disputes: certain territory of Moldova and Ukraine - Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; Terrain: central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of Natural resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural Land use: arable land: 43% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 19% forest and woodland: 28% other: 7% Irrigated land: 34,500 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, @Romania:People Population: 23,198,330 (July 1995 est.) note: the Romanian census of January 1992 gives the population for that date as 22.749 million; the government estimates that population declined in 1993 by 0.3% Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.09% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.71 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.93 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -2.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.24 years male: 69.31 years female: 75.35 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Romanian 89.1%, Hungarian 8.9%, German 0.4%, Religions: Romanian Orthodox 70%, Roman Catholic 6% (of which 3% are Languages: Romanian, Hungarian, German Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992) Labor force: 11.3 million (1992) @Romania:Government Names: Digraph: RO Type: republic Capital: Bucharest Administrative divisions: 40 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 Independence: 1881 (from Turkey; republic proclaimed 30 December 1947) National holiday: National Day of Romania, 1 December (1990) Constitution: 8 December 1991 Legal system: former mixture of civil law system and Communist legal theory; is now based on the Constitution of France's Fifth Republic Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice, Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (DP-FSN), Petre ROMAN; Other political or pressure groups: various human rights and Member of: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI (associate members), EBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Alfred H. MOSES embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: American Consulate General (Bucharest), Unit 1315, Bucharest; APO AE 09213-1315 telephone: [40] (1) 210 01 49, 210 40 42 FAX: [40] (1) 210 03 95 branch office: Cluj-Napoca Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flags of Andorra and Chad @Romania:Economy Overview: Despite the continuing difficulties in moving away from the former command system, the Romanian economy seems to have bottomed out in 1993-94. Market oriented reforms have been introduced fitfully since the downfall of CEAUSESCU in December 1989, with the result a growing private sector, especially in services. The slow pace of structural reform, however, has exacerbated Romania's high inflation rate and eroded real wages. Agricultural production rebounded in 1993 from the drought-reduced harvest of 1992. The economy continued its recovery in 1994, further gains being realized in agriculture, construction, services, and trade. Food supplies are adequate but expensive. Romania's infrastructure had deteriorated over the last five years due to reduced levels of public investment. Residents of the capital reported frequent disruptions of heating and water services. The slow and painful process of conversion to a more open economy will continue in 1995. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $64.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $2,790 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 62% (1994) Unemployment rate: 10.9% (December 1994) Budget: Exports: $6 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $6.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: minerals 21.1%, machinery and equipment 19.7%, textiles 11.5%, agricultural goods 9.2% (1994) partners: EC 45.8%, East and Central Europe 8.6%, developing countries 22.6%, Russia 11%, EFTA 6.2%, US 5.0%, Japan 0.8% (1993) External debt: $4.4 billion (1994) Industrial production: growth rate -1% (1993 est.); accounts for 45% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 22,180,000 kW production: 50.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,076 kWh (1993) Industries: mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, Agriculture: accounts for 18% of GDP and 28% of labor force; major Illicit drugs: transshipment point for southwest Asian heroin and Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 leu (L) = 100 bani Exchange rates: lei (L) per US$1 - 1,776.00 (January 1995), 1,655.09 (1994), 760.05 (1993), 307.95 (1992), 76.39 (1991), 22.432 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Romania:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: 1,724 km (1984) Pipelines: crude oil 2,800 km; petroleum products 1,429 km; natural gas 6,400 km (1992) Ports: Braila, Constanta, Galatz, Mangalia, Sulina, Tulcea Merchant marine: Airports: @Romania:Communications Telephone system: about 2.3 million telephones; 99 telephones/1,000 Radio: Television: @Romania:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Paramilitary Forces, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,934,524; males fit for Defense expenditures: 1,260 billion lei, 3% of GDP (1994); note - ________________________________________________________________________ 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 Map references: Asia Area: Land boundaries: total 20,139 km, Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, Coastline: 37,653 km Maritime claims: International disputes: inherited disputes from former USSR including: sections of the boundary with China; islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan and the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; maritime dispute with Norway over portion of the Barents Sea; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined; potential dispute with Ukraine over Crimea; Estonia claims over 2,000 sq km of Russian territory in the Narva and Pechora regions; the Abrene section of the border ceded by the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic to Russia in 1944; has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation Climate: ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast Terrain: broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions Natural resources: wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of natural resources Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: NEGL% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 45% other: 42% Irrigated land: 56,000 sq km (1992) Environment: 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: 149,909,089 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.2% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 12.64 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 11.36 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Russian(s) adjective: Russian Ethnic divisions: Russian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 3%, Chuvash 1.2%, Bashkir 0.9%, Byelorussian 0.8%, Moldavian 0.7%, other 8.1% Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other Languages: Russian, other Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989) Labor force: 85 million (1993) @Russia:Government Names: Digraph: RS Type: federation Capital: Moscow Administrative divisions: 21 autonomous republics (avtomnykh Independence: 24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, June 12 (1990) Constitution: adopted 12 December 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (highest court Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: BSEC, CBSS, CCC, CE (guest), CERN (observer), CIS, EBRD, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas R. PICKERING embassy: Novinskiy Bul'var 19/23, Moscow mailing address: APO AE 09721 telephone: [7] (095) 252-24-51 through 59 FAX: [7] (095) 956-42-61 consulate(s) general: St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red @Russia:Economy Overview: Russia, a vast country with a wealth of natural resources, a well-educated population, and a diverse industrial base, continues to experience formidable difficulties in moving from its old centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. President YEL'TSIN's government has made substantial strides in converting to a market economy since launching its economic reform program in January 1992 by freeing nearly all prices, slashing defense spending, eliminating the old centralized distribution system, completing an ambitious voucher privatization program, establishing private financial institutions, and decentralizing foreign trade. Russia, however, has made little progress in a number of key areas that are needed to provide a solid foundation for the transition to a market economy. Financial stabilization has remained elusive, with wide swings in monthly inflation rates. Only limited restructuring of industry has occurred so far because of a scarcity of investment funds and the failure of enterprise managers to make hard cost-cutting decisions. In addition, Moscow has yet to develop a social safety net that would allow faster restructuring by relieving enterprises of the burden of providing social benefits for their workers and has been slow to develop the legal framework necessary to fully support a market economy and to encourage foreign investment. As a result, output has continued to fall. According to Russian official data, which probably overstate the fall, GDP declined by 15% in 1994 compared with a 12% decline in 1993. Industrial output in 1994 fell 21% with all major sectors taking a hit. Agricultural production in 1994 was down 9%. The grain harvest totaled 81 million tons, some 15 million tons less than in 1993. Unemployment climbed to an estimated 6.6 million or about 7% of the work force by yearend 1994. Floundering Russian firms have already had to put another 4.8 million workers on involuntary, unpaid leave or shortened workweeks. Government fears of large-scale unemployment continued to hamper industrial restructuring efforts. According to official Russian data, real per capita income was up nearly 18% in 1994 compared with 1993, in part because many Russians are working second jobs. Most Russians perceive that they are worse off now because of growing crime and health problems and mounting wage arrears. Russia has made significant headway in privatizing state assets, completing its voucher privatization program at midyear 1994. At least a portion of about 110,000 state enterprises were transferred to private hands by the end of 1994. Including partially privatized firms, the private sector accounted for roughly half of GDP in 1994. Financial stabilization continued to remain a challenge for the government. Moscow tightened financial policies in late 1993 and early 1994, including postponing planned budget spending, and succeeded in reducing monthly inflation from 18% in January to about 5% in July and August. At midyear, however, the government relaxed austerity measures in the face of mounting pressure from industry and agriculture, sparking a new round of inflation; the monthly inflation rate jumped to roughly 15% per month during the fourth quarter. In response, Moscow announced a fairly tight government budget for 1995 designed to bring monthly inflation down to around 1% by the end of 1995. According to official statistics, Russia's 1994 trade with nations outside the former Soviet Union produced a $12.3 billion surplus, up from $11.3 billion in 1993. Foreign sales - comprised largely of oil, natural gas, and other raw materials - grew more than 8%. Imports also were up 8% as demand for food and other consumer goods surged. Russian trade with other former Soviet republics continued to decline. At the same time, Russia paid only a fraction of the roughly $20 billion in debt that came due in 1994, and by the end of the year, Russia's hard currency foreign debt had risen to nearly $100 billion. Moscow reached agreement to restructure debts with Paris Club official creditors in mid-1994 and concluded a preliminary deal with its commercial bank creditors late in the year to reschedule debts owed them in early 1995. Capital flight continued to be a serious problem in 1994, with billions of additional dollars in assets being moved abroad, primarily to bank accounts in Europe. Russia's physical plant continues to deteriorate because of insufficient maintenance and new construction. Plant and equipment on average are twice the age of the West's. Many years will pass before Russia can take full advantage of its natural resources and its human assets. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $721.2 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992) National product real growth rate: -15% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $4,820 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% per month (average 1994) Unemployment rate: 7.1% (December 1994) with considerable additional underemployment Budget: Exports: $48 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Imports: $35.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, medicines, meat, grain, sugar, semifinished metal products partners: Europe, North America, Japan, Third World countries, Cuba External debt: $95 billion-$100 billion (yearend 1994) Industrial production: growth rate -21% (1994) Electricity: capacity: 213,100,000 KW production: 876 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,800 kWh (1994) Industries: complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; ship- building; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables Agriculture: grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, meat, milk, vegetables, fruits; because of its northern location does not grow citrus, cotton, tea, and other warm climate products Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly Economic aid: Currency: 1 ruble (R) = 100 kopeks Exchange rates: rubles per US$1 - 3,550 (29 December 1994), 1,247 (27 Fiscal year: calendar year @Russia:Transportation Railroads: Highways: Inland waterways: total navigable routes in general use 101,000 km; routes with navigation guides serving the Russian River Fleet 95,900 km; of which 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 Ports: Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', Kaliningrad, Kazan', Khabarovsk, Merchant marine: Airports: @Russia:Communications Telephone system: 24,400,000 telephones; 20,900,000 telephones in Radio: Television: @Russia:Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Forces, Air Defense Forces, Manpower availability: males age 15-49 38,264,699; males fit for Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP note: the Intelligence Community estimates that defense spending in Russia fell about 15% in real terms in 1994, reducing Russian defense outlays to about one-fourth of peak Soviet levels in the late 1980s; although Russia may still spend as much as 10% of its GDP on defense, this is significantly below the 15% to 17% burden the former USSR carried during much of the 1980s; conversion of military expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results ________________________________________________________________________ RWANDA@Rwanda:Geography Location: Central Africa, east of Zaire Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: total 893 km, Burundi 290 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to Terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten Land use: arable land: 29% permanent crops: 11% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 10% other: 32% Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: Note: landlocked; predominantly rural population @Rwanda:People Population: 8,605,307 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 2.67% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 48.52 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 21.82 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: since April 1994, more than one million refugees have fled the civil strife between the Hutu and Tutsi factions in Rwanda and crossed into Zaire, Burundi, and Tanzania; close to 350,000 Rwandan Tutsis who fled civil strife in earlier years are returning to Rwanda and a few of the recent Hutu refugees are going home despite the danger of doing so; the ethnic violence continues and in 1995 could produce further refugee flows as well as deter returns Infant mortality rate: 118.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 39.33 years male: 38.5 years female: 40.19 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 8.12 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Rwandan(s) adjective: Rwandan Ethnic divisions: Hutu 90%, Tutsi 9%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 65%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 1%, indigenous Languages: Kinyarwanda (official), French (official), Kiswahili used Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 3.6 million @Rwanda:Government Names: Digraph: RW Type: republic; presidential system Capital: Kigali Administrative divisions: 10 prefectures (prefectures, singular - Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Constitution: 18 June 1991 Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil law systems and Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Constitutional Court consists of the Court of Political parties and leaders: Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), Alexis Other political or pressure groups: Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), the Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: note: US Embassy closed indefinitely chief of mission: Ambassador David P. RAWSON embassy: Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali telephone: [250] 756 01 through 03 FAX: [250] 721 28 Flag: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green with a large black letter R centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Guinea, which has a plain yellow band @Rwanda:Economy Overview: Rwanda is a poor African nation suffering bitterly from ethnic-based civil war. Almost 50% of GDP comes from the agricultural sector; coffee and tea make up 80%-90% of total exports. The amount of fertile land is limited, however, and deforestation and soil erosion continue to create problems. The industrial sector in Rwanda is small, contributing only 17% to GDP. Manufacturing focuses mainly on the processing of agricultural products. The Rwandan economy remains dependent on coffee/tea exports and foreign aid. Weak international prices since 1986 have caused the economy to contract and per capita GDP to decline. A structural adjustment program with the World Bank began in October 1990. Ethnic-based insurgency since 1990 has devastated wide areas, especially in the north, and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. A peace accord in mid-1993 temporarily ended most of the fighting, but massive resumption of civil warfare in April 1994 in the capital city Kigali and elsewhere has been taking thousands of lives and severely affecting short-term economic prospects. The economy suffers massively from failure to maintain the infrastructure, looting, neglect of important cash crops, and lack of health care facilities. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $7.9 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: -8% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $950 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $44 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) Imports: $250 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: textiles, foodstuffs, machines and equipment, capital goods, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material partners: US, Belgium, Germany, Kenya, Japan External debt: $873 million (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -2.2% (1991); accounts for 17% of Electricity: Industries: mining of cassiterite (tin ore) and wolframite (tungsten ore), tin, cement, agricultural processing, small-scale beverage production, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes Agriculture: cash crops - coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made Economic aid: Currency: 1 Rwandan franc (RF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Rwandan francs (RF) per US$1 - 144.3 (3rd quarter 1994), 144.25 (1993), 133.35 (1992), 125.14 (1991), 82.60 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Rwanda:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 4,885 km paved: 880 km unpaved: gravel, sand and gravel 1,305 km; unimproved earth 2,700 km Inland waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft Ports: Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye Airports: @Rwanda:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; telephone system does not provide Radio: Television: @Rwanda:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,792,326; males fit for Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $112.5 million, 7% of ________________________________________________________________________ SAINT HELENA(dependent territory of the UK) @Saint Helena:Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean, west of Map references: Africa Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 60 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds Terrain: rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains Natural resources: fish; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns, no minerals Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 3% other: 83% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: Napoleon Bonaparte's place of exile and burial (the remains were @Saint Helena:People Population: 6,762 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.31% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 9.5 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.43 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 36.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.07 years male: 73.01 years female: 76.89 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.13 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Saint Helenian(s) adjective: Saint Helenian Ethnic divisions: NA Religions: Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Languages: English Literacy: age 20 and over can read and write (1987) Labor force: 2,516 @Saint Helena:Government Names: Digraph: SH Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Jamestown Administrative divisions: 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen, 10 June 1989 (second Saturday in June) Constitution: 1 January 1989 Legal system: NA Suffrage: NA Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none Member of: ICFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship @Saint Helena:Economy Overview: The economy depends primarily on financial assistance from the UK. The local population earns some income from fishing, the raising of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, a large proportion of the work force has left to seek employment overseas. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.1% (1986) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: Exports: $27,400 (f.o.b., FY92/93) Imports: $9.8 million (c.i.f., FY92/93) commodities: food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts partners: UK, South Africa External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 9,800 kW production: 10 million kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh (1993) Industries: crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing Agriculture: maize, potatoes, vegetables; timber production being Economic aid: Currency: 1 Saint Helenian pound (#S) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds (#S) per US$1 - 0.6350 (January 1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6033 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990); note - the Saint Helenian pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Saint Helena:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: Ports: Georgetown, Jamestown Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 @Saint Helena:Communications Telephone system: 550 telephones; automatic network Radio: Television: @Saint Helena:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS@Saint Kitts And Nevis:Geography Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 135 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: subtropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 22% permanent crops: 17% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 17% other: 41% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: @Saint Kitts And Nevis:People Population: 40,992 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 0.85% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 23.49 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 9.56 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -5.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.51 years male: 63.51 years female: 69.69 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.56 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Kittsian(s), Nevisian(s) adjective: Kittsian, Nevisian Ethnic divisions: black African Religions: Anglican, other Protestant sects, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1980) Labor force: 20,000 (1981) @Saint Kitts And Nevis:Government Names: Digraph: SC Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Basseterre Administrative divisions: 14 parishs; Christ Church Nichola Town, Independence: 19 September 1983 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983) Constitution: 19 September 1983 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Political parties and leaders: People's Action Movement (PAM), Dr. Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICFTU, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: no official presence; covered by embassy Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black @Saint Kitts And Nevis:Economy Overview: The economy has traditionally depended on the growing and processing of sugarcane; decreasing world prices have hurt the industry in recent years. Tourism and export-oriented manufacturing have begun to assume larger roles, although they still only account for 7% and 4% of GDP respectively. Growth in the construction and tourism sectors spurred the economic expansion in 1994. Most food is imported. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $210 million (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $5,300 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1993) Unemployment rate: 12.2% (1990) Budget: Exports: $32.4 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $100 million (f.o.b., 1992) External debt: $43.3 million (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 5.9% (1992 est.) Electricity: capacity: 15,800 kW production: 45 million kWh consumption per capita: 990 kWh (1993) Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages Agriculture: accounts for 17% of GDP; cash crop - sugarcane; subsistence crops - rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fishing potential not fully exploited Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined Economic aid: Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: calendar year @Saint Kitts And Nevis:Transportation Railroads: Highways: total: 300 km paved: 125 km unpaved: otherwise improved 125 km; unimproved earth 50 km Ports: Basseterre, Charlestown Merchant marine: none Airports: @Saint Kitts And Nevis:Communications Telephone system: 2,400 telephones; good interisland VHF/UHF/SHF radio Radio: Television: @Saint Kitts And Nevis:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force, Coast Guard Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ SAINT LUCIA@Saint Lucia:Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 158 km Maritime claims: International disputes: none Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 20% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 13% other: 54% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: @Saint Lucia:People Population: 156,050 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: Population growth rate: 1.17% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 22.48 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.1 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -4.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 20.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.88 years male: 66.33 years female: 73.67 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.37 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: African descent 90.3%, mixed 5.5%, East Indian 3.2%, Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1980) Labor force: 43,800 @Saint Lucia:Government Names: Digraph: ST Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Castries Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse La Raye, Castries, Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Constitution: 22 February 1979 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Workers' Party (UWP), John Member of: ACCT (associate), ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, Diplomatic representation in US: US diplomatic representation: no official presence since the Flag: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the @Saint Lucia:Economy Overview: Though foreign investment in manufacturing and information processing in recent years has increased Saint Lucia's industrial base, the economy remains vulnerable due to its heavy dependence on banana production, which is subject to periodic droughts and tropical storms. Indeed, the destructive effect of Tropical Storm Debbie in mid-1994 caused the loss of 60% of the year's banana crop. Increased competition from Latin American bananas will probably further reduce market prices, exacerbating Saint Lucia's need to diversify its economy in coming years, e.g., by expanding tourism, manufacturing, and construction National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $610 million (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $4,200 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.8% (1993) Unemployment rate: 25% (1993 est.) Budget: Exports: $122.8 million (f.o.b., 1992) Imports: $276 million (f.o.b., 1992) External debt: $96.4 million (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.5% (1990 est.); accounts for 12% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 20,000 kW production: 112 million kWh consumption per capita: 693 kWh (1993) Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, Agriculture: accounts for 14% of GDP and 43% of labor force; crops - Illicit drugs: transit country for South American drugs destined for Economic aid: Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Saint Lucia:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 760 km paved: 500 km unpaved: otherwise improved 260 km Ports: Castries, Vieux Fort Merchant marine: none Airports: @Saint Lucia:Communications Telephone system: 9,500 telephones local: low density (6 telephones/100 persons) but the system is automatically switched intercity: no intercity traffic international: direct microwave link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; interisland troposcatter link to Barbados Radio: Television: @Saint Lucia:Defense Forces Branches: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Coast Guard Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON(territorial collectivity of France) @Saint Pierre And Miquelon:Geography Location: Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada) Map references: North America Area: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: International disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute between Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are Terrain: mostly barren rock Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 4% other: 83% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: Note: vegetation scanty @Saint Pierre And Miquelon:People Population: 6,757 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.78% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.02 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.83 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.77 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76 years male: 74.4 years female: 77.92 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: Ethnic divisions: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: 2,850 (1988) @Saint Pierre And Miquelon:Government Names: Digraph: SB Type: territorial collectivity of France Capital: Saint-Pierre Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: Legislative branch: unicameral Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals (Tribunal Superieur Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party (PS), Albert PEN; Union Member of: FZ, WFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (territorial collectivity of US diplomatic representation: none (territorial collectivity of Flag: the flag of France is used @Saint Pierre And Miquelon:Economy Overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre has dropped steadily over the years. In March 1989, an agreement between France and Canada set fish quotas for Saint Pierre's trawlers fishing in Canadian and Canadian-claimed waters for three years. The agreement settles a longstanding dispute that had virtually brought fish exports to a halt. The islands are heavily subsidized by France. Imports come primarily from Canada and France. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $66 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 9.6% (1990) Budget: Exports: $30 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) Imports: $82 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 10,000 kW production: 50 million kWh consumption per capita: 6,013 kWh (1993) Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; Agriculture: vegetables, cattle, sheep, pigs for local consumption; Economic aid: Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.2943 (January 1995), 5.520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Saint Pierre And Miquelon:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 120 km paved: 60 km unpaved: earth 60 km (1985) Ports: Saint Pierre Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 2 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 2 @Saint Pierre And Miquelon:Communications Telephone system: 3,601 telephones |
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